Marcella Lowery is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Geoffrey Owens' mother, Francine Tibideaux, on The Cosby Show, Jamal Jenkins' grandmother on Ghostwriter from 1992 to 1995, Anna Eldridge in the 1996 film, The Preacher's Wife and as Principal Karen Noble on the NBC sitcom City Guys.
Early years Lowery graduated from Malverne High School, where she was captain of the varsity girls' basketball team. She saved money that she earned as a babysitter and used it to attend Broadway plays, telling her parents that she was going to basketball practice.
Career Lowery had a recurring role on The Cosby Show as Francine Tibideaux, the mother of Elvin Tibideaux and mother-in-law of Sondra Huxtable, as well as a brief role in What About Bob?. She was also in The Preacher's Wife and guest-starred in four episodes of Law & Order.
Lowery's work in commercials includes portraying Donovan McNabb's mother in Campbell's Chunky Soup commercials. Lowery has also appeared on the commercials for Colonial Penn.
She also played Maybelle in the Off-Broadway premiere of Before It Hits Home.
Lowery's Broadway credits include portraying Sis Laura in The Member of the Wedding (1975) and Louise in Lolita (1981).
Personal life Lowery has a daughter.
Filmography Film Year Title Role 1981 Arthur Harriet 1983 Without a Trace Sgt. Rocco 1989 Lean on Me Mrs. Richards 1989 Fletch Lives Selma 1991 New Jack City Woman in hallway 1991 What About Bob? Betty 1996 Vibrations Nurse 1996 Anna Eldridge 1996 Rescuing Desire Jane 2004 Second Best Nurse 2005 12 and Holding Nurse 2006 Waltzing Anna Nurse Hardaway 2006 School for Scoundrels Mrs. Washington 2008 Uncertainty Duty officer #1 2016 Wiener-Dog Yvette 2018 Can You Ever Forgive Me? Guest at party 2021 Thunder Force Grandma Norma
Television Year Title Role Notes 1975 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Smitty Television film 1979 3 by Cheever Ruby Miniseries; episode: "The Sorrows of Gin" 1988–1989 Francine Tibideaux 4 episodes 1988 Monsters Mom Episode: "My Zombie Lover" 1989 Prof. Lowery Episode: "Life After Death" 1991 Law & Order Nurse (Miss Johnson) Episode: "Sonata for Solo Organ" 1992–1995 Ghostwriter CeCe Jenkins Main role 1993 Strapped Fast food customer Television film 1994 ABC Afterschool Special Ms. Rose Episode: "Just Chill" 1994 Law & Order Sheridan Episode: "Breeder" 1994 Law & Order Van Buren's attorney Episode: "Competence" 1995 New York Undercover Postal worker Episode: "Mama Said Knock You Out" 1995 Miss Crilley Episode: "Big Brother Is Watching" 1995 Guiding Light Judge Gordon Episode dated August 18, 1995 1997–2001 City Guys Principal Karen Noble Main role 2003 Law & Order Lois Barker Episode: "Sheltered" 2007 Gossip Girl Ostroff nurse Episode: "Dare Devil" 2008 Life on Mars Nurse Winnie Ellwood Episode: "Tuesday's Dead" 2009 Sheila Trunk 2 episodes 2009 Sherri Taller church lady Episode: "There's No "I" in Church" 2010 Nurse Episode: "Painkiller" 2010 30 Rock Postal employee Episode: "Don Geiss, America and Hope" 2010 Gravity Selma Jones Episode: "Namaste MF" 2010 Running Wilde Carol Episode: "Oil & Water" 2010 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Margaret Holmes Episode: "Branded" 2011 Suits Dr. Shrager Episode: "Pilot" 2012 Blue Bloods Mrs. Greer Episode: "Family Business" 2013 DMV employee Episode: "Dangerous Territory" 2014 Girls Lise Episode: "Dead Inside" 2015 Receptionist Episode: "Pilot" 2016 Royal Pains Dee Episode: "Home Sick" 2017 Elementary Diner patron #1 Episode: "Over a Barrel" 2017 Elderly woman Episode: "The City" 2017 Broad City Betty Episode: "Witches" 2019 Mindhunter Lakewood woman Season 2, episode 6 2019 First Wives Club Odessa 2 episodes
Stage + Year Title Role Venue 1972JamimmaJameenaNew Federal Theater, Off-Broadway 1973Miracle PlayBeatie RoscoePlayhouse II Theater, Off-Broadway 1974The Member of the WeddingSis LauraHelen Hayes Theatre, Broadway 1975Welcome to Black RiverLou MaeSt. Mark's Playhouse, Off-Broadway 1981LolitaLouiseBrooks Atkinson Theater, Broadway 1982Baseball WivesJanelleAmerican Renaissance Theater, Off-Off-Broadway Harold Clurman Theater, Off-Broadway 1989LadiesAllegroTheatre at St. Clements, Off-Broadway 1990Sugar HillBlanca Stromburg-CarlsonTheater at St. Peter's Church, New York 1992Before It Hits HomeMaybelleThe Public Theater, Off-Broadway 1995Your Obituary Is A DanceNella RaeActors Theatre of Louisville, Kentucky 2002Voice of Good HopeBarbara JordanLuna Stage, New Jersey
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