Jenifer Lewis is an American actress who appeared in Broadway musicals. Jenifer also served as a holdup singer for Bette Midler and also took part in several films.
Jenifer is unofficially known as The Mother of Black Hollywood. She has been given several matriarchal film and television roles. Jenifer also has worked as a voice actress. The native of Kinloch has also got received recognition for her performances.
Do you want to know about Jenifer Lewis’ background?
Jenifer was born on 25th January 1957 in Kinloch, Missouri. Her mother’s name is Dorothy and she served as a nurse. Her father has worked in a factory. Jenifer’s parents have seven children and Jenifer is the youngest of all. She began to sing in her church choir at the age of five.
Jenifer took her initial lessons from Kinloch High School. Later, she joined Webster University. Jenifer received an honorary degree from Webster in 2015. After finishing college, Jenifer shifted to New York to pursue her career in performing.
How did Jenifer Lewis’s career start?
After arriving in New York City, Jenifer landed a role on Broadway in the production of Eubie. She played a small role in the production that was the musical based on the work of Eubie Blake. Next, Jenifer got the role of Effie White in the production of Dreamgirl which was directed by Michael Bennett. But later, the show was moved to Broadway, and Jenifer was shifted to the role of Jennifer Holliday for the show.
Jennifer started working as a holdup singer for Bette Midler which led her to make an appearance on HBO specials. She acquired her first screen role appearing as a singer in the Otto production number in the vehicle Beaches in 1988. At that time, Jenifer also developed her nightclub act, The Diva Is Dismissed. It was an autobiographical comedy and music show and Jenifer performed the show off-Broadway at the Public Theatre.
How did Jenifer Lewis start her on-screen career professionally?
Jenifer made her debut on the big screen in 1988 with the film Red Heat as Judge Jenifer Lewis. But her name was uncredited in the film. She played the role of Diva in the film Sister Act in 1992. Jenifer had the role of Zelma Bullock in the film What’s Love Got to Do With It in 1993.
That year, she also appeared as Mrs. Williams in the film The Meteor Man. She played Michelle’s role in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993. The following year, Jenifer had Rita’s role in the film Panther. She also played Mrs. Coleman in the film Renaissance Man in 1994. In 1996, Jenifer went on to star as Marguerite Coleman in the film Preacher’s Wife. She played Dr. Aron’s role in the film Blast From the Past.
Jenifer went on to play the role of Louise Smith in the film The Brothers. the actress took part in the role of Aunt Ruby in the film Juwanna Mann in 2002. In the film The Cookout, Jenifer made an appearance as Emma Anderson 2004. She lent her voice as Motown Turtle in the film Shark Tale. In 2008, the actress took part in the film Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns as Vera Brown. Jenifer was cast for the role of Mary Clark in the film Not Easily Broken in 2009.
Jenifer also gave her voice as Flo for the film Zambezia in 2012. In 2017, she appeared to play the role of Doris Jenkins in the film Thew Wedding Ringer. She reprised her voice role as Flo for the film Cars 3 in 2017. Jenifer gave her voice as Great Auntie Sloom in the film The Addams Family. In 2020, she appeared as Marceline in the film Christmas on the Square. Jenifer will lend her voice as Minister Nazara Prone in the film Spellbound.
How did Jenifer Lewis’s television career start and how is it going so far?
Jenifer made her first appearance on television in 1990 with the television series Murphy Brown. She was cast as Felicia Brown for the series Stat in 1991. From 1991 to 1996, she played Aunt Helen Smith’s role in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The actress took part in the television series Friends as Paula in 1994. From 1997 to 1999, she lent her voice as Black Widow in the series Happily Ever After Fairy Tales for Every Child.
In 2011, Jenifer went on to star as Maggie in the television series Five. She played Ruby Johnson’s role in the series Balck-ish from 2014 to 2022. Jenifer went on to take part in the role of Delois in the series Instant Mom. She also gave her voice to the role of Professor Granville in the series Young Justice in 2018. From 2019 to 2022, she gave her voice as Aunt Tallulah Toucan in the series Tuca & Bertie.
How is Jenifer Lewis’ personal life?
Jenifer got married to Arnold Byrd in 2012. The couple has adopted a daughter, Charmaine Lewis. Jenifer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1990. She hid her disease as she felt ashamed to accept it. Jenifer eventually embraced it after 17 years of therapy. She also took the help of meditation for 10 years. Jenifer now accepted her diagnosis and stated that people should look in the mirror and before they can go or grow into anything, they have to say to love themselves.
What did Jenifer Lewis achieve in her career?
Jenifer has taken part in several films and television works. Jenifer gained recognition for it. She won the hearts of people through her acting. Jenifer can make anyone’s mind nice and tension-free with her spectacular work. Jenifer has a strong belief in herself to melt anybody’s heart with her screen presence. The audience loves and admires her works inthe initial years.
Jenifer gained several awards for her hard work. She got the Black Reel Award, Honoree Award, Honorary Satellite Award, and others. Jenifer also was honored with the Star on the Walk of Fame. She also was nominated for several awards like Screen Actor Guild Award, Satellite Award, Vision Award, Image Award, Critics Choice Television Award, Annie Award, Hollywood Award, and many more.