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IMDbPro

Mary Wilson(1944-2021)

  • Actress
  • Director
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Mary Wilson
CT#2
Play trailer1:46
Only the Strong Survive (2002)
1 Video
80 Photos
Mary Wilson, co-founder of The Supremes, helped garner an unequaled record of number 1 hits by a female group. Recording for Motown, Mary guided The Supremes into rock 'n roll history, turning her group into one of the three icons of the 1960's, alongside Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Mary never stopped developing new projects and toured the world entertaining her fans. She excelled in theatrical endeavors, such as the year-long Canadian tour of "Beehive", a play centered on a female musical group. Other theatrical experiences included her off-Broadway debut in "Grandma Sylvia's Funeral" in New York City, and "Mother Hubbard". Mary did a great deal of charity work, raising millions for AIDS through the People with AIDS Coalition of Tucson (PACT). She also raised funds for homeless people, cancer research and victims of child abuse, and was a Cultural Ambassador for the United States. Mary performed continually with orchestras, symphonies, and her own touring band. She wrote three books: "Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme" (1986), "Supreme Faith: Someday We'll be Together" (1990) and "Supreme Glamour" (2019). "Dreamgirl" remains the best-selling rock and roll autobiography ever published. She released several albums and in 2021 Motown released a compilation of her work as a solo performer.
BornMarch 6, 1944
DiedFebruary 8, 2021(76)
BornMarch 6, 1944
DiedFebruary 8, 2021(76)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • Awards
    • 1 win total

Photos80

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+ 73
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Known for

Vivica A. Fox, Dina Meyer, Eric Roberts, David DeLuise, John Rhys-Davies, Aedin Mincks, and Christian Koza in Golden Shoes (2015)
Golden Shoes
3.5
  • Mrs. Donna King
  • 2015
Jenifer Lewis in Jackie's Back! (1999)
Jackie's Back!
7.1
TV Movie
  • Vesta Crotchley (Jackie's Third Grade Teacher)
  • 1999
Tarzan (1966)
Tarzan
7.0
TV Series
  • Sister Martha
Mary Wilson Up Close; Live from San Francisco
Video
  • Vocalist
  • 2007

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actress



  • Speak (2016)
    Speak
    7.6
    Short
    • CJ
    • 2016
  • Vivica A. Fox, Dina Meyer, Eric Roberts, David DeLuise, John Rhys-Davies, Aedin Mincks, and Christian Koza in Golden Shoes (2015)
    Golden Shoes
    3.5
    • Mrs. Donna King
    • 2015
  • Monique Rosario in The Knockout Game (2014)
    The Knockout Game
    7.4
    Short
    • Cissy
    • 2014
  • Mary Wilson Up Close; Live from San Francisco
    Video
    • Vocalist
    • 2007
  • Jenifer Lewis in Jackie's Back! (1999)
    Jackie's Back!
    7.1
    TV Movie
    • Vesta Crotchley (Jackie's Third Grade Teacher)
    • 1999
  • Marla Gibbs, Regina King, Curtis Baldwin, Kia Goodwin, Alaina Reed-Hall, Jackée Harry, Helen Martin, and Hal Williams in 227 (1985)
    227
    6.7
    TV Series
    • Mary Wilson
    • 1987
  • Justin Henry in Tiger Town (1983)
    Tiger Town
    6.3
    TV Movie
    • National Anthem Singer
    • 1983
  • Tarzan (1966)
    Tarzan
    7.0
    TV Series
    • Sister Martha
    • 1968
  • Beach Ball (1965)
    Beach Ball
    5.1
    • The Supremes (uncredited)
    • 1965

Director



  • Mary Wilson Up Close; Live from San Francisco
    Video
    • creative director
    • 2007

Soundtrack



  • RocKwiz (2005)
    RocKwiz
    7.7
    TV Series
    • performer: "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Stormy Weather" (uncredited)
    • 2012
  • MOBO Awards 2004 (2004)
    MOBO Awards 2008
    TV Special
    • performer: "Stop in the Name of Love"
    • 2008
  • Grant Denyer in It Takes Two (2006)
    It Takes Two
    6.4
    TV Series
    • performer: "Medley"
    • 2008
  • Isaac Hayes in Only the Strong Survive (2002)
    Only the Strong Survive
    6.6
    • performer: "Someday We'll Be Together", "Love Child"
    • 2002
  • Reunión de tres hijos de Ochún (2001)
    Reunión de tres hijos de Ochún
    Short
    • performer: " (I Love a) Warm Summer Night"
    • 2001
  • Marla Gibbs, Regina King, Curtis Baldwin, Kia Goodwin, Alaina Reed-Hall, Jackée Harry, Helen Martin, and Hal Williams in 227 (1985)
    227
    6.7
    TV Series
    • performer: "He's So Cool"
    • 1987
  • Tarzan (1966)
    Tarzan
    7.0
    TV Series
    • performer: "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore" (uncredited)
    • 1968

Videos1

Only The Strong Survive
Trailer 1:46
Only The Strong Survive

Personal details

Edit
  • Official site
    • Official Site
  • Alternative names
    • Die Supreams
  • Height
    • 5′ 4½″ (1.64 m)
  • Born
    • March 6, 1944
    • Greenville, Mississippi, USA
  • Died
    • February 8, 2021
    • Henderson, Nevada, USA(hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease)
  • Spouse
    • Pedro Antonio FerrerMay 11, 1974 - 1981 (divorced, 3 children)
  • Children
      Turkessa Ferrer
  • Parents
      Johnnie Mae Wilson
  • Other works
    Featured in all the recordings ever released by The Supremes..
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 2 Portrayals
    • 1 Interview
    • 4 Articles
    • 2 Pictorials

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Graduated from New York University at age 57. She promised her mother, who did not live to see Mary graduate, that she would finish college.
  • Quotes
    What's Going On changed everything. At Motown, the artists relied on the writers and producers to provide their material. Then a couple of artists proved they were more than just singers and performers, they were creators of music too. There was Stevie Wonder and there was Marvin Gaye.

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