Mae Mercer Dies

Mae Mercer, a deep-voiced blues singer who spent much of the 1960s performing at a blues bar in Paris and touring Europe before launching an acting career back home in films and television, has died. She was 76.

Mercer was found dead Oct. 29 at her home in Northridge, said Reginald D. Brown, a friend. He said the cause of death had not been determined, but Mercer had suffered two mini-strokes last year and had been in ill health.

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In the 1970s, after returning to the United States, Mercer had roles in the Don Siegel-directed Clint Eastwood movies "The Beguiled" and "Dirty Harry."

She also appeared in the movie "Pretty Baby," the TV-movie "A Woman Called Moses" and made guest appearances on TV shows such as "Kung Fu," "Mannix," "ER" and "The Shield."

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The twice-married Mercer is survived by her children, Jessie Mae Frazier and Fernando Harper; her brothers, Leonard and Sam; her sisters, Anne M. Moore and Arlene Ellis; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a niece and nephew whom she raised, Wilbur Mercer and Janice Sheehan.

Rest In Peace, Mae.