Vanessa Bell Calloway

Birth Name:

Vanessa Bell

Birth Place:

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Profession

Actress, Soundtrack, Director, Producer

Earned her eighth NAACP Image Award nomination for playing Gail Strummer on "Hawthorne․"
Her first NAACP Image Award nomination for acting came in 1996 for her lead performance in "Under One Roof․"
Graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree
Began her career as a dancer in Michael Bennett's Broadway production of "Dreamgirls" after studying dance with Alvin Ailey
Best known for her roles in the financially successful films "Coming to America" and "What's Love Got to Do with It․"
Starred in a one-woman-show about Zora Neale Hurston called "Letters from Zora․"
Joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority while she was in college

1994Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture:Nominated
1996Image Award - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
1997Image Award - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series:Nominated
1998Image Award - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
1999Image Award - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series:Nominated
2002Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
2004Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
2011Image Award - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
2026Image Award - Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture:Nominated

Fast Facts