Vanessa Bell Calloway

Vanessa Bell Calloway ( Bell; born March 20, 1957) is an American actress. Beginning her career as a dancer, Bell Calloway became known for her film roles as Princess Imani Izzi in the 1988 comedy Coming to America and its sequel. Since then, Bell Calloway appeared in more than 150 film and television productions. She is a nine-time NAACP Image Awards nominee.

Bell Calloway appeared in films Death Spa (1988), What's Love Got to Do with It (1993), The Inkwell (1994), Crimson Tide (1995), Daylight (1996), The Brothers (2001) and Biker Boyz (2003). Bell Calloway had several starring roles on television series and movies, include first African American prime time soap opera, Under One Roof (1995). She later played recurring roles on Hawthorne, Shameless and This Is Us. From 2016 to 2022, she starred as Lady Ella Johnson in the Bounce TV prime time soap opera, Saints & Sinners and in 2022 began starring in BET+ crime drama, The Black Hamptons. Bell Callaway played Marian Shields Robinson in the biographical drama film Southside with You (2016), and Harriet Tubman's mother in the biographical film, Harriet (2019).

Early life Bell Calloway was born on March 20, 1957, in Cleveland, Ohio. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ohio University, where she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Bell Calloway also studied dance with Alvin Ailey, George Faison, and Otis Sallid. Bell Calloway began her career as a dancer in Michael Bennett's original Broadway production of Dreamgirls. It was during this time period that Bell Calloway directed the music video "Angel Man" for soul singer Rhetta Hughes. She also was in the ensemble of the short-lived musical Bring Back Birdie.

Career Bell Calloway began her acting career in the ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children in 1985. After moving to Los Angeles in 1986, she began appearing in episodes of prime time shows such as The Colbys, Falcon Crest, 227, China Beach, A Different World, and L.A. Law. She made her film debut on Number One with a Bullet (1987), before supporting role of Eddie Murphy's character's arranged wife in the 1988 comedy Coming to America. In 1990, she co-starred alongside Joe Morton in the ABC drama series, Equal Justice.

During the 1990s, she had number of supporting roles in films, including What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) opposite Angela Bassett, The Inkwell (1994), and Crimson Tide (1995) as Denzel Washington's character wife. She also voiced a leading role in the 1992 dystopian animated film, Bebe's Kids. She had number of leading and supporting roles in the made for television movies. In 1995, she co-starred opposite James Earl Jones and former co-star Joe Morton in the short-lived CBS prime time soap opera, Under One Roof, the first drama series to feature African-American lead characters. For her role on the series, Calloway was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. She also had the leading roles on the short-leved NBC sitcom Rhythm & Blues (1992–93), and starred alongside Larry Hagman as his girlfriend in the CBS drama Orleans (1997).

In the 2000s, she had recurring roles on Boston Public and The District. She co-starred in films including The Brothers, All About You, Dawg, Biker Boyz, Love Don't Cost a Thing, and Cheaper by the Dozen. Bell Calloway also guest starred on The Division, Strong Medicine, The Closer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Dexter, Rizzoli & Isles, and Castle. From 2010 to 2011, she had a recurring role in the TNT medical drama, Hawthorne. In 2011, she began appearing in the Showtime comedy-drama, Shameless.

In 2016, she was cast as lead character in the Bounce TV first prime time soap opera, Saints & Sinners as Lady Ella Johnson, the widow of pastor and manipulative "First Lady of the Church". Also in 2016, Bell Calloway co-starred as president Obama's future mother-in-law, Marian Shields Robinson, opposite Tika Sumpter as Michelle Obama, in the comedy-drama film Southside with You, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. She guest starred on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy.

In 2018, she appeared in the Christian drama film Unbroken: Path to Redemption and the crime thriller Dragged Across Concrete. In 2019, she played abolitionist Harriet Tubman's mother in the biographical drama film Harriet. She reprised her role as Imani Izzi in the 2021 sequel, Coming 2 America. The following year she was cast in the BET+ crime drama series, The Black Hamptons.

In 2023, Bell Calloway made her directorial debut with the drama film Black Girl Erupted for BET Her.

Personal life Bell Calloway married anesthesiologist Dr. Anthony Calloway in 1988. They have two daughters, Ashley and Alexandra. Ashley was one of the stars of the BET series Baldwin Hills which originally ran from 2007 until 2009.

In 2009, Bell Calloway was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma, an early stage of breast cancer. She underwent two lumpectomies, and then a mastectomy. She subsequently underwent reconstructive surgery, in which tissue from her stomach was used to reconstruct her breast. She recounted her experience in an October 2015 essay in Ebony magazine, by which point she had been cancer-free for six years.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1987 Number One with a Bullet Woman 1988 The Return of Desperado Molly Pickett TV movie Coming to America Princess Imani Izzi The Loner Carver TV movie 1989 Polly Nancy Dodds TV movie A Little Bit Strange Marilyn McClane-Masterson TV movie Death Spa Marci Hewitt 1990 Piece of Cake Doreen TV movie 1992 Memphis Martha Kinship TV movie Stompin' at the Savoy Dorothy TV movie Bebe's Kids Jamika (voice) Why Colors? - Short 1993 What's Love Got to Do with It Jackie 1994 Francis Phillips 1995 Crimson Tide Julia Hunter 1996 America's Dream Miss Dina Williams TV movie Daylight Grace Calloway The Cherokee Kid Abby Holsopple TV movie 1998 Archibald the Rainbow Painter Diana When It Clicks Catherine Douglass Short 2000 A Private Affair Nikita Harrell TV movie Love Song Evie Livingston TV movie 2001 The Brothers Dr. Thelma Woolridge All About You Donna 2002 The Red Sneakers Berniece TV movie Dawg Christine Hodges 2003 Biker Boyz Anita Love Don't Cost a Thing Vivian Johnson Cheaper by the Dozen Diana Philips 2004 Pryor Offenses''' Gertrude TV movie 2007 Stompin'| Mrs. Jackson 2008 Lakeview Terrace| Aunt Dorrie

Truly Blessed| Lynda Aussie and Ted's Great Adventure| Mrs. Jones The Killing of Wendy| Wendy Applause for Miss E| Miss E TV movie

The Last Fall| Marie Bishop A Beautiful Soul| Guardian Angel The Obama Effect| Molly Thomas The Undershepherd| Deaconess Carter

Between Sisters Lilian TV movie Holla II Marion 2014 The Divorce Eva TV movie

To Hell and Back| Colleen TV movie Emergency Contact| Ruthie Biltmore TV movie About Scout| Faith Price The Bricks: White Betty| Sharon Short

Southside with You| Marian Shields Robinson Lark| Aziza Short Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story| Josephine Howard Post Life| Diane McIntosh Short The Bounce Back| Ellen LAPD African Cops| Officer Collins

The Preacher's Son| Elena Message from a Mistress Heather Girl Minus Ivys Mom

Love, Once and Always| Isabel TV movie Dragged Across Concrete| Jennifer Johns Unbroken: Path to Redemption| Lila Burkholder Thriller| Mrs. Jackson Her Only Choice| Dr. Bailey Throwback Holiday| Mildred Anderson The Counter: 1960| Nicole Short

American Skin| Bernice Harriet| Rit Ross

Saints & Sinners Judgment Day| Ella TV movie Coming 2 America| Princess Imani Izzi Baby| Jackie Short A Holiday Chance| Sheryl Chance

Starkeisha| The Voice Short The Devil You Know| Della Cowans Mosquito| Eve

Black Girl Erupted Dr. Rebecca Francis Under the Boardwalk| Val (voice)

One of Them Days| Mama Ruth 333'' Gretta Short

Television Year Title Role Notes 1985 All My Children Yvonne Caldwell Regular Cast Days of Our Lives Denise Preston Regular Cast 1986 The Colbys Lowell Sherman Episode: "The Trial" Simon & Simon Julie Episode: "Act Five" Falcon Crest Nurse Episode: "Double Jeopardy" 1987 227 Sherry Episode: "The Honeymoon's Over" 1988 Days of Our Lives Charlene Regular Cast 1989 Webster Denice Episode: "A-Camping We Will Go" In the Heat of the Night Audrey Moore Episode: "Accused" Disneyland Nancy Episode: "Polly" 1st & Ten Della King Episode: "Final Bow" & "Out of the Past" 1990 Dragnet Receptionist Episode: "Millie" Max Monroe: Loose Cannon Velma Jones Episode: "Freaks" Equal Justice Delia Wayne Recurring Cast: Season 1 The Tracey Ullman Show Cindy #4 Episode: "Episode #4.23" China Beach Sweet Hula Episode: "One Giant Leap" A Different World Lily Connors Episode: "A Campfire Story" 1991 L.A. Law Robyn Edwards Episode: "Splatoon" Father Dowling Mysteries Dr. Emily Stone Episode: "The Monkey Business Mystery" The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage Rene Episode: "Look for the Union Label" Doctor Doctor Gail Butterfield Episode: "Butterfields Are Free" A Different World Danielle Vinson Episode: "The Cash Isn't Always Greener" 1992 Dream On Jeanette Episode: "Red All Over" & "The Guilty Party" 1992-93 Rhythm & Blues Colette Hawkins Main Cast 1993 The Sinbad Show Michelle Michaels Episode: "The Par-tay" Where I Live Delia Episode: "The Big Easy" 1995 Under One Roof Maggie Langston Main Cast Touched by an Angel Debra Willis Episode: "The Driver" 1996 Intimate Portrait Herself Episode: "Vanessa Williams" 1997 Orleans Rosalee Clark Main Cast Sparks Monique Episode: "Too Hot Not to Cool Down" Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Princess Katusha (voice) Episode: "The Golden Goose" 1998 Herself Episode: "First Time" Prey Grace Episode: "Revelations" & "Infiltration" The Gregory Hines Show Kyra Lewis Episode: "Wahunthra" Moesha Dr. Madeline Woods Episode: "Psyche Your Mind" The Temptations Johnnie Mae Matthews Episode: "Part I & II" 1999 Intimate Portrait Herself Episode: "Star Jones" Malcolm & Eddie Vina Jensen Episode: "Daddio" 2001 Diagnosis: Murder Mrs. Calender Episode: "No Good Deed" Boston Public Mrs. Michelle Ronning Recurring Cast: Season 1 The Division Dana Episode: "The First Hit's Free, Baby" 2002 One on One Michelle McCall Episode: "The Way You Make Me Feel" The Parkers Alaina Episode: "And the Winner Is..." 2003-04 10-8: Officers on Duty Gina Barnes Recurring Cast The District Gwen Hendrix Recurring Cast: Season 4 2004 CSI: Miami Tonya Washington Episode: "Speed Kills" Strong Medicine Melanie Rhodes Episode: "Foreign Bodies" 2005 Black in the 80s Herself Episode: "Color in Film" Joan of Arcadia Corey Phillips Episode: "Shadows and Light" 2006 The Closer Lynn Talmadge Episode: "Slippin'" All of Us Marvella James Episode: "Like Father, Like Son... Like Hell!" & "My Two Dads" 2009 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Judge Gina Himmel Episode: "Miscarriage of Justice" Cold Case Episode: "Soul" 2010 Dexter Dr. Vanessa Abrams Episode: "Practically Perfect" Outlaw - Episode: "In Re: Kelvin Jones" 2010-11 Hawthorne Gail Strummer Recurring Cast: Season 2–3 2011 Detroit 1-8-7 Bonnie McCord Episode: "Stone Cold" Let's Stay Together Mimi Episode: "Daddy's Home" Harry's Law Judge Jude Campbell Episode: "Queen of Snark" & "Insanity" 2011-21 Shameless Carol Fisher Recurring Cast: Season 1 & 3-6 & 11, Guest: Season 2 & 10 2012 Ringer Agent Royce Wiegler Episode "I'm the Good Twin" Go On Joyce Gold Episode: "Videogame, Set, Match" & "Dinner Takes All" 2012-13 Rizzoli & Isles A.D.A. Edna Calloway Recurring Cast: Season 3, Guest: Season 4 2013 Life After Herself Episode: "Sheryl Lee Ralph: Life After Dreamgirls" Castle Beryl Wickfield Episode: "Time Will Tell" 2014 Roomieloverfriends Herself Episode: "Episode #3.4" NCIS Sally Hammond Episode: "Crescent City: Part 1" Reckless Judge Ella Kress Episode: "Parting Shots" Almost Home Jocelyn Sanders Episode: "She Wants That Old Thing Back..." 2015 Murder in the First Veronza Ervin Episode: "Oh, Mexico" & "Out of the Shadows" Real Husbands of Hollywood Trina's Mother Episode: "When Kevin Met Salli" Hand of God Eunetta Graham Episode: "He So Loved" & "The Tie That Binds" In the Cut Samantha Episode: "Like Father, Like Son" 2016 Unsung Hollywood Herself Episode: "Vanessa Bell Calloway" Grey's Anatomy Lucinda Gamble Recurring Cast: Season 12 2016-22 Saints & Sinners Lady Ella Johnson Main Cast 2017 Being Herself Episode: "Vanessa Bell Calloway" Survivor's Remorse Camille Jordan Recurring Cast: Season 4 2018 Love Is 'Wiser' Angela Episode: "(Her) Questions" 2019 Rel Nancy Episode: "Mom" A Black Lady Sketch Show Kiley's Mother Rita Episode: "3rd & Bonaparte Is Always in the Shade" Unbelievable Sarah Episode: "Episode 3" The Conners Carrie Langham Episode: "Smoking Penguins and Santa on Santa Action" 2019-20 Black Monday Ruth Guest Cast: Season 1-2 2021 Sacrifice Carol Steinburg Episode: "Sacrifice" 2021-22 Kenan Bobbi Guest Cast: Season 1-2 2022 This Is Us Edie Recurring Cast: Season 6 Queen Sugar Betty Episode: "We Can Be" 2022-23 Wicked City Tabitha Main Cast: Season 1-2 2022-24 The Black Hamptons Carolyn Britton Main Cast 2023 Grand Crew Brenda Episode: "Wine & Children" 2024 Great Performances Idella Landy Episode: "Purlie Victorious" 2024-25 The Vince Staples Show Anita Recurring Cast

Music video Year Song Artist 1984 "What's Love Got to Do with It" Tina Turner

Awards and nominations Year Awards Category Movie/Serie Outcome 1994 NAACP Image Award NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture What's Love Got to Do with It 1996 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Under One Roof 1997 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special America's Dream 1998 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Orleans 1999 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special 2002 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Boston Public 2004 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The District 2011 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Hawthorne 2020 Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture Harriet