Sometimes when I go on tour through the United States, I get anonymous letters about being married to a white man,” Leslie explained. “I recall getting one in Detroit of all places.” The letter was addressed to ‘The Little Negro Entertainer.’ They’re constantly addressed in that manner, and they’re not nice to read.”
Grahame became Leslie’s manager, and the couple had two daughters, Danielle in 1970 and Justice in 1976.
Leslie had secured the lead role in the miniseries “Roots” one year after their second kid was born, and she garnered an Emmy nomination for her role as Kizzy.
She was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Actress for her role as Lillian Rogers Parks in “Backstairs at the White House” two years later.
She portrayed Rose Keefer on “All My Children” in 1996, and she got a Daytime Emmy Award in 1983 as the host of the NBC game show “Fantasy.”
She has appeared as herself on television shows such as “Family Guy,” “I Spy,” “Hollywood Squares,” “The Muppet Show,” “The Love Boat,” and “Magnum, P.I.”
Leslie and Grahame are still married and in love after 55 years, and they have two children as well as a granddaughter named Cassidy.
“We laugh all the time — but it ain’t always roses,” Leslie said of their happy marriage. We enjoy a good time together.”