Cleo Sylvestre, pioneer for black actresses, dies at 79

Cleo Sylvestre, pioneer for black actresses, dies at 79 Actress Cleo Sylvestre leaves lasting legacy in UK theatre and TV Cleo Sylvestre, pioneer for black actresses, dies at 79 Cleo Sylvestre, a trailblazing actress who broke barriers as the first black actress to take on leading roles at the National Theatre and in the UK soap opera Crossroads, has died at 79. Her agent confirmed her passing, stating, "Much-loved and admired by her peers, she will be remembered as a trail blazer and a true friend. She will be sorely missed by so many.

We ask that you respect the privacy of her family at this difficult time." googletag.cmd.

push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); Sylvestre's daughter, Zoe Palmer, paid tribute on X (formerly known as Twitter), "Our beloved, inspirational mum @CleoSylvestre crossed over this morning. With thanks to the teams @NHSHomerton and #therlh who cared for her so brilliantly over the past three weeks.

Rest in power mum, see you on the dancefloor." Throughout her illustrious career, Sylvestre appeared in notable TV series such as Grange Hill and the Channel 5 revival of All Creatures Great and Small . Fulcrum Talent, her agency, expressed to BBC News, "She will be sorely missed by so many.

" Aside from acting, Sylvestre explored music, releasing To Know Him is to Love Him in 1964 with The Rolling Stones providing backing vocals. Playwright Bonnie Greer also paid tribute noting, "The actor #CleoSylvestreMBE has crossed over. S.