Dawnn Lewis
Dawnn Lewis | |
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![]() Lewis in 2012 | |
Born | Dawnn Jewel Lewis August 13, 1961 New York City,U.S. |
Alma mater | University of Miami(BM) |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1985–present |
Spouse | |
Awards | 1990, 1991, 1992 –BMI TV Music Award(A Different World) |
Website | dawnnlewis |
Dawnn Jewel Lewis[1][2](born August 13, 1961) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Jaleesa Vinson–Taylor on theNBCtelevision sitcomA Different Worldfrom the series beginning in 1987 until the end of its fifth season in 1992, in addition to co-writing the opening theme song for the series.
Lewis's other notable roles include portraying Robin Dumars on theABCsitcomHangin' with Mr. Cooper[3]for its first season (1992–93) and as Cheryl Spade in the 1988 filmI'm Gonna Git You Sucka.Since then, Lewis has appeared in numerous TV series, including other sitcoms, and has also performed on stage.
Early life and education
[edit]Dawnn Lewis was born on August 13, 1961[4][5][6]inBrooklyn,New York City, to Carl and Joyce Lewis, who are of African-American andGuyanesedescent,[7]She began singing at the age of four and acting at eleven. At sixteen, Lewis graduated from theHigh School of Music & Artin New York City, now known asFiorello H. LaGuardia High School.In college, she majored inmusical theatrewith a minor injournalism,graduating with aBachelor of Musicdegree,cum laude,from theUniversity of MiamiinCoral Gables, Florida,in 1982.[8]
Career
[edit]The Tap Dance KidNational Tour (1985-1986)
[edit]From August 1, 1985, to July 6, 1986, Lewis performed in the chorus and as the character Dulcie in the National Tour of theBroadway musicalThe Tap Dance Kidunder the name "Dawnn J. Lewis".[9]
A Different World(1987–1992)
[edit]Lewis appeared in the first five of six seasons ofA Different Worldas Jaleesa Vinson (later Vinson–Taylor), from 1987 until 1992. Lewis co-wrote the theme song toA Different World,withBill CosbyandStu Gardner,and co-performed the song for the first season. Although her character was married to another of the main characters on the show, her character disappeared from the series without explanation, similar to the Chuck Cunningham character inHappy Days.Lewis appeared in a special week-long segment ofA Different Worldcalled theHillman College Reunionairing onNick at Nite,along withLisa Bonet,Jasmine Guy,Kadeem Hardison,Darryl M. Bell,Cree Summer,andSinbad.On herSuper Passwordappearance in 1988, she was paired withDallasstarKen Kercheval,not any of her co-stars.
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper(1992–1993)
[edit]In September 1992, Lewis began starring in ABC'sHangin' with Mr. CooperalongsideMark CurryandHolly Robinson.Lewis appeared in 20 of the 22 episodes of the first season as Robin Dumars, Mark's childhood best friend and roommate. Lewis did not appear on the two shows concurrently – she leftA Different Worldto star inHangin' with Mr. Cooper.Lewis and Holly Robinson, along with R&B quartetEn Vogue,performed the theme song for season one ofHangin' with Mr. Cooper.Sometime before the end of season one, the show producers decided to scale back on the updated version of the 1970s ABC sitcomThree's Companyconcept. Lewis left the show after the conclusion of the first season due to the producers deciding to change the direction of the show, replacing her character with a mother and child; Mark's cousin Geneva Lee (portrayed bySaundra Quarterman) and her daughter Nicole (portrayed byRaven-Symoné).[10]
Other work
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Dawnn_Lewis_receiving_an_honorary_Doctor_of_Humane_Letters_degree_in_2019.jpg/220px-Dawnn_Lewis_receiving_an_honorary_Doctor_of_Humane_Letters_degree_in_2019.jpg)
Lewis provided additional voices in the video game,True Crime: New York City.[11]She portrayed Deloris Van Cartier inPeter Schneider'sSister Act the Musical,which opened at thePasadena Playhouseon October 24, 2006. Lewis has voicedStormof theX-Menin threegames,most recentlyMarvel: Ultimate Alliance 2.She also voicedGranny GrimonThe Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy,and voiced the female Shokan (Sheeva) inMortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm.Lewis has also done voice work asLaBarbara Conrad,wife ofHermes Conrad,in the animated TV seriesFuturama,Detective Terri Lee onSpider-Man: The Animated Series,villainess Di Archer onBruno the Kid,and voiced a number of characters onThe Boondocks.Additionally, she voiced the character Sharona onKing of the Hill.
Lewis co-starred in twoDisney Channel Original Movies,The Poof Pointas Marigold Ballord, and as Gail DeBarge inLet It Shine.In 2000, Lewis played Blabberwort the Troll in the five-episodeNBCminiseriesThe 10th Kingdom.
2006–present
[edit]In 2006, Lewis starred as Melba Early in the film adaptation ofDreamgirls.Lewis released her debut CD, entitledWorth Waiting For,in 2006. She played Addaperle inThe WizwithNew York City Center'sEncores!In 2009, Lewis played Denise Fields onOne Tree Hill.In 2010, Lewis played a minor recurring role as Lauren's mother inThe Secret Life of the American Teenager.In 2012, she voiced Malora inStrange Frame.She also appeared as Dr. Knapp onDays of Our Livesin 2012–2013. In 2014 Lewis starred in The Divorce along with Vanessa Bell Calloway, Tatyana Ali & Freda Payne. As of 2015, Lewis is playing a recurring role onMajor Crimesas Patrice, a love interest for Lt. Provenza, whom he met during a case. In that same year, she also voiced Ruby's mother Helen Hanshaw in one episode ofSofia The First.
In March 2016, Lewis was cast inDisney Junior's animated seriesDoc McStuffinsas the voice of Grandma McStuffins.[12] In 2017 she provided the voice of Maybelle Mundy in the filmBunyan and Babe.In 2018 she began voicing Fannie Granger onDreamWorks'sSpirit Riding Freeand Dr. Jones inStretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters,while in 2019 began voicing The Chief onNetflix's animatedCarmen Sandiego.She voiced Attorney General's special agent Lenora Carter inThe Simpsonsepisode "The Fat Blue Line"in 2019, and became the voice of Bernice Hibbert starting with"Uncut Femmes"in 2021.
On November 7, 2019, under the name "Dr. Dawnn Lewis", Lewis began portraying Zelma,Tina Turner's mother in the musicalTinaonBroadway.[13][14][15][16][17][18][19]
From August 2020 she starred as the voice of Captain Carol Freeman in the animated seriesStar Trek: Lower Decks.[20]
From 2021 to 2022, Lewis voiced Ms. Jackie Washington, the Neighborhood Council President of Hansberry Heights, in the animated seriesKarma's World.[21]
In 2021, Lewis was among the first honorees to be inducted into theWomen Songwriters Hall of Fame.[22]
Lewis is an honorary member of theZeta Phi Betasorority.[23]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | Cheryl Spade | |
1992 | Stompin' at the Savoy | Ella Fitzgerald | Television film |
1993 | Mouse Soup | - | Voice, short |
A Cool Like That Christmas | Jarvis | Voice, television film | |
1994 | Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad | Minnie | Television film |
1996 | The Cherokee Kid | Stagecoach Mary/Love Gang | |
Bruno the Kid: The Animated Movie | Di Archer | Voice, direct-to-video | |
1997 | Bad Day on the Block | Officer Sandy Tierra | |
1999 | The Wood | Woman in Cleaners | |
2001 | Nicolas | - | |
The Poof Point | Marigold Ballard | Television film | |
2002 | Endgame: Ethics and Values in America | Alison | |
2003 | Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure | Bessie/Female Judge | Voice, direct-to-video[24] |
2005 | The Venom Saga | Detective Terri Lee | Voice, direct-to-video |
2006 | The Adventures of Brer Rabbit | Mom/Sister Mink | Voice, direct-to-video[24] |
Dreamgirls | Melba Early | ||
2007 | The Last Sentinel | Angel - Tallis' Rifle | Voice[24] |
Futurama: Bender's Big Score | LaBarbara Conrad | Voice, direct-to-video | |
2009 | Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder | LaBarbara Conrad/Women's Prison Warden | |
2010 | Preacher's Kid | Mya | |
2012 | Strange Frame: Love & Sax | Malora | Voice[24] |
Let It Shine | Gail DeBarge | Television film | |
Jennifer | Dr. Fox | Short | |
Dino Time | Additional Voices | ||
2013 | Second Chances | Maria | Television film |
Monsters University | Additional Voices | ||
Toy Story of Terror! | Delivery Lady | Voice, television film[24] | |
WHOA! Comedy Short | Kate Sterling | Short | |
2014 | The Divorce | Yolanda Massey | Television film |
Mom and Dad Undergrads | Diane | ||
2015 | Megachurch Murder | Lucille Williams | |
Inside Out | Additional Voices | ||
Alone Together | Katie | Short | |
2017 | Bunyan and Babe | Maybelle Mundy | Voice[24] |
The Legend of Master Legend | Tana | Television film | |
Cycle 2017 | Robyn | ||
2018 | Revival! | Cleo | |
2020 | Be the Light | Gladys | |
Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal | Chief | Voice, short[24] | |
2021 | The Good, the Bart, and the Loki | Ravonna Renslayer | Voice, short |
Writing Around the Christmas Tree | Sharon Samuels | ||
2022 | For Gunter's Eyes Only | Additional Voices | Short |
Minions: The Rise of Gru | Additional Voices | ||
Welcome to the Club | Ursula/Kaa | Voice, short | |
Blackjack Christmas | Corrine Allen | ||
2023 | Rogue Not Quite One | TIE InterceptorSystem | Voice, short |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1987-92 | A Different World | Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor | Main Cast: Season 1-5 |
1990 | Kid 'n Play | Lela | Voice, main role |
1992-93 | Hangin' with Mr. Cooper | Robin Dumars | Main Cast: Season 1 |
1995 | ABC Weekend Special | Temba's Sister | Episode: "Jirimpimbira: An African Folk Tale" |
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Princess Songe | Voice, episode: "The Valiant Little Tailor" | |
The Savage Dragon | Additional Voices | ||
1996 | Dream On | Rema Hort | Recurring Cast: Season 6 |
The Faculty | Mrs. Lowman | Episode: "Daisy's Secret" | |
C Bear and Jamal | Grandma | Voice, recurring role | |
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm | Sheeva | ||
1995-97 | Spider-Man | Detective Terri Lee | |
1996-97 | Bruno the Kid | Di Archer | |
1997 | The Steve Harvey Show | Alise Peyton | Episode: "Coming to Chicago" |
Sliders | Dr. Natalie Sylvius | Episode: "The Breeder" | |
Die Gang | Stella Tumbrell | Episode: "Das Duell" | |
The Burning Zone | Dr. Janice Rhodes | Episode: "Elegy for a Dream" | |
Waynehead | Cheetah | Voice, episode: "Rebel Without a Paw" | |
The Parent 'Hood | Bernadette | Episode: "Father Wendell" | |
The Incredible Hulk | Agent Diana | Voice, episode: "Mission: Incredible" | |
1997-99 | King of the Hill | Sharona Johnson | Voice, guest role (seasons 1 and 3) |
1998 | The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs | Additional Voices | Episode: "Hair/Homework" |
1999 | The Jamie Foxx Show | Dr. Kanella | Episode: "Scareder Than a Mug" |
Nash Bridges | Winifred Holt | Episode: "Resurrection" | |
Early Edition | Gayle Clark | Episode: "Number One with a Bullet" | |
1999-present | Futurama | LaBarbara Conrad | Voice, recurring role |
2000 | The 10th Kingdom | Blabberwort the Troll | Recurring Cast |
Supermodels | Catwalk | Voice, main role | |
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Mary | Voice, episode: "Panic on Bathyos"[24] | |
2000-02 | Any Day Now | Gail Williams | Recurring Cast: Season 3, Guest: Season 4 |
2001 | The Legend of Tarzan | Naoh | Voice, episode: "Tarzan and the Eagle's Feather" |
2001-02 | Heavy Gear: The Animated Series | Sonja Briggs | Voice, recurring role |
2002 | Andy Richter Controls the Universe | Jackie | Episode: "We're All the Same, Only Different" |
2002-07 | Grim & Evil | Additional Voices | |
2003 | Strong Medicine | Detective Wright | Episode: "Risk" |
Ozzy & Drix | Cilia Tyson | Voice, episode: "An Out of Body Experience"[24] | |
Girlfriends | Linda Dent | 2 episodes | |
2004 | Static Shock | Brickhouse | Voice, episode: "Army of Darkness"[24] |
Medical Investigation | Dr. Burton | Episode: "Little Girl" | |
NYPD Blue | Jocelyn Barker | Episode: "The 3-H Club" | |
2005-14 | The Boondocks | Additional Voices | |
2006-07 | Holly Hobbie & Friends | Carolyn Baker | Voice, 2 episodes |
2007 | Handy Manny | Tanya | Voice, episode: "Musica/Ice Cream Team" |
2008-09 | One Tree Hill | Denise Fields | Recurring Cast: Season 6 |
2008-12 | The Life & Times of Tim | The Boss' Wife | Voice, guest role (seasons 1-3) |
2009-10 | Glenn Martin, DDS | Nurse | Voice, 2 episodes |
2010 | The Secret Life of the American Teenager | Lauren's Mom | Recurring Cast: Season 2-3 |
2010-12 | The Cleveland Show | Additional Voices | |
2011 | Reed Between the Lines | Trishelle | Episode: "Let's Talk About College Boys" |
2012 | CSI: Miami | Stacy McCann | Episode: "At Risk" |
Breaking In | Janet Jenkins | Episode: "The Blind Sided" | |
2012-13 | Days of Our Lives | Dr. Knapp | Regular Cast |
Regular Show | Fun Fun Zone Employee, JB | Voice, 2 episodes[24] | |
2013 | The Soul Man | Erica | Recurring Cast: Season 2 |
Turbo Fast | Queen Bananica | Voice, episode: "African Queen"[24] | |
2014 | Castle | Yvonne | Episode: "That '70s Show" |
Survivor's Remorse | Vanessa Miller | Episode: "How to Build a Brand" | |
Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories | Agent | Episode: "The Endorsement" | |
2014-18 | Major Crimes | Patrice Perry | Recurring Cast: Season 3-6 |
2015 | Better Call Saul | Judge | Episode: "Hero" |
Sofia the First | Helen Hanshaw | Voice, episode: "Buttercup Amber" | |
Rick and Morty | Assimilated Alien #1 | Voice, episode: "Auto Erotic Assimilation" | |
2016 | Kirby Buckets | Mayor | Episode: "Call of Doodie" |
Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh | Guppa | Voice, episode: "Wrinkly Humans People"[24] | |
2016-20 | Doc McStuffins | April McStuffins | Voice, recurring role[24] |
2017 | Stitchers | Arlene Grant | Episode: "Dreamland" |
2017-present | The Simpsons | Bernice Hibbert,Lenora Carter, Additional Voices | |
2018 | This Is Us | Rosemary | 2 episodes |
iZombie | Mama "Renegade" Leone | Recurring Cast: Season 4 | |
Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters | Dr. Jones | Voice, episode: "Rise of the Tech Men"[24] | |
Bravest Warriors | Jeanette | Voice, recurring role (season 4) | |
2018-19 | Spirit Riding Free | Fannie Granger | Voice, guest role (seasons 1 and 5)[24] |
2018-20 | Curious George | Mrs. Parker | Voice, guest role (seasons 10 and 12) |
2018-21 | Apple & Onion | Patty, Cinnamon Bun, Croissant | Voice[24] |
2019 | Veronica Mars | Marcia Langdon | Main Cast: Season 4 |
Spirit Riding Free: Pony Tales | Fannie Granger | Voice, episode: "The Healing Tree" | |
2019-21 | Carmen Sandiego | The Chief/Tamara Fraser | Voice, main role[24] |
The Rich and the Ruthless | Beth | Main Cast: Season 3-4 | |
2020 | Cleopatra in Space | Professor Klabrax V | Voice, 2 episodes |
Spirit Riding Free: Riding Academy | Fannie Granger | Voice, episode: "Race to the Finish" | |
The Boys | Valerie | Episode: "Nothing Like It in the World" | |
2020-23 | Star Trek: Lower Decks | Carol Freeman | Voice, main role |
2021 | 9-1-1 | Danvers | Episode: "Survivors" |
HouseBroken | Additional Voices | ||
Rick and Morty | - | Voice, episode: "Rick & Morty's Thanksploitation Spectacular" | |
Duncanville | - | Voice, 2 episodes | |
2021-22 | Karma's World | Ms. Jackie Washington | Voice, recurring role |
Star Trek Logs | Captain Carol Freeman | Voice, episode: "Carol Freeman Personal Audio Log 1-3" | |
2022 | Grey's Anatomy | Jamarah Blake | Recurring cast (season 18) |
The Cuphead Show! | Bedelia/Boo-Boo | Voice, episode: "Dead Broke" | |
Interrupting Chicken | Ms. Clara/Mail Lady | Voice, episode: "Where's The Party?/Chicken Out West" | |
2022-23 | Young Rock | Prime Minister Angela Honig | Recurring Cast: Season 3 |
2023 | Fired on Mars | Judith | Voice, episode: "The God of War" |
Video games
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2003 | Gladius | Additional voices | |
2004 | World of Warcraft | ||
2005 | X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse | Storm | [24] |
2006 | True Crime: New York City | Additional voices | |
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance | Storm | [24] | |
2007 | Spider-Man 3 | Additional voices | |
2008 | The Rise of the Argonauts | ||
2009 | Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 | Storm | |
2017 | Tacoma | Evelyn Victoria St. James | [24] |
2018 | Fallout 76 | Kesha McDermott, Mayor Barbara, Clara Davis | [24] |
2020 | World of Warcraft: Shadowlands | Additional voices |
Album appearances
[edit]- Vanessa Williams–The Right Stuff,on the song "If You Really Love Him"
- Take 6–So Much 2 Say,on the interlude "That's The Law"
- D-Nice–Call Me D-Nice,on the song "It's Over"
References
[edit]- ^Who's who Among African Americans – Ashyia N. Henderson – Gale Group, 2000
- ^University of Miami Alumni Association.Annual Report. 2008-2009. University of Miami Alumni Association. 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2021
- ^"Dawnn Lewis, Holly Robinson And Mark Curry Star In" Hangin' Wit Mr. Cooper "".JET Magazine (Google Books).Johnson Publishing Company. November 2, 1992.RetrievedOctober 9,2017.
- ^Your Birthday Card – Dawnn Lewis
- ^Historical Dictionary of African-American Television – Dawnn Lewis (1961–) – Kathleen Fearn-Banks, Anne Burford-Johnson
- ^The A to Z of African American Cinema – Lewis, Dawnn (1961–) – S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry
- ^Dawnn Lewis Biography (1961–)
- ^"Meet Olympic Diver Greg Louganis and Actor Dawnn Lewis at the Soc".Archived fromthe originalon April 9, 2014.RetrievedMay 15,2014.
- ^"Dawnn Lewis: Touring"on theInternet Broadway Database
- ^"Dawnn Lewis Says ABC-TV Won't Let Her Keep On 'Hangin' With Mr. Cooper".Jet.84(6). Johnson Publishing Company: 18. June 7, 1993.ISSN0021-5996.
- ^Luxoflux.True Crime: New York City.Activision.Scene: Pause menu credits, 4:30:21 in, VOICE TALENT.
- ^Laughing Place Disney Newsdesk (February 11, 2016)."Doc McStuffins Family to Adopt New Baby".Laughing Place.RetrievedFebruary 27,2016.
- ^"Dawnn Lewis: Broadway"on theInternet Broadway Database
- ^Cast & Creative|TINA - The Musical2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021
- ^DAWNN LEWIS BIOGRAPHYWisdom Digital Media. 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021
- ^Dawnn LewisWisdom Digital Media. 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021
- ^Dawnn LewisUniversity of Miami. 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021
- ^Buzz PhotosBroadway.com 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021
- ^Speaker DetailsJack and Jill of America, Incorporated. 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021
- ^""Star Trek: Lower Decks" Voice Cast and Animated Characters Unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con(R) | TheFutonCritic.com ".www.thefutoncritic.com.July 20, 2019.RetrievedAugust 11,2020.
- ^"Netflix Drops 'Karma's World' Trailer".Animation World Network.September 27, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on October 19, 2021.RetrievedApril 18,2022.
- ^Diop, Arimeta (June 29, 2021)."The Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Has Honored Its First Class of Inductees".Vanity Fair.
- ^PHI BETA SORORITY, INC. CLOSES OUT 2022 GRAND BOULÈ IN PHILADELPHIA, LEAVING BEHIND AN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF OVER $6.5 MILLION
- ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv"Dawnn Lewis (visual voices guide)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedOctober 22,2023.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website
- Dawnn LewisatIMDb
- Dawnn J. Lewisat theInternet Broadway Database
- Dawnn Lewisat theTCM Movie Database
- "Different World" Star Dawnn Lewis to Get Into the Habit for Sister Act The MusicalPlaybill.Retrieved 2006-09-24
- 1961 births
- Living people
- Actresses from Brooklyn
- African-American actresses
- American film actresses
- American people of Guyanese descent
- American television actresses
- American video game actresses
- American voice actresses
- The High School of Music & Art alumni
- University of Miami Frost School of Music alumni
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- 20th-century African-American women
- 20th-century African-American people
- 21st-century African-American women
- 21st-century African-American people