Ella Joyce, the actress and producer who played the hilarious mom on the popular comedy My Wife and Kids, was born in Chicago on June 12, 1954.

Most of Joyce’s career has been focused on theater work. She has performed in theaters around the country and has received many awards along the way, including the 2006 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actress in a Supporting Role in the play Crumbs from the Table of Joy. 

Joyce has appeared in Preacher’s Kid, Set it Off, Our Family Wedding, and episodes of Seinfeld and The Jamie Foxx show. To add to her talents, she has even authored a paperback book titled “Kink Phobia: Journey Through a Black Woman’s Hair.”

Learn more:
Ella Joyce – IMDb
Kink Phobia: Journey Through a Black Woman’s Hair