Wendy Raquel Robinson(born, July 25, 1967) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as high school principal Regina "Piggy" Grier onThe WBcomedy sitcomThe Steve Harvey Show(1996–2002), and as sports agentTasha MackonThe CW/BET/Paramount+comedy-dramaThe Game(2006–2015).
Wendy Raquel Robinson | |
|---|---|
 Robinson in 2013 | |
| Born | July 25, 1967[1] |
| Other names | Wendy Robinson |
| Education | Howard University(BFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouse | |
Early life and education
editRobinson was born inLos Angeles, California.She attendedHoward University,where she graduatedcum laudewith aBachelor of Fine Artsin drama.[3][4]
Career
editShe made her acting debut in 1993 on an episode ofMartin.That same year, she guest starred on episodes ofTheaandThe Sinbad Show.
From 1995 to 1996, Robinson co-starred on the short-livedNBCsitcomMinor Adjustments,starringRondell Sheridan.The following year she won the role of Regina "Piggy" Grier in The WB sitcomThe Steve Harvey Showwhich aired for six seasons. After the series ended its run in 2002, she appeared on the short-lived sketch comedy seriesCedric the Entertainer Presentswith her formerSteve Harveyco-starCedric the Entertainer.Robinson also made guest appearances onThe Parkers,All of Us,andThe New Adventures of Old Christine.Robinson has also appeared in several films includingThe Walking Dead,followed by roles inA Thin Line Between Love and Hate(1996),Ringmaster(1998),Two Can Play That Game(2001), andRebound(2005). In 2000, she played Miss California in the filmMiss Congeniality.
In 2006, Robinson began portraying the role ofTasha Mack,in the comedyThe Game.[5]After three seasons, the series was canceled byThe CWon May 21, 2009.[6]BETstruck a deal withThe Game's parent companyCBSto develop new episodes of the series, relocating taping of the show from Los Angeles toAtlanta,[7]and announcing its renewal at the April 2010upfronts.[8]
The Gamereturned to the air for a fourth season on January 11, 2011,[9]The series ended in 2015. She also appeared inABC'smedical dramaGrey's Anatomyin 2010. In 2014, she was cast asCruella de Vilin theDisney'sDescendants.[10][11]In 2017, she has appeared in the filmFlatliners,and had a recurring role on the short-lived ABC comedy series,The Mayor.
In 2018, Robinson was cast in the ABC comedy-drama seriesGrand HoteloppositeDemián BichirandRoselyn Sánchez.[12][13]In 2022, she featured in the Netflix seriesFamily Reunionas Joyce.
Philanthropy
editIn 1996, Robinson co-founded the Amazing Grace Conservatory, a school that predominantly serves children from 5 to 18 years old from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds in the fields of the arts and media production.[citation needed]Robinson serves as the school's artistic director.[14]The school has provided a safe haven and training for thousands of young people. Some notable members includeIssa Rae,Rhyon Nicole Brown,[15]andElle Varner.[16]
Personal life
editRobinson was initiated as an honorary member ofSigma Gamma Rhosorority during the organization’s Centennial Boulé in July 2022.[17]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | M.A.N.T.I.S. | Ndiaye, Hawkins' Assistant | TV movie |
| 1995 | The Walking Dead | Celeste | |
| Seven Thirty-Five | Dana | Short | |
| 1996 | A Thin Line Between Love and Hate | Gwen | |
| 1998 | Ringmaster | Starletta | |
| 2000 | Miss Congeniality | Leslie Davis, Miss California | |
| 2001 | Two Can Play That Game | Karen | |
| 2002 | A Baby Blues Christmas Special | Josie/Madge (voice) | TV short |
| 2003 | With or Without You | Serena | |
| Mind Games | Natalie, the Hairstylist | ||
| 2004 | Reflections: A Story of Redemption | Maya | Short |
| 2005 | Squirrel Man | Sonya Wendell | Short |
| Rebound | Jeanie Ellis | ||
| 2006 | Something New | Cheryl | |
| 2008 | Peaches | Peaches | Video |
| 2009 | Contradictions of the Heart | Kim | Video |
| 2010 | When the Lights Go Out | Sheila | Video |
| 2011 | 35 and Ticking | Callise | |
| He's Mine Not Yours | Sophia | ||
| 2014 | My Dad's a Soccer Mom | Holly Casey | TV movie |
| 2015 | Mysterious Ways | Marilyn | |
| Descendants | Cruella de Vil | TV movie | |
| I'll Text You | Cindy | Short | |
| 2016 | A Weekend with the Family | Nip Stankershet | |
| Sugar | Mimi | Short | |
| Grandma's House | Cynthia | ||
| Boy Bye | Veronica Love | ||
| 2017 | Flatliners | Mrs. Jean Manning | |
| 2018 | Revival! | Woman With Blood Issue | |
| 2019 | Hip Hop Holiday | Paris | |
| 2020 | The Sin Choice | – | |
| A Christmas Surprise | Tanya | TV movie | |
| 2021 | Fruits of the Heart | Ella | |
| A Christmas Family Reunion | Mona Christmas | TV movie | |
| 2022 | Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story | Cylestine |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | The New WKRP in Cincinnati | Stacey | Episode: "Strange Bedfellows" |
| 1993 | Martin | Vanessa Tucker | Episode: "Really, Gina Is Not My Lover" |
| The Sinbad Show | Yvette | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| Thea | Patrice Washington | Episode: "Artie's Party" | |
| 1994 | Dream On | Tiffany | Episode: "The Homecoming Queen" |
| Me and the Boys | Amelia | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| Sisters | Mannequin #2 | Episode: "Scandalous" | |
| 1995 | The Watcher | Wendy | Episode: "Pilot" |
| Vanishing Son | Linda | Episode: "Long Ago and Far Away" | |
| 1995–96 | Minor Adjustments | Rachel Aimes | Main Cast |
| 1996 | NYPD Blue | Lucy Kinley | Episode: "Closing Time" & "He's Not Guilty, He's My Brother" |
| 1996–2002 | The Steve Harvey Show | Regina "Piggy" Grier | Main Cast |
| 1998 | Getting Personal | Kaylene | Recurring Cast |
| 2000–02 | Baby Blues | Josie (voice) | Recurring Cast |
| 2002 | Yes, Dear | Andrea | Episode: "Greg's New Friend" |
| Cedric the Entertainer Presents | Various Characters | Main Cast | |
| 2002–03 | The Proud Family | Katanga/Leslie (voice) | Episode: "Behind Family Lines" & "Hooray for Iesha" |
| 2003 | Pyramid | Herself/Celebrity Contestant | Recurring Guest |
| The Parkers | Dr. Shepherd | Episode: "The Accidental Therapist" | |
| 2004–05 | All of Us | Sarah Willis | Recurring Cast: Season 2 |
| 2006 | The New Adventures of Old Christine | Anita | Episode: "The Other F Word" |
| Girlfriends | Tasha Mack | Episode: "The Game" | |
| 2006–15 | The Game | Tasha Mack | Main Cast |
| 2007 | Family Guy | Jackée Harry/Bernice (voice) | Episode: "Believe It or Not, Joe's Walking on Air" |
| 2009 | Played by Fame | Herself | Episode: "Wendy Raquel Robinson" & "Kevin's Child's Play" |
| 2010 | Grey's Anatomy | Officer Gina Thompson | Episode: "Sympathy for the Parents" |
| 2010–11 | Glenn Martin, DDS | Hair Dresser/Professor Randall (voice) | Episode: "Courtney's Pony" & "Date with Destiny" |
| 2012 | Malibu Country | Joan | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2013 | Kimmie's Kitchen | Herself | Episode: "Sweet Potato Pie/Wendy Raquel Robinson" |
| 2015 | Unsung Hollywood | Herself | Episode: "Vivica A. Fox" |
| Teens Wanna Know | Herself | Episode: "2015 Hollywood Award Season" | |
| Being | Herself | Episode: "Wendy Raquel Robinson" | |
| 2016 | Here We Go Again | Loretta Walker | Main Cast |
| 2017 | Tia Mowry at Home | Herself | Episode: "Game On" |
| Detroiters | Councilwoman Gwinett | Episode: "Sam the Man" | |
| The Mayor | Krystal | Recurring Cast | |
| 2018 | Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards | Herself/Host | Main Host |
| Raven's Home | Dreamweaver | Episode: "Weirder Things" | |
| 2018–19 | Dear White People | Tina White | Guest Cast: Season 2–3 |
| For Evan's Sake | Dr. Cynthia King-Watkins | Main Cast | |
| 2019 | Annual Trumpet Awards | Herself/Co-Host | Main Co-Host |
| Annual African Pride Gospel SuperFest | Herself/Host | Main Host | |
| Grand Hotel | Helen "Mrs. P" Parker | Main Cast | |
| 2020 | Celebrity Game Face | Herself | Episode: "Sweatsuit Charades and Donut Holes" |
| Cherish the Day | Dr. Coral LeRose | Episode: "Synopsis" | |
| Two Degrees | Wendy | Episode: "U.B.E.R." | |
| 2020–21 | Insecure | Lila | Recurring Cast: Season 4, Guest: Season 5 |
| 2021 | MacGyver | Lauretta Bozer[18][19] | Episode: "H2O + Orthophosphates + Mission City + Corrosion + Origins" |
| 2021–23 | The Game | Tasha Mack | Main Cast |
| 2022 | Family Reunion | Joyce | Episode: "Remember When the Raccoon Crashed the Wedding?" |
| Kid's Crew | Gloria Thomas | Recurring Cast | |
| 2024 | Poppa's House | - | Recurring Cast |
Award nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | The Steve Harvey Show | Nominated |
| 2001 | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| 2002 | Nominated | |||
| 2003 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Cedric the Entertainer Presents | Nominated | |
| 2008 | The Game | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Nominated | |||
| 2010 | Nominated | |||
| 2012 | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Nominated | |||
| 2014 | Won | |||
| 2015 | Nominated |
References
edit- ^https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=888057096686125&id=100064455291318&set=a.547588527399652
- ^https://www.ebony.com/wendy-raquel-robinson-headed-for-divorce-after-15-years-of-marriage/
- ^"Wendy Raquel Robinson Biography".Tvguide.com.RetrievedMay 28,2014.
- ^"Wendy Raquel Robinson Biography".cw.com. Archived fromthe originalon February 1, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 10,2009.
- ^"Tasha Mack Wendy Raquel Robinson".BET. Archived fromthe originalon January 15, 2012.RetrievedMarch 27,2014.
- ^Stransky, Tanner (May 21, 2009)."INSIDE TV The CW announces fall schedule: 'Melrose Place' paired with '90210".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedJuly 22,2013.
- ^Murray, Jawn."The Game Sitcom's Return On BET".aolblackvoices.com. Archived fromthe originalon February 12, 2021.RetrievedMarch 15,2009.
- ^Murray, Jawn (October 6, 2010)."BET puts sitcom back in 'The Game'".variety.com.RetrievedOctober 10,2010.
- ^"'The Game': Season Four Starts on BET in January 2011 at 10 pm est ".tvseriesfinale.com. October 12, 2010.
- ^Andrea Seikaly @AndiSeikaly (May 23, 2014)."Disney Confirms 'Descendants' Villains".Variety.RetrievedMay 28,2014.
- ^"Wendy Raquel Robinson to Play Cruella de Vil in Disney Channel's 'Descendants'".EURweb. September 12, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon August 30, 2015.RetrievedMay 28,2015.
- ^"'Grand Hotel' Books Wendy Raquel Robinson & Shalim Ortiz; Sawyer Barth Joins Tim Doyle Comedy Pilot ".March 5, 2018.
- ^"ABC New Series Trailers: 'The Rookie', 'The Fix', the Kids Are Alright', 'Single Parents', More".May 15, 2018.
- ^"About AGC".
- ^TV.com (May 26, 2007)."Rhyon Nicole Brown".TV.com. Archived fromthe originalon July 1, 2020.RetrievedMay 28,2014.
- ^"Elle Varner".Bet.com. December 29, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon March 21, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 17,2017.
- ^EE-YIP! Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Inducts Nicci Gilbert, Marsha Ambrosius, Wendy Raquel Robinson And More Into Pack Of Honorary Pretty Poodles
- ^"MacGyver Casts Bozer's Parents for a Hometown Murder Mystery".February 19, 2021.
- ^"Ernie Hudson, Wendy Raquel Robinson to Guest Star on 'MacGyver'".February 19, 2021. Archived fromthe originalon April 17, 2021.RetrievedApril 17,2021.
External links
edit- wendyraquel.comArchivedDecember 7, 2013, at theWayback MachineWendy Raquel Robinson Official Website
- Wendy Raquel RobinsonatIMDb