Ethyl Spraggins Ayler[1] (May 1, 1930 – November 18, 2018) was an American character actress with a career spanning over five decades.

The impressive cast of black actors included three future Academy Award nominees: James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson and Louis Gossett Jr.[6] Throughout her career, Ayler appeared frequently with the Negro Ensemble Company.

This included notable performances in The First Breeze of Summer,[7] Eden[8] and Nevis Mountain Dew.

[9] On television, Ayler had a recurring role as Carrie Hanks, Clair Huxtable's mother on The Cosby Show.

For her work in To Sleep with Anger, Ayler received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.