Irma P. Hall, former teacher and star of 'Soul Food' and 'The Ladykillers', dies aged 91

Irma P. Hall, the veteran American actress who found fame later on in life after decades as a teacher, has died at the age of 91.Her family announced her death and no cause was given. In a statement, Hall was described as “a beloved actress, author, poet, educator and public speaker whose contributions touched countless lives throughout her remarkable career”.Born Irma Dolores Player on 3 June 1935, in Beaumont, Texas, she was raised in Chicago and later returned to Texas for college. She taught English and foreign languages in Dallas public schools for more than two decades.Her path to the screen began when actor and director Raymond St. Jacques heard her recite poetry in Dallas and cast her in his 1973 film Book of Numbers.Hall continued teaching as she took acting roles, then made performance her full-time work in the 1980s. She also helped establish the Dallas Minority Repertory Theatre and remained involved in developing young artists.Hall was 60 when A Family Thing brought her a major film role in 1996. She played Aunt T., a blind woman whose counsel helps guide two half brothers, played by James Earl Jones and Robert Duvall. The part drew attention to a performer who had spent years developing her craft onstage and in smaller screen roles.“I was just concentrating on developing this craft,”…