Career
She left The Wiz, citing the role"s harmful effect on her voice. She then starred in the television sitcom That"s My Mama. Her most notable film roles were Aunt Econometrica in the 1978 film version of The Wiz, Mistress
Crosby in the 1977 film adaptation of Neil Simon"s The Goodbye Girl, and Juanita in the Adam Sandler comedy Billy Madison.
She also appeared alongside Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton in the film adaptation of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Merritt was married to Benjamin Hines and they had four children.
Merritt died of skin cancer on June 12, 1998, in The Bronx.