Tony Winner Linda Hopkins Dies at 92
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Tony-winning Broadway veteran Linda Hopkins has died of natural causes at the age of 92.
Hopkins won 1972 Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her performance in the musical Inner City. She received a 1989 Tony nomination for Black and Blue and a 1976 Drama Desk Unique Theatrical Experience Award nomination for Me and Bessie. She made her Broadway debut in the 1970 musical Purlie.
Born Melinda Helen Matthews in 1924 New Orleans, Hopkins began singing with her church choir at the age of 3 and later toured the South with various gospel groups. Hopkins performed in the United States and Europe with the revue Jazz Train, and later had a hit single, "Shake a Hand," with Jackie Wilson, that reached the 21st spot on the American Billboard R&B chart. Hopkins' albums include Here's the Kid and Wild Women Blues, among others.
On-screen, Hopkins was seen in Roots: The Next Generation, as well as the films The Education of Sonny Carson and Honkytonk Man. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.
Hopkins leaves no immediate survivors.
