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

YearTitleRole
1981ArthurHarriet
1983Without a TraceSgt. Rocco
1989Lean on MeMrs. Richards
1989Fletch LivesSelma
1991New Jack CityWoman in hallway
1991What About Bob?Betty
1996VibrationsNurse
1996The Preacher's WifeAnna Eldridge
1996Rescuing DesireJane
2004Second BestNurse
200512 and HoldingNurse
2006Waltzing AnnaNurse Hardaway
2006School for ScoundrelsMrs. Washington
2008UncertaintyDuty officer #1
2016Wiener-DogYvette
2018Can You Ever Forgive Me?Guest at party
2021Thunder ForceGrandma Norma

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1975How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingSmittyTelevision film
19793 by CheeverRubyMiniseries; episode: "The Sorrows of Gin"
1988–1989The Cosby ShowFrancine Tibideaux4 episodes
1988MonstersMomEpisode: "My Zombie Lover"
1989A Man Called HawkProf. LoweryEpisode: "Life After Death"
1991Law & OrderNurse (Miss Johnson)Episode: "Sonata for Solo Organ"
1992–1995GhostwriterCeCe JenkinsMain role
1993StrappedFast food customerTelevision film
1994ABC Afterschool SpecialMs. RoseEpisode: "Just Chill"
1994Law & OrderSheridanEpisode: "Breeder"
1994Law & OrderVan Buren's attorneyEpisode: "Competence"
1995New York UndercoverPostal workerEpisode: "Mama Said Knock You Out"
1995The Cosby MysteriesMiss CrilleyEpisode: "Big Brother Is Watching"
1995Guiding LightJudge GordonEpisode dated August 18, 1995
1997–2001City GuysPrincipal Karen NobleMain role
2003Law & OrderLois BarkerEpisode: "Sheltered"
2007Gossip GirlOstroff nurseEpisode: "Dare Devil"
2008Life on MarsNurse Winnie EllwoodEpisode: "Tuesday's Dead"
2009The UnusualsSheila Trunk2 episodes
2009SherriTaller church ladyEpisode: "There's No "I" in Church"
2010The Good WifeNurseEpisode: "Painkiller"
201030 RockPostal employeeEpisode: "Don Geiss, America and Hope"
2010GravitySelma JonesEpisode: "Namaste MF"
2010Running WildeCarolEpisode: "Oil & Water"
2010Law & Order: Special Victims UnitMargaret HolmesEpisode: "Branded"
2011SuitsDr. ShragerEpisode: "Pilot"
2012Blue BloodsMrs. GreerEpisode: "Family Business"
2013The Carrie DiariesDMV employeeEpisode: "Dangerous Territory"
2014GirlsLiseEpisode: "Dead Inside"
2015The Jim Gaffigan ShowReceptionistEpisode: "Pilot"
2016Royal PainsDeeEpisode: "Home Sick"
2017ElementaryDiner patron #1Episode: "Over a Barrel"
2017The DetourElderly womanEpisode: "The City"
2017Broad CityBettyEpisode: "Witches"
2019MindhunterLakewood womanSeason 2, episode 6
2019First Wives ClubOdessa2 episodes

Stage

Theatre credits
YearTitleRoleVenueRefs.
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

External links