Cassi Davis

Cassi Davis-Patton (born July 31, 1964) is an American actress best known for her role as Ella Payne on Tyler Perry's House of Payne and its spin-off series The Paynes. She is also known as Aunt Bam in the Madea franchise since 2010. She has starred in several other productions under the direction of Tyler Perry.

Life and career Born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Davis attended Spelman College in Atlanta and majored in music. She left the college one credit short of graduation, because she was not allowed to perform religious music during her senior recital. Davis returned to Spelman in 2008 to complete her degree, graduating in November of that year. She has credited her devout, born-again Christian faith as the main reason behind her professional success.

Davis' acting career began in 1988 with a supporting role in the Spike Lee comedy film School Daze. Her early television credits include appearances on Living Single, Married... with Children, Kenan & Kel, and The PJ's. She established her acting career by appearing in Tyler Perry productions such as Madea's Family Reunion, Madea Goes to Jail, Daddy's Little Girls, Madea's Big Happy Family, Boo! A Madea Halloween and A Madea Family Funeral.

Davis is best known for her role as Ella Payne in the TBS sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne from 2007 to 2012. She received two NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance. In 2018, she starred in House of Payne spinoff The Paynes that aired on Oprah Winfrey Network. In 2020, a revival series of House of Payne was ordered on BET.

Personal life Davis married her longtime boyfriend Kerry Patton on January 11, 2017; prior to their marriage, the two had been dating since 2007. In an interview, Cassi denied having a stroke, but revealed instead that she was diagnosed with Bell's palsy in March 2020.

Filmography Films and plays

Television Year Film Role Episodes 1993 Living Single Francine Episode: "In The Black It's Beautiful" 1994 Chicago Hope Nurse #1 Episode: "Food Chains" 1996 Moesha 1996 Married... with Children Patty Episode: "Crimes Against Obesity" 1999 Kenan & Kel Kitty Episode: "He Got Job" 1999–2001 The PJs HUD woman (Voice) Recurring Role; 27 episodes 2000 The Parkers Big Woman 2001 Boycott Cook Television movie 2007–2012, 2020–present Tyler Perry's House of Payne Ella Payne Lead role; 254 episodesNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series (2010, 2013)Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series (2009, 2011) 2009 Meet the Browns Episode: "Meet the Christmas Spirit" 2015 Love Thy Neighbor Episode: "Ella and Curtis" 2018 The Paynes Lead role, 38 episodes

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2020 Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Supporting Actress A Madea Family Funeral