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Hallelujah for Sela. Everyone's favorite "Sister" was born Sela Ann Ward, on July 11, 1956, in Meridian, Mississippi. Sela's parents were Annie Kate (Boswell) and Granberry Holland Ward, Jr., an electrical engineer; the three younger children in the family are Jenna (1957), Berry (1959) and Brock (1961). "Sela" is a Hebrew word that means "rock, boulder, cliff". Sela graduated from the University of Alabama in 1977, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art and advertising; Sela was also a cheerleader for the Crimson Tide football team, a Homecoming Queen and a member of the Chi Omega sorority. Sela moved to New York to work for an advertising agency.

Responding to a friend's suggestion that she was tall (5' 7") and pretty enough to try modeling, Sela began a highly successful career with the Wilhelmina Agency. Sela's first gig was in the Pepsi advertising department, and her first commercial was for Maybelline. After appearing in 20 national television commercials, Sela moved to Los Angeles and got her first television role in Emerald Point N.A.S. (1983); she dated tall co-star Richard Dean Anderson for three years (which is much longer than the television series lasted). Sela's movie break came by appearing with Burt Reynolds in the film The Man Who Loved Women (1983), and by now her acting career was established.

But perhaps Sela is best known for starring in the television series Sisters (1991), which ran for six seasons. The series was a big hit with women, and if the males in the audience stuck around after the steamy (literally) opening sauna sequence, they too would discover a series with fascinating writing and story plots, with Sela as Teddy Reed -- in the fashion industry she began her first company, which she wanted to call Teddy Wear. In 1992 and 1994, Sela got the Golden Globe Award nomination for best lead actress in a drama series; in 1994, she won an Emmy Award and, in 1996, the Screen Actors Guild Award.

During the series' run, Sela married Howard Sherman (May 23, 1992 - present). They had two children: Austin Ward (May 13, 1994), Anabella Raye (May 30, 1998). Still very much a pretty woman, Sela appeared in Runaway Bride (1999) as Pretty Bar Woman. In 2000, Sela won her second Emmy Award, this time for her work in Once and Again (1999).

The amazingly gifted and versatile, Ms. Diane Ladd, received immense praise for her dramatic efforts throughout the course of her electric and unique seventy-year career. Her timeless offbeat charm and beauty reminiscent of a lamented Hollywood Golden Era actress gleam in the most understated roles and continue to make her a sought-after unconventional performer.

Hayley Williams was born on December 27, 1988 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA as Hayley Nichole Williams. She moved to Franklin, Tennessee, USA as a teenager. At the age of 15, she joined / created the band Paramore. They have released six studio albums to date - landing multiple global #1 chart placings - and were awarded the GRAMMY for "Best Rock Song" in 2015 for "Ain't It Fun", making Williams the first women to be awarded in the category since Alanis Morissette's 1999 win.

In 2014 she was awarded the inaugural "Trailblazer of The Year" title at Billboard's Women In Music Awards.

Williams released two critically lauded solo albums during the Covid-19 pandemic: "Petals For Armor" and "Flowers for Vases / Descansos".

Her Paramore bandmates are Taylor York (guitar) and Zac Farro (drums). The band's most recent album, "This Is Why" landed multiple #1 placings on the Billboard Charts with thee title track also giving them their first #1 at Alternative Radio in the US. The album topped the charts in both the UK and Australia.

Elliott Street was born on 30 December 1943 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Runaway Jury (2003), Last Vegas (2013) and The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000). He died on 13 June 2024 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA.

Brendon Boone was born in Meridian, MS, to the Reverend Dr. Norman Boone Sr. and Leola (Speed) Boone. Brendon spent his early years moving from town to town every time his father was transferred by the Methodist Church to a new congregation, which included several years in San Diego while Rev. Boone served as a Navy Chaplain during WWII. As a child, Brendon excelled at basketball and football, and was the Mississippi state Soap Box Derby champion in 1952. When he eventually was disappointed by coming in second at the World Soap Box Derby competition in Ohio, he was encouraged by an attending celebrity, Jimmy Stewart, to return to Mississippi with his head held high, because he was still a champion in his home state. After studying architecture, English, and theology, first at Georgia Tech and then at Emory University, Brendon transferred to the prestigious theater program at Rollins College in Florida, where his portrayal of Sakini in the Annie Russell Theater production of "Teahouse of the August Moon" won widespread acclaim and attracted the attention of Hollywood producers. After a brief stint studying in New York, Brendon moved to Hollywood, where he began his career writing, producing and starring in "The Tormented Years" with Jane Russell's brother Jamie directing. Early guest starring roles on TV, in such shows as "Bonanza", "Rawhide" and "The Virginian" and the TV movie "Assault!" led to his starring in the WWII action series, "Garrison's Gorillas" in 1967-68, as the enigmatic, knife wielding half-breed Indian, Chief, a role he'd created originally for "Assault!", and which earned him a Golden Globe nomination from the International Hollywood Foreign Press Association for Most Popular TV Star - Male. Additional TV guest starring credits include "Gunsmoke" (where his portrayal of Hawk in the episode of the same named earned that series one of its highest ratings), "Quincy, ME", "Emergency", "Falcon Crest", "Fantasy Island", and "Jake and the Fat Man", and the TV movies "The Hanged Man", "Death Race", "Hanging by a Thread" and "The Hostage Heart". He also starred with Stephen Boyd, Cameron Mitchell, France Nuyen and Ray Milland in the 1973 feature film, "The Big Game".

Brendon's strong and abiding Christian faith and a lifetime of experiences, from his southern upbringing during the turbulent Civil Rights era, to his experiences as a single father raising his son, Norman Brendon Boone, III, have culminated in his 'swan song', his novel and screenplay, "Preacher and Co", a story of love, brotherhood, loyalty and redemption.

In January, 1999, Brendon married actress Karen Jensen.

Alvin Childress was born on 10 September 1907 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He was an actor, known for Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974), Anna Lucasta (1958) and Darktown Strutters (1975). He was married to Sophronia Elizabeth Graham and Alice Childress. He died on 19 April 1986 in Inglewood, California, USA.

The eldest son of the Reverend James D. Wheaton, a Methodist minister and Jessie O. Holmes, the daughter of a Methodist minister, James Lorenzo Wheaton was born on 11 January 1924 in Meridian, Mississippi. As an infant the family moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

He attended public schools in Hattiesburg, Meridian and Yazoo City, Mississippi. After graduating from Yazoo City High School #2 (where he was actively involved in student government), he began his college education at Wiley College, a Methodist institution located in Marshall, Texas. At Wiley, he served as senior class president. Upon his graduation in 1945, James was drafted into the U.S. Army at the tail end of World War Two. Stationed in the Philippines, he served as a chaplain's assistant for most of his time in the military. It was at this time he began to take a serious interest in acting. However, he turned down the opportunity to become involved in the Philippines's developing film industry, anxious to return back to the United States.

Upon his return to the United States, he was accepted into a Master's Degree Program at Columbia University, where he majored in speech communication and acting. Upon his graduation, he taught at the secondary school level and eventually at Wiley College, where he met his future bride, Helen Ruth Alford, who was a student at the time.

Shortly thereafter, they relocated to the Los Angeles area, where two children were born to this union (including his son Frank Kahlil Wheaton). It was also during this time where Wheaton began to work professionally as an actor. First working in radio, his big break came when he auditioned and was cast as a member of the Bishop's Company, a repertory theatre group that toured churches throughout the Mid-West and the South. His first year with the Bishop's Company was documented in his memoir, "Masks Before the Altar," which was published in 1999 by Xlibris Press.

In addition to his work with the Bishop's Company, he performed regularly in various stages throughout the Los Angeles area, most notably the Ebony Showcase Theatre, which was founded by actor Nick Stewart. His roles at the theatre included the father in the long-running hit, "Norman, Is That You?," a role later played by Redd Foxx in a feature film version. Mr. Wheaton also directed a touring production of the play starring Pat Paulsen. The late veteran actor Joel Fluellen once commented that Wheaton "brought class to the Ebony Showcase."

Making quite a name for himself in theatre, it was only a logical step that he began working in television. One of his first appearances was a television adaptation of the play, "Carnival Island," which he had performed at the Ebony Showcase.

He was the person originally cast as Bill Cosby's father in "The Bill Cosby Show," but lost the part due to a mix up with his message service. This however did not prevent him from appearing on the program. His first major film credit was as the voice of "OMM," in THX 1138 (1971)," directed by George Lucas. The director was so impressed with his work that he was chosen to play the role over Orson Welles, which was the studio's first choice.

During the late 1960s and 1970s, he appeared on some of the most popular television programs of the day including Room 222 (1969), Kojak (1973), Good Times (1974) and the final episode of Ironside (1967). However, he is perhaps best known for his recurring role as Nelson B. Davis, "The Friendly Undertaker" in the hit series, Sanford and Son (1972). Other feature film credits included Black Belt Jones (1974) and most recently, Guncrazy (1992) with Drew Barrymore. He also reteamed with Bill Cosby in A Piece of the Action (1977)," which also starred and was directed by Sidney Poitier.

In his later years, more time was devoted to his simultaneous career of teaching. However, he also expanded his resume into music videos and was developing a one man show on the life and work of Langston Hughes at the time of this death.

Phil Gordon was born on 5 May 1916 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He was an actor, known for The Jackie Gleason Show (1966), Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) and -30- (1959). He died on 15 June 2010 in Mobile, Alabama, USA.

Fred Phelps was born on 13 November 1929 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He was a writer, known for Hatemongers (2000), The Most Hated Family in America (2007) and Judgment Day. He was married to Margie Phelps. He died on 19 March 2014 in Topeka, Kansas, USA.

Paul Davis was born on 21 April 1948 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He was married to Pamela Gayle Jay. He died on 22 April 2008 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA.

James Chaney was born on 30 May 1943 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He died on 21 June 1964 in Neshoba County, Mississippi, USA.

Marie Bryant was one of the most popular Black exotic dancer of the late 1930s and early 1940s. Her sexy dancing had lots of culture and class with wowing costumes to top it. Films such as The Duke Is Tops (1938) and Gang War (1940) are the films that featured her dancing a sexy African dance. When her dancing career ended, she started a successful singing career appearing in many movies featuring her marvelous voice. She has many films which are available to her credit showcasing her multi-talents, she's one of the greats of Black Entertainment.

In the theater, Tom Moore is best known as the director of "'night mother" (with Kathy Bates and Anne Pitoniak) which won the Pulitzer prize, and for which he received his second Tony nomination, and for the original "Grease", which ran for eight years and is one of the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. (Over the years , this production introduced Barry Bostwick, John Travolta, Richard Gere, Peter Gallagher, Greg Evigan, Treat Williams, Patrick Swayzee, Marilu Henner, Adrienne Barbeau, David Paymer, and countless others who now work steadily in theater, film, and television.) He most recently directed the Broadway production of "Moon Over Buffalo", with Carol Burnett . A documentary, "Moon Over Broadway", by Pennebaker-Hegedes, which followed the production from rehearsals to the Broadway opening has been playing in theaters, on television, and on video and DVD. His first Tony nomination was for the direction of the Big Band Musical "Over Here", which brought the Andrews Sisters out of retirement. Other Broadway productions include the critically acclaimed revival of "Once In A Lifetime" (with John Lithgow) at the Circle-in-the Square, "Division Street", "The Octette Bridge Club", and the short-lived, but legendary "Frankenstein".

Moore has a long time association with the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles where he directed Feydeau's "A Flea In Her Ear","Division Street", (premiere), "A Month in the Country" by Turgenev, "Wild Oats" (for the Olympic Arts Festival.)"'night Mother", and Ayckbourne's "Henceforward". In Los Angeles, he also directed "Hay Fever", at the Ahmanson Theatre and "Once In A Lifetime" in a special benefit for the Los Angeles Classic Theatre Works where he also directed "The Pentagon Papers". At the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, he directed "Knock Knock", "Hotel Paradiso", "The Little Foxes", and Chekhov's "Three Sisters". Also in San Francisco, he directed "The Boys in Autumn" with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. He directed "Loot" at the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis: "Once in a Lifetime" at the Arena Stage in Washington D.C. "Our Town" (with Geraldine Fitzgerald as the stage manager), "Hay Fever", and "The Madwoman of Chaillot" at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Mass.: "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "Fallen Angels" at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego: and "Traveller in the Dark" and "'night Mother" at the American Repertory Theatre in Boston. He has directed two productions of Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard", one at the La Jolla Playhouse (with Lynn Redgrave), and the other (with Marsha Mason) was the premiere stage production at the Lensic Center for Performing Arts for Santa Fe Stages. He also directed the Brian Friel adaptation of "A Month in the Country" for Antaeus.

Moore's last stage production for the Ahmanson Theatre was "The Royal Family" in Los Angeles, which starred Marian Seldes, Kate Mulgrew, George Irving, and Charles Kimbrough. And he most recently directed "When Something Wonderful Ends" both at the Ojai Playwright's Conference and The Humana Festival. He has also taught and directed at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Brandeis University, and the University of London, England. He was artistic director of the Peterborough Players in New Hampshire, and he has lectured at the Seminar in American Studies in Salzburg, Austria. He directed the National touring companies of "Grease" and "'night Mother", and presented "'night Mother" at the Spoletto Festival in Italy.

On film, Moore directed "'night Mother" with Sissy Spacek and Anne Bancroft, and his short film "Journey", made for the American Film Institute won two international film awards.

On television, he directed Disney's first original musical for television, "Geppetto", starring Drew Carey and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Also on television he directed ER (Emmy nomination), "Mad About You" (Emmy nomination), "L.A. Law" (Emmy nomination), "Huff", "Mismatch", "Gilmore Girls", "Ally McBeal", "Felicity", "Late Line", "Nothing Sacred", "Dharma and Greg", "Suddenly Susan", "Something So Right", "Cybill", "Pride and Joy", "Thirty Something", "The Wonder Years" (The episode "Square Dance" won the Humanitas Prize), "Almost Grown", "Cheers", "Picket Fences", "Civil Wars", "Northern Exposure", "The Class of '96", "Good Company", "Boston Common", "Maybe It's Me", "The Court", the late night "Fridays", and the pilots of "First Years", "50 Minute Man", and "The Flamingo Kid". He also directed the television movies "Maybe Baby" and "Fine Things".

He is presently on the executive board of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

Moore was a fellow at the American Film Institute, and he holds a B.A. from Purdue University and an M.F.A. from the Yale University School of Drama. He was also awarded the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, by Purdue University.

As an avocation, he is also involved with the Circus Arts, and spends as much time as possible on the flying trapeze.

Jane Isbell was born on 1 May 1927 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. She was an actress, known for Betty Co-Ed (1946) and Mom and Dad (1945). She died on 15 April 1994 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Big K.R.I.T. was born on 26 August 1986 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He is an actor and composer, known for The Bling Ring (2013), Bb (2016) and For Life (2020).

Al Wilson was born on 19 June 1939 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He was an actor, known for Blood Ties (2013), Bad Sisters (2022) and SoulBoy (2010). He was married to Patricia Wilson. He died on 21 April 2008 in Fontana, California, USA.

Wheaton James was born in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He is known for Bones (1992), White Trash (1992) and Saint Martin de 4th Street (2004).

James P. Warren was born on 18 August 1964 in Meridian, Idaho, USA. He is known for The Next Three Days (2010), Waterworld (1995) and Bubble Boy (2001).

Songwriter ("Rosie the Riveter", "There, I've Said It Again", "Let Me Off Uptown", "No Moon at All"), composer, author, publisher, musician and record executive, educated at the University of Arizona and Kent College. He was a singer and ocarina soloist, and then a saxophonist and clarinetist in dance orchestras, including those of Teddy Wilson and Horace Heidt. He founded his own music publishing and record firms. Joining ASCAP in 1943, his chief musical collaborator was David Mann. His other popular-song compositions include "Don't Go to Strangers", "Pushin' Along", "The Major and the Minor", "He's 1-A in the Army", "Are You Livin', Old Man?", "Unconditional Surrender", "This Is the Night", "Made Up My Mind", "American Beauty Rose", "The Frim Fram Sauce", "Gobs of Love" (for the US Navy), "Birmingham Jailhouse", "Walking Down to Washington (new lyrics), and "If Love Is Good to Me".

George Cummings was born on 28 July 1938 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He is an actor, known for Rock Concert (1973), In Concert (1972) and Spotlight (1968).

Anna Lauren Long was born on 14 January 1984 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. She is an actress, known for Black Lightning (2018), The Inside (2005) and Mortal Kombat: Conquest (1998).

Joe Marchman was born on 14 December 1976 in Meridian, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Powder (1995), Wishbone (1995) and Island City (1994).

Jay Powell was born on 9 January 1972 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA.

Earl Edwards was born in 1903 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He was previously married to Valaida Snow.

Chris Ethridge was born on 10 February 1947 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA. He was an actor, known for Jerry Maguire (1996), Grand Theft Parsons (2003) and Bodies, Rest & Motion (1993). He was married to Karen Sue. He died on 23 April 2012 in Meridian, Mississippi, USA.