Who was Lynda Gravátt? ‘The Hoop Life’ Actress Dead at 77

Lynda Gravátt, the actress from Harlem who starred in New York theater productions like 45 Seconds From Broadway, Doubt, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Old Settler, and Intimate Apparel, has passed away. She was 76 years old.

Her son, David Gravátt, told The Hollywood Reporter that Gravátt died on Friday at a hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Gravátt was a founding member of Robert Alexander’s Living Stage at the famous Arena Stage company in Washington. She received awards for her roles in The Old Settler and Intimate Apparel.

On Broadway, she performed in King Hedley II and 45 Seconds From Broadway, and in Doubt in 2016. Her last Broadway role was as Big Mama’s understudy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2008.

Born in Harlem on May 24, 1947, Gravátt was raised by adopted parents. She started acting at a young age, appearing on Broadway in The King and I at age 4 and performing at Carnegie Hall at age 9.

She attended Fairmont Heights High in Capitol Heights, Maryland, and then Howard University, where she acted in many plays. She also performed at the Living Stage during college.

Throughout her career, Gravátt appeared in many stage productions, including A Raisin in the Sun and Skeleton Crew. Her final theater role was in The Revolving Cycles Truly and Steadily Roll’d in 2018.

On television, Gravátt had roles in The Hoop Life and guest-starred on Law & Order, Sex and the City, and other shows, including East New York, her most recent appearance.