Teena Marie's 1964 Acting Debut on "Beverly Hillbillies"

Soulful songstress, Teena Marie's career was on comeback after she sought treatment for an addiction to prescription pills.

 By Alicia Cruz

The Black Urban Times

Not many people know that singer Teena Marie was bitten by the acting bug long before her singing career took off. Teena Marie, nee Mary Brockert, had an acting role on The Beverly Hillbillies at the tender age of 8. She played "Beverly" the precocious, tap-dancing daughter of a pushy mother who wanted nothing more than to see her little girl on stage. Mother takes "Beverly" to Jed, and, well, scroll down to see Teena Marie in her television debut.

Even Motown took notice of Teena's acting skills when they produced "Orphanage Children." The TV pilot was a flop, but a number of songs were produced with several producers, with much of it remaining unreleased. Tunes, "Don't Turn Your Back on Me" from 1977 and "Every Little Bit Hurts" from 19778 can be found on the Motown compilation I Need Your Lovin': The Very Best of Teena Marie.

Teena's desire to sing germinated during her toddler years. One Sunday during Catholic Mass, Teena heard the priest chant "Dominus vobiscum, et cum spiritu tuo," which means, "The Lord be with You, and with thy spirit."

Baby Tee's effort to emulate the Father led her to break out in Harry Belafonte's song, "Day-O." Her mother, embarrassed beyond imagination, shuffled little Teena out of Mass underneath her coat. Who knew it was the start of brighter things to come.

Teena went on to fame and stardom having sang with a 36-piece big band before moving on to Motown and later, Epic Records. She mesmerized many producers with her efficacious vocals. It was reported that former lover and mentor, Rick James declined an offer to produce Diana Ross in order to work with Teena, whom he met after hearing her singing and playing piano at a Motown office. Teena's first hit single, "I'm Just a Sucker For Your Love" was reportedly a song for Ross.

Teena suffered a serious injury after falling during her 1988 Naked to the World concert tour that hospitalized her for six months, but did little to quell her fire. She made a sparkling recovery and released Ivory in the Fall of 1990.

Teena Marie, arguably one of Motown's most notable acts and nicknamed "The Ivory Queen of Soul," died at the age of 54 on December 26, 2010 at her California home. Teena's publicist, Jasmine Vega, who worked with Teena Marie on her last album confirmed her death.

Media reports say Teena Marie's daughter found her mother's body after she'd died in her sleep. Teena continued to wow fans with fabulous performances in 2010 from New York City to the Las Vegas Strip. The soulful songstress made a wonderful comeback after seeking treatment for an addiction to prescription pills. At press time, there was no word on what caused Teena Marie's death.

TEENA MARIE IN "BEVERLY HILLBILLIES"