Linda Hopkins

Acting

Linda Hopkins

Born 1924-12-14 · New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Linda Hopkins (born Melinda Helen Matthews; December 14, 1924 – April 10, 2017) was a Tony Award-winning American actress and blues and gospel singer. She recorded classic, traditional, and urban blues, and performed R&B and soul, jazz, and show tunes. Hopkins was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, the second child of the Reverend Fred Matthews, Sr. and Hazel Smith, Hopkins grew up in the section of New Orleans known by the locals as "Zion City". She went to school in "Gert Town" which bordered the Xavier University of Louisiana. Known as "Lil Helen Matthews" as a child, she was discovered at the age of eleven by Mahalia Jackson when she persuaded Jackson to perform at a fundraiser at her home church, St. Mark's Baptist Church. Lil Helen opened the children's fundraising program with a rendition of Jackson's gospel hit, "God Shall Wipe Your Tears Away". Jackson was reportedly so impressed by Helen's determination and talent that she arranged for the young girl to join the Southern Harp Spiritual Singers in 1936. Hopkins remained with the group for a decade. She first saw Bessie Smith perform Empty Bed Blues at The New Orleans Palace Theatre in 1936. Hopkins greatly admired Smith and later won critical plaudits for her rendition of Smith in the 1959 theatrical presentation Jazz Train. Matthews left New Orleans in the 1950s, and, in 1951, began performing at Slim Jenkins' Night Club in the Oakland/Richmond area. There she met Johnny Otis and Little Esther Phillips who created her stage name, Linda Hopkins. In 1952, Hopkins toured Hawaii and Japan for two years which included a stint with Louis Armstrong at The Brown Derby in Honolulu. She recorded for the Savoy, Crystalette, Forecast, Federal and Atco labels and often appeared at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. In 1960, Hopkins first toured Europe in the Broadway Express, the restaged production of Jazz Train. She recorded "Shake a Hand" with Jackie Wilson on the Brunswick label, which is her sole hit single reaching #21 on the US Billboard R&B chart. She also recorded "I Found Love" and "There's Nothing Like Love" with him on Brunswick in early 1962. She attended Stella Adler's Acting School in New York City. During the 1970s, Hopkins performed in the Broadway musical, Purlie, and with Sammy Davis Jr. for nine months. In addition, she performed at President Jimmy Carter's 1977 inaugural ball. In 1972 she was awarded a Tony and Drama Desk Award for her performance in Inner City. She sang "Do You Believe" at the political event Star-Spangled Women for McGovern–Shriver, bringing 19,000 people to their feet. Hopkins starred in Me and Bessie, a one-woman show paying homage to blues singer Bessie Smith, conceived and written by Hopkins and Will Holt. The world premiere was in Washington, D.C., in 1974. After a run in Los Angeles it transferred to the Ambassador Theatre on Broadway. The critically acclaimed show ran for thirteen months and 453 performances, and Hopkins was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. ... Source: Article "Linda Hopkins" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Acting credits

Leprechaun 2 poster
5.4

A thousand years ago, the Leprechaun left a bloody trail when he ripped through the countryside in search of his stolen gold. Now he's back in the big city using all of his deadly tricks to snare the girl of his nightmares. His bloody quest becomes more deadly when her boyfriend steals one of the Leprechaun's gold coins. The town soon discovers two dead bodies and a trail of gold dust leads them to the Leprechaun's lair.

Leprechaun 2

1994

Honkytonk Man poster
6.3

During the Great Depression, a young boy leaves his family's Oklahoma farm to travel with his country musician uncle who is trying out for the Grand Ole Opry.

Honkytonk Man

1982

Piano Blues poster
6.5

Director — and piano player — Clint Eastwood explores his life-long passion for piano blues, using a treasure trove of rare historical footage in addition to interviews and performances by such living legends as Pinetop Perkins and Jay McShann, as well as Dave Brubeck and Marcia Ball.

Piano Blues

2003

Disorderlies poster
4.9

As not-quite-orderlies who're downright Disorderlies, rap-music favorites The Fat Boys rule. Playing the freewheeling caretakers of the frail Dennison, they stir up a comedic culture clash in Palm Beach society that only proves laughter is the best medicine this side of a tax refund.

Disorderlies

1987

Go Tell It on the Mountain poster
6.3

Over a single, pivotal Saturday in 1930s Harlem, 14-year-old John Grimes wrestles with his religious calling and his fraught relationship with his abusive, hypocritical stepfather, Gabriel. Extended flashbacks explore the oppressive Southern past and personal histories of John's mother, his aunt, and Gabriel, ultimately illuminating the generational trauma and complex family secrets that shape his life.

Go Tell It on the Mountain

1984

Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards poster
7.2

Broadway royalty and Tony-winners Tommy Tune, Carol Channing, Robert Goulet, and Harvey Fierstein are your hosts for this third compilation of great musical performances from the archives of the Tony Award® broadcasts. Legendary stars from legendary shows strut their stuff in 23 performances that have become part of Broadway history.

Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards

2005

Cries in the Dark poster
7.4

Detective Carrie Macklin and her little sister Elle had always been the closest of friends. But when Elle goes missing after a run-in with a relocated sex offender, it is up to Carrie to find her little sister...who is nine months pregnant. Carrie begins to suspect Elle's husband, Scott, may be involved. Family tensions run high as it's a race against time to find Elle and her baby

Cries in the Dark

2006

The Education of Sonny Carson poster
5.7

A 1974 film based on the best-selling autobiography of Sonny Carson who joined a gang and committed petty crime before being sent to prison. After his release from prison he changes his life.

The Education of Sonny Carson

1974

Mitzi... Roarin' in the 20s poster
NR

Mitzi Gaynor welcomes her guests Carl Reiner (Dick Van Dyke Show), Ken Berry (Mayberry R.F.D.) and Tony-winner Linda Hopkins to an hour, blending animation and live action, celebrating the era of flappers, speakeasies and great jazz. Songs include "Everything Old is New Again," "The One I Love (Belongs to Somebody Else)," "Runnin' Wild," and "The Charleston."

Mitzi... Roarin' in the 20s

1976

The Unpredictable Pudgy! poster
NR

TV special featuring comedian Pudgy performing before a star-studded audience abroad RMS Queen Mary

The Unpredictable Pudgy!

1983

Black and Blue: A Musical Revue poster
NR

The famous rhythm and blues revue featuring such standards as the title song, "After You've Gone" and "In a Sentimental Mood," to name just a few, and sung by R&B legends Ruth Brown, Linda Hopkins and Carrie Smith.

Black and Blue: A Musical Revue

1993

Purlie poster
6.5

Purlie is a musical based on Ossie Davis' 1961 play Purlie Victorious. In the early days of the civil rights movement, a Southern plantation owner holds his sharecroppers in virtual slavery. Purlie comes home as a preacher who will shake things up and bring freedom to his people. This 1981 television adaptation won a CableACE Award.

Purlie

1981

The Colored Museum poster
NR

Ten satirical sketches written by George C. Wolfe use drama, comedy and music to examine black stereotypes and express the need for African-Americans to preserve their culture by remembering their painful but glorious heritage. Presented as museum "exhibitions," the songs and sketches address the problem of having to renounce one's history and suppress anger in order to assimilate.

The Colored Museum

1991

Rockin' the Blues poster
6.0

DJ Hal Jackson is the all-rhyming onstage host of this all-black musical.

Rockin' the Blues

1956

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Umbria Jazz Story

1993