Dawnn Lewis

American actress and singer (born 1961)

Dawnn Jewel Lewis (born August 13, 1961) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Jaleesa Vinson–Taylor on the NBC television sitcom A Different World from the series beginning in 1987 until the end of its fifth season in 1992, in addition to co writing the opening theme song for the series. Lewis's other notable roles include portraying Robin Dumars on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper for its first season (1992–93) and as Cheryl Spade in the 1988 film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Since then, Lewis has appeared in numerous TV series, including other sitcoms, and has also performed on stage.

Dawnn Lewis was born on August 13, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York City, to Carl and Joyce Lewis, who are of African American and Guyanese descent, She began singing at the age of four and acting at eleven. At sixteen, Lewis graduated from the High School of Music & Art in New York City, now known as Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. In college, she majored in musical theatre with a minor in journalism, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree, cum laude, from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, in 1982.

From August 1, 1985, to July 6, 1986, Lewis performed in the chorus and as the character Dulcie in the National Tour of the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid under the name "Dawnn J. Lewis".

Lewis appeared in the first five of six seasons of A Different World as Jaleesa Vinson (later Vinson–Taylor), from 1987 until 1992. Lewis co wrote the theme song to A Different World, with Bill Cosby and Stu Gardner, and co performed the song for the first season. Although her character was married to another of the main characters on the show, her character disappeared from the series without explanation, similar to the Chuck Cunningham character in Happy Days. Lewis appeared in a special week long segment of A Different World called the Hillman College Reunion airing on Nick at Nite, along with Lisa Bonet, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, and Sinbad. On her Super Password appearance in 1988, she was paired with Dallas star Ken Kercheval, not any of her co stars.

In September 1992, Lewis began starring in ABC's Hangin' with Mr. Cooper alongside Mark Curry and Holly Robinson. Lewis appeared in 20 of the 22 episodes of the first season as Robin Dumars, Mark's childhood best friend and roommate. Lewis did not appear on the two shows concurrently – she left A Different World to star in Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. Lewis and Holly Robinson, along with R&B quartet En Vogue, performed the theme song for season one of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. Sometime before the end of season one, the show producers decided to scale back on the updated version of the 1970s ABC sitcom Three's Company concept. Lewis left the show after the conclusion of the first season due to the producers deciding to change the direction of the show, replacing her character with a mother and child; Mark's cousin Geneva Lee (portrayed by Saundra Quarterman) and her daughter Nicole (portrayed by Raven Symoné).

Lewis provided additional voices in the video game, True Crime: New York City. She portrayed Deloris Van Cartier in Peter Schneider's Sister Act the Musical, which opened at the Pasadena Playhouse on October 24, 2006. Lewis has voiced Storm of the X Men in three games, most recently Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. She also voiced Granny Grim on The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and voiced the female Shokan (Sheeva) in Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm. Lewis has also done voice work as LaBarbara Conrad, wife of Hermes Conrad, in the animated TV series Futurama, Detective Terri Lee on Spider Man: The Animated Series, villainess Di Archer on Bruno the Kid, and voiced a number of characters on The Boondocks. Additionally, she voiced the character Sharona on King of the Hill. Lewis co starred in two Disney Channel Original Movies, The Poof Point as Marigold Ballord, and as Gail DeBarge in Let It Shine. In 2000, Lewis played Blabberwort the Troll in the five episode NBC miniseries The 10th Kingdom.

In 2006, Lewis starred as Melba Early in the film adaptation of Dreamgirls. Lewis released her debut CD, entitled Worth Waiting For, in 2006. She played Addaperle in The Wiz with New York City Center's Encores! In 2009, Lewis played Denise Fields on One Tree Hill. In 2010, Lewis played a minor recurring role as Lauren's mother in The Secret Life of the American Teenager. In 2012, she voiced Malora in Strange Frame. She also appeared as Dr. Knapp on Days of Our Lives in 2012–2013. In 2014 Lewis starred in The Divorce along with Vanessa Bell Calloway, Tatyana Ali & Freda Payne. As of 2015, Lewis is playing a recurring role on Major Crimes as Patrice, a love interest for Lt. Provenza, whom he met during a case. In that same year, she also voiced Ruby's mother Helen Hanshaw in one episode of Sofia The First. In March 2016, Lewis was cast in Disney Junior's animated series Doc McStuffins as the voice of Grandma McStuffins. In 2017 she provided the voice of Maybelle Mundy in the film Bunyan and Babe. In 2018 she began voicing Fannie Granger on DreamWorks's Spirit Riding Free and Dr. Jones in Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, while in 2019 began voicing The Chief on Netflix's animated Carmen Sandiego. She voiced Attorney General's special agent Lenora Carter in The Simpsons episode "The Fat Blue Line" in 2019, and became the voice of Bernice Hibbert starting with "Uncut Femmes" in 2021. On November 7, 2019, under the name "Dr. Dawnn Lewis", Lewis began portraying Zelma, Tina Turner's mother in the musical Tina on Broadway. From August 2020 she starred as the voice of Captain Carol Freeman in the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks. From 2021 to 2022, Lewis voiced Ms. Jackie Washington, the Neighborhood Council President of Hansberry Heights, in the animated series Karma's World. In 2021, Lewis was among the first honorees to be inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame. Lewis is an honorary member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

Year Title Role Notes 1988 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Cheryl Spade 1992 Stompin' at the Savoy Ella Fitzgerald Television film 1993 Mouse Soup Voice, short A Cool Like That Christmas Jarvis Voice, television film 1994 Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad Minnie Television film 1996 The Cherokee Kid Stagecoach Mary/Love Gang Bruno the Kid: The Animated Movie Di Archer Voice, direct to video 1997 Bad Day on the Block Officer Sandy Tierra 1999 The Wood Woman in Cleaners 2001 Nicolas The Poof Point Marigold Ballard Television film 2002 Endgame: Ethics and Values in America Alison 2003 Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure Bessie/Female Judge Voice, direct to video 2005 The Venom Saga Detective Terri Lee Voice, direct to video 2006 The Adventures of Brer Rabbit Mom Voice, direct to video Dreamgirls Melba Early 2007 The Last Sentinel Angel Tallis' Rifle Voice Futurama: Bender's Big Score LaBarbara Conrad Voice, direct to video 2009 Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder LaBarbara Conrad/Women's Prison Warden 2010 Preacher's Kid Mya 2012 Strange Frame: Love & Sax Malora Voice Let It Shine Gail DeBarge Television film Jennifer Dr. Fox Short Dino Time Additional Voices 2013 Second Chances Maria Television film Monsters University Additional Voices Toy Story of Terror! Delivery Lady Voice, television film WHOA! Comedy Short Kate Sterling Short 2014 The Divorce Yolanda Massey Television film Mom and Dad Undergrads Diane 2015 Megachurch Murder Lucille Williams Inside Out Additional Voices Alone Together Katie Short 2017 Bunyan and Babe Maybelle Mundy Voice The Legend of Master Legend Tana Television film Cycle 2017 Robyn 2018 Revival! Cleo 2020 Be the Light Gladys Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal Chief Voice, short 2021 The Good, the Bart, and the Loki Ravonna Renslayer Voice, short Writing Around the Christmas Tree Sharon Samuels 2022 For Gunter's Eyes Only Additional Voices Short Minions: The Rise of Gru Additional Voices The Simpsons: Welcome to the Club Ursula/Kaa Voice, short Blackjack Christmas Corrine Allen 2023Rogue Not Quite One TIE Interceptor SystemVoice, short

Year Title Role Notes 1987 92 A Different World Jaleesa Vinson Taylor Main Cast: Season 1 5 1990 Kid 'n Play Lela Voice, main role 1992 93 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Robin Dumars Main Cast: Season 1 1995 ABC Weekend Special Temba's Sister Episode: "Jirimpimbira: An African Folk Tale" Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Princess Songe Voice, episode: "The Valiant Little Tailor" The Savage Dragon Additional Voices 1996 Dream On Rema Hort Recurring Cast: Season 6 The Faculty Mrs. Lowman Episode: "Daisy's Secret" C Bear and Jamal Grandma Voice, recurring role Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm Sheeva 1995 97 Spider Man Detective Terri Lee 1996 97 Bruno the Kid Di Archer 1997 The Steve Harvey Show Alise Peyton Episode: "Coming to Chicago" Sliders Dr. Natalie Sylvius Episode: "The Breeder" Die Gang Stella Tumbrell Episode: "Das Duell" The Burning Zone Dr. Janice Rhodes Episode: "Elegy for a Dream" Waynehead Cheetah Voice, episode: "Rebel Without a Paw" The Parent 'Hood Bernadette Episode: "Father Wendell" The Incredible Hulk Agent Diana Voice, episode: "Mission: Incredible" 1997 99 King of the Hill Sharona Johnson Voice, guest role (seasons 1 and 3) 1998 The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs Additional Voices Episode: "Hair/Homework" 1999 The Jamie Foxx Show Dr. Kanella Episode: "Scareder Than a Mug" Nash Bridges Winifred Holt Episode: "Resurrection" Early Edition Gayle Clark Episode: "Number One with a Bullet" 1999 2023 Futurama LaBarbara Conrad Voice, recurring role 2000 The 10th Kingdom Blabberwort the Troll Recurring Cast Supermodels Catwalk Voice, main role Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Mary Voice, episode: "Panic on Bathyos" 2000 02 Any Day Now Gail Williams Recurring Cast: Season 3, Guest: Season 4 2001 The Legend of Tarzan Naoh Voice, episode: "Tarzan and the Eagle's Feather" 2001 02 Heavy Gear: The Animated Series Sonja Briggs Voice, recurring role 2002 Andy Richter Controls the Universe Jackie Episode: "We're All the Same, Only Different" 2002 07 Grim & Evil Additional Voices 2003 Strong Medicine Detective Wright Episode: "Risk" Ozzy & Drix Cilia Tyson Voice, episode: "An Out of Body Experience" Girlfriends Linda Dent 2 episodes 2004 Static Shock Brickhouse Voice, episode: "Army of Darkness" Medical Investigation Dr. Burton Episode: "Little Girl" NYPD Blue Jocelyn Barker Episode: "The 3 H Club" 2005 14 The Boondocks Additional Voices 2006 07 Holly Hobbie & Friends Carolyn Baker Voice, 2 episodes 2007 Handy Manny Tanya Voice, episode: "Musica/Ice Cream Team" 2008 09 One Tree Hill Denise Fields Recurring Cast: Season 6 2008 12 The Life & Times of Tim The Boss' Wife Voice, guest role (seasons 1 3) 2009 10 Glenn Martin, DDS Nurse Voice, 2 episodes 2010 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Lauren's Mom Recurring Cast: Season 2 3 2010 12 The Cleveland Show Additional Voices 2011 Reed Between the Lines Trishelle Episode: "Let's Talk About College Boys" 2012 CSI: Miami Stacy McCann Episode: "At Risk" Breaking In Janet Jenkins Episode: "The Blind Sided" 2012 13 Days of Our Lives Dr. Knapp Regular Cast Regular Show Fun Fun Zone Employee, JB Voice, 2 episodes 2013 The Soul Man Erica Recurring Cast: Season 2 Turbo Fast Queen Bananica Voice, episode: "African Queen" 2014 Castle Yvonne Episode: "That '70s Show" Survivor's Remorse Vanessa Miller Episode: "How to Build a Brand" Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories Agent Episode: "The Endorsement" 2014 18 Major Crimes Patrice Perry Recurring Cast: Season 3 6 2015 Better Call Saul Judge Episode: "Hero" Sofia the First Helen Hanshaw Voice, episode: "Buttercup Amber" Rick and Morty Assimilated Alien #1 Voice, episode: "Auto Erotic Assimilation" 2016 Kirby Buckets Mayor Episode: "Call of Doodie" Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh Guppa Voice, episode: "Wrinkly Humans People" 2016 20 Doc McStuffins April McStuffins Voice, recurring role 2017 Stitchers Arlene Grant Episode: "Dreamland" 2017 23 The Simpsons Additional Voices 2018 This Is Us Rosemary 2 episodes iZombie Mama "Renegade" Leone Recurring Cast: Season 4 Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters Dr. Jones Voice, episode: "Rise of the Tech Men" Bravest Warriors Jeanette Voice, recurring role (season 4) 2018 19 Spirit Riding Free Fannie Granger Voice, guest role (seasons 1 and 5) 2018 20 Curious George Mrs. Parker Voice, guest role (seasons 10 and 12) 2018 21 Apple & Onion Patty, Cinnamon Bun, CroissantVoice 2019 Veronica Mars Marcia Langdon Main Cast: Season 4 Spirit Riding Free: Pony Tales Fannie Granger Voice, episode: "The Healing Tree" 2019 21 Carmen Sandiego The Chief/Tamara Fraser Voice, main role The Rich and the Ruthless Beth Main Cast: Season 3 4 2020 Cleopatra in Space Professor Klabrax V Voice, 2 episodes Spirit Riding Free: Riding Academy Fannie Granger Voice, episode: "Race to the Finish" The Boys Valerie Episode: "Nothing Like It in the World" 2020 23 Star Trek: Lower Decks Carol Freeman Voice, main role 2021 9 1 1 Danvers Episode: "Survivors" HouseBroken Additional Voices Rick and Morty Voice, episode: "Rick & Morty's Thanksploitation Spectacular" Duncanville Voice, 2 episodes 2021 22 Karma's World Ms. Jackie Washington Voice, recurring role Star Trek Logs Captain Carol Freeman Voice, episode: "Carol Freeman Personal Audio Log 1 3" 2022 Grey's Anatomy Jamarah Blake Recurring cast (season 18) The Cuphead Show! Bedelia/Boo Boo Voice, episode: "Dead Broke" Interrupting Chicken Ms. Clara/Mail Lady Voice, episode: "Where's The Party?/Chicken Out West" 2022 23 Young Rock Prime Minister Angela Honig Recurring Cast: Season 3 2023 Fired on Mars Judith Voice, episode: "The God of War"

Year Title Role Notes 2003 Gladius Additional voices 2004 World of Warcraft 2005 X Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Storm 2006 True Crime: New York City Additional voices Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Storm 2007 Spider Man 3 Additional voices 2008 The Rise of the Argonauts 2009 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Storm 2017 Tacoma Evelyn Victoria St. James 2018 Fallout 76 Kesha McDermott, Mayor Barbara, Clara Davis 2020 World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Additional voices