Maria Howell Biography

Fast Facts

• Won the 2010 Black Women Film Network Performance Award
• Graduated from Winston-Salem State University in 1983 with a degree in biology and chemistry
• Quote: "I'm a firm believer that if you keep it on your mind and there's passion in your heart, anything is possible․"
• After more than two decades of guest roles, she earned her first recurring role in 2012 with NBC's "Revolution" and later Lifetime's "Devious Maids"
• Initially promoted herself as a musician and jazz singer before she landed actual acting roles and made her debut as a singer in 1985's "The Color Purple"
• Performed weekly at Atlanta's Sambuca Jazz Cafe for nine years before relocating to Los Angeles shortly after the cafe closed in 2010
• As a singer, she has shared the stage with greats such as Ray Charles, George Benson and Nancy Wilson, among others