Dawnn Lewis

Dawnn Jewel Lewis (born August 13, 1961) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Jaleesa Vinson–Taylor on the NBC television sitcom A Different World from the series beginning in 1987 until the end of its fifth season in 1992 (she also co-wrote the opening theme song for the series), as well as her many roles in other TV series and in film.

Lewis's other notable roles include portraying Robin Dumars on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper for its first season (1992–93), as Cheryl Spade in the 1988 film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, and as Captain Carol Freeman on the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks. Since then, Lewis has appeared in numerous TV series, including other sitcoms, and has also performed on stage.

Early life and education Dawnn Lewis was born on August 13, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Carl and Joyce Lewis, who are of African-American and Guyanese descent. She began singing at the age of four and acting at eleven. At sixteen, Lewis graduated from the High School of Music & Art in New York City. In college, she majored in musical theatre with a minor in journalism, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree, cum laude, from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, in 1982.

Career The Tap Dance Kid National Tour (1985–1986) From August 1, 1985, to July 6, 1986, Lewis performed in the chorus and as the character Dulcie in the National Tour of the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid under the name "Dawnn J. Lewis".

A Different World (1987–1992) Lewis appeared in the first five of six seasons of A Different World as Jaleesa Vinson (later Vinson–Taylor), from 1987 until 1992. Lewis co-wrote the theme song to A Different World, with Bill Cosby and Stu Gardner, and co-performed the song for the first season. Although her character was married to another of the main characters on the show, her character disappeared from the series without explanation, similar to the Chuck Cunningham character in Happy Days. Lewis appeared in a special week-long segment of A Different World called the Hillman College Reunion airing on Nick at Nite, along with Lisa Bonet, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, and Sinbad. On her Super Password appearance in 1988, she was paired with Dallas star Ken Kercheval, not any of her co-stars.

Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992–1993) In September 1992, Lewis began starring in ABC's Hangin' with Mr. Cooper alongside Mark Curry and Holly Robinson. Lewis appeared in 20 of the 22 episodes of the first season as Robin Dumars, Mark's childhood best friend and roommate. Lewis did not appear on the two shows concurrently – she left A Different World to star in Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. Lewis and Holly Robinson, along with R&B quartet En Vogue, performed the theme song for season one of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. Sometime before the end of season one, the show producers decided to scale back on the updated version of the 1970s ABC sitcom Three's Company concept. Lewis left the show after the conclusion of the first season due to the producers deciding to change the direction of the show, replacing her character with a mother and child; Mark's cousin Geneva Lee (portrayed by Saundra Quarterman) and her daughter Nicole (portrayed by Raven-Symoné).

Other work

Lewis provided additional voices in the video game, True Crime: New York City. She portrayed Deloris Van Cartier in Peter Schneider's Sister Act the Musical, which opened at the Pasadena Playhouse on October 24, 2006. Lewis has voiced Storm of the X-Men in three games, most recently Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. She also voiced Granny Grim on The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, and voiced the female Shokan (Sheeva) in Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm. Lewis has also done voice work as LaBarbara Conrad, wife of Hermes Conrad, in the animated TV series Futurama, Detective Terri Lee on Spider-Man: The Animated Series, villainess Di Archer on Bruno the Kid, and voiced a number of characters on The Boondocks. Additionally, she voiced the character Sharona on King of the Hill.

Lewis co-starred in two Disney Channel Original Movies, The Poof Point as Marigold Ballord, and as Gail DeBarge in Let It Shine. In 2000, Lewis played Blabberwort the Troll in the five-episode NBC miniseries The 10th Kingdom.

2006–present

In 2006, Lewis starred as Melba Early in the film adaptation of Dreamgirls. Lewis released her debut CD, entitled Worth Waiting For, in 2006. She played Addaperle in The Wiz with New York City Center's Encores! In 2009, Lewis played Denise Fields on One Tree Hill. In 2010, Lewis played a minor recurring role as Lauren's mother in The Secret Life of the American Teenager. In 2012, she voiced Malora in Strange Frame. She also appeared as Dr. Knapp on Days of Our Lives in 2012–2013. In 2014 Lewis starred in The Divorce along with Vanessa Bell Calloway, Tatyana Ali & Freda Payne. In 2014, she started a recurring role that ran the final four seasons of Major Crimes as Patrice, a love interest and later wife of Lt. Provenza, whom he met during a case. In that same year, she also voiced Ruby's mother Helen Hanshaw in one episode of Sofia The First.

In March 2016, Lewis was cast in Disney Junior's animated series Doc McStuffins as the voice of Grandma McStuffins. In 2017 she provided the voice of Maybelle Mundy in the film Bunyan and Babe. In 2018 she began voicing Fannie Granger on DreamWorks's Spirit Riding Free and Dr. Jones in Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, while in 2019 began voicing The Chief on Netflix's animated Carmen Sandiego. She voiced Attorney General's special agent Lenora Carter in The Simpsons episode "The Fat Blue Line" in 2019, and became the voice of Bernice Hibbert starting with "Uncut Femmes" in 2021.

From November 2019 to January 2022, she began portrayed Zelma, Tina Turner's mother, in the musical Tina on Broadway.

From August 2020 to December 2024, she starred as the voice of Captain Carol Freeman in the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks.

From 2021 to 2022, Lewis voiced Ms. Jackie Washington, the Neighborhood Council President of Hansberry Heights, in the animated series Karma's World.

In 2021, Lewis was among the first honorees to be inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Lewis is an honorary member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1988 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka Cheryl Spade 1992 Stompin' at the Savoy Ella Fitzgerald Television film Mouse Soup Bees Voice, short1993 A Cool Like That Christmas Jarvis Voice, television film 1994 Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad Minnie Television film 1996 The Cherokee Kid Mary "Stagecoach Mary", Love Gang Bruno the Kid: The Animated Movie Di Archer Voice, direct-to-video 1997 Bad Day on the Block Officer Sandy Tierra 1999 The Wood Woman In Cleaners 2001 Nicolas Unknown Role The Poof Point Marigold Ballard Television film 2002 Endgame: Ethics and Values in America Alison 2003 Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure Bessie / Female Judge Voice, direct-to-video 2005 The Venom Saga Detective Terri Lee Voice, direct-to-video 2006 The Adventures of Brer Rabbit Mom / Sister Mink Voice, direct-to-video Dreamgirls Melba Early 2007 The Last Sentinel Angel, Tallis' Rifle Voice Futurama: Bender's Big Score LaBarbara Conrad Voice, direct-to-video 2009 Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder LaBarbara Conrad / Women's Prison Warden 2010 Preacher's Kid Mya 2012 Strange Frame: Love & Sax Malora Voice Let It Shine Gail DeBarge Television film Jennifer Dr. Fox Short Dino Time Additional Voices 2013 Second Chances Maria Television film Monsters University Additional Voices Toy Story of Terror! Delivery Lady Voice, television film WHOA! Comedy Short Kate Sterling Short 2014 The Divorce Yolanda Massey Television film Mom and Dad Undergrads Diane 2015 Megachurch Murder Lucille Williams Inside Out Additional Voices Alone Together Katie Short 2017 Bunyan and Babe Maybelle Mundy Voice The Legend of Master Legend Tana Television film Cycle 2017 Robyn 2018 Revival! Cleo 2020 Be the Light Gladys Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal Chief Voice, short 2021 The Good, the Bart, and the Loki Ravonna Renslayer Voice, short Writing Around the Christmas Tree Sharon Samuels 2022 For Gunter's Eyes Only Additional Voices Short Minions: The Rise of Gru Additional Voices Welcome to the Club Ursula / Kaa Voice, short Blackjack Christmas Corrine Allen 2023 Rogue Not Quite One TIE Interceptor System Voice, short

Television Year Title Role Notes A Different World Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor Main cast: Seasons 1-5 1990 Kid 'n Play Lela Voice, main role 1992–1993 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Robin Dumars Main cast: Season 1 1995 ABC Weekend Special Temba's Sister Episode: "Jirimpimbira: An African Folk Tale" Princess Songe Voice, episode: "The Valiant Little Tailor" The Savage Dragon Additional Voices 1995–1997 Spider-Man: The Animated Series Detective Terri Lee 1996 Dream On Rema Hort Recurring cast: Season 6 The Faculty Mrs. Lowman Episode: "Daisy's Secret" C Bear and Jamal Grandma Voice, recurring role Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm Sheeva 1996–1997 Bruno the Kid Di Archer 1997 The Steve Harvey Show Alise Peyton Episode: "Coming to Chicago" Sliders Dr. Natalie Sylvius Episode: "The Breeder" Die Gang Stella Tumbrell Episode: "Das Duell" The Burning Zone Dr. Janice Rhodes Episode: "Elegy for a Dream" Waynehead Cheetah Voice, episode: "Rebel Without a Paw" The Parent 'Hood Bernadette Episode: "Father Wendell" The Incredible Hulk Agent Diana Voice, episode: "Mission: Incredible" 1997–1999 King of the Hill Sharona Johnson Voice, guest role (seasons 1 and 3) 1998 The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs Additional Voices Episode: "Hair/Homework" 1999 The Jamie Foxx Show Dr. Kanella Episode: "Scareder Than a Mug" Nash Bridges Winifred Holt Episode: "Resurrection" Early Edition Gayle Clark Episode: "Number One with a Bullet" 1999–present Futurama LaBarbara Conrad Voice, recurring role 2000 The 10th Kingdom Blabberwort the Troll Recurring Cast Supermodels Catwalk Voice, main role Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Mary Voice, episode: "Panic on Bathyos" 2000–2002 Any Day Now Gail Williams Recurring cast: Season 3, Guest: Season 4 2001 The Legend of Tarzan Naoh Voice, episode: "Tarzan and the Eagle's Feather" 2001–2002 Heavy Gear: The Animated Series Sonja Briggs Voice, recurring role 2002 Andy Richter Controls the Universe Jackie Episode: "We're All the Same, Only Different" 2002–2007 Grim & Evil Additional Voices 2003 Strong Medicine Detective Wright Episode: "Risk" Ozzy & Drix Cilia Tyson Voice, episode: "An Out of Body Experience" Girlfriends Linda Dent 2 episodes 2004 Static Shock Brickhouse Voice, episode: "Army of Darkness" Medical Investigation Dr. Burton Episode: "Little Girl" NYPD Blue Jocelyn Barker Episode: "The 3-H Club" 2005–2014 The Boondocks Additional Voices 2006–2007 Holly Hobbie & Friends Carolyn Baker Voice, 2 episodes 2007 Handy Manny Tanya Voice, episode: "Musica/Ice Cream Team" 2008–2009 One Tree Hill Denise Fields Recurring cast: Season 6 2008–2012 The Life & Times of Tim The Boss' Wife Voice, guest role (seasons 1-3) 2009–2010 Glenn Martin, DDS Nurse Voice, 2 episodes 2010 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Lauren's Mom Recurring cast: Seasons 2-3 2010–2012 The Cleveland Show Additional Voices 2011 Reed Between the Lines Trishelle Episode: "Let's Talk About College Boys" 2012 CSI: Miami Stacy McCann Episode: "At Risk" Breaking In Janet Jenkins Episode: "The Blind Sided" 2012–2013 Days of Our Lives Dr. Knapp Regular cast Regular Show Fun Fun Zone Employee, J.B. Voice, 2 episodes 2013 The Soul Man Erica Recurring cast: Season 2 Turbo Fast Queen Bananica Voice, episode: "African Queen" 2014 Castle Yvonne Episode: "That '70s Show" Survivor's Remorse Vanessa Miller Episode: "How to Build a Brand" Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories Agent Episode: "The Endorsement" 2014–2018 Major Crimes Patrice Perry / Patrice Provenza Recurring cast: Seasons 3-6 2015 Better Call Saul Judge Episode: "Hero" Sofia the First Helen Hanshaw Voice, episode: "Buttercup Amber" Rick and Morty Assimilated Alien #1 Voice, episode: "Auto Erotic Assimilation" 2016 Kirby Buckets Mayor Episode: "Call of Doodie" Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh Guppa Voice, episode: "Wrinkly Humans People" 2016–2020 Doc McStuffins April McStuffins Voice, recurring role 2017 Stitchers Arlene Grant Episode: "Dreamland" 2017–present The Simpsons Bernice Hibbert, Lenora Carter, Additional Voices 2018 This Is Us Rosemary 2 episodes iZombie Mama "Renegade" Leone Recurring Cast: Season 4 Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters Dr. Jones Voice, episode: "Rise of the Tech Men" Bravest Warriors Jeanette Voice, recurring role (season 4) 2018–2019 Spirit Riding Free Fannie Granger Voice, guest role (seasons 1 and 5) 2018–2020 Curious George Mrs. Parker Voice, guest role (seasons 10 and 12) 2018–2021 Apple & Onion Patty, Cinnamon Bun, CroissantVoice 2019 Veronica Mars Marcia Langdon Main Cast: Season 4 Spirit Riding Free: Pony Tales Fannie Granger Voice, episode: "The Healing Tree" 2019–2021 Carmen Sandiego Voice, main role The Rich and the Ruthless Beth Main Cast: Seasons 3-4 2020 Cleopatra in Space Professor Klabrax V Voice, 2 episodes Spirit Riding Free: Riding Academy Fannie Granger Voice, episode: "Race to the Finish" The Boys Valerie Episode: "Nothing Like It in the World" 2020–2024 Star Trek: Lower Decks Carol Freeman Voice, main role 2021 9-1-1 Danvers Episode: "Survivors" HouseBroken Additional Voices Rick and Morty - Voice, episode: "Rick & Morty's Thanksploitation Spectacular" Duncanville - Voice, 2 episodes 2021–2022 Karma's World Ms. Jackie Washington Voice, recurring role Star Trek Logs Captain Carol Freeman Voice, episode: "Carol Freeman Personal Audio Log 1-3" 2022 Grey's Anatomy Jamarah Blake Recurring cast (season 18) The Cuphead Show! Bedelia / Boo-Boo Voice, episode: "Dead Broke" Interrupting Chicken Ms. Clara / Mail Lady Voice, episode: "Where's the Party?/Chicken Out West" 2022–2023 Young Rock Prime Minister Angela Honig Recurring cast: Season 3 2023 Fired on Mars Judith Voice, episode: "The God of War" 2024 The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish Tina Churner Voice, 6 episodes2026Nemesis Deniece "Neicy" WilliamsRecurring cast: Season 1

Video games Year Title Role Notes 2003 Gladius Additional Voices 2004 World of Warcraft 2005 X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Storm 2006 True Crime: New York City Additional Voices Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Storm 2007 Spider-Man 3 Additional Voices 2008 The Rise of the Argonauts 2009 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Storm 2017 Tacoma Evelyn Victoria St. James 2018 Fallout 76 Kesha McDermott, Mayor Barbara, Clara Davis 2020 World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Additional Voices

Album appearances Vanessa Williams – The Right Stuff, on the song "If You Really Love Him" Take 6 – So Much 2 Say, on the interlude "That's The Law" D-Nice – Call Me D-Nice, on the song "It's Over"