Origins & Early Life

Estelle Parsons (born November 20, 1927) is an American actress. After studying law, Parsons became a singer before deciding to pursue a career in acting. She worked for the television program Today and made her stage debut in 1961. During the 1960s, Parsons established her career on Broadway before progressing to film.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Bonnie and Clyde (1967), and was also nominated for her work in Rachel, Rachel (1968). Parsons worked extensively in film and theatre during the 1970s and later directed several Broadway productions. Later work included perhaps her best known role, as Beverly Harris, mother of the title character, on the sitcom Roseanne, and, later, on its spinoff The Conners. She has been nominated five times for the Tony Award (four times for Lead Actress of a Play and once for Featured Actress). In 2004, Parsons was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Parsons was born in Lynn Hospital, Lynn, Massachusetts, the younger of two children born to Elinor Ingeborg (née Mattsson), a native of Sweden, and Eben Parsons, who was of English descent. Estelle's older sister, Elaine Parsons Ruggles, was born...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and deeply engaging vocal style.
• Al Martino — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Iconic Italian-American crooner, celebrated for standards and his role in The Godfather.
• Althea Gibson — Contemporary (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering American tennis and golf star who broke racial barriers in sports.
• Barbara Hendricks — Shared historical date (11-20 · Born) (1948): Acclaimed American lyric soprano known for opera and jazz performances.
• Benedetto Croce — Shared historical date (11-20 · Died) (1952): Italian idealist philosopher, historian, and political liberal.
• Antônio Carlos Jobim — Historical peer (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering composer of Bossa Nova, merging samba with cool jazz.
• B. V. Doshi — Historical peer (Born in 1927) (1927): Pioneering Indian architect celebrated for modernist and brutalist design.
• Aaron Sorkin — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Master of fast-paced dialogue, known for 'walk and talk' storytelling.
• Andrew Forrest — Historical peer (Born in 1961) (1961): Pioneering Australian mining magnate and philanthropist, founder of Fortescue.
• Akshay Kumar — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer known for action roles and prolific career.
• 1927 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1927
• November 20 (11-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 20