Madge Sinclair
In honor of Black History Month, we continue to recognize the economic, cultural, political, and social contributions of notable black immigrants and refugees who’ve helped shape America’s vibrant tapestry. Today, we recognize Emmy award-winning Jamaican-American actress Madge Sinclair.
Madge Dorita Sinclair was born Madge Dorita Walters in 1938 in Jamaica. After graduating from the Shortwood College for Women, she worked as a teacher. At 28, she immigrated to the United States to pursue a career in acting. Arriving in the bustling New York acting scene, Madge initially found work as a model before securing a spot in Public Theatre. Five years later, she played the part of Clytemnestra in the New York Shakespearean production of Wedding of Iphigenia.
In 1974, Sinclair debuted on the silver screen in the film Conrack, a role that earned her a nomination for the NAACP Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. She followed the performance with a Primetime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Bell Reynolds in the award-winning mini-series Roots, opposite LeVar Burton. Interestingly enough, Sinclair would again play Burton’s mother four times: Almos’ a Man, One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story), Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones, and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Sinclair is known for her notable appearance as Queen Aoleon in Coming to America, opposite James Earl Jones. The duo worked together again six years later when she voiced the character Sarabi in the animated film The Lion King.
During her illustrious acting career, Sinclair earned five Primetime Emmy nominations while taking home the win for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her role in Gabriel’s Fire.
Madge Sinclair passed away in 1995 after defying the odds during a 13-year battle with Leukemia. In the year 2000, the prime minister of Jamaica posthumously awarded her the Order of Distinction, the rank of Commander, for service in the performing arts.
Others we are celebrating in honor of Black History Month:
2025
Alix Idrache, Army captain and pilot
Michaela DePrince, standout soloist with the Boston Ballet and Dutch National Ballet
Dr. Nehkonti Adams, Infectious Disease Physician for the U.S. Navy and humanitarian
2024
Guetty Felin, Haitian-American documentary filmmaker
Hakeem Olajuwon, Nigerian-American NBA Hall of Famer and humanitarian
Claude McKay, Jamaican-American poet and Civil Rights advocate
Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Hall of Famer, and humanitarian
2023
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, award-winning author
Trevor Noah, award-winning author and television host
Wyclef Jean, three-time Grammy award-winning musician
Rep. Ilhan Abdullahi Omar, Somali American Congresswoman
