Carol Sutton, an institution in the New Orleans theater and acting scenes, has died. Although primarily known as a stage actor, Sutton was a regular go-to hire for any TV show or movie that filmed in the Louisiana city, appearing in everything from Steel Magnolias to True Detective to Treme and Queen Sugar. Per Variety, Sutton died on Thursday night, from complications of COVID-19. She was 76.
Originally emerging into the world of New Orleans theater in the 1960s, Sutton worked prolifically throughout her career, both in the theater and in front of the camera. Her first on-screen role came in 1974 with The Autobiography Of Miss Jane Pittman; one of her last came just a few months ago, when she had a small role on HBO’s Lovecraft Country. Along the way, she played Nurse Pam in Steel Magnolias, lent her talents to American Horror Story, and had a prominent single-episode appearance on Queen Sugar—one that series creator Ava DuVernay paid tribute to yesterday afternoon: