Danitra Vance (July 13, 1954 – August 21, 1994) was an American comedian and actress best known for Saturday Night Live and Limit Up.
In 1986, she met playwright George C. Wolfe and appeared in his Off-Broadway plays The Colored Museum and, later in 1990, Spunk, Wolfe's adaptation of several Zora Neale Hurston short stories. Vance’s work with Wolfe earned her both an NAACP Image Award as well as an Obie, and she also began to build a film career with both supporting roles (1988’s Sticky Fingers, 1989’s The War of the Roses, and 1991’s Hangin’ with the Homeboys) as well as leading parts (opposite Ray Charles in 1989’s Limit Up and opposite Jodie Foster in 1991’s Little Man Tate).
Sadly, in 1991, Vance was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. Despite a double mastectomy, Vance died three years later at the age of 40. Her partner was Jones Miller and Vance was a lesbian, though this wasn't publicly known until after her death.
Film Roles
- Limit Up as Nike
- The War of the Roses as Manicurist Trainee
- Hangin With The Homeboys as Pool Hall Couple
- Little Man Tate as Clinic Doctor
- Jumpin At The Boneyard as Jeanette
Television Roles
- Saturday Night Live as various (1985-1986)
- Miami Vice as Annette McAllister (1 episode)
- Great Performances The Colored Museum as Miss Pat/The Woman/Normal Jean Reynolds (1 episode)
