Vanessa Bell Calloway
Vanessa Bell Calloway | |
|---|---|
 Bell Calloway in 2010. | |
| Born | Vanessa Bell March 20, 1957 Toledo, Ohio, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Ohio University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Spouse |
Anthony Calloway (m. 1988) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | vanessabellcalloway |
Vanessa Bell Calloway (born March 20, 1957) is an American actress and dancer. Beginning her career as a dancer, Bell Calloway is perhaps best known for her role as Princess Imani Izzi (Eddie Murphy's arranged wife) in the 1988 comedy Coming to America. In the following years, Bell Calloway appeared in What's Love Got to Do with It (1993), The Inkwell (1994), Crimson Tide (1995), and Daylight (1996). Bell Calloway had several starring roles on television series and movies, include first African American prime time soap opera, Under One Roof (1995). In recent years, she had the recurring roles on Hawthorne and Shameless. In 2016, she appeared in comedy-drama film Southside with You, and began starring as Lady Ella Johnson in the Bounce TV prime time soap opera, Saints & Sinners. Bell Calloway is an eight-time NAACP Image Award nominee.
Early life
Bell was born in Toledo, Ohio.[1] She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ohio University, where she was a member of the African-American Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Calloway also studied dance with Alvin Ailey, George Faison, and Otis Sallid. Calloway began her career as a dancer in Michael Bennett's original Broadway production of Dreamgirls.[2][3] It was during this time period that Calloway directed the music video "Angel Man" for soul singer Rhetta Hughes. She also was in the ensemble of the short-lived musical Bring Back Birdie.[4]
Career
Bell Calloway began her acting career in the ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children in 1985.[5] After moving to Los Angeles in 1986, she began appearing in episodes of prime time shows such as The Colbys, Falcon Crest, 227, China Beach, A Different World, and L.A. Law. She made her film debut on Number One with a Bullet (1987), before supporting role of Eddie Murphy's character's arranged wife in the 1988 comedy Coming to America.[5] In 1990, Bell Calloway co-starred alongside Joe Morton in the ABC drama series, Equal Justice. During 1990s, Bell Calloway had number of supporting roles in films, including What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) opposite Angela Bassett, The Inkwell (1994), and Crimson Tide (1995) as Denzel Washington's character wife. She also voiced main role in the 1992 animated comedy, Bébé's Kids.[5] Bell Calloway also had number of leading and supporting roles in the made for television movies. In 1995, she co-starred opposite James Earl Jones and Joe Morton in the short-lived CBS prime time soap opera, Under One Roof, the first drama series that feature an African-American lead characters.[6] For her role on the series, Calloway was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. She also had the leading roles on the short-leved NBC sitcom Rhythm & Blues (1992–93), and starred alongside Larry Hagman as his girlfriend in the CBS drama Orleans (1997).
In 2000s, Bell Calloway had the recurring roles on Boston Public and The District. She co-starred in films including The Brothers, All About You, Dawg, Biker Boyz, Love Don't Cost a Thing, and Cheaper by the Dozen. Bell Calloway also guest starred on The Division, Strong Medicine, The Closer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Dexter, Rizzoli & Isles, and Castle. From 2010 to 2011, she had the recurring role in the TNT medical drama, Hawthorne. In 2011, she began appearing in the Showtime comedy-drama, Shameless.
In 2016, Bell Calloway was cast as lead character in the Bounce TV first prime time soap opera, Saints & Sinners.[7] She plays Lady Ella Johnson, the widow of pastor and manipulative "First Lady of the Church".[8] Also in 2016, Bell Calloway co-starred as president Obama's future mother-in-law, Marian Shields Robinson, opposite Tika Sumpter as Michelle Obama, in the comedy-drama film Southside with You, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.[9] She also guest starred on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy playing Arizona's Lawyer.
Personal life
Bell Calloway has been married to anesthesiologist Dr. Anthony Calloway since 1988. The couple have two daughters, Ashley and Ally.[1] Ashley was one of the stars of the BET series Baldwin Hills which originally ran from 2007 until 2009.[10] Bell Calloway is cancer survivor.[11]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Number One with a Bullet | Woman | |
| 1988 | Coming to America | Imani Izzi | |
| 1989 | Death Spa | Marci Hewitt | |
| 1992 | Bébé's Kids | Jamika | Voice |
| 1992 | Why Colors? | Short film | |
| 1993 | What's Love Got to Do with It | Jackie | Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture |
| 1994 | The Inkwell | Francis Phillips | |
| 1995 | Crimson Tide | Julia Hunter | |
| 1996 | Daylight | Grace Calloway | |
| 1996 | The Cherokee Kid | Abby Holsopple | |
| 1998 | Archibald the Rainbow Painter | Diana | |
| 1998 | When It Clicks | Catherine Douglass | Short film |
| 2001 | The Brothers | Dr. Thelma Woolridge | |
| 2001 | All About You | Donna | |
| 2002 | Dawg | Christine Hodges | |
| 2003 | Biker Boyz | Anita | |
| 2003 | Love Don't Cost a Thing | Vivian Johnson | |
| 2003 | Cheaper by the Dozen | Diana Philips | |
| 2007 | Stompin' | Mrs. Jackson | |
| 2008 | Lakeview Terrace | Aunt Dorrie | |
| 2009 | Truly Blessed | Lynda | |
| 2009 | Aussie and Ted's Great Adventure | Mrs. Jones | |
| 2009 | The Killing of Wendy | Wendy | |
| 2012 | The Undershepherd | Deaconess Carter | |
| 2012 | The Last Fall | Marie Bishop | |
| 2012 | The Obama Effect | Molly Thomas | |
| 2012 | A Beautiful Soul | Guardian Angel | |
| 2013 | Holla II | Marion | |
| 2015 | Message from a Mistress | Heather | |
| 2015 | The Preacher's Son | Elena | |
| 2015 | The Bounce Back | Ellen | |
| 2015 | Medicine Men | Eve | |
| 2015 | LAPD African Cops | ||
| 2015 | Hustle vs. Heartache | Hustle's Mother | |
| 2016 | Southside with You | Marian Shields Robinson | |
| 2016 | The Miki Howard Story | Josephine Howard |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | All My Children | Yvonne Caldwell | |
| 1985 | Days of Our Lives | Denise Preston | |
| 1986 | The Colbys | Lowell Sherman | Episode: "The Trial" |
| 1986 | Simon & Simon | Julie | Episode: "Act Five" |
| 1987 | 227 | Sherry | Episode: "The Honeymoon's Over" |
| 1989 | In the Heat of the Night | Audrey Moore | Episode: "Accused" |
| 1989 | Polly | Nancy | Television movie |
| 1990-1991 | A Different World | Danielle Vinson/Lily Conors | 2 episodes |
| 1990 | China Beach | Sweet Hula | Episode: "One Giant Leap" |
| 1990 | Equal Justice | Delia Wayne | 4 episodes |
| 1990 | Polly: Comin' Home | Nancy Dodds | Television movie |
| 1991 | Father Dowling Mysteries | Emily | Episode: "The Monkey Business Mystery" |
| 1992 | Stompin' at the Savoy | Dorothy | Television Movie |
| 1992 | Dream On | Jeanette | 2 episodes |
| 1992–1993 | Rhythm & Blues | Colette Hawkins | Series regular, 13 episodes |
| 1993 | The Sinbad Show | Michelle Michaels | Episode: "The Par-tay" |
| 1995 | Touched by an Angel | Debra Willis | Episode: "The Driver" |
| 1995 | Under One Roof | Maggie Langston | Series regular, 6 episodes Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series |
| 1996 | The Cherokee Kid | Abby Holsopple | Television movie |
| 1996 | America's Dream | Miss Williams | Television movie Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special |
| 1997 | Sparks | Monique | Episode: "Too Hot Not to Cool Down" |
| 1997 | Orleans | Dist. Atty. Rosalee Clark | Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series |
| 1998 | Prey | Grace | Episodes: "Revelations" "Infiltration" |
| 1998 | Moesha | Dr. Woods | Episode: "Psyche Your Mind" |
| 1998 | The Temptations | Jonnie Mae Matthews | Miniseries Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special |
| 1999 | Malcolm & Eddie | Viva Jensen | Episode: "Daddio" |
| 2001 | Boston Public | Mrs. Michelle Ronning | 3 episodes Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series |
| 2001 | The Division | Dana | Episode: "The First Hit's Free, Baby" |
| 2002 | One on One | Michelle McCall | Episode: "The Way You Make Me Feel" |
| 2002 | The Parkers | Alaina | Episode: "And the Winner Is..." |
| 2003–2004 | The District | Gwen Hendrix | 5 episodes Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series |
| 2003–2004 | 10-8: Officers on Duty | Gina Barnes | Episodes: "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" "Late for School" "Love Don't Love Nobody" |
| 2004 | CSI: Miami | Tonya Washington | Episode: "Speed Kills" |
| 2004 | Strong Medicine | Melanie Rhodes | Episode: "Foreign Bodies" |
| 2005 | Joan of Arcadia | Corey Phillips | Episode: Shadows and Light" |
| 2006 | The Closer | Lynn Talmadge | Episode: "Slippin'" |
| 2006 | All of Us | Marvella James | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | CSI | Judge Himmel | Episode: "Miscarriage of Justice" |
| 2009 | Cold Case | Geraldine Watkins (1970) | Episode: "Soul" |
| 2010 | Dexter | Crisis Counselor | Episode: "Practically Perfect" |
| 2010–2011 | Hawthorne | Gail Strummer | 12 episodes Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series |
| 2011–2016 | Shameless | Carol Fisher | 18 episodes |
| 2012 | Ringer | Royce Weigler | Episode "I'm the Good Twin" |
| 2012–2013 | Rizzoli & Isles | Assistant District Attorney | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | Castle | Beryl Wickfield | Episode: "Time Will Tell" |
| 2014 | NCIS | Sally Hammond | Episode "Crescent City: Part 1" |
| 2014 | Reckless | Judge Kress | Episode "Parting Shots" |
| 2015 | Murder in the First | Veronza Ervin | 2 episodes |
| 2016—present | Saints & Sinners | Lady Ella Johnson | Series regular |
| 2016 | Grey's Anatomy | Lucinda Gamble | Episodes: "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" and "Mama Tried" |
References
- ^ a b "Vanessa Bell Calloway Biography (1957–)". filmreference.com. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
- ^ "Outstanding accomplishments: Ohio University's Greek community honors three alumni". ohiou.edu. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
- ^ "Official biography". vanessabellcalloway.com. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
- ^ The Broadway League. "Vanessa Bell Callaway - IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information". Retrieved 18 August 2015.
- ^ a b c Vanessa Bell Calloway
- ^ "New Black Series Is Hanging On". The New York Times. 11 April 1995. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- ^ Tambay A. Obenson (12 January 2016). "Bounce TV Enters Original Hour-Long Drama Series Programm - Shadow and Act". Shadow and Act. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ Stephanie Stephens. "Vanessa Bell Calloway: First Lady of New Saints & Sinners Drama". Parade. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- ^ Todd McCarthy (24 January 2016). "'Southside With You': Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
- ^ "Bet's 'Baldwin Hills' Returns With Fresh Faces and New Drama". lasentinel.net. 2008-07-10. Archived from the original on September 16, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "In Her Words: Vanessa Bell Calloway Shares Her Breast Cancer Survival Story". EBONY. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
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