Net Worth →
Artists

Leslie Uggams: Biography, Facts and Career

Who is Leslie Uggams? An evergreen, sourced profile: biography, key facts and career.

By the Pop Culture Files editorial team4 min read✓ Fact-checked
Leslie Uggams
William Morris Agency (management) via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Leslie Marian Uggams (; born May 25, 1943) is an American actress and singer. After beginning her career as a child in the early 1950s, she garnered acclaim for her role in the Broadway musical Hallelujah, Baby!, winning a Theatre World Award in 1967 and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1968. Uggams gained wider recognition for portraying Kizzy Reynolds in the television miniseries Roots (1977), earning Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations for her performance. Later in her career, Uggams received renewed notice with appearances as Blind Al in the superhero films Deadpool (2016), Deadpool 2 (2018), and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). Her other prominent roles were as Leah Walker on the Fox musical drama series Empire (2016–2020); as Agnes Ellison in the comedy-drama film American Fiction (2023); and as Betty Pearson in the Amazon Original post-apocalyptic drama series Fallout (2024–present), based on the video game of the same name.

Quick facts about Leslie Uggams

  • Full name: Leslie Uggams
  • Born: 1943-05-25
  • Nationality: United States
  • Known as: Musician
  • Wikidata ID: Q534925

Profile compiled from public Wikipedia and Wikidata data. Details can change over time.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Leslie Uggams?

Leslie Marian Uggams (; born May 25, 1943) is an American actress and singer.

What nationality is Leslie Uggams?

Leslie Uggams is United States.

When was Leslie Uggams born?

Leslie Uggams was born on 1943-05-25.

Sources

More in Music