Karen Malina White
| Karen Malina White | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 7, 1965 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
Karen Malina White (born on July 7, 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American film and television actress. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Charmaine Brown on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, and its spin-off series A Different World. She also provided the voice of Dijonay Jones on the Disney Channel animated series The Proud Family.
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[edit] Early Life
Karen Malina White was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She studied at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. When she graduated high school, White continued her studies at Howard University where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with cum laude honors. It was in her senior year, that White won Miss Howard University and landed her first role as an actress.
White has a daughter. Contrary to rumors, White is not married to actor Malcolm Jamal-Warner. Warner states, "I'm not married. People probably started saying that because we were in a relationship for seven and a half years."[1]
[edit] Career
In 1989, White starred in Lean on Me alongside actor Morgan Freeman. She was nominated for the 1990 Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for her performance in the film. During the 90's she made many guest appearances in various television shows. She portrayed Charmaine Brown during Seasons 7 and 8 of The Cosby Show (1990-1992), and Season 6 of A Different World (1992-1993). White also guest starred as Jewel, Jazz's wife in two episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
From 2001-2005, she performed the voice of Dijonay Jones on the animated Disney Channel series The Proud Family.
White has also appeared in various stage productions.
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | In Our Lives | Jasmine | |
| 1989 | Lean On Me | Kaneesha Carter | Young Artist Award (nominated) |
| A Man Called Hawk | Lisa | Episode: "Beautiful Are the Stars" | |
| 1990–1992 | The Cosby Show | Charmaine Brown | |
| 1992–1993 | A Different World | ||
| 1993 | Herman's Head | Rene | Episode: "There's a Fly Girl In My Soup" |
| 1993–1994 | Getting By | Yolanda | |
| Roc | Michelle | Episodes: "The Poker Hand That Rocks the Cradle", "God Bless the Child", & "Citizen Roc" (2) | |
| 1993,'96–97 | Hangin' with Mr. Cooper | Florence | Episodes: "Father Fairest", "Seoul Shake", "Episode: Will She or Won't She?", "Security", & "The Spa" |
| 1994 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Jewel Robertson | Episodes: "The Ol' Ball and Chain" & "Episode: Mother's Day" |
| 1994, 1995 | My So-Called Life | Abyssinia Churchill | Episodes: "Self-Esteem" & "Betrayal" |
| 1995 | Me and the Boys | Janet | Episodes: "The B Word" & "When Stanley Met Shirley" |
| Chicago Hope | Jennifer Koosman | Episode: "Hello Goodbye" | |
| The Parent 'Hood | Nina | Episode: "Track Dreams" | |
| Too Something | Episode: "Meter Feeders" | ||
| Statistically Speaking | Short film | ||
| Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored | Mary | ||
| 1996 | The Home Court | Leslie | Episode: "Laborer of Love" |
| Living Single | Shayla | Episode: "Woman to Woman" | |
| Dave's World | Natalie | Episode: "Do You Want To Know A Secret?" | |
| 1996–2000 | Malcolm & Eddie | Nicolette Vandross | |
| 2000 | Seven Days | Tracy Donovan | Episode: "Mr Donovan's Neighborhood" |
| 2001–2005 | The Proud Family | Dijonay Jones (voice) | |
| 2002 | Jeremiah | Rickie | Episode: "City of Roses" |
| 2003 | The Shield | Episode: "Barnstormers" | |
| 2004 | Boston Public | Sonia Williamson | Episode: "Chapter Seventy-Eight" |
| Fronterz | |||
| 2005 | The Proud Family Movie | Dijonay Jones | Disney Channel TV-Movie |
| 2006 | The Ties That Bind | Madison | Short film |
