Marsha Warfield
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Born Name:
Marsha Francine Warfield
Born Date: March 5, 1954
Born Place: Chicago, Illinois
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Actress, comedian
Brief Biography: Marsha Warfield is known for playing the tough, no-nonsense bailiff Roz Russell on the NBC sitcom Night Court (1986–1992). She also starred as Dr. Maxine Douglas in Empty Nest and has enjoyed a decades-long career as an out and proud stand-up comedian.
Biography & Early Career:
Born in Chicago, Illinois, she grew up on the city's South Side. Warfield started her entertainment career in stand-up comedy, where she built a reputation for being bold, provocative, and unafraid to tackle real-world issues. She won the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 1979.
Television Success:
Before her iconic role on Night Court, Warfield was a writer and performer on The Richard Pryor Show in 1977. She joined Night Court in 1986 following the tragic deaths of previous bailiffs Selma Diamond and Florence Halop. Warfield became a fan favorite, staying with the series until its conclusion in 1992.Following Night Court, she produced and hosted The Marsha Warfield Show (1990–1991) and starred on the hit sitcom Empty Nest. In more recent years, she has taken on television roles such as Antonia "Toni" Wilson on Fox’s drama series 9-1-1 and reprised her iconic role as Roz Russell in the NBC Night Court revival.
Career Highlights:
Breakout Role: Played Bailiff Roz Russell on NBC's Night Court (136 episodes).
Stand-up: Won the San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 1979.
Other Major TV: Starred in Empty Nest and made recurring appearances on FOX's 9-1-1.
Activism/Comedy: Known for her commentary on politics, race, and her own experiences coming out as an older, Black gay woman.
Born Date: March 5, 1954
Born Place: Chicago, Illinois
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Actress, comedian
Brief Biography: Marsha Warfield is known for playing the tough, no-nonsense bailiff Roz Russell on the NBC sitcom Night Court (1986–1992). She also starred as Dr. Maxine Douglas in Empty Nest and has enjoyed a decades-long career as an out and proud stand-up comedian.
Biography & Early Career:
Born in Chicago, Illinois, she grew up on the city's South Side. Warfield started her entertainment career in stand-up comedy, where she built a reputation for being bold, provocative, and unafraid to tackle real-world issues. She won the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 1979.
Television Success:
Before her iconic role on Night Court, Warfield was a writer and performer on The Richard Pryor Show in 1977. She joined Night Court in 1986 following the tragic deaths of previous bailiffs Selma Diamond and Florence Halop. Warfield became a fan favorite, staying with the series until its conclusion in 1992.Following Night Court, she produced and hosted The Marsha Warfield Show (1990–1991) and starred on the hit sitcom Empty Nest. In more recent years, she has taken on television roles such as Antonia "Toni" Wilson on Fox’s drama series 9-1-1 and reprised her iconic role as Roz Russell in the NBC Night Court revival.
Career Highlights:
Breakout Role: Played Bailiff Roz Russell on NBC's Night Court (136 episodes).
Stand-up: Won the San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 1979.
Other Major TV: Starred in Empty Nest and made recurring appearances on FOX's 9-1-1.
Activism/Comedy: Known for her commentary on politics, race, and her own experiences coming out as an older, Black gay woman.