Marcella Lowery
American actress
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Marcella Lowery is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Geoffrey Owens' mother, Francine Tibideaux, on The Cosby Show, Jamal Jenkins' grandmother on Ghostwriter from 1992 to 1995, Anna Eldridge in the 1996 film, The Preacher's Wife and as Principal Karen Noble on the NBC sitcom City Guys.
Early years
Lowery graduated from Malverne High School, where she was captain of the varsity girls' basketball team. She saved money that she earned as a babysitter and used it to attend Broadway plays, telling her parents that she was going to basketball practice.[1]
Career
Lowery had a recurring role on The Cosby Show as Francine Tibideaux, the mother of Elvin Tibideaux and mother-in-law of Sondra Huxtable, as well as a brief role in What About Bob?. She was also in The Preacher's Wife and guest-starred in four episodes of Law & Order.
Lowery's work in commercials includes portraying Donovan McNabb's mother in Campbell's Chunky Soup commercials.[2] Lowery has also appeared on the commercials for Colonial Penn.
She also played Maybelle in the Off-Broadway premiere of Before It Hits Home.
Lowery's Broadway credits include portraying Sis Laura in The Member of the Wedding (1975) and Louise in Lolita (1981).[3]
Personal life
Lowery has a daughter.[1]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Arthur | Harriet |
| 1983 | Without a Trace | Sgt. Rocco |
| 1989 | Lean on Me | Mrs. Richards |
| 1989 | Fletch Lives | Selma |
| 1991 | New Jack City | Woman in hallway |
| 1991 | What About Bob? | Betty |
| 1996 | Vibrations | Nurse |
| 1996 | The Preacher's Wife | Anna Eldridge |
| 1996 | Rescuing Desire | Jane |
| 2004 | Second Best | Nurse |
| 2005 | 12 and Holding | Nurse |
| 2006 | Waltzing Anna | Nurse Hardaway |
| 2006 | School for Scoundrels | Mrs. Washington |
| 2008 | Uncertainty | Duty officer #1 |
| 2016 | Wiener-Dog | Yvette |
| 2018 | Can You Ever Forgive Me? | Guest at party |
| 2021 | Thunder Force | Grandma Norma |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Smitty | Television film |
| 1979 | 3 by Cheever | Ruby | Miniseries; episode: "The Sorrows of Gin" |
| 1988–1989 | The Cosby Show | Francine Tibideaux | 4 episodes |
| 1988 | Monsters | Mom | Episode: "My Zombie Lover" |
| 1989 | A Man Called Hawk | Prof. Lowery | Episode: "Life After Death" |
| 1991 | Law & Order | Nurse (Miss Johnson) | Episode: "Sonata for Solo Organ" |
| 1992–1995 | Ghostwriter | CeCe Jenkins | Main role |
| 1993 | Strapped | Fast food customer | Television film |
| 1994 | ABC Afterschool Special | Ms. Rose | Episode: "Just Chill" |
| 1994 | Law & Order | Sheridan | Episode: "Breeder" |
| 1994 | Law & Order | Van Buren's attorney | Episode: "Competence" |
| 1995 | New York Undercover | Postal worker | Episode: "Mama Said Knock You Out" |
| 1995 | The Cosby Mysteries | Miss Crilley | Episode: "Big Brother Is Watching" |
| 1995 | Guiding Light | Judge Gordon | Episode dated August 18, 1995 |
| 1997–2001 | City Guys | Principal Karen Noble | Main role |
| 2003 | Law & Order | Lois Barker | Episode: "Sheltered" |
| 2007 | Gossip Girl | Ostroff nurse | Episode: "Dare Devil" |
| 2008 | Life on Mars | Nurse Winnie Ellwood | Episode: "Tuesday's Dead" |
| 2009 | The Unusuals | Sheila Trunk | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Sherri | Taller church lady | Episode: "There's No "I" in Church" |
| 2010 | The Good Wife | Nurse | Episode: "Painkiller" |
| 2010 | 30 Rock | Postal employee | Episode: "Don Geiss, America and Hope" |
| 2010 | Gravity | Selma Jones | Episode: "Namaste MF" |
| 2010 | Running Wilde | Carol | Episode: "Oil & Water" |
| 2010 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Margaret Holmes | Episode: "Branded" |
| 2011 | Suits | Dr. Shrager | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2012 | Blue Bloods | Mrs. Greer | Episode: "Family Business" |
| 2013 | The Carrie Diaries | DMV employee | Episode: "Dangerous Territory" |
| 2014 | Girls | Lise | Episode: "Dead Inside" |
| 2015 | The Jim Gaffigan Show | Receptionist | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2016 | Royal Pains | Dee | Episode: "Home Sick" |
| 2017 | Elementary | Diner patron #1 | Episode: "Over a Barrel" |
| 2017 | The Detour | Elderly woman | Episode: "The City" |
| 2017 | Broad City | Betty | Episode: "Witches" |
| 2019 | Mindhunter | Lakewood woman | Season 2, episode 6 |
| 2019 | First Wives Club | Odessa | 2 episodes |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Jamimma | Jameena | New Federal Theater, Off-Broadway | [4] |
| 1973 | Miracle Play | Beatie Roscoe | Playhouse II Theater, Off-Broadway | [5] |
| 1974 | The Member of the Wedding | Sis Laura | Helen Hayes Theatre, Broadway | [6] |
| 1975 | Welcome to Black River | Lou Mae | St. Mark's Playhouse, Off-Broadway | [7] |
| 1981 | Lolita | Louise | Brooks Atkinson Theater, Broadway | [8] |
| 1982 | Baseball Wives | Janelle | American Renaissance Theater, Off-Off-Broadway | [9] |
| Harold Clurman Theater, Off-Broadway | [10] | |||
| 1989 | Ladies | Allegro | Theatre at St. Clements, Off-Broadway | [11] |
| 1990 | Sugar Hill | Blanca Stromburg-Carlson | Theater at St. Peter's Church, New York | [12] |
| 1992 | Before It Hits Home | Maybelle | The Public Theater, Off-Broadway | [13] |
| 1995 | Your Obituary Is A Dance | Nella Rae | Actors Theatre of Louisville, Kentucky | [14] |
| 2002 | Voice of Good Hope | Barbara Jordan | Luna Stage, New Jersey | [15] |
