Leslie Marian Uggams is an American actress and singer. Beginning her career as a child in the early 1950s, Uggams is recognized for portraying Kizzy Reynolds in the television miniseries
Roots (1977), earning Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations for her performance. She had earlier been highly acclaimed for the Broadway musical
Hallelujah, Baby!, winning a Theatre World Award in 1967 and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1968. Later in her career, Uggams received renewed notice with appearances as Blind Al in the superhero films
Deadpool (2016) and its 2018 sequel ; as Leah Walker on the Fox musical drama series
Empire (2016â2020); as Agnes Ellison in the comedy-drama film
American Fiction (2023); and as Betty Pearson in the Amazon Original post-apocalyptic drama series
Fallout (2024), based on the video game of the same name.