Telma Hopkins

Last updated

Telma Hopkins
Telma Hopkins By Voelker.jpg
Hopkins in 2008
Born
Telma Louise Hopkins

(1948-10-28) October 28, 1948 (age 76) [1]
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1967–present
Known for Bosom Buddies
Gimme a Break!
Family Matters
Half & Half
Spouse
Donald B. Allen
​
​
(m. 1970;div. 1977)​
Children1

Telma Louise Hopkins (born October 28, 1948) [1] is an American actress and pop singer. Hopkins rose to prominence as a member of the pop group Tony Orlando and Dawn, who had several number-one songs. [2] She also performed on the CBS variety show Tony Orlando and Dawn from 1974 until 1976 along with Tony Orlando and Joyce Vincent Wilson. In the late 1970s, Hopkins began working as an actress, playing roles on various sitcoms. In the 1980s-1990s, Hopkins endured longer sitcom roles as Isabelle Hammond on Bosom Buddies (1980–82), Adelaide "Addy" Wilson on Gimme a Break! (1983–87) and Family Matters (1989–1997) as Rachel Baines–Crawford.

Contents

As lead actress, Hopkins starred on Getting By from 1993 to 1994. In recent years, Hopkins was a regular cast member on Half & Half (2002–06) portraying Phyllis Thorne, Are We There Yet? (2010–13), and short-lived Partners (2014). In film, Hopkins co-starred in 1984 science fiction film Trancers and in its sequels Trancers II (1991) and Trancers III (1992), as well as appearing in The Wood (1999) and The Love Guru (2008).

Early life

Hopkins was born on October 28, 1948 in Louisville, Kentucky to Louise (Kinkaid). Hopkins was raised by her grandmother in Highland Park, Michigan, a city located in the Metro Detroit area. Lacking an interest in acting during her childhood, she decided to pursue her dreams of singing. [3] [4]

Career

Music

Hopkins (left) with Tony Orlando and Dawn, 1974. Tony Orlando and Dawn 1974.JPG
Hopkins (left) with Tony Orlando and Dawn, 1974.

Hopkins started her career as a background singer in Detroit, singing background on Golden World, Motown, Invictus Records, and Hot Wax Records hits. She appeared on such classics as Freda Payne's "Band of Gold" and Isaac Hayes' "Theme from Shaft" and working with legendary artists like the Four Tops and Marvin Gaye.

Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson were recruited by Tony Orlando to form the vocal group Dawn. As a recording act, Tony Orlando and Dawn would have much success throughout the second half of the 1970s, releasing 16 top-40 singles, three of which reached #1, and starring in a CBS variety show (titled Tony Orlando and Dawn) from 1974 to 1976. In 1977, Tony Orlando and Dawn announced their retirement. [2]

Television and film

In 1979, Hopkins made her acting debut playing Daisy in the ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations . Later that year, she co-starred alongside Eileen Brennan on the short-lived ABC sitcom A New Kind of Family . The following year, she was cast opposite Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari in another ABC sitcom, Bosom Buddies . The series was cancelled in 1982 after two seasons.

In 1983, Hopkins joined the cast of NBC sitcom Gimme a Break! starring Nell Carter. [5] She played Adelaide "Addy" Wilson, Nell's childhood friend, until the series finale in 1987.

In 1989, Hopkins began starring as Rachel Baines-Crawford in the ABC sitcom Family Matters . She left the series after four seasons as a regular cast member, to star (with Cindy Williams) as the co-lead of the sitcom Getting By which aired for two seasons (one on ABC, the other on NBC) from 1993 to 1994. [6] She later returned to Family Matters, making recurring appearances in the sixth season and guest-starring in the Season 9 Christmas episode "Deck the Malls" in 1997.

In later years, she appeared as Richard T. Jones' mother in the romantic comedy The Wood (1999), and played Romany Malco's mother in the comedy film The Love Guru (2008). She appeared in JD Lawrence's stage play The Clean Up Woman in October 2008. [7]

From 2002 to 2006, she starred in the UPN sitcom Half & Half alongside Rachel True, Essence Atkins and Valarie Pettiford. She also had recurring roles on The Hughleys and Any Day Now . From 2010 to 2013, she co-starred alongside Terry Crews and Essence Atkins in the TBS sitcom Are We There Yet? . [8]

In 2014, she played Martin Lawrence's mother on the FX sitcom Partners . [9] [10] In 2016, she was cast as Jerrika Hinton's mother in the ABC comedy pilot Toast, produced by ShondaLand. [11]

In May 2021, it was announced Hopkins had been cast in the role of Denise Tolliver on The Young and the Restless , reuniting her with Family Matters co-star Bryton James. [12]

Personal life and other work

Hopkins was married to Donald B. Allen from 1970 until 1977. [6] Together, they have a son.

She often volunteers for charitable causes. She has worked with Caring for Babies with AIDS, Act on Arthritis and the Parent–teacher association. She also mentors children. [13]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1982 The Kid with the Broken Halo Gail DesautelTelevision film
1984 Trancers Ruth "Ruthie" Raines
1988 Pulse Pounders Ruth "Ruthie" RainesCameo
1990 Vital Signs Dr. Kennan
1990 How to Murder a MillionaireTeresa
1991 Trancers II Ruth "Ruthie" Raines
1992 Trancers III Ruth "Ruthie" Raines
1999 The Wood Mrs. Hightower
2001 Down to Earth Woman in AudienceCameo
2001RainShort film
2008 The Love Guru Lillian Roanoke
2013 Trancers: City of Lost Angels Ruth "Ruthie" RainesShort film
2015Welcome to the FamilyDeborahTelevision film
2018 Running out of Time Dolly
2021 The Matrix Resurrections Freya
2024 Brewster's Millions: Christmas Mrs. Brewster

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1974–1976 Tony Orlando and Dawn Herself
1979 Roots: The Next Generations DaisyMiniseries
1979 Marie K.C. JonesEpisode: "Pilot"
1979–1980 A New Kind of Family Jess AshtonSeries regular, 5 episodes
1980–1982 Bosom Buddies Isabelle HammondSeries regular, 37 episodes
1982–1983 The New Odd Couple Frances2 episodes
1984 Fantasy Island Doris WilsonEpisode: "Bojangles and the Dancer/Deuces Are Wild"
1979–1985 The Love Boat Various4 episodes
1983–1987 Gimme a Break! Addy WilsonSeries regular, 68 episodes
1986–1987RosieJoanne Dele Green3 episodes
1988 Amen Charlotte HollowayEpisode: "Wedding Bell Blues"
1989–1997 Family Matters Rachel CrawfordSeries regular
1993–1994 Getting By Dolores DixonSeries regular
1995 Women of the House Officer RhodaEpisode: "The Conjugal Cottage"
1996 Spider-Man Ms. FarrellVoice, episode: "Rocket Racer" [14]
1997 The Nanny Lila BakerEpisode: "Fran's Roots"
1998 ER CarleneEpisode: "Think Warm Thoughts"
1999 Batman Beyond Mrs. GibsonVoice, episode: "Hooked Up" [14]
1999–2001 The Hughleys Paulette Williams5 episodes
2000 Histeria! Rosa Parks Voice, episode: "Heroes of Truth and Justice" [14]
2000 Static Shock Mrs. BarnettVoice, episode: "The Breed" [14]
2000 Suddenly Susan DeniseEpisode: "The Reversal"
2000–2001 Any Day Now Judge Wilma Evers4 episodes
2001 For Your Love Miss HopeEpisode: "The Next Best Thing"
2002–2006 Half & Half Phyllis ThorneSeries regular
2008 Psych Phylis GaffneyEpisode: "There's Something About Mira"
2010–2013 Are We There Yet? Marilyn PersonsSeries regular
2013 Getting On Beverly RaymesEpisode: "Born on the Fourth of July"
2014 Partners Ruth JacksonSeries regular
2012–2014 Lab Rats Grandma Rose Dooley3 episodes
2015 K.C. Undercover Miss HolleyEpisode: "Debutante Baller"
2016 2 Broke Girls PilarEpisode: "And the Rom-Commie"
2019–2022 Dead to Me Yolanda5 episodes
2019 The Loud House MaybelleVoice, 2 episodes [14]
2019–2022 Family Reunion MaybelleRecurring role
2019–2022 The Casagrandes MaybelleVoice, recurring role [14]
2021 The Young and the Restless Denise Tolliver 5 episodes
2021 Rugrats CelesteVoice, episode: "Goodbye Reptar"
2023 Not Dead Yet Susie IrvingEpisode: "Not Well Yet"
2024 That Girl Lay Lay G-Ma MargueriteEpisode: "Granny Fae Fae's Back to Play Play"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helen Hunt</span> American actress and director

Helen Elizabeth Hunt is an American actress and director. Her accolades include an Academy Award, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katey Sagal</span> American actress (born 1954)

Catherine Louise Sagal is an American actress and singer. She is known for playing Peggy Bundy on Married... with Children (1987–1997), Leela on Futurama, Cate Hennessy on 8 Simple Rules (2002–2005), Gemma Teller Morrow on the FX series Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014), for which she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 2011, and Louise Goldufski-Conner on The Conners (2018–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katherine Helmond</span> American actress (1929–2019)

Katherine Marie Helmond was an American actress. Over an acting career spanning six decades, she was best known for her starring role as Jessica Tate on the sitcom Soap (1977–1981) and her co-starring role as Mona Robinson on Who's the Boss? (1984–1992). Helmond also played Doris Sherman on Coach (1995–1997) and Lois Whelan on Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2004). She also appeared as a guest on several talk and variety shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phylicia Rashad</span> American actress (born 1948)

Phylicia Rashad is an American actress. She was most recently dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University before her three-year contract ended in May 2024. She is best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992) which earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations in 1985 and 1986. She also played Ruth Lucas on Cosby (1996–2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wendie Malick</span> American actress (born 1950)

Wendie Malick is an American actress and former fashion model, known for her roles in various television comedies. She starred as Judith Tupper Stone in the HBO sitcom Dream On, and as Nina Van Horn in the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me!, for which she was nominated for two Primetime Emmys and a Golden Globe Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sanaa Lathan</span> American actress (born 1971)

Sanaa McCoy Lathan is an American actress. She is the daughter of actress Eleanor McCoy and film director Stan Lathan. Her career began after she appeared in the shows In the House, Family Matters, NYPD Blue, and Moesha. Lathan later garnered further prominence after starring in the 1998 superhero film Blade, which followed with film roles in The Best Man (1999), Love & Basketball (2000), Disappearing Acts (2000), and Brown Sugar (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Orlando and Dawn</span> American pop group

Tony Orlando and Dawn is an American pop music group that was popular in the 1970s, composed of singer Tony Orlando and the backing vocal group Dawn. Their signature hits include "Candida", "Knock Three Times", "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree", "Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose", and "He Don't Love You ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marla Gibbs</span> Actress, entertainer, singer, writer, and producer (born 1931)

Marla Gibbs is an American actress, singer, comedian, writer, and television producer whose career spans seven decades. Gibbs is known for her role as George Jefferson's maid, Florence Johnston, on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons (1975–1985), for which she received five nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erika Alexander</span> American actress (born 1969)

Erika Rose Alexander is an American actress, writer, producer, entrepreneur and activist best known for her roles as Pam Tucker on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1990–1992), and Maxine Shaw on the Fox sitcom Living Single (1993–1998). She has won numerous awards for her work on Living Single, including two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. Her film credits include The Long Walk Home (1990), 30 Years to Life (2001), Déjà Vu (2006), Get Out (2017), American Refugee (2021), Earth Mama (2023) and American Fiction (2023), for which she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Performance.

<i>Bosom Buddies</i> 1980–1982 American situation comedy television series

Bosom Buddies is an American television sitcom starring Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari created by Robert L. Boyett, Thomas L. Miller and Chris Thompson. It aired on Thursday nights for two seasons on ABC from November 27, 1980, to March 27, 1982, and in reruns in the summer of 1984 on NBC. The show features the misadventures of two single men, working in creative advertising, struggling in their industry while disguising themselves as women in order to live in the one apartment they could afford. Gender stereotypes and male/female interpersonal relationships were frequent themes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swoosie Kurtz</span> American actress (born 1944)

Swoosie Kurtz is an American actress. She is the recipient of an Emmy Award and two Tony Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connie Britton</span> American actress (born 1967)

Connie Britton is an American actress. Britton made her feature film debut in the independent comedy-drama film The Brothers McMullen (1995), and the following year, she was cast as Nikki Faber on the ABC sitcom Spin City. She later starred in the short-lived sitcoms The Fighting Fitzgeralds (2001) and Lost at Home (2003), and appeared in several films, most notably the sports drama film Friday Night Lights (2004) and the thriller film The Last Winter (2006).

Cynthia Stevenson is an American actress. She first played a leading role in the syndicated parody comedy series My Talk Show (1990–91), before starring in a number of sitcoms, including Bob, Hope & Gloria, and Oh Baby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holland Taylor</span> American actress (born 1943)

Holland Taylor is an American actress. She won the 1999 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Judge Roberta Kittleson on ABC's The Practice (1998–2003) and she received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her role as Evelyn Harper on Two and a Half Men (2003–15).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon Lawrence</span> American actress (born 1961)

Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence is an American actress. From 1993 to 1999, she starred as Sylvia Costas in the ABC drama series, NYPD Blue. The role garnered her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, and Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama. She received three additional Emmy Awards nominations for her later television performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheryl Lee Ralph</span> American actress and singer (born 1956)

Sheryl Lee Ralph is an American actress and singer. Known for her performances on stage and screen, she earned acclaim for her role as Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls (1981), for which she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Since 2021 she has starred as Barbara Howard on the ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, becoming the first Black woman in 35 years to win the award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deborah Rush</span> American actress

Deborah Rush is an American actress. She has worked in television, film and on Broadway. In 1984, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for Michael Frayn's comedy Noises Off.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joyce Vincent Wilson</span> American singer

Joyce Vincent Wilson is an American singer, best known as part of the group Tony Orlando and Dawn. Wilson was later in Former Ladies of the Supremes, despite not being a member of the vocal group, although, she was considered to be the replacement for Mary Wilson of The Supremes in 1977, but with Wilson being the lone original member still in the group, management shut down the Supremes instead.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Lowes</span> American actress and theater director (born 1982)

Katie Quinn Lowes is an American actress and theater director. She is best known for her role as Quinn Perkins in the ABC political drama series Scandal (2012–2018) and her portrayal of Rachel DeLoache Williams in the Netflix drama series Inventing Anna (2022).

<i>Partners</i> (2014 TV series) 2014 American TV series or program

Partners is an American sitcom starring Kelsey Grammer and Martin Lawrence that aired on FX. The show centers on two Chicago lawyers from vastly different backgrounds who develop a partnership after they unexpectedly meet in court on the worst day of their lives. This was Lawrence's first TV series since his eponymous Fox series ended its five-season run in 1997.

References

  1. 1 2 McCann, Bob (December 21, 2009). Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television. McFarland. ISBN   978-0-7864-5804-2 . Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Steve Huey. "Dawn". AllMusic. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  3. ↑ Villasenor, Ann (January 23, 1994). "WITH AN EYE ON ... : Telma Hopkins, the accidental actress with a message to tell". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  4. ↑ Barrow, Genoa (December 5, 2002). "Entertainment veteran Telma Hopkins serves children, needy in hands-on manner" . New York Amsterdam News . 93 (49): 47.
  5. ↑ "Losing Job Was Her Best Break Telma Hopkins Has Made The Switch From Singer To Actress". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Archived from the original on January 5, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "WITH AN EYE ON ... : Telma Hopkins, the accidental actress with a message to tell". Los Angeles Times . January 23, 1994. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  7. ↑ Parker, Karlayne (July 27, 2008). "Performing helped J.D. Lawrence with speech impediment". The Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on December 26, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Are We There Yet?". TV Series Finale. August 6, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  9. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (December 16, 2013). "Telma Hopkins Set as Martin Lawrence's Mother in FX Comedy (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  10. ↑ "EW Community". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  11. ↑ Schaefer, Megan (April 7, 2016). "'Grey's Anatomy' Cast Reunites In Set Photo From New Shonda Rhimes Comedy 'Toast'". International Business Times . Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  12. ↑ "See a Family Matters reunion on The Young and the Restless". Entertainment Weekly . May 24, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Articles About Telma Hopkins". Family Matters Fansite. November 12, 2003. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Telma Hopkins (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 27, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.