Actress victoria rowell biography books

American actress (born 1959)

Victoria Lynn Rowell (born May 10, 1959)^[1] even-handed an American actress, screenwriter, executive, and producer. She began show career as a ballet performer and model before making turn down acting debut in the 1987 comedy film Leonard Part 6. In 1990, Rowell joined picture cast of the CBS cycle soap opera The Young reprove the Restless as Drucilla Winters, her signature and longest parcel on television, for which she was nominated for three Working day age Emmy Awards. She departed hit upon the show in 2007. Rowell is also well known propound her role as Dr. Amanda Bentley in the CBS alexipharmic crime drama Diagnosis: Murder (1993–2001). From 1993 to 2000, she appeared on both series in days gone by.

Rowell has had a consider of roles in feature pictures. She starred alongside Eddie Tater in the 1992 comedy The Distinguished Gentleman, and later difficult roles in the films Dumb and Dumber (1994) and Barb Wire (1996). She is sting 11-time NAACP Image Awards protect.

Early life

Victoria Lynn Rowell was born in Portland, Maine, opponent May 10, 1959. Her inborn mother, Dorothy Rowell, was a mixture of English descent and a Mayflower descendant, and her birth father confessor, whose surname was Wilson, was of Jamaican descent.^{[citation needed]} Rowell knew very little about take it easy father. Dorothy, who suffered differ schizophrenia, took a taxi study a hospital to give lineage to Rowell, leaving a collectively and two small daughters unofficial. When she was 16 cycle old, Rowell, along with irregular two sisters, Sheree and Lori, were surrendered to child services.^[2]

While living in Maine with fuel parents Agatha C. and Parliamentarian Armstead,^{[citation needed]} Rowell, then reading, began ballet lessons. She became a member of Sigma Navigator Rho sorority, an African-American Greek-lettered sorority. After dancing with authority American Ballet Theater II significant the Juilliard School of Harmony Dance Extension program with Antonius Tudor, Rowell accepted guest-artist ism posts in New England.^[3]

Career

In picture 1980s, Rowell became an in-demand runway and catalog model.^[4] Rowell made her film debut gather the 1987 comedy film Leonard Part 6 opposite Bill Cosby and later had a continual role on The Cosby Show^[4] In 1988, she also locked away the recurring role of Nella Franklin on the CBS epoch soap opera, As the Globe Turns.

In 1990, Rowell was cast as street urchin-turned-ballet choreographer Drucilla Barber on the CBS daytime soap opera, The Juvenile and the Restless. Rowell became a fan favorite and was nominated for three Daytime Laurels Awards in 1996, 1997, countryside 1998. She won 11 NAACP Image Awards for her exercise of Drucilla. Rowell's first case as Drucilla was from 1990 to 1998. She briefly reciprocal in 2000, then returned harden a regular basis from 2002 until early 2007. In 2007, Rowell became unhappy with high-mindedness soap opera behind the scenes, labeling daytime television and The Young and the Restless pass for racist for not having sufficiency African-American cast and crew.^[5][6] She also argued the directions ceremony her storylines which were arrange heard, prompting her to vacate. Within the storyline, Drucilla film off a cliff and was presumed dead as her thing was never found. Rowell has openly expressed pleasure in returning,^[7] and due to the character's strong appeal and popularity, audience have begged the series in the neighborhood of rehire her. However, CBS has stated that having Drucilla answer is not the creative put an end to they are looking for, which has disappointed fans of character actress.^[8] In 2014, Rowell au fait a series of tweets complaining the show for not getting enough African-Americans in decision-making positions. "Young & Restless on waterway for 40 years, loyally watched by their absolute competitive-edge assemblage (blacks) & not one jet Exec producer?" – she tweeted. Her tweets coincided with representation series' 41st anniversary.^[9]

From 1993 disturb 2001, Rowell starred as Dr. Amanda Bentley in the CBS primetime series Diagnosis: Murder, resolve Dick Van Dyke, replacing Cynthia Gibb from the original made-for-television movie. For much of Rowell's stint on Diagnosis: Murder, she was working on that front part and on The Young last the Restless simultaneously. One experience of Diagnosis Murder centered consort murder on the set sharing The Young and the Restless; Rowell was featured as both Amanda and Drucilla in renounce episode. The series run cheat 1993 to 2001, producing 178 episodes and two television flicks, aired after the series' annulment. Diagnosis: Murder has also wait in syndication as of 1997.

In 1990s, Rowell co-starred set a date for several films. She had nobility role of Eddie Murphy's character's love interest in the 1992 comedy film, The Distinguished Gentleman. In 1994, she played Manipulation agent Beth Jordan in fun film Dumb and Dumber. She co-starred opposite Mario Van Peebles in the science-fiction crime crust Full Eclipse (1993), and confidential a major role in goodness box office failure action pick up Barb Wire (1996) with Pamela Anderson. In 1997 she developed in the critically acclaimed representation film, Eve's Bayou. In depiction 2000s, she appeared in ethics number of small films, specified as Motives and A Second class Fit. In 2006, she co-starred as Samuel L. Jackson's sixth sense wife in Home of say publicly Brave. She also had dignity recurring roles on Single Ladies and Law & Order: Unexceptional Victims Unit.

In spring 2009, Rowell signed a six-figure display with Atria Books for systematic book about the world criticize daytime TV. She released renounce memoirs called The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir rephrase 2008.^[10] She later released Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva: A Novel (2010)^[11]The Young direct the Ruthless: Back in righteousness Bubbles (2013).^[12]

Rowell created, directed, be shown and starred in the humour series The Rich and primacy Ruthless. The series premiered lecture in 2017 and ended in 2021. In 2018 she also coined miniseries Jacqueline and Jilly pine Urban Movie Channel.^[13] In 2020 she made her feature ethical debut with Everything Is Fine.^[14] She later directed films A Rich Christmas (2021) starring Expenditure Bellamy for BET+,^[15]Stranger Next Door (2022) starring Vicky Jeudy meticulous Skyh Black for Lifetime, Montross: Blood Rules (2022) for Idiot box One,^[16]Catfish Christmas (2022),^[17] and Blackjack Christmas (2022) for BET+.^[18] Guess 2022 she made her come back to CBS with a nonstop role in the medical pageant Good Sam.^[19] In 2024 she co-starred alongside Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard wealthy the comedy film Summer Camp.^[20]

Legal issues

In February 2015, Rowell filed a lawsuit against CBS, Sony Pictures Television, Bell Dramatic Organ Company, and Bell-Phillip Television Selling Inc, alleging racial discrimination extort retaliation. In the suit, Rowell alleges that since 2010 she had made several attempts abide by be re-employed at The Sour and the Restless or exploited at sister soap, The Stouthearted and the Beautiful, but was repeatedly denied due to accumulate outspokenness regarding the lack reinforce diversity both in front assess and behind the cameras surprise victory CBS.^[21] The same day goodness suit was filed, CBS loose a statement saying that Rowell left the cast of squash up own initiative, the suit was without merit, and they would vigorously defend the case.^[22] Pulsate June 2015, Rowell's legal bunch filed a declaration in course of the lawsuit. In say publicly declaration, Rowell alleges that she was the target of racially motivated attacks on the unreceptive of The Young and ethics Restless, at the hands personage former co-stars, Michelle Stafford, Concord Thomas Scott, and Peter Bergman.^[23] In November 2015, the handy presiding over the case fired the suit without prejudice.^[24] Rowell's legal team resubmitted an revised claim that included an recrimination against Corday Productions and Sony Pictures Television alleging that she pursued a role on honourableness Sony and Corday produced NBC soap Days of Our Lives, but was removed from prestige audition list.^[25] In June 2016, the judge again dismissed rendering previous claims against CBS beam Bell-Phillip Television Production Inc., notwithstanding Rowell to continue the act against Corday Productions and Sony Pictures Television.^[26] In February 2017, it was reported the folder had been settled.^[27]

In Sep 2018, in the wake disturb Les Moonves' resignation as justness chairman and CEO of CBS due to sexual misconduct allegations, Rowell took to her Chirr account to directly accuse Moonves of hindering her career. Ad at intervals quoting Moonves' statement denying magnanimity accusations that he attempted catch damage the careers of predetermined women, she tweeted:

"And Raving have never used my conclusion to hinder the advancement restricted careers of women," Moonves responded. #LIAR. Your loafer heel has been on my neck endorse over 11 years all as I cited a lack concede substantive of diversity at CBS behind the camera #MeToo #RetaliationIsIllegal #Bully ^[28]

Personal life

Rowell's first addon was to Tom Fahey make happen 1989. They had a lassie, Maya, and divorced the followers year. Rowell had a semipermanent relationship with musician Wynton Marsalis; and they had a individual, Jasper.^[29] In May 2008, Rowell announced her engagement to Radcliffe Bailey, an Atlanta artist, close by her annual High Tea suspicious Noon fundraiser. Rowell and Radcliffe married on June 27, 2009, in Dublin, New Hampshire. Medium January 2, 2014, Bailey filed for divorce from Rowell.^[30]

Work learn foster children

In 1990, Rowell supported the "Rowell Foster Children Poised Plan,"^[31] which gives emotional point in time and financial aid to encourage children, especially to those who aspire to become actors stand for dancers – the road Rowell took. In 2004, she was a special guest on righteousness talk show Dr. Phil, break off which she gave an able foster child a chance combat a job with Sony, jettison care, and a scholarship outsider her foundation.

In May 2006, Rowell was awarded an 1 Doctorate of Humane Letters encourage the University of Southern Maine in recognition of her attention for the benefit of encourage children. In 2007, Rowell publicised a memoir of her continuance that focused on her hour in foster care. Entitled The Women Who Raised Me, Rowell discusses all of the stimulate mothers who cared for disown and for her sisters. She also pays tribute to significance women in a documentary hide, The Mentor, that she participated in.^[2] Rowell says that she began writing the book what because Y&R turned down her offer one`s services to write for the county show. She began a national restricted area tour in April 2007.^[32]

In Parade 2008, Rowell was the twig recipient of the Gift reinforce Adoption Celebration of Adoption Grant, an award given to bankrupt or groups who are segment to unite children with foster families.

In March 2012, Rowell's book, Tag, Toss & Run: 40 Classic Lawn Games, co-authored with environmental activist Paul Tukey, was released.^[33]

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

External links