Jenifer Lewis

For other people named Jennifer Lewis, see Jennifer Lewis (disambiguation).
Jenifer Lewis

Lewis in November 2008
Born Jenifer Jeanette Lewis
(1957-01-25) January 25, 1957
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Education Kinloch High School
Webster University
Occupation Actress, comedian, singer
Years active 1979–present
Spouse(s) Arnold Byrd (m. 2012)[1]

Jenifer Jeanette Lewis (born January 25, 1957) is an American actress, comedian, skydiver, puppeteer, and singer. She began her career appearing in Broadway musicals and worked as a back-up singer for Bette Midler, before appearing in films Beaches (1988) and Sister Act (1992).

Lewis is best known for playing roles of mothers in films What's Love Got to Do With It (1993), The Preacher's Wife (1996), The Brothers (2001), Think Like a Man and in the sequel Think Like a Man Too (2014), Baggage Claim (2013), and The Wedding Ringer (2015), as well as in The Temptations TV miniseries (1998). As such, Lewis earned the title, "Black Mother of Hollywood".[2][3] She also had roles in films include Dead Presidents (1995), Cast Away (2000), and Hereafter (2010).

On television, Lewis starred as Lana Hawkins in the Lifetime medical drama, Strong Medicine from 2000 to 2006. She also had the recurring roles on sitcoms A Different World, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Girlfriends. In 2014, Lewis began starring as Ruby Johnson in the ABC comedy series, Black-ish, for which she received Critics' Choice Television Award nomination.

Life and career

Lewis was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to a nurse's aide mother and a factory worker father. She attended Kinloch High School and then college at Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri. In 2012, she married Arnold Byrd who is a retired Marine 1st Sargent.[4] She has a daughter named Charmaine Lewis from a previous relationship. Lewis has revealed she has Bipolar disorder.[5][6]

Early works

Soon after, she arrived in New York City, Lewis debuted on Broadway in a small role in Eubie (1979), the musical based on the work of Eubie Blake.[7] She next landed the role of Effie White in the workshop of the Michael Bennett-directed musical Dreamgirls, but when the show moved to Broadway, Bennett chose Jennifer Holliday for the role.

Lewis accepted a position as a Harlette, a back-up singer for Bette Midler which led to Lewis' first TV appearances on Midler's HBO specials. She also landed her first screen role as a result, appearing as one of the buxom chorines in the 'Otto Titsling' production number in the Midler vehicle Beaches (1988). At the same time, Lewis was developing her nightclub act, The Diva Is Dismissed, an autobiographical comedy and music show in New York City cabarets. She performed the show off-Broadway at the Public Theater. In 1987, Lewis was hired as the Pre-Show announcer on the Star Tours ride at Disneyland.

1990s

After Lewis relocated to Los Angeles, she began appearing on television sitcoms, include Murphy Brown, Dream On, In Living Color, Roc, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and Friends. From 1992 to 1993, she played Dean Davenport in the sixth and final season of NBC sitcom A Different World. She also had a recurring role as Will Smith's Aunt Helen on NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1991 to 1996. As regular, Lewis starred alongside Patricia Wettig in her short-lived legal drama Courthouse in 1995, playing Judge Rosetta Reide, the first main African American lesbian character on television.[8]

In 1992, Lewis was cast as one of the back-up singers to Whoopi Goldberg in comedy film Sister Act. The following year, Lewis played the mother of Tupac Shakur's character in drama film Poetic Justice, and as Zelma Bullock, Tina Turner’s mother in the biopic What's Love Got to Do With It starring Angela Bassett. Lewis originally auditioned to play Tina Turner. Lewis is only one year older than Bassett. For her performance, she received her first NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture nomination. In 1994, she followed with other comedic supporting roles, including Mrs. Coleman the Unemployment Office lady in Renaissance Man and as Whoopi Goldberg's sister in Corrina, Corrina. In 1995, she was cast in maternal roles to Kadeem Hardison in Panther and to Larenz Tate in Dead Presidents.

In 1996, Lewis appeared as Theresa Randle's telephone sex line boss in Spike Lee's comedy-drama, Girl 6. Later that year, she went to play Whitney Houston's character's mother in Penny Marshall's romantic comedy-drama, The Preacher's Wife.[9] She received another NAACP Image Award nomination for her role in The Preacher's Wife. She also has had roles in The Mighty (1998), The Temptations TV miniseries (1998), Mystery Men (1999) and Blast from the Past (1999), before landing the leading role on mockumentary comedy Jackie's Back about the struggling comeback of a diva in turmoil.[7]

2000s

In 2000, Lewis had supporting role in the adventure drama film Cast Away directed by Robert Zemeckis.[10] Also in 2000, she began starring as Lana Hawkins on the Lifetime television medical drama Strong Medicine. The show ended in February 2006. Lewis also performed the theme song for Strong Medicine.[11] She also had a recurring role as Veretta Childs (Toni's mother) in the UPN sitcom Girlfriends. In film, she appeared as Morris Chestnut's mother in the 2001 romantic comedy The Brothers. In 2006, she had a featured role as the wedding planner in Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion, and also appeared in Perry's 2008 comedy-drama Meet the Browns as Vera Brown. She also appeared in Juwanna Mann, The Cookout, Nora's Hair Salon, Dirty Laundry and Not Easily Broken.

On April 22, 2008, Lewis replaced Darlene Love as Motormouth Maybelle in Broadway's Hairspray.[12] On television, she guest starred on That's So Raven and Boston Legal. Lewis also had number of voice over roles, include Walt Disney's animated musical The Princess and the Frog (2009), for which she received Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production nomination.[13]

2010s

In June 2010, Lewis' distinctive voice was in fine form as she told The Jazz Joy and Roy syndicated radio show, "I just did a production of 'Hello Dolly' at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle and it had to be one of the greatest productions that I have ever done, because I got to just do a character, Dolly Levi, and it was just great."[14] In 2012 Lewis began working with Shangela on the online reality show parody, "Jenifer Lewis and Shangela," where she acts as herself alongside Shangela, a "drag queen living in her basement." She later appeared in Shangela's music video for "Werqin Girl (Professional)."

In 2010, Clint Eastwood cast Lewis in his fantasy film Hereafter.[15] The following year, she starred alongside Rosario Dawson and Tracee Ellis Ross in Five, for which she received another NAACP Image Award nomination. She also co-starred in the short-lived NBC series, The Playboy Club.[16] She played Terrence J's overbearing mother in box-office hit Think Like a Man (2012), and in its sequel Think Like a Man Too (2014). In 2013, she played Paula Patton's mother Baggage Claim. In 2015, she starred in The Wedding Ringer.[3]

In 2014, Lewis was cast as Ruby Johnson, Anthony Anderson's character's mother in the ABC comedy series, Black-ish.[17] She was upped to regular as of second season. In 2016, she received Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series nomination for her performance.[18] She has also been featured on various TV advertising commercials.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Beaches Diva
1988 Red Heat Judge Jenifer Lewis Uncredited
1992 Sister Act Michelle
1992 Frozen Assets Jomisha
1993 Poetic Justice Anne
1993 Meteor Man Mrs. Williams
1993 What's Love Got to Do With It Zelma Bullock Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
1993 Undercover Blues Cab Driver
1993 Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit Michelle
1994 Renaissance Man Mrs. Coleman
1994 Deconstructing Sarah Betty Television film
1994 Corrina, Corrina Jevina Washington
1994 Shake, Rattle and Rock! Amanda Television film
1995 Panther Rita
1995 Dead Presidents Mrs. Curtis
1996 The Preacher's Wife Marguerite Coleman Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
1996 Girl 6 Boss #1 — Lil
1998 The Temptations Mama Rose Franklin Television film
1998 The Mighty Mrs. Addison
1998 An Unexpected Life Camille Television film
1999 Mystery Men Lucille
1999 Get Bruce Herself
1999 Blast From the Past Dr. Aron
1999 Jackie's Back Jackie Washington Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Actress
2000 Cast Away Becca Twig
2000 Dancing in September Judge Warner
2000 Partners Detective Lancy Television film
2000 Little Richard Muh Penniman Television film
2001 The Brothers Louise Smith
2001 The Ponder Heart Narcissa Wingfield Television film
2002 Antwone Fisher Aunt Uncredited
2002 Juwanna Mann Aunt Ruby
2004 The Cookout Emma "Lady Em" Andersen
2004 Shark Tale Motown Turtle Voice
2004 Nora's Hair Salon Nora Harper
2006 Dirty Laundry Aunt Lettuce
2006 Cars Flo Voice
2006 Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion Milay Jenay Lori
2006 The Heart Specialist Nurse Jackson
2007 Who's Your Caddy? Mrs. Hawkins
2007 Redrum Therapist
2008 Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns Vera Brown
2009 The Princess and the Frog Mama Odie Voice
Nominated — Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production
2009 Not Easily Broken Mary 'Mama' Clark
2010 Hereafter Candace
2011 Cars 2 Flo Voice
2011 Five Maggie Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Actress in a Television Miniseries or Movie
Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Nominated – NAMIC Vision Awards for Best Performance – Drama
2012 Think Like a Man Loretta Hanover
2012 Zambezia Gogo Voice
2013 Baggage Claim Catherine Moore Nominated — Acapulco Black Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble Cast
2013 Playin' for Love Alize Gates
2014 Think Like a Man Too Loretta Hanover
2014 The Magic City Aunt Valerie
2015 The Wedding Ringer Doris Jenkins

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1990–91 Murphy Brown Sales person Episodes: "Jingle Hell, Jingle Hell, Jingle All the Way" and "Uh-Oh: Pt. 2"
1990–93 A Different World Dean Dorothy Dandridge Davenport Recurring role (9 episodes)
1991 Stat Felicia Brown Episode: "Psychosomatic"
1991–96 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Aunt Helen Smith Recurring role, 8 episodes
1992 Dream On Carolyn Episode: "To the Moon, Alex!"
1993 In Living Color Various characters Episodes: "Bunny Clive" and "Calhoun Tubbs"
Roc Charlaine Episode: "Joey the Bartender"
Moon Over Miami Aurora Tyler Episode: "If You Only Knew"
1993–94 Hangin' With Mr. Cooper Georgia Rodman Episodes: "Father Fairest" and "Double Cheeseburger, Hold the Diploma"
1994 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Mystique Episode: "All Shook Up"
Friends Paula Episode: "The One With the Thumb"
1995 New York Undercover Medina Episode: "Private Enemy No. 1"
Living Single Delia Deveaux Episode: "Talk Showdown"
Courthouse Judge Rosetta Reide Series regular, 11 episodes
1996 Cosby Bernice Episode: "Basketball Story"
1997 Touched by an Angel Queenie Episode: "Amazing Grace: Part 1"
Promised Land Episode: "Amazing Grace: Part 2"
1997–99 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Hazel / Black Widow Spider Episodes: "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" and "The Bremen Town Musicians"
1998 The Parent 'Hood Linda Episode: "Hurricane Linda"
1998-00 For Your Love Sylvia Ellis / Mel and Reggie's Mother Episodes: "The Brother's Day" and "Father Fixture"
1999 The Jamie Foxx Show Josie Episode: "Always Follow Your Heart"
Moesha Mrs. Biggs Episode: "A Den Is a Terrible Thing to Waste"
Grown Ups Melissa's mother Episode: "Family Circus" (
Time of Your Life Joss's mother Episode: "The Time They Had Not"
1999–2008 The PJs Bebe Ho (voice) Series regular, 35 episodes
2000 Bette Inez Episode: "The Grammy Pre-Show"
2000–06 Strong Medicine Receptionist Lana Hawkins Series regular, 131 episodes
Nominated – NAMIC Vision Awards for Best Performance – Drama (2006)
2002 Family Affair Mrs. Summers Episode: "Pilot: Part 1"
2002–06 Girlfriends Veretta Childs Recurring role, 7 episodes
2003 The Proud Family Aunt Spice Episode: "Penny Potter"
2004 That's So Raven Vivian Baxter Episode: "To See or Not to See"
2007 Day Break Elizabeth Hopper Episode: "What If She's Lying?"
Shark Ellie Broussard Episode: "Backfire"
2007–08 Boston Legal Judge Isabel Fisher Episodes: "No Brains Left Behind" and "Mad About You"
2009–10 Meet the Browns Vera Brown Recurring role, 4 episodes
2011 The Cleveland Show Woman / Kevin Garnett's Mom / Receptionist / Middle-Aged Woman Episodes: "A Short Story and a Tall Tale" and "The Way the Cookie Crumbles"
American Dad! Lessie Episode: "School Lies"
State of Georgia Patrice Episode: "Best Friends For-Never"
The Playboy Club Pearl Recurring role, 7 episodes
2014 The Boondocks Boss Willona / Geraldine Episodes: "Breaking Grandad" and "Early Bird Special"
2014–present Black-ish Ruby Johnson Recurring (Season 1), Series regular (Season 2-)
Nominated – Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series (2016)
2015 The Exes Caren Dupree Episode: "Requiem for a Dream"
Instant Mom Delois Episode: "Not Full House"
Video games
Year Title Role Notes
2006 Cars Flo Voice
2007 Cars Mater-National Championship

References

  1. ↑ "Jenifer Lewis Talks About Love, Happiness and the Hereafter". News4usonline. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  2. ↑ "Jenifer Lewis: 'They Call Me the Black Mother of Hollywood'". Black America Web. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  3. 1 2 Stephanie Stephens. "Mega Diva Jenifer Lewis on 'The Wedding Ringer' and Seeing Yourself". Parade. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  4. ↑ Weinraub, Bernard (1993-07-01). "JENIFER LEWIS: FROM `DIVA' TO `STAR'". Chicago Tribune (New York Times News Service). Retrieved 2011-01-03.
  5. ↑ "Jenifer Lewis Opens Up About Battle With Bipolar Disorder". BET.com. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  6. ↑ Derrick Lane (25 January 2014). "Jenifer Lewis Bipolar Disorder – News One". News One. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Jenifer Lewis". Hollywood.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  8. ↑ "Lesbians on series TV.". Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  9. ↑ Lane, Clay (January 7, 2009). "Jenifer Lewis: That's my mama!". BET.com. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  10. ↑ "Cast Away". 22 December 2000. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  11. ↑ "Jenifer Lewis". IMDb. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  12. ↑ The Broadway League. "Jenifer Lewis – IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information". Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  13. ↑ "Annie Awards :: 37th Annie Awards". Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  14. ↑ "Jenifer Lewis". Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  15. ↑ "Jenifer Lewis on "Hereafter"". BET.com. 19 December 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  16. ↑ "Jenifer Lewis Talks: 'Playboy Club,' New Lifetime Film And Broadway Comeback". The Huffington Post. 22 September 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  17. ↑ Michael Slezak. "'black-ish' Season 1 Cast: Jenifer Lewis to Recur as Anthony Anderson's Mom – TVLine". TVLine. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  18. ↑ Tim Gray. "2016 Critics' Choice Award Nominations: Full List of Nominees – Variety". Variety. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
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