Jenifer Lewis Biography

Fast Facts

• Along with the rest of the cast of "Baggage Claim," she was nominated for a Hollywood Award at the 2014 Acapulco Black Film Festival
• Her voice acting in "The Princess and the Frog" earned her a nomination for an Annie Award in 2010
• Was nominated for a Black Reel Award in 2012 for her performance in "Five․"
• Adopted her daughter Charmaine through the Los Angeles chapter of the Big Sister Program
• After graduating from Webster University, she moved to New York City where she landed a small role in the Broadway musical "Eubie!"
• Lost her role in a Broadway show to Jennifer Holiday, then found work as the back-up singer for Bette Midler, which later helped her land TV appearances on Midler's HBO specials
• Quote: "(On being the focal point in a film) "I'm in the moment․ I'm always in the moment of life․ It's important to be alive in those moments, especially when you're doing something you love to do․""
• Quote: "(On working with Tupac Shakur) "He was such a natural․ The chemistry was great--it was like we were mother and son for years․ Very interesting young man․ He was who he was, and he honored who he was․""
• Is known for playing strong-willed characters such as Aunt Helen in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and for her singing abilities, which have landed her parts in musicals like "The Princess and the Frog․"
• After disclosing that she suffered from bipolar disorder, she appeared on an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to help encourage proper treatment