Leslie Uggams is a remarkable singer and actress with a career that has spanned an incredible seven decades. Although many may know her from her role in the Deadpool series, her personal love story is just as captivating. In 1965, Leslie married Grahame Pratt, a wonderful man from Australia, and together they triumphed over the challenges of an interracial relationship.
A Musical Start and a Brave Choice
Leslie’s journey began with her extraordinary musical talent. At the young age of 10 in 1953, she recorded a song for MGM. Her aunt, singer Eloise Uggams, recognized Leslie’s potential and encouraged her to attend the prestigious Professional Children’s School of New York and the renowned Julliard School of Music. Leslie’s success, however, didn’t stop there.
In 1969, she made history as the first black person to host a network variety show since “The Nat King Cole Show,” by hosting her own TV variety show, “The Leslie Uggams Show.” Behind the scenes, Leslie’s heart was captured by the talented actor Grahame Pratt.
A Love That Overcame Obstacles
Leslie and Grahame initially met at the Professional Children’s School in New York, where they both attended as students. Fate brought them together again during one of Leslie’s celebrity tours in Sydney, Australia. However, love wasn’t without its challenges.
As an African American woman, Leslie was well aware of the potential consequences of dating a white man. Her aunt had even advised her against pursuing a future with Grahame. Despite her initial doubts, Leslie found herself falling deeply in love with him, even though they would be separated for a year after her departure from Australia.
The couple faced the uncertainty of family reactions and the possibility of Grahame having to relocate to the United States for Leslie’s work. To test whether her family would truly accept Grahame, Leslie invited him to visit her in New York. Thankfully, Grahame, being Australian, didn’t carry the same self-consciousness about interracial relationships that many white Americans did. Leslie had nothing to worry about, as her family warmly embraced Grahame.
Love’s Triumph Over Hate
Living in New York, Leslie and Grahame were fortunate to face fewer racial challenges than in the rest of the country. However, they did receive hurtful hate mail due to their interracial marriage. Although difficult, Leslie remained strong.
“It wasn’t as difficult as I anticipated,” Leslie shared in an interview with PEOPLE. “I believe the reason is that Grahame was not a white American man.” Nonetheless, the hate mail served as a reminder that prejudice still lingered in society.
A Lifetime of Love and Success
Grahame became Leslie’s manager, and together they built a beautiful family. They are proud parents to two daughters, Danielle and Justice, and have a beloved granddaughter named Cassidy. Leslie’s career continued to flourish with notable roles in acclaimed miniseries like “Roots” and “Backstairs at the White House.”
Throughout their 55 years of marriage, Leslie and Grahame have shared countless laughs, supported each other unwaveringly, and faced challenges head-on. Their love story defies all odds and stands as a true testament to the power of enduring love.
Share the Love
Join us in celebrating Leslie and Grahame’s extraordinary love story. Share this heartwarming tale with your friends and family, and let it inspire others to overcome obstacles in love. Leslie and Grahame’s story reminds us that love knows no race or boundaries, and that true love can withstand the test of time.
