Annie Joe Edwards

Annie Joe Edwards Avery (born September 15, 1949 in Birmingham; died February 11, 2025) was an actor, musician, composer, and educator. She performed on Broadway and in films and television as Annie Joe and as Annie Joe Edwards.

Edwards graduated from Parker High School. She made her Broadway debut at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1975 as Georgia's Girl (and understudy for Georgia Sheridan) in the musical "Doctor Jazz", which closed after just 5 performances. She joined a touring production of "The Wiz" in 1978, playing the role of Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West. She enjoyed a much longer Broadway run as part of the standby cast for "Ain't Misbehavin'", which opened in May 1978 at the Longacre Theatre and closed in February 1982 after 1,604 performances.

Edwards was also part of the cast of "Ain't Misbehavin'" during its run in London's West End in 1979. In the 1980s she joined the cast of the touring musical revue "Taking My Turn", and played the maid "Aretha" in James Kirkwood's comedy "Legends!" about an attempt to produce a stage version of "Star Wars".

Edwards made her film debut in Woody Allen's "The Purple Rose of Cairo" in 1985, and also appeared in his films "New York Stories" (1989) and "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994). She had a small role in Dennis Hopper's "Colors" (1988). On television she landed a recurring role in 6 episodes of "In the Heat of the Night", She appeared in the mini-series "Mama Flora's Family", in the television movie "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years," and in an episode of "Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills."

Edwards was married to fellow actor Charles Avery Jr and had six children. She remained active throughout her life in the arts community in Birmingham, serving as an advocate and mentor. Late in life she performed in several productions at Encore Theatre and Gallery.

References

• Harvey, Alec (February 12, 2025) "Annie Joe Edwards, Birmingham native and star of stage and screen, has died." By Alec Harvey
• Wright, Barnett (February 12, 2025) "Annie Joe Edwards, Multi-Talented Birmingham Actress, Composer, Musician, Dies at 75." The Birmingham Times