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Kym Whitley

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Kym Whitley
Whitley at the Comic Con in San Diego, 2011
Born
Shaker Heights, Ohio, U.S.
Alma materFisk University
Occupation(s)Comedian, actress, podcaster
Years active1989–present
TelevisionRaising Whitley
Children1
Websitehttp://www.kymwhitley.org

Kym Whitley is an American comedian, actress and podcaster. She is known for her roles on television sitcoms, such as My Brother and Me, Sparks, Animal Practice, The Boondocks, Young & Hungry, The Parkers, The Cleveland Show, Black Dynamite, and Act Your Age. Whitley was nominated for a 2004 BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Box Office Movie for her role as Ormandy in the 2003 comedy film Deliver Us From Eva.[1]

Early life and education

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Whitley was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio to Kaysonia and William Whitley.[2] Her father was a founding partner of Whitley and Whitley,[3] the black architectural firm involved in a joint venture to design and build Jacobs Field (now Progressive Field), home to the Cleveland Guardians.[4] She attended Shaker Heights High School (graduating in 1979)[5] and Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.[6] She was initiated into the Alpha Beta chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.[7]

Career

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In 1989, Whitley got her big break starring in Shelly Garrett's popular play Beauty Shop, which started in Los Angeles then later traveled across the United States. Whitley's major acting roles include the short-lived sitcoms My Brother and Me and Sparks. She has made guest appearances on several television sitcoms, including The Parent 'Hood, Married... with Children, Moesha, That's So Raven, The Parkers, My Wife and Kids and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She also hosted the short-lived BET show Oh Drama (2000). Whitley had a small role in Next Friday as Craig's aunt Suga. She was part of a group called "The Adults", which featured actors who were adult cast members in the earlier seasons of All That. In the early spring of 2010, Whitley was a co-host with R&B musician Brian McKnight on the short-lived talk show The Brian McKnight Show. From 2012 to 2013, Whitley had a recurring role on the BET comedy Let's Stay Together as Charmaine Wax.

On April 20, 2013, her reality docu-series titled Raising Whitley premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network, with a total of 1.2 million viewers, making it the fifth most-widely viewed premiere in the history of the network.[8] OWN ordered a second season, which premiered on January 4, 2014. Whitley then joined the cast of the television sitcom Young & Hungry which premiered on ABC Family (now Freeform) in 2014, where she played Josh's housekeeper Yolanda.[9] The show ran for five seasons, ending in 2018.[10] In 2017, she guest starred in the web series The Bay where she played Big Candi. She received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series.[11] In 2018, she guest starred in the "Thanksgiving" episode of Master of None as Denise's aunt Joyce, and sister to Angela Bassett's character.[12] The episode won an Emmy for Best Writing for Master of None's actors Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe.[13] Whitley was later a recurring guest host on the E! shows Daily Pop and Nightly Pop. In 2023, she played the role of Aunt Nadine in the film You People.

Personal life

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Whitley is a cousin of actor and martial artist Michael Jai White.[14] She has two older brothers, Kyle and Scott.[3] In January 2011, she adopted her son, Joshua.[2][15][16] In 2013, Whitley and her friend Rodney Van Johnson launched a line of t-shirts titled "Don't Feed Me." The shirts alert caregivers about children who have specific food allergies.[15][8]

Filmography

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Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1995 Seven Thirty-Five Whitley Short
1999 Silk Hope Grace TV movie
Beverly Hood Nola Washington
2000 Next Friday Auntie Suga
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Party Guest
A Private Affair Cheryl TV movie
2001 Baby Boy Host
House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute Judy Harris/Jon Jon's Mom Video
2002 What About Your Friends: Weekend Getaway Ms. Wells TV movie
2003 Deliver Us from Eva Ormandy
Love Chronicles Renee
Malibooty! Donna Video
2004 Along Came Polly Gladys
Up Against the 8 Ball Mrs. Thompson
2005 The Salon Lashaunna
The Golden Blaze Mother Johnson (voice) Video
The Perfect Man Dolores
L.A. Dicks Madame Opal
Fun with Dick and Jane Kostmart Training Leader
2006 Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness Ms. Attitude (voice) TV movie
Thugaboo: A Miracle on D-Roc's Street Ms. Attitude (voice) TV movie
2008 College Road Trip Michelle Porter
The Hustle Miss Tanya
Cuttin' da Mustard -
2009 Black Dynamite Honeybee
I Love You, Man Female Co-Worker
Donation Cashier Keisha Short
Straight from the Horses Mouth Herself Video
2010 Heaven Ain't Hard to Find Sis. Hattie May
Group Sex Tiffany Video
Something Like a Business Sasha
The Woman in the Red Dress The Detective's Wife Short
2011 Rango Melonee (voice) [17]
Taking Liberties (?) Sarah Short
35 and Ticking Shavelle [18]
We Bought a Zoo Cashier
Sebastian Roxanne
2012 Silent No More Ms. Carolyn
Sistaah Friend Publicist Video
C'mon Man Herself
2013 Ticket to Vegas Monik
Anything is Possible Ms. Kim
2014 A Haunted House 2 Church Lady
2015 The Biz Casting Director Short
2017 Fist Fight 911 Operator
2018 She Get it from Her Mama Lena Short
The Weekend Karen Barber
2019 Love Dot Com: The Social Experiment Aunty Kathy
2020 Hubie Halloween Farmer Louise
2022 Boosters LA Tina
Izzy Lyon: The Unspun Truth Rhonda Jackson Lyon
2023 You People Aunt Nadine
Outlaw Johnny Black Sister Betty
Urkel Saves Santa: the Movie Mrs. Paxson (voice) Video
TBA Killing Mary Sue † TBA Post-production[19]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1992 Vinnie & Bobby Glodine Episode: "Spring Is in the Air"
1994 The Sinbad Show - Episode: "Keep the Faith"
1994–95 My Brother and Me Mrs. Pinckney Recurring Cast
1995 The Parent Hood Muriel Episode: "Wendell and Muriel's Wedding"
Martin Louisa Episode: "Uptown Friday Night"
1996 Married... with Children Danielle Episode: "The Hood, the Bud & the Kelly: Part 2"
1996–98 Sparks Darice Mayberry Main Cast
1998 The Wayans Bros. Phyllis Episode: "Misery"
Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal Cheer Instructor Episode: "Scrubs"
1999 Arli$$ Susan Caldwell Episode: "Our Past, Our Present, Our Future"
2000 Intimate Portrait Herself Episode: "Robin Givens"
Grown Ups Kim Episode: "Valentine J"
Moesha Gertrude Lowe Episode: "The Candidate"
2001–02 Oh, Drama! Herself/Host Main Host
2001–04 The Parkers Gertrude "Gertie" Lowe Guest: Season 2-3, Recurring Cast: Season 4-5
2002 My Wife and Kids Wanda Recurring Cast: Season 2
2003 The Real Roseanne Show Herself Episode: "Domestic Goddess"
The Proud Family Caramel Jones/Mamma (voice) Recurring Cast: Season 2
2004 Wanda Does It Herself Episode: "Wanda Does Photos"
Discovery Health Celebrity Body Challenge Herself Episode: "Spa Day"
Curb Your Enthusiasm Monena Episode: "The Car Pool Lane"
Significant Others Nurse Episode: "Intercourse, an Official Gathering & a Big Fat Lie"
1-800-Missing DEA Agent Dominique Shaw Episode: "Domestic Bliss"
One on One Liza Episode: "Who Brought the Jive Turkey?"
2005 That's So Raven Cousin Vicky Episode: "Country Cousins: Part 1 & 2"
Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law Waitress/Norlisa (voice) Episode: "Booty Noir" & "Harvey's Civvy"
Grey's Anatomy Yvonne Episode: "Into You Like a Train"
2005–10 The Boondocks Various Characters (voice) Recurring Cast: Season 1-3
2006 Love, Inc Arsenetta Episode: "Arrested Development"
Reno 911! Kay Kay Episode: "The Junior Brothers"
Class of 3000 Drama Student (voice) Episode: "Peanuts! Get Yer Peanuts!"
Standoff Angela Worthington Episode: "Accidental Negotiator"
2007 Comics Unleashed Herself Episode: "May 17 & 23, 2007"
2008 1st Amendment Stand Up Herself Episode: "Kym Whitley/Ray Lipowski/Steve Brown"
2008–09 'Til Death Tina Recurring Cast: Season 3
2009–13 The Cleveland Show Auntie Momma (voice) Guest: Season 1 & 4, Recurring Cast: Season 3
2010 The Brian McKnight Show Herself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
Curb: The Discussion Herself Episode: "The Lefty Call"
School Pride Herself Main Cast
Jonas Officer Evie Episode: "And... Action!"
2010–11 Meet the Browns Yvonne Guest Cast: Season 4-5
2011 A Series of Unfortunate People Dr. Kent Episode: "She's in a Better Place"
Childrens Hospital Black Administrator Episode: "The Black Doctor"
Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Baneequwa Episode: "Show Me on the Doll"
Hot in Cleveland Jada Episode: "Elka's Choice"
2011–12 The Life & Times of Tim Tanya Miller (voice) Recurring Cast: Season 3
2011–14 Let's Stay Together Charmaine Wax Recurring Cast: Season 1-2, Guest: Season 4
2011–15 Black Dynamite Honeybee (voice) Main Cast
2012–13 Animal Practice Juanita Main Cast
2013 Mommy in Chief Herself Episode: "Actress Kym Whitley Talks New Baby & Food Allergies for Kids"
Wanda Sykes Presents Herlarious Herself Episode: "Kym Whitley"
Exhale Herself Episode: "Entertainment"
2 Broke Girls Shirley Recurring Cast: Season 2
2013–14 Baby Daddy Margaret Jenson Guest Cast: Season 2-3
2013–16 Raising Whitley Herself Main Cast
2014 Mind of a Man Herself/Panelist Recurring Panelist
Apollo Night LA Herself/Celebrity Host Episode: "ANLA 024"
London Garcia Entertainment Show Herself Episode: "Ernest Borgnine Tribute honoring Joe Mantegna"
The King Assassin Show Herself Main Cast
Life with La Toya Herself Recurring Cast: Season 2
One Love Mrs. Frock Episode: "Tea-Ball"
2014–18 Young & Hungry Yolanda Main Cast
2015 Comedy Bang! Bang! Aunt Cudi Episode: "Judy Greer Wears a Navy Blouse and Strappy Sandals"
2015–16 The Bay Big Candi Recurring Cast: Season 2
2016 Kocktails with Khloé Herself Episode: "The Happiest Hour"
It's Not You, It's Men Herself Episode: "The Playbook Exposed"
Gay for Play Game Show Starring RuPaul Herself Episode: "Featuring the Cast of 227"
Botched Herself Episode: "Pinched Perfect"
Celebrity Food Fight Herself Episode: "Greg Grunberg Goes Gooey"
Celebrity Name Game Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "David Alan Grier & Kym Whitley #1-#3"
Hollywood Game Night Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Back to the Game Night"
2017 Chopped Junior Herself/Judge Episode: "Let's Taco 'Bout It"
Face Value Herself/Team Captain Episode: "Kym Whitley vs Donnell Rawlings"
Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards Herself/Host Main Host
The Real Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Kym Whitley/Tichina Arnold/Celeb in 60/Besos"
Master of None Joyce Episode: "Thanksgiving"
Curb Your Enthusiasm Monena Episode: "Never Wait for Seconds!"
Harvey Beaks MC Queen Episode: "Princess Wants a Mom"
2018 The Doctors Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Episode #11.33"
Marlon Lovey Episode: "Sisters"
Forever Sharon Recurring Cast
2019 My Big Fat Fabulous Life Herself Episode: "The Skinny - Game Night"
Unsung Herself Episode: "Kenny Lattimore"
Worst Cooks In America: Celebrity Edition Herself/Contestant Main Cast: Season 16
Hollywood Game Night Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Jane's New Diggs"
Match Game Herself/Celebrity Panelist Episode: "Episode #4.11"
Uncensored Herself Episode: "LisaRaye McCoy"
Pinky Malinky Mrs. Malinky (voice) Recurring Cast: Season 1
Florida Girls Shelby's Mom Recurring Cast
Fuller House Mayor Boone Episode: "The Mayor's Bird"
2019–20 25 Words or Less Herself/Contestant Recurring Guest
2019–21 The Neighborhood LaTonya Guest Cast: Season 2-3
2020 Iyanla: Fix My Life Herself Episode: "The Masks We Wear"
blackAF Aunt Nadine Episode: "yo, between you and me... this is because of slavery"
Two Degrees Kym Episode: "DATING MYself"
Mr. Iglesias Mrs. Webber Episode: "Playing Favorites"
2020–21 Twenties Esther Recurring Cast
2020–22 Daily Pop Herself/Co-Host Recurring Co-Host
2021 Overserved with Lisa Vanderpump Herself Episode: "A Trip to Japan: Jaleel White & Kym Whitley"
Puppy Bowl Presents: The Summer Games Herself/Host Main Host
Uncensored Herself Episode: "Kym Whitley"
The Big Holiday Food Fight Herself/Host Episode: "Battle of the Spices"
Baby Shark's Big Show! Toothfish Fairy (voice) Episode: "Baby Tooth/Slobber Slug"
Call Your Mother Barbara Episode: "One Bad Mother"
That Girl Lay Lay Kym Episode: "Lay Lay & Sadie's Big Hair Adventure"
2021–22 Made For Love Judiff Recurring Cast
2022 Phat Tuesdays: The Era Of Hip Hop Comedy Herself Recurring Guest
I Love Us Herself/Host Main Host
Guy's Ultimate Game Night Herself/Contestant Episode: "Greetings from Flavortown"
The Talk Herself/Guest Co-Host Recurring Guest Co-Host: Season 12
The Wheel Herself/Dating Expert Episode: "The Skater & the Dater"
Curious George Amy Episode: "Curious George and the Lost Puppy/Gnocchi's Purr-fect Day"
Loot Renee Episode: "Spades Night"
2022–24 The Upshaws Althea Turner Guest Cast: Season 2-3
2023 Celebrity Squares Herself Episode: "Ooh... I Need a Napkin"
Name That Tune Herself/Contestant Episode: "Love is in the Tunes"
History of the World, Part II Florynce Kennedy Recurring Cast
A Black Lady Sketch Show Christine Episode: "Pre-Ph.D, Based on a Novel by Sapphire"
Raven's Home Tricia Episode: "Lizard Let Lie"
Act Your Age Bernadette Main Cast
Family Guy Masseuse (voice) Episode: "Old World Harm"
2024 Pictionary Herself/Team Captain Episode: "Puppy Love"

Music Video

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Year Song Artist
2002 "Pass the Courvoisier, Part II" Busta Rhymes featuring P. Diddy and Pharrell

Documentary

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Year Title
2007 Angels Can't Help But Laugh
2009 Standing-n-Truth: Breaking the Silence
Secrets of Life
2011 Saggin' in the A-T-L...
2013 Why We Laugh: Funny Women

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2004 BET Comedy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Box Office movie Deliver Us From Eva Nominated [1][20]
2016 7th Indie Series Awards Best Guest Actress – Drama The Bay Won [21]
2017 44th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series The Bay Nominated [22]
2022 53rd Annual NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Lifestyle/Self-Help Podcast Two Funny Mamas Won
2023 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Arts & Entertainment Podcast Two Funny Mamas Won [23]

References

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  1. ^ a b "BET Honors Urban Comedy During Network's First-Ever Comedy Awards Telecast Hosted by Steve Harvey". BET Press Room. September 3, 2004. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Robinson-Jacobs, Karen (June 8, 2019). "Actress-comedienne Kym Whitley pictures family in her den". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "William Whitley: Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  4. ^ Attanasio, Ed; Gouldsberry, Eric. "Progressive Field". This Great Game. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  5. ^ Okura, Lynn (January 31, 2014). "Kym Whitley Visits Her Old High School Teacher In Cleveland (VIDEO)". HuffPost. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  6. ^ Chumney, Richard (May 6, 2018). "Graduates counseled to pursue passions". The News & Advance. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  7. ^ "Wildin' Out Wednesday With Actress/Comedian Kym Whitley". NewsOne Now. February 10, 2016. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Don't Feed Me T-Shirts Calm Parents of Allergic Kids". ABC News. March 19, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  9. ^ Swift, Andy (June 25, 2014). "Young & Hungry Stars Preview 'Sexy,' 'Inspiring' New ABC Family Comedy". TVLine. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  10. ^ Fishman, Scott (July 25, 2018). "Emily Osment Says Goodbye to 'Young & Hungry' With the Series Finale". TV Insider. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  11. ^ "Kym Whitley Lands Daytime Emmy Nomination For 'The Bay'". Houston Style Magazine. March 24, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  12. ^ Jacobs, Matthew (May 17, 2017). "Kym Whitley On Her Breakout 'Master Of None' Episode And Kanye West's Failed HBO Pilot". HuffPost. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  13. ^ Kimble, Lindsay (September 17, 2017). "Lena Waithe's Emmy-Winning Master of None Episode Was Inspired by Her Real-Life Story". People. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  14. ^ "Hey Family, Michael Jai White and Kym Whitley are Cousins". March 13, 2018.
  15. ^ a b Murray, Rheana (March 21, 2013). "Actress launches line of 'Don't Feed Me' T-shirts for kids with allergies". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "Kym Whitley is a New Mom". Black Celebrity Kids. February 28, 2011. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  17. ^ "APA Signs 'Raising Whitley's Kym Whitley". Deadline Hollywood. August 13, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  18. ^ "Stars Sign On For Romantic Comedy, '35 and Ticking'". MadameNoire. June 2, 2010.
  19. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (September 27, 2024). "Sierra McCormick & Dermot Mulroney Leading Action Caper 'Killing Mary Sue' With Bleiberg Launching Sales; First Look Revealed". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  20. ^ Holder, Frank; Littleton, Darryl (November 4, 2019). This Day In Comedy: The Ethnic Encyclopedia of Laughter. TrineDay. ISBN 9781634242639. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  21. ^ Newcomb, Roger (April 7, 2016). "WINNERS: 7th Annual Indie Series Awards". We Love Soaps. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  22. ^ "The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces Nominations For the 44th Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards" (PDF). National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  23. ^ "54th NAACP Image Awards winners". NAACP Image Awards. February 25, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
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