Hattie Winston

Hattie Mae Winston, born on March 3, 1945, in Lexington, Mississippi, is a distinguished American actress recognized for her dynamic performances in television, film, and Broadway. She grew up in Greenville, Mississippi, and embarked on her career in theatre, making a notable mark on Broadway with her roles in productions such as *The Tap Dance Kid*, *Two Gentlemen of Verona*, *I Love My Wife*, and *The Me Nobody Knows*. An accomplished member of the Negro Ensemble Company, her stage presence was undeniable.

Winston gained widespread recognition in the mid-1970s as a cast member of the beloved PBS children's program *The Electric Company*, produced by the Children's Television Workshop. She portrayed the beloved character Valerie the Librarian, forming a notable friendship with Easy Reader, played by Morgan Freeman. Additionally, her talent shone through as she took on various villainous roles in the series' Spidey Super Stories segments, showcasing her versatility.

In the early 1980s, she starred in the CBS series *Nurse* and later appeared in the acclaimed drama *Homefront* from 1991 to 1993. Her role as Margaret on the CBS sitcom *Becker* (1998–2004) further solidified her status in television. Winston also lent her voice to Lucy Carmichael in *The Rugrats Movie* and its spin-off series, *All Grown Up!*

Her film credits include a memorable appearance in Quentin Tarantino's *Jackie Brown* (1997) and a role alongside Clint Eastwood in *True Crime* (1998). Beyond her acting career, Hattie is married to Harold Wheeler, a Tony-nominated musical director known for his work on *Dancing with the Stars*.