Sharon Warren played Ray Charles' mother, Aretha Robinson, in the 2004 film Ray.
12 Facts About Sharon Warren
1.
2.
Sharon Warren is the daughter of David, a sheriff for Macon County, Alabama, and Pebblin Warren, a Democratic politician.
3.
Sharon Warren went to Auburn University, majoring in finance and business, but dropped out in 1999 to pursue an acting career.
4.
Sharon Warren portrayed Beneatha in a 1999 rendition of A Raisin in the Sun, and acted in Flying Over Purgatory alongside Ruby Dee.
5.
Sharon Warren worked with Atlanta theater company Alliance Theatre for many years before appearing in Ray.
6.
Sharon Warren landed the role of Aretha Robinson, the mother of Ray Charles, in biopic Ray.
7.
The film's director, Taylor Hackford, had witnessed Sharon Warren acting in a stage production and had her audition for the role.
8.
Sharon Warren won the part, being the only actress considered.
9.
The above account of how Sharon Warren landed the role is expanded upon and partially contradicted by both the director Taylor Hackford and Sharon Warren herself in a bonus documentary featurette 'The Filmmaker's Journey' included in the deluxe 2-DVD edition of Ray.
10.
Sharon Warren stated she used her grandmother as a basis while in character as Aretha.
11.
Sharon Warren received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her work in the film.
12.
Sharon Warren later had a supporting role in the drama film Glory Road.