Who is Maya Angelou?

Maya Angelou was a renowned African-American author, poet, and activist, known for her literary contributions and civil rights activism. However, not many people know that she also worked as a commercial actor.

Angelou was a prolific writer, having authored several acclaimed books, such as "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and "On the Pulse of Morning." Despite her successful career as a writer, she was also involved in several acting roles, including commercial acting.

In the 1990s, Angelou became the face of "The Celebrated People" campaign by the pharmaceutical company, Wyeth. The campaign featured Angelou alongside other famous personalities such as Muhammad Ali, Helen Hayes, and Louis Armstrong. In the commercials, Angelou spoke about her struggles with glaucoma and how it affected her life. She urged viewers to take proactive measures to prevent vision loss and to schedule regular eye examinations.

Angelou's work as a commercial actor was just another example of her versatility and willingness to participate in projects that could help people. She believed that her celebrity status could be leveraged to raise awareness and educate people on important issues.

Maya Angelou's career as an actor was relatively short. Nonetheless, her impact is still felt today as her legacy lives on through her literary works, activism, and commercial advertisements.