Chandra Wilson | |
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Born | Chandra Danette Wilson August 27, 1969 [1] [2] [3] Houston, Texas, U.S. |
Alma mater | New York University (BFA) |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1989–present |
Children | 3 |
Chandra Danette Wilson (born August 27, 1969) is an American actress and director. She is best known for her role as Dr. Miranda Bailey in the ABC television drama Grey's Anatomy since 2005, for which she has been nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series four times. [4] She also played the character of Bailey on Private Practice and Station 19 . [5] She made her New York stage debut in 1991 and began to land guest spots on a variety of prime-time television shows. She made her first film appearance in the 1993 film Philadelphia .
Wilson was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Her mother, a postal worker, wanted to keep her daughter active, so she enrolled Chandra in numerous after-school activities. "Starting at age four, my mom decided that she was not going to have an idle child in the house," Wilson recalls. "So I started taking dance lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then I was in acting classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and I was also modeling on Saturdays. And that was my childhood." "My first show was The King and I when I was five" she said in an interview with Broadway.com. [6]
By the age of five, Wilson was performing in musicals with Houston's Theatre Under the Stars Company. [6] She attended Houston's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts [6] and continued on to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, graduating with a BFA in drama in 1991. For the next four years, from 1991 to 1995, she studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute while at the same time racking up professional theater credits. She made her New York debut in a 1991 production of The Good Times Are Killing Me and won a Theater World Award for Outstanding Debut Performance. Her other early stage credits include off-Broadway productions of Paper Moon: The Musical and Little Shop of Horrors.
While she was making a name for herself on the New York stage, Wilson also began to land guest spots on a variety of prime-time television shows. She appeared on The Cosby Show (1989), Law & Order (1992) and CBS Schoolbreak Special (1992). She made her big-screen debut alongside Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington in the highly acclaimed 1993 film Philadelphia . Despite receiving high praise for nearly all of her performances, however, Wilson struggled for many years to gain more prominent roles. For eight years, while she tried to break into major stardom, Wilson worked part-time as a teller at Deutsche Bank in order to make ends meet.
In 2005, Wilson landed her breakthrough role as Dr. Miranda Bailey on the hit ABC show Grey's Anatomy .
Wilson's first regular network TV role was in the short-lived series Bob Patterson (2001), a post- Seinfeld vehicle for Jason Alexander. In a review for USA Today , Robert Bianco called Wilson "the only person in the show you can imagine wanting to see again". [7] Similarly, the Los Angeles Times said, "The only character here that's amusingly written is Bob's new assistant, Claudia (Chandra Wilson)". [8] She also appeared on Third Watch (2001), Law & Order SVU , Sex and the City (2002), and The Sopranos (2004), and had a small role in Lone Star (1996).
Wilson also had career in theater, where she played Bonna Willis in The Good Times Are Killing Me, [9] and was featured in the Tony-nominated musical Caroline, or Change . Wilson is an accomplished singer and has sung in several productions, including On the Town (1998), Avenue Q (2003) and Caroline, or Change (2004). [6]
Wilson worked as a temp at Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown where she made presentations for the investment banking units. She worked at the Banker's Trust location on 130 Liberty Street, right across the street from the South Tower of the World Trade Center through 9/11 when that building was lost to the terrorist attacks. Wilson was still working at a bank when she auditioned for the Grey's Anatomy pilot. She was cast as Miranda Bailey, a role initially envisioned as a blonde-haired white woman. [10] The show became a success. Wilson was nominated in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 for an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama. She was nominated and won the Screen Actors Guild Award in 2007 for Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series; she also won a SAG Award as part of the Grey's Anatomy cast, which won Best Ensemble in a Drama Series.
Wilson made her television directing debut with the episode "Give Peace a Chance", the 7th episode in season 6 of Grey's Anatomy. She also directed episode 17, "Push", of the same season and the fifth episode of season 7, "Almost Grown", the 21st episode of eight season, "Moment of Truth", "Second Opinion", the 6th episode of ninth season and "Transplant Wasteland", the 17th episode of ninth season. [11] The part of Dr. Bailey, supervisor to the hospital interns, had been written for a petite, blonde-haired white woman, but Wilson, a full-figured African-American woman, gave such an impressive audition that the show's producers decided to give her the part. "Besides," she later joked, "I knew the casting director." Wilson earned rave reviews for her performance as the tough-as-nails Dr. Bailey. Wilson was nominated for four consecutive Emmy Awards (2006-2009) and won four consecutive NAACP Image Awards (2007-2010) for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She also won the 2008 People's Choice Award for Favorite Scene-Stealing Star. In 2009, while still starring on Grey's Anatomy, Wilson took a brief hiatus from the show to go to Broadway as Mama Morton in a revival of Chicago . [6]
Wilson explained the only difference between her acting career now and her acting career a decade ago is that people actually recognize her on the street. "The only difference in my career now is the visibility I have," she insisted. "People say I made it now, but I feel like I made it doing summer stock." She is also clear-headed about the fragility of her new-found fame and fortune. Upon finally leaving her job at Deutsche Bank to focus solely on her role in Grey's Anatomy, Wilson was careful not to burn any bridges. She said, "They told me I could come back if acting doesn't work out. I told them, 'Keep my seat warm.'"
In 2014, Wilson made a guest starring appearance on the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital as patient Tina Estrada. [12] In 2018, she appeared on General Hospital as Dr. Linda Massey. [13] In April 2019, it was announced Wilson will make a third guest star appearance on General Hospital, but this time as Sydney Val Jean in May 2019. [14]
In Parade May 2007 edition, Wilson described herself as "I'm in a relationship, but I'm not married." She has been with her partner for 31 years as of 2019. [15] Wilson and her partner have 3 children; their daughter Serena was born in 1992, daughter Joylin was born in 1998, and son Michael was born on October 31, 2005. [16]
Wilson is an activist for the cause of cyclic vomiting syndrome and serves as the spokesperson for the Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association, as well as, the celebrity ambassador for CureMito! [17] after her teenage daughter, Serena, developed the disease in 2010. [18] For the ninth season of Grey's Anatomy Wilson met with the producers and pitched the idea of featuring cyclic vomiting syndrome in an upcoming episode. [19] The episode, "Second Opinion", aired on November 15, 2012, and was directed by Wilson. [20] [21]
She also is an advocate for people with mental and/or substance use disorders. In 2015, she hosted the 10th Annual Voice Awards event for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. [21]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1990 | Peer Pressure, Drugs and... You | ||
1993 | Mad Dog and Glory | ||
Philadelphia | Chandra | ||
1996 | Lone Star | Athena | |
2003 | Head of State | Jaime | Uncredited |
2005 | I Love the 80's 3-D | Herself | |
2008 | A Single Woman | Coretta Scott King | |
2010 | Frankie and Alice | Maxine | |
2018 | Christmas Harmony | Karen | |
Year | Title | Episode |
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2009–present | Grey's Anatomy |
|
2015–2017 | The Fosters |
|
2015 | Scandal |
|
2019–2022 | Good Trouble |
|
Year | Show | Role | Theatre | Notes |
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1991 | The Good Times are Killing Me | Bonna Willis | Second Stage Theater | Original |
1998 | On the Town | Woman of Carnegie Hall, Flossie's Friend, Person of New York, Lucy Schmeeler understudy | Gershwin Theatre | Original |
2003 | Avenue Q | Gary Coleman understudy | John Golden Theatre | |
2004 | Caroline, or Change | Dotty Moffett | Eugene O'Neill Theatre | Original |
2009 | Chicago | Matron "Mama" Morton | Ambassador Theatre |
Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
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1991 | Theatre World Awards | Performance as Bonna Willis | The Good Times are Killing Me | Won |
2006 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Grey's Anatomy | Nominated |
Image Awards | Nominated | |||
2007 | BET Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | |
Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
Image Awards | Won | |||
Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Television Vision/Mini-Series | Nominated | ||
Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | Won | ||
Outstanding Cast in a Drama Series | Won | |||
2008 | BET Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | |
Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
Image Awards | Won | |||
People's Choice Awards | Favorite Scene Stealing Star | Won | ||
Satellite Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Television Vision/Mini-Series | Nominated | ||
Best Ensemble Cast in a Series | Won | |||
Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Cast in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
2009 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated | |
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie | Accidental Friendship | Nominated | ||
Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | Grey's Anatomy | Won | |
Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series/Television Movie | Accidental Friendship | Nominated | ||
2010 | Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series | "Give Peace a Chance" (Grey's Anatomy) | Won | |
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Grey's Anatomy | Nominated | ||
2011 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
2012 | Nominated | |||
2013 | Nominated | |||
2014 | Nominated | |||
2022 | Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series | Nominated | ||
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series focusing on the personal and professional lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, later named the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The series premiered on March 27, 2005, on ABC as a mid-season replacement. The show's title is an allusion to Gray's Anatomy, a classic human anatomy textbook. Writer Shonda Rhimes developed the pilot and served as showrunner, head writer, and executive producer until stepping down in 2015. Set in Seattle, Washington, the series is filmed primarily in Los Angeles, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia.
Sara Elena Ramírez Vargas is an American actor. Born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Ramírez moved from Mexico to the United States at eight years old, eventually graduating with a fine arts degree from the Juilliard School.
Kathleen Erin Walsh is an American actress and businesswoman. She is best known for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery in the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice (2007–2013).
Katherine Burton is a Welsh actress, the daughter of actors Richard Burton and Sybil Christopher. On television, Burton received critical acclaim as Ellis Grey in the Shonda Rhimes drama series Grey's Anatomy, and as Vice President Sally Langston on Scandal. She has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and three Tony Awards.
The first season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy began airing in the United States on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on March 27, 2005, and concluded on May 22, 2005, and consisted of only nine episodes, making it the shortest season to date. The first season introduces the main character, Meredith Grey, as she enrolls in Seattle Grace Hospital's internship program and faces unexpected challenges and surprises. Season one had nine series regulars, three of whom have been part of the main cast ever since. The season initially served as a mid-season replacement for the legal drama Boston Legal, airing in the Sunday night time slot at 10:00, after Desperate Housewives. Although no clip shows have been produced for this season, the events that occur are recapped in "Straight to Heart", a clip-show which aired one week before the winter holiday hiatus of the second season ended. The season was officially released on DVD as two-disc Region 1 box set under the title of Grey's Anatomy: Season One on February 14, 2006, by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
The second season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy commenced airing on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 25, 2005, and concluded on May 15, 2006. The season was produced by Touchstone Television in conjuction with Shondaland production company and The Mark Gordon Company, the showrunner being Shonda Rhimes. Actors Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, and T. R. Knight reprised their roles as surgical interns Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, Alex Karev, and George O'Malley respectively. Previous main cast members Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Jr., Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey also returned, while Kate Walsh, who began the season in a recurring capacity, was promoted to series-regular status, after appearing in 7 episodes as a guest-star. Internationally, the season was distributed by Buena Vista International Television.
The third season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, commenced airing on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 21, 2006, and concluded on May 17, 2007. The season was produced by Touchstone Television, in association with Shondaland Production Company and The Mark Gordon Company, the showrunner being Shonda Rhimes. Actors Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers and T. R. Knight reprised their roles as surgical interns Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, Alex Karev and George O'Malley, respectively, continuing their expansive storylines as focal points throughout the season. Previous main cast members Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Jr., Kate Walsh, Isaiah Washington, and Patrick Dempsey also returned, while previous guest-stars Sara Ramirez and Eric Dane were promoted to series-regulars, following the extension of their contracts.
Miranda Bailey, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character from the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy, created by Shonda Rhimes and portrayed by Chandra Wilson since the series' debut in 2005. Bailey has appeared in 387 episodes across Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and Station 19 as of October 2021. This makes her the most frequently appearing character in the Grey's Anatomy universe.
Calliope Iphigenia "Callie" Torres, M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on the ABC in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by Sara Ramirez. Introduced in Season 2 as a senior orthopedic resident, Torres initially serves as a love interest for intern George O'Malley. She eventually becomes an attending orthopedic surgeon and was originally contracted as a recurring character, but received star-billing in Season 3.
"A Hard Day's Night" is the pilot episode and series premiere of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, which first aired on March 27, 2005 on ABC. The episode introduces the main characters and surgical interns Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, George O'Malley, and Alex Karev, as they begin their journey into the world of surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital. Other key characters introduced in the episode include Derek Shepherd, Miranda Bailey, Richard Webber and Preston Burke.
The fourth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, commenced airing in the United States on September 27, 2007 and concluded on May 22, 2008. The season continues the story of a group of surgeons and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, describing their professional lives and the way they affect the personal background of each character. Season 4 had 12 series regulars with 10 of them returning from the previous season, out of which 8 are part of the original cast from the first season. The season aired in the Thursday night timeslot at 9:00 EST. In addition to the regular 17 episodes, a clip-show narrated by the editors of People recapped previous events of the show and made the transition from Grey's Anatomy to Private Practice, a spin-off focusing on Dr. Addison Montgomery and aired on September 19, 2007, before the season premiere. The season was officially released on DVD as a 5-disc box-set under the title of Grey's Anatomy: Season Four – Expanded on September 9, 2008 by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
The sixth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, commenced airing on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on September 24, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2010. The season was produced by ABC Studios, in association with Shondaland Production Company and The Mark Gordon Company; the showrunner being Shonda Rhimes and head writer Krista Vernoff. Actors Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, and Justin Chambers reprised their roles as surgical residents Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, and Alex Karev, respectively. Heigl was released from her contract in the middle of the season, while T. R. Knight did not appear as George O'Malley, because Knight was released from his contract at the conclusion of season five. Main cast members Patrick Dempsey, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Jr., Sara Ramirez, Eric Dane, Chyler Leigh, and Kevin McKidd also returned, while previous recurring-star Jessica Capshaw was promoted to a series-regular, and Kim Raver was given star-billing after the commencement of the season.
"Flight" is the twenty-fourth episode and the season finale of the eighth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the show's 172nd episode overall. It was written by series creator Shonda Rhimes, and directed by Rob Corn. The episode was originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on May 17, 2012.
"Give Peace a Chance" is the seventh episode of the sixth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and the 109th episode overall. Written by Peter Nowalk and directed by Chandra Wilson, the episode aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on October 29, 2009.
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The sixth season finale of Grey's Anatomy consisted of two parts, "Sanctuary" and "Death and All His Friends". Both parts, encompassing the twenty-third and twenty-fourth episodes of the season, were written by Shonda Rhimes and originally broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on May 20, 2010. The first hour gained 13 million viewers and the second hour had an audience of 16.13 million viewers. The two-parter was praised by television critics for its writing, and the performances of the cast. It went on to be hailed as one of the best episodes of the series.
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