Actress Marlene Warfield Dies Age 83 Lung Cancer

Marlene Warfield, a New York-born actress renowned for her roles in Network, Maude, and The Great White Hope, passed away on April 6, 2025, at the age of 83 after battling lung cancer. She had a prolific career spanning over four decades, beginning with stage performances such as Jean Genet's The Blacks, and earned recognition with awards like the Clarence Derwent Award and Theatre World Award for her Broadway debut and role in The Great White Hope. Warfield is best remembered for her powerful portrayal of Laureen Hobbs, a Black revolutionary in Sidney Lumet’s 1976 film Network, and for playing Victoria Butterfield, the housekeeper in the final season of the sitcom Maude. She also reprised her Broadway role of Clara in the 1970 film adaptation of The Great White Hope alongside James Earl Jones. Warfield was predeceased by her husband, William Horsey, and her brother, Earl, and is survived by her son Keith, grandson Demetrius, sister Chequita, and cousin Vivian Warfield. Her contributions to film, television, and theater left a lasting impact, highlighted by her fierce and memorable performances.