Barbara Randolph - An Interesting Sidenote

**Methuselah2** · 02-23-2015, 04:20 PM

I was very interested to learn that Barbara was in a family of very accomplished actresses. She was adopted by Lillian Randolph, who played 'Madame Queen' in AMOS 'N ANDY on TV. And Lillian's older sister was Amanda Randolph, who played 'Mama' on the show.

Here's a young Barbara with her mother, Lillian Randolph:

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/00Image...BarRan-Mum.jpg

And here's a photo of Barbara's aunt, Amanda Randolph:

http://cmsimg.courier-journal.com/ap...manda-Randolph

The Randolphs were both wonderful actresses. I loved it whenever they turned up in movies or on TV.

**Philles/Motown Gary** · 02-23-2015, 04:34 PM

What rare and interesting shots, Methuselah2! I had no idea that Barbara Randolph had started in show business at such an early age. I was amazed at how much of her Motown material had remained in the can until her one-and-only Motown CD release a few years back. Such a waste of talent when some of her tracks were actually very good. After a lifetime in the public eye, she deserved much better. - Gary

**reese** · 02-23-2015, 05:30 PM

As a child, Barbara was also featured in the film BRIGHT ROAD with Dorothy Dandridge.

I can still remember her mother Lillian portraying one of Fred Sanford's sisters-in-law on an episode of SANFORD AND SON. Lamont was stood up by his bride and the family wanted their gifts back. Lillian said something about she knew the bride wasn't right "with her ol' wiggly walk."

**nabob** · 02-23-2015, 08:18 PM

Trivia: Barbara Randolph was a cast member in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. This I learned last month while reading the after-film credits.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0709872/b..._=nm_ov_bio_sm

Also:

Barbara Randolph was born on May 5, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She was an actress, known for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner [[1967), Bright Road [[1953) and Cactus Flower [[1969). She was married to Eddie Singleton. She died on July 15, 2002 in South Africa.

Was briefly considered as a possible replacement for "Supreme" Florence Ballard in 1967. Barbara went on to record solo and released a single of Holland-Dozier-Holland's "I Got a Feeling" in 1968. She also recorded her own version of Marvin Gaye's "Can I Get a Witness."

Briefly toured with Marvin Gaye when his steady partner, the late Tammi Terrell, fell ill.