Alfre Woodard is an actress.
Alfre Woodard ( born November 8 , 1952 ) is an American film , stage , and television actress , producer , and political activist . In 1983 , she won major critical praise and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Cross Creek . She also starred as Dr. Roxanne Turner in the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere , for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1986 , and for Guest Actress in 1988 . She also drew critical praise for her performances in the independent dramas Passion Fish ( 1992 ) , for which she won an Independent Spirit Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress , as well as Down in the Delta ( 1998 ) .