Since 1962, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has selected a “Miss Golden Globes” to hand out the coveted Golden Globe Awards. For the 73rd Golden Globes ceremony to take place this past Sunday, 21-year-old Corinne Foxx, the daughter of actor Jamie Foxx, served in the role. However, she’s one of a handful of Black actresses or children of a celebrated star to do so.
The first Black Miss Golden Globes was Rosanne Katon Walden. Born in New York on February 5, 1954, Walden began her career in small television and movie roles which played up her curvy figure and overall look.
In the mid-70’s, Walden’s star began to rise with roles on Good Times, Sanford and Son, a spinoff show, Grady, and she also starred opposite Denzel Washington in the ’80’s medical drama, St. Elsewhere. Walden’s other claim to fame was her selection as the September 1978 Playmate of the Month for men’s magazine, Playboy.
In 1981, Walden was named Miss Golden Globes in the history-making turn of events. Since her selection, Alexandra Martin, the daughter of Whoopi Goldberg, Tori Reid, the daughter of actor Tom Reid, and Mavis Spencer, the daughter of Alfre Woodard have all seerved in the role.
Walden, 62, has since retired from acting and works closely with disaster relief efforts as an activist. Her husband, Richard M. Walden, is the president and CEO of Operation USA, an organization that offers relief to Third World and developing countries.
