Jenifer Lewis
Birth Name:
Jenifer Jeanette Lewis
Birth Place:
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Profession
Actress, Soundtrack, Producer, Writer, Music department
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
Awards
- 1994Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:Nominated
- 1997Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:Nominated
- 2000Black Reel - Network/Cable - Best Actress:Nominated
- 2006Vision Award - Best Dramatic Performance:Nominated
- 2010Annie - Voice Acting in a Feature Production:Nominated
- 2012Black Reel - Outstanding Television or Mini-Series Performance, Female:Nominated
- 2012Image Award - Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special:Nominated
- 2012Vision Award - Best Performance - Drama:Nominated
- 2012OFTA Television Award - Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries:Nominated
- 2014Hollywood Award - Best Ensemble Cast:Nominated
- 2016Critics' Choice TV Award - Best Guest Actor/Actress in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2017Actor - Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2017Black Reel - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series:Winner
- 2018Actor - Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2018Black Reel - Outstanding Voice Performance:Nominated
- 2018Black Reel - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series:Winner
- 2018Critics Choice Award - Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2020Black Reel - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2021Black Reel - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2021Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2022Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:Nominated
- 2022Satellite Award - Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television:Nominated
- 2023Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:Nominated