Yvette Wilson

Yvette Wilson
Born	Yvette Reneé Wilson March 6, 1964 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	June 14, 2012(2012-06-14) (aged 48) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education	San Jose State University
Occupation(s)	Actress, comedian
Years active	1990–2012
Known for	Lynette Armstrong-Russell on Thea Andell Wilkerson on Moesha & The Parkers
Spouse	Jerome Harry ​ (m. 2001)​

Yvette Reneé Wilson (March 6, 1964 – June 14, 2012) was an American comedian and actress. She was known for her role as Andell Wilkerson, the shopkeeper of the local hangout on the UPN sitcoms Moesha (1996–2001); and restaurant owner and Nikki's (played by Mo'Nique) best friend on its spinoff The Parkers (1999–2004). She had appeared in many comedy films such as House Party 3, Friday, and on Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam. She was also known for her role as Rita in the 1995 F. Gary Gray film Friday. Wilson died from cervical cancer at the age of 48.

Early life

Before she started her career in the entertainment business, Wilson attended San Jose State University and majored in communications. In 1991 she was a contestant on the game show Supermarket Sweep.

Wilson first entered comedy when she lost a bet and had to perform as a stand-up comedian at a friend's club. She decided to make a living off comedy and never turned back.

Career

Her big break came with Thea, a short-lived sitcom from 1993 to 1994. Thea was cancelled after 19 episodes but the show helped her get a role in House Party 3. In addition, Wilson also had a minor role in the 1995 comedy movie Friday as Smokey's blind date and appeared in films such as Poetic Justice, starring Janet Jackson, and the film parody Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood.

In 1995, she got the most important role of her career: Andell Wilkerson, a supporting character on the sitcom Moesha, which starred one of her castmates from Thea, R&B singer Brandy Norwood. Wilson's Andell character was the owner of The Den, a local teen hot spot on the show. In 2000, she left Moesha for its spin-off The Parkers, where she also played Andell Wilkerson, who was the best friend of Mo'Nique's character Nikki Parker. After The Parkers ended, she went on to appear in shows like HBO's Def Comedy Jam and Fox Network shows. Wilson final acting role was in 2005's Ganked. She started her own company by the name Tigobitties Inc.

Personal life and death

Wilson was married to record producer Jerome Harry from 2001 until her death in 2012. Wilson suffered from kidney disease, having survived a kidney transplant and regular dialysis, but eventually lost a battle with cervical cancer, which metastasized throughout her entire body. A friend, Jeffrey Pittle, created a website for people to donate money to help with her medical bills and help with transportation costs.

Wilson died on June 14, 2012, aged 48.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1993	Poetic Justice	Colette
1994	House Party 3	Esther
	Blankman	Fat Girl
1995	Friday	Rita
1996	Don't Be a Menace	Nurse
2005	Ganked	Physics Tutor	Video

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1991	Showtime at the Apollo	Herself	Episode: "Episode #5.7"
1992	Def Comedy Jam	Herself	Episode: "Episode #1.1"
1992-93	In Living Color	Herself	Episode: "Trail Mix-a-Lot" & "Undigable Hosts"
1993-94	Thea	Lynette Armstrong-Russell	Main Cast
1996	Jungle Cubs	Katen (voice)	Episode: "Treasure of the Middle Jungle"
1996-2000	Moesha	Andell Wilkerson	Main Cast: Seasons 1-5
1997	The Jamie Foxx Show	Mary Jane	Episode: "Break Yourself, Fool"
1999-2004	The Parkers	Andell Wilkerson	Main Cast
2003	Intimate Portrait	Herself	Episode: "Mo'Nique"
2010	Life After	Herself	Episode: "Shar Jackson"

External links

• Yvette Wilson at IMDb