Irma P. Hall, the respected actress celebrated for her powerful portrayals of strong, wise matriarchs in films such as Soul Food and The Ladykillers, has died at the age of 91. She pᴀssed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by her loved ones. Her family confirmed the news the following day.

In a statement, her family described her as “a beloved actress, author, poet, educator, and public speaker whose contributions touched countless lives throughout her remarkable career.” They added that her legacy of talent, dedication, and compᴀssion would continue to inspire future generations.

Born Irma Dolores Player on June 3, 1935, in Beaumont, Texas, Hall spent part of her childhood in Chicago before returning to Texas to attend Texas College. For more than two decades she worked as a teacher of English and foreign languages in the Dallas public school system. Her path into acting began later in life when actor and director Raymond St. Jacques spotted her during a poetry reading in Dallas. She made her film debut in the 1973 movie Book of Numbers.

Hall’s career gained significant momentum in the 1990s. She received widespread recognition for her role as Big Mama Jo, the steadfast family matriarch, in the 1997 film Soul Food. The performance earned her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture in 1998. She later returned to the character in the television series based on the movie.

She also earned critical praise for her work as Aunt T in the 1996 drama A Family Thing, appearing alongside Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones. In 2004, Hall delivered a memorable performance opposite Tom Hanks in the Coen brothers’ remake of The Ladykillers, for which she received a Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Her filmography includes additional notable roles in Collateral, Patch Adams, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Beloved, and Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns. On television, she appeared in series such as Touched by an Angel and Chicago Fire.

Beyond the screen, Hall remained deeply connected to the arts community in Dallas. She helped establish the Dallas Minority Repertory Theatre, and in 2015 the Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Awards were created in her honor. She was also an active member of Inspiring Body of Christ Church in Dallas, where she served as a church mother and supported educational and theater programs.

Her daughter, Irma Hall Crayton, reflected on her mother’s dual impact as both an educator and a performer: “She started as a teacher in the classroom but ended up being a teacher to the world. My mom used to always say, ‘To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.’ And she was just that to many people.”

Hall’s family has asked for privacy during this time and indicated that details regarding funeral and memorial services will be shared at a later date.

Irma P. Hall’s work left a lasting impression through characters who embodied strength, wisdom, and warmth. Her late-blooming career and commitment to both education and the arts continue to stand as a testament to a life of meaningful contribution.