Terresa M. Graves, credited as Teresa Graves (January 10, 1948 – October 10, 2002) was an American actor and singer. Graves initally started her entertainment career as a singer, singing with music group the Doodletown Pipers and would release a self-titled album in 1970. She would transition to acting and appear in film and variety TV shows and was a regular performer in the series Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. Graves is best known for role of Christie Love, originating in a made-for-TV movie Get Christie Love which would later develop into a television series of the same name. With Get Christie Love!, Graves became the first African-American woman to star in a network TV drama and the second African-American woman to star in a television series (Diahann Carroll was the first with the sitcom Julia).
In 1983, Graves retired from show business to devote more time to her faith. She lives in Los Angeles, California for the remainder of her life. Unfortunately, her home caught fire in 2002, and she was caught in the blaze. She was rushed to the hospital but later died. She was 54 years old.
Partial Filmography
Film
- That Man Bolt (1973) - Samantha Nightingale
- Vampira (1973) - Countess Vampira
- Black Eye (1974) - Cynthia
- Get Christie Love! (1974) - Christie Love, television movie
Television
- Turn-On (1969) - Regular perfomer, 1 episode
- Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In (1969–1970) - Regular performer
- Get Christie Love (1974–1975) - Christie Love, main role
Discography
- "We're On Our Way" (Single) - 1969
- "A Time For Us" (Single) - 1969
- Teresa Graves (LP) - 190
