[3] Taylor started working in the theatre—with the American Negro Theatre—at a time when there were few opportunities for African-American actors and comedians.

Taylor was one of the founding members of the Negro Ensemble Company, headquartered in New York's East Village on St. Mark's Place.

In 1973, she brought a role she had pioneered off-Broadway to film, playing Gladys Brooks in Five on the Black Hand Side.

Taylor appeared in The Wiz as Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North, Purlie the Broadway play as Idella Landy.

[citation needed] Clarice Taylor died in Englewood, New Jersey from congestive heart failure, aged 93.