Aleta Mitchell, who portrayed Dussie Mae in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on Broadway, has died aged 74. She enjoyed a successful career across stage, film and television. She died on April 14 in hospice care in Branford, Connecticut, her family announced.

Mitchell is best remembered for her iconic roles in the 1988 horror film The Serpent and the Rainbow, directed by Wes Craven. In the film, she portrayed Celestine Durand in a memorable dream sequence where her character, dressed in a white bridal gown, appears as a corpse. The scene is iconic for the moment when a large snake emerges from her open mouth to attack Bill Pullman’s character.

Her filmography also includes also includes appearances in Milos Forman’s Valmont (1989), Spike Lee’s Malcolm X (1992), and Clint Eastwood’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997).

Tributes have poured in online for the actress as fans paid tribute following the news.

One person wrote: "RIP," while another penned: "A sad loss, her work will be remembered in film history." A third added: "Heartbreaking news [tear emoji].

Born on February 12, 1952, in Chicago Illinois, Mitchell grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side.

She began her acting career in touring stage productions throughout the Midwest during her high school years.

Mitchell earned a bachelor's degree in Acting from the University of Iowa in 1981, followed by a master’s degree from the Yale School of Drama.

She began her professional acting career when she starred in the 1984 original Broadwayproduction of August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

The on-screen star also starred on television shows including The Cosby Show, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The Equalizer and The Jury.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years Thomas, son Andrew and her mother Geraldine.