- In 1970 she became the very first African-American actress to win an Emmy award for acting, when she received the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Peggy Fair in "Mannix".
- Gail was only the second black woman, the first being Nichelle Nichols of "Star Trek," cast as a regular character in a dramatic hour-long network series.
- CBS was hesitant to cast Gail as the widow and altruistic secretary Peggy Fair of detective Joe Mannix, but actor Mike Connors and "Mannix" producer Bruce Geller persisted.
- Became one of the first black actresses to appear in a national TV commercial with speaking lines when she did an ad for All detergent in 1961.
- On December 2, 2000, Gail Fisher passed away at home from kidney failure. 12 hours later, her brother Clifton, a businessman, died of heart failure.
- She battled drugs in the popular show's aftermath and finally sought rehab after being arrested in 1978 for cocaine possession.
- Gail did not make her appearance on Mannix (1967) until the show's second season, after Mannix left the detective firm Intertect and set up his own shop as private investigator.
- Studied with Lee Strasberg and was later a member of the Repertory Theater at Lincoln Center where she worked with Elia Kazan. Her stage work included "A Raisin In The Sun," "Purlie Victorious" and "Danton's Death".
- One of TV's most visible black actors of the late 1960s, Gail was nominated for four Emmy Awards for her stylish secretary, winning once, and for three Golden Globe Awards, winning twice.
- Understudied Ruby Dee on Broadway in "Purlie Victorious".
- Had two daughters by her first husband: Samara Maxe, and Jole Baerga.
- Landed her first television appearance at age 25 in the 1960 syndicated program, "Play of the Week".
- Alumna of the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts), Class of 1958.
- Sister of Herbert Fisher, and Ona Gaither.
- Daughter of Ona Fisher.
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