Jenifer Lewis

Born:January 25, 1957

Place of Birth:Kinloch, Missouri, USA

Known For:Acting

Biography

Jenifer Lewis, born on January 25, 1957, has become a household name in the entertainment industry as an American film and television actress and singer. With a career spanning over decades, she has solidified herself as one of Hollywood's most recognizable and talented performers, boasting an impressive repertoire of over 300 appearances in both film and television.

Before gracing the silver screen, Jenifer honed her craft in Broadway musicals and even lent her powerhouse vocals as a backup singer for the iconic Bette Midler. Her breakout roles in films like "Beaches" and "Sister Act" catapulted her into the spotlight, setting the stage for a series of unforgettable performances that would captivate audiences worldwide.

Known for her exceptional portrayal of strong maternal figures, Jenifer delivered unforgettable performances as Tina Turner's mother in "What's Love Got to Do With It" and as Whitney Houston's character's mother in "The Preacher's Wife." Her ability to breathe life into these characters with depth and authenticity showcased her incredible range as an actress.

In Clint Eastwood's film "Hereafter," Jenifer shared the screen with Matt Damon, showcasing her versatility and ability to hold her own alongside Hollywood heavyweights. Collaborating with director Tyler Perry, she brought to life memorable characters in films like "Madea's Family Reunion" and "Meet the Browns," leaving a lasting impact on audiences with her dynamic performances.

Beyond live-action roles, Jenifer's distinctive voice has also left a mark in the world of animated films, enchanting Disney fans globally with her portrayals of characters like "Flo" in "Cars" and "Cars 2," as well as "Mama Odie" in "The Princess and the Frog." Her vocal talents have added an extra layer of charm and charisma to these beloved animated classics.

Throughout her career, Jenifer has graced both the big and small screens, portraying multifaceted characters with depth and authenticity. Her role as "Lana Hawkins" on Lifetime's hit series "Strong Medicine" showcased her dramatic prowess, while her hilarious portrayal of "Ruby Johnson" on the acclaimed show "Black-ish" earned her a nomination for the 2016 Critics Choice Award, solidifying her status as a versatile and talented actress.

In addition to her acting talents, Jenifer is also a published author, having penned two books: "The Mother of Black Hollywood" and "Walking in My Joy: In These Streets." These works offer a glimpse into her life journey, showcasing her resilience, humor, and unwavering spirit both on and off the screen. Jenifer Lewis continues to captivate audiences with her magnetic presence and undeniable talent, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Cars

Flo (voice)

2006

Lightning McQueen, a hotshot rookie race car driven to succeed, discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. On route across the country to the big Piston Cup Championship in California to compete against two seasoned pros, McQueen gets to know the town's offbeat characters.

Cars 2

Flo (voice)

2011

Star race car Lightning McQueen and his pal Mater head overseas to compete in the World Grand Prix race. But the road to the championship becomes rocky as Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage.

The Princess and the Frog

Mama Odie (voice)

2009

A waitress, desperate to fulfill her dreams as a restaurant owner, is set on a journey to turn a frog prince back into a human being, but she has to face the same problem after she kisses him.

Cars 3

Flo (voice)

2017

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician with her own plan to win, inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet, and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn't through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!

Spellbound

Nazara (voice)

2024

When a powerful spell turns her parents into giant monsters, a teenage princess must journey into the wild to reverse the curse before it's too late.

Cast Away

Becca Twig

2000

Chuck Nolan, a top international manager for FedEx, and Kelly, a Ph.D. student, are in love and heading towards marriage. Then Chuck's plane to Malaysia crashes at sea during a terrible storm. He's the only survivor, and finds himself marooned on a desolate island. With no way to escape, Chuck must find ways to survive in his new home.

Shark Tale

Motown Turtle (voice)

2004

Oscar is a small fish whose big aspirations often get him into trouble. Meanwhile, Lenny is a great white shark with a surprising secret that no sea creature would guess: He's a vegetarian. When a lie turns Oscar into an improbable hero and Lenny becomes an outcast, the two form an unlikely friendship.

Sister Act

Michelle

1992

A Reno singer witnesses a mob murder and the cops stash her in a nunnery to protect her from the mob's hitmen. The mother superior does not trust her, and takes steps to limit her influence on the other nuns. Eventually the singer rescues the failing choir and begins helping with community projects, which gets her an interview on TV—and identification by the mob.

The Addams Family

Great Auntie Sloom (Voice)

2019

The Addams family's lives begin to unravel when they face-off against a treacherous, greedy crafty reality-TV host while also preparing for their extended family to arrive for a major celebration.

Blast from the Past

Dr. Aron

1999

Following a bomb scare in the 1960s that locked the Webers into their bomb shelter for 35 years, Adam now ventures forth into Los Angeles to obtain food and supplies for his family, and a non-mutant wife for himself.

The Wedding Ringer

Doris Jenkins

2015

Doug Harris is a loveable but socially awkward groom-to-be with a problem: he has no best man. With less than two weeks to go until he marries the girl of his dreams, Doug is referred to Jimmy Callahan, owner and CEO of Best Man, Inc., a company that provides flattering best men for socially challenged guys in need. What ensues is a hilarious wedding charade as they try to pull off the big con, and an unexpected budding bromance between Doug and his fake best man Jimmy.

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Vegas Backup Singer #1

1993

Deloris Van Cartier is again asked to don the nun's habit to help a run-down Catholic school, presided over by Mother Superior. And if trying to reach out to a class full of uninterested students wasn't bad enough, the sisters discover that the school is due to be closed by the unscrupulous chief of a local authority.

This Is Me…Now

Gemini

2024

An intimate, fantastical and narrative-driven reflection of Jennifer Lopez's journey of self-healing and self-love in an immersive world where music and visuals intertwine, revealing the challenges faced and the triumphs achieved.

Think Like a Man

Loretta Hanover

2012

The balance of power in four couples’ relationships is upset when the women start using the advice in Steve Harvey’s book, Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man, to get more of what they want from their men. When the men realize that the women have gotten a hold of their relationship “playbook,” they decide that the best defense is a good offense and come up with a plan to use this information to their advantage.

Mystery Men

Lucille

1999

When Champion City's hero Captain Amazing is kidnapped by the recently paroled supervillain Casanova Frankenstein, a trio of average, everyday superheroes -- Mr. Furious, the Shoveler and the Blue Raja -- assemble a new super team to save him.

Hereafter

Candace

2010

Three people — a blue-collar American, a French journalist and a London school boy — are touched by death in different ways.

Poetic Justice

Annie

1993

Still grieving after the murder of her boyfriend, hairdresser Justice writes poetry to deal with the pain of her loss. Unable to get to Oakland to attend a convention because of her broken-down car, Justice gets a lift with her friend, Iesha, and Iesha's postal worker boyfriend, Chicago. Along for the ride is Chicago's co-worker, Lucky, to whom Justice grows close after some initial problems. But is she ready to open her heart again?

Think Like a Man Too

Loretta

2014

All the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas, but plans for a romantic weekend go awry when their various misadventures get them into some compromising situations that threaten to derail the big event.

The Mighty

Mrs. Addison

1998

Kevin, an intelligent guy helps out Maxwell to improve his reading skills. In return, Kevin wants Maxwell to take him out places since he is not authorized to go out. Being the social outcasts of the town, Kevin and Maxwell come to realize that they are similar to each other and accept that they are "freaks" and nothing will stop them.

Madea's Family Reunion

Milay Jenay Lori

2006

Southern matriarch Madea has a lot on her plate. Her nieces, Vanessa and Lisa, have relationship troubles - Vanessa moves into Madea's house with her 2 young children and Lisa is engaged to a controlling man that her mother set her up with. In addition, Madea has just been court-ordered to become the guardian of Nikki, a rebellious runaway teenager. Madea must keep the peace and her family together while simultaneously planning her clan's reunion.

Corrina, Corrina

Jevina

1994

When Manny Singer's wife dies, his young daughter Molly becomes mute and withdrawn. To help cope with looking after Molly, he hires sassy housekeeper Corrina Washington, who coaxes Molly out of her shell and shows father and daughter a whole new way of life. Manny and Corrina's friendship delights Molly and enrages the other townspeople.

Renaissance Man

Mrs. Coleman

1994

An advertising man is slowly sliding downhill. When he is fired from his job in Detroit, he signs up for unemployment. One day they find him a job: teaching thinking skills to Army recruits. He arrives on base to find that there is no structure set up for the class.

Meet the Browns

Vera

2008

A single mother living in inner city Chicago, Brenda has been struggling for years to make ends meet and keep her three kids off the street. When she's laid off with no warning, she starts losing hope for the first time - until a letter arrives announcing the death of a father she's never met. Desperate for any kind of help, Brenda takes her family to Georgia for the funeral, but nothing could have prepared her for the Browns, her father's fun-loving, crass Southern clan. In a small-town world full of long afternoons and country fairs, Brenda struggles to get to know the family she never knew existed... and finds a brand new romance that just might change her life.

What's Love Got to Do with It

Zelma Bullock

1993

Singer Tina Turner rises to stardom while mustering the courage to break free from her abusive husband Ike.

Panther

Rita

1995

Panther is a semi-historic film about the origins of The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. The movie spans about 3 years (1966-68) of the Black Panther's history in Oakland. Panther also uses historical footage (B/W) to emphasize some points.

The Preacher's Wife

Margueritte Coleman

1996

Good-natured Reverend Henry Biggs finds that his marriage to choir mistress Julia is flagging, due to his constant absence caring for the deprived neighborhood they live in. On top of all this, his church is coming under threat from property developer Joe Hamilton. In desperation, Biggs prays to God for help – which arrives in the form of an angel named Dudley.

Who's Your Caddy?

C-Note's Mom

2007

Superstar rap mogul C-Note wants to join the Carolina Pines Golf & Country Club, but faces stiff opposition from the establishment's snooty members. C-Note forces the issue by purchasing the land adjacent to the golf course's 17th hole. As the club leaders search for a way to revoke his membership, C-Note realizes his family's honor and golf history are at stake, and digs in for the fight of his life.