Minnie Gentry (born Minnie Lee Watson, December 2, 1915 – May 11, 1993) was an American actress. Gentry was born Minnie Lee Watson in Norfolk, Virginia, the daughter of Mincie and Taylor Watson. Her family moved to Cleveland during her childhood, where she began studying piano at the age of nine, at the Phyllis Wheatley School of Music. She began acting at the Friendly Inn Settlement and married Lloyd Gentry in 1932. Subsequently, she appeared in many plays at the African-American theater the Karamu House. Gentry had a daughter, Marjorie Hawkins. Her great-grandson is actor Terrence Howard.