Enduring Love: Weathering Hate Mail and Thriving for 55 Years

Leslie Uggams has enjoyed a captivating career as both a theater and film performer. Hailing from Harlem, this singer and actress gained widespread recognition for her role in the Deadpool series, yet her illustrious career extends across an impressive seven decades.

However, beyond the spotlight, her personal life holds a story worthy of cinematic portrayal. In 1965, Uggams defied societal norms by marrying Grahame Pratt, a White Australian man. Their enduring love story defied the odds of interracial relationships and continues to inspire.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Leslie Uggams (@leslieuggams1)

Leslie Uggams showcased her remarkable talent at a young age, recording a song for MGM at just 10 years old in 1953. Encouraged by her aunt, the renowned singer Eloise Uggams, she pursued her education at the Professional Children’s School of New York and later at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music.

Her musical achievements laid the foundation for a multifaceted career. In 1969, Uggams made television history by hosting her own TV variety show, “The Leslie Uggams Show,” marking the first network variety show hosted by a Black individual since “The Nat King Cole Show.”

Amidst her rising fame, Uggams found love behind the scenes with actor Grahame Pratt. Their paths initially crossed at the Professional Children’s School in New York, where they were fellow students. Serendipity brought them together again in Sydney during one of Leslie’s celebrity tours in Australia, igniting a love story that transcended borders and captured hearts.

Leslie Uggams was well aware of the potential repercussions of being romantically involved with a white man, having experienced societal judgment during her adolescence when she dated one. Her aunt, offering guidance, cautioned her against pursuing such relationships.

“I remember the shock I received when I was dating a white boy,” Leslie recounted to Ebony in 1967. “He sent me a color photograph of himself. He was a handsome young man with beautiful hair. I thought he was stunning. But when my aunt saw the photo, she immediately began lecturing me. ‘Well, I suppose he’s alright,’ she said, ‘but just for dates, honey, right? You’ll marry a nice [Black] man when you’re ready to settle down, won’t you?'”

Despite the advice, Leslie found herself drawn to Grahame after their chance encounter.

“I found myself truly falling for him, which was quite unexpected considering I was only 21,” she revealed.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Leslie Uggams (@leslieuggams1)

Despite Leslie’s apprehensions about her family’s potential reaction and the logistical challenges of Grahame relocating to the United States for her work, their love prevailed. After being engaged for five months, Grahame visited Leslie in New York.

“I wanted to ensure my family would genuinely embrace Grahame, not just tolerate him,” Leslie explained, mindful of her family’s views on mixed marriages.

Fortunately, Grahame’s Australian background alleviated some concerns for Leslie.

“He didn’t carry the same self-consciousness about his situation that many white Americans do,” she noted. “He seamlessly integrated with my friends because he genuinely liked them, and they reciprocated the sentiment.”

Although they were spared many of the racial challenges prevalent in the rest of the country while living in New York, Leslie disclosed that they still faced backlash, receiving hate mail due to their interracial marriage.

Reflecting on their journey, Leslie shared with PEOPLE, “It wasn’t as challenging as I had anticipated. I believe it’s because Grahame wasn’t a white American man.” Nonetheless, they did encounter prejudice, albeit to a lesser extent.

Despite Leslie’s initial concerns about her family’s reaction and the potential implications of Grahame relocating to the United States for her career, their love prevailed. After a five-month engagement, Grahame visited her in New York.

“I wanted to ensure my family would truly embrace Grahame, not just tolerate him,” Leslie explained, mindful of their views on mixed marriages.

Fortunately, Leslie found solace in Grahame’s Australian background, which alleviated some of her worries.

“He didn’t carry the same self-consciousness about his situation that many white Americans do,” she noted. “He effortlessly blended in with my friends because he genuinely liked them, and they reciprocated the sentiment.”

Despite living in New York, where racial challenges were less pronounced than in other parts of the country, Leslie revealed they still faced adversity, including hate mail due to their interracial marriage.

“It wasn’t as daunting as I had feared,” Leslie reflected in an interview with PEOPLE. “I believe it’s because Grahame wasn’t a white American man.” Nonetheless, they encountered prejudice, though to a lesser extent.

“Sometimes during my tours in the United States, I receive anonymous letters regarding my marriage to a white man,” Leslie recounted. “I remember receiving one in Detroit of all places. It was addressed to ‘The Little Negro Entertainer.’ Unfortunately, such derogatory messages are all too common, and they are never pleasant to read.”

Grahame took on the role of Leslie’s manager, and the couple welcomed two daughters, Danielle in 1970 and Justice in 1976.

Leslie’s career continued to flourish. Just a year after the birth of their second child, she landed the lead role in the miniseries “Roots,” earning an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Kizzy. Two years later, she received another Emmy nomination for Best Actress for her performance as Lillian Rogers Parks in “Backstairs at the White House.”

In 1996, Leslie portrayed Rose Keefer on “All My Children.” Additionally, she received a Daytime Emmy Award in 1983 for her hosting role on the NBC game show “Fantasy.”