Vanessa Bell Calloway

Last updated

Vanessa Bell Calloway
Vanessa Bell Calloway 10.jpg
Bell Calloway in 2010
Born
Vanessa Bell

(1957-03-20) March 20, 1957 (age 68)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Alma mater Ohio University
OccupationActress
Years active1985–present
Spouse
Anthony Calloway
​
(m. 1988)​
Children2
Website vanessabellcalloway.com

Vanessa Bell Calloway ( née 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.

Contents

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. [1] 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 . [2] [3] 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 . [4]

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 . [5] 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. [6] 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).

Bell Calloway in 2007 Vanessa Bell Calloway.jpg
Bell Calloway in 2007

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 [7] as Lady Ella Johnson, the widow of pastor and manipulative "First Lady of the Church". [8] 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. [9] 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 . [10] She reprised her role as Imani Izzi in the 2021 sequel, Coming 2 America . [11] The following year she was cast in the BET+ crime drama series, The Black Hamptons . [12]

In 2023, Bell Calloway made her directorial debut with the drama film Black Girl Erupted for BET Her. [13]

Personal life

Bell Calloway married anesthesiologist Dr. Anthony Calloway in 1988. They have two daughters, Ashley and Alexandra. [14] Ashley was one of the stars of the BET series Baldwin Hills which originally ran from 2007 until 2009. [15]

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. [14]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1987 Number One with a Bullet Woman
1988 The Return of Desperado Molly PickettTV movie
Coming to America Princess Imani Izzi
The LonerCarverTV movie
1989 Polly Nancy DoddsTV movie
A Little Bit StrangeMarilyn McClane-MastersonTV movie
Death Spa Marci Hewitt
1990Piece of CakeDoreenTV movie
1992MemphisMartha KinshipTV movie
Stompin' at the Savoy DorothyTV movie
Bebe's Kids Jamika (voice)
Why Colors?-Short
1993 What's Love Got to Do with It Jackie
1994 The Inkwell Francis Phillips
1995 Crimson Tide Julia Hunter
1996 America's Dream Miss Dina WilliamsTV movie
Daylight Grace Calloway
The Cherokee Kid Abby HolsoppleTV movie
1998Archibald the Rainbow PainterDiana
When It ClicksCatherine DouglassShort
2000A Private AffairNikita HarrellTV movie
Love Song Evie LivingstonTV movie
2001 The Brothers Dr. Thelma Woolridge
All About You Donna
2002The Red SneakersBernieceTV movie
Dawg Christine Hodges
2003 Biker Boyz Anita
Love Don't Cost a Thing Vivian Johnson
Cheaper by the Dozen Diana Philips
2004Pryor Offenses'GertrudeTV movie
2007Stompin'Mrs. Jackson
2008 Lakeview Terrace Aunt Dorrie
2009Truly BlessedLynda
Aussie and Ted's Great AdventureMrs. Jones
The Killing of WendyWendy
Applause for Miss EMiss ETV movie
2012 The Last Fall Marie Bishop
A Beautiful Soul Guardian Angel
The Obama Effect Molly Thomas
The Undershepherd Deaconess Carter
2013Between SistersLilianTV movie
Holla IIMarion
2014The DivorceEvaTV movie
2015To Hell and BackColleenTV movie
Emergency ContactRuthie BiltmoreTV movie
About ScoutFaith Price
The Bricks: White BettySharonShort
2016 Southside with You Marian Shields Robinson
LarkAzizaShort
Love Under New Management: The Miki Howard Story Josephine Howard
Post LifeDiane McIntoshShort
The Bounce Back Ellen
LAPD African CopsOfficer Collins
2017 The Preacher's Son Elena
Message from a MistressHeather
Girl MinusIvys Mom
2018Love, Once and AlwaysIsabelTV movie
Dragged Across Concrete Jennifer Johns
Unbroken: Path to Redemption Lila Burkholder
Thriller Mrs. Jackson
Her Only ChoiceDr. Bailey
Throwback HolidayMildred Anderson
The Counter: 1960NicoleShort
2019 American Skin Bernice
Harriet Rit Ross
2021 Saints & Sinners Judgment Day EllaTV movie
Coming 2 America Princess Imani Izzi
BabyJackieShort
A Holiday ChanceSheryl Chance
2022StarkeishaThe VoiceShort
The Devil You KnowDella Cowans
MosquitoEve
2023Black Girl EruptedDr. Rebecca Francis
Under the Boardwalk Val (voice)
2025 One of Them Days Mama Ruth
333GrettaShort

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985 All My Children Yvonne CaldwellRegular Cast
Days of Our Lives Denise PrestonRegular Cast
1986 The Colbys Lowell ShermanEpisode: "The Trial"
Simon & Simon JulieEpisode: "Act Five"
Falcon Crest NurseEpisode: "Double Jeopardy"
1987 227 SherryEpisode: "The Honeymoon's Over"
1988 Days of Our Lives CharleneRegular Cast
1989 Webster DeniceEpisode: "A-Camping We Will Go"
In the Heat of the Night Audrey MooreEpisode: "Accused"
Disneyland NancyEpisode: "Polly"
1st & Ten Della KingEpisode: "Final Bow" & "Out of the Past"
1990 Dragnet ReceptionistEpisode: "Millie"
Max Monroe: Loose Cannon Velma JonesEpisode: "Freaks"
Equal Justice Delia WayneRecurring Cast: Season 1
The Tracey Ullman Show Cindy #4Episode: "Episode #4.23"
China Beach Sweet HulaEpisode: "One Giant Leap"
A Different World Lily ConnorsEpisode: "A Campfire Story"
1991 L.A. Law Robyn EdwardsEpisode: "Splatoon"
Father Dowling Mysteries Dr. Emily StoneEpisode: "The Monkey Business Mystery"
The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage ReneEpisode: "Look for the Union Label"
Doctor Doctor Gail ButterfieldEpisode: "Butterfields Are Free"
A Different World Danielle VinsonEpisode: "The Cash Isn't Always Greener"
1992 Dream On JeanetteEpisode: "Red All Over" & "The Guilty Party"
1992-93 Rhythm & Blues Colette HawkinsMain Cast
1993 The Sinbad Show Michelle MichaelsEpisode: "The Par-tay"
Where I Live DeliaEpisode: "The Big Easy"
1995 Under One Roof Maggie LangstonMain Cast
Touched by an Angel Debra WillisEpisode: "The Driver"
1996 Intimate Portrait HerselfEpisode: "Vanessa Williams"
1997 Orleans Rosalee ClarkMain Cast
Sparks MoniqueEpisode: "Too Hot Not to Cool Down"
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Princess Katusha (voice)Episode: "The Golden Goose"
1998 Nickelodeon Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal HerselfEpisode: "First Time"
Prey GraceEpisode: "Revelations" & "Infiltration"
The Gregory Hines Show Kyra LewisEpisode: "Wahunthra"
Moesha Dr. Madeline WoodsEpisode: "Psyche Your Mind"
The Temptations Johnnie Mae Matthews Episode: "Part I & II"
1999 Intimate Portrait HerselfEpisode: "Star Jones"
Malcolm & Eddie Vina JensenEpisode: "Daddio"
2001 Diagnosis: Murder Mrs. CalenderEpisode: "No Good Deed"
Boston Public Mrs. Michelle RonningRecurring Cast: Season 1
The Division DanaEpisode: "The First Hit's Free, Baby"
2002 One on One Michelle McCallEpisode: "The Way You Make Me Feel"
The Parkers AlainaEpisode: "And the Winner Is..."
2003-04 10-8: Officers on Duty Gina BarnesRecurring Cast
The District Gwen HendrixRecurring Cast: Season 4
2004 CSI: Miami Tonya WashingtonEpisode: "Speed Kills"
Strong Medicine Melanie RhodesEpisode: "Foreign Bodies"
2005Black in the 80sHerselfEpisode: "Color in Film"
Joan of Arcadia Corey PhillipsEpisode: "Shadows and Light"
2006 The Closer Lynn TalmadgeEpisode: "Slippin'"
All of Us Marvella JamesEpisode: "Like Father, Like Son... Like Hell!" & "My Two Dads"
2009 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Judge Gina HimmelEpisode: "Miscarriage of Justice"
Cold Case Geraldine Watkins (1970)Episode: "Soul"
2010 Dexter Dr. Vanessa AbramsEpisode: "Practically Perfect"
Outlaw -Episode: "In Re: Kelvin Jones"
2010-11 Hawthorne Gail StrummerRecurring Cast: Season 2–3
2011 Detroit 1-8-7 Bonnie McCordEpisode: "Stone Cold"
Let's Stay Together MimiEpisode: "Daddy's Home"
Harry's Law Judge Jude CampbellEpisode: "Queen of Snark" & "Insanity"
2011-21 Shameless Carol FisherRecurring Cast: Season 1 & 3-6 & 11, Guest: Season 2 & 10
2012 Ringer Agent Royce WieglerEpisode "I'm the Good Twin"
Go On Joyce GoldEpisode: "Videogame, Set, Match" & "Dinner Takes All"
2012-13 Rizzoli & Isles A.D.A. Edna CallowayRecurring Cast: Season 3, Guest: Season 4
2013Life AfterHerselfEpisode: "Sheryl Lee Ralph: Life After Dreamgirls"
Castle Beryl WickfieldEpisode: "Time Will Tell"
2014RoomieloverfriendsHerselfEpisode: "Episode #3.4"
NCIS Sally HammondEpisode: "Crescent City: Part 1"
Reckless Judge Ella KressEpisode: "Parting Shots"
Almost HomeJocelyn SandersEpisode: "She Wants That Old Thing Back..."
2015 Murder in the First Veronza ErvinEpisode: "Oh, Mexico" & "Out of the Shadows"
Real Husbands of Hollywood Trina's MotherEpisode: "When Kevin Met Salli"
Hand of God Eunetta GrahamEpisode: "He So Loved" & "The Tie That Binds"
In the Cut SamanthaEpisode: "Like Father, Like Son"
2016 Unsung Hollywood HerselfEpisode: "Vanessa Bell Calloway"
Grey's Anatomy Lucinda GambleRecurring Cast: Season 12
2016-22 Saints & Sinners Lady Ella JohnsonMain Cast
2017BeingHerselfEpisode: "Vanessa Bell Calloway"
Survivor's Remorse Camille JordanRecurring Cast: Season 4
2018 Love Is 'Wiser' AngelaEpisode: "(Her) Questions"
2019 Rel NancyEpisode: "Mom"
A Black Lady Sketch Show Kiley's Mother RitaEpisode: "3rd & Bonaparte Is Always in the Shade"
Unbelievable SarahEpisode: "Episode 3"
The Conners Carrie LanghamEpisode: "Smoking Penguins and Santa on Santa Action"
2019-20 Black Monday RuthGuest Cast: Season 1-2
2021 Sacrifice Carol SteinburgEpisode: "Sacrifice"
2021-22 Kenan BobbiGuest Cast: Season 1-2
2022 This Is Us EdieRecurring Cast: Season 6
Queen Sugar BettyEpisode: "We Can Be"
2022-23 Wicked City TabithaMain Cast: Season 1-2
2022-24 The Black Hamptons Carolyn BrittonMain Cast
2023 Grand Crew BrendaEpisode: "Wine & Children"
2024 The Vince Staples Show AnitaRecurring Cast
Great Performances Idella LandyEpisode: "Purlie Victorious"

Music video

YearSongArtist
1984"What's Love Got to Do with It" Tina Turner

Awards and nominations

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

References

  1. ↑ "Calloway, Vanessa Bell 1957-". Encyclopedia.com . Cengage.
  2. ↑ "Outstanding accomplishments: Ohio University's Greek community honors three alumni". ohiou.edu. Archived from the original on June 26, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Official biography". vanessabellcalloway.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
  4. ↑ The Broadway League. "Vanessa Bell Callaway - IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information" . Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Vanessa Bell Calloway". The New York Times . Accessed December 11, 2022.
  6. ↑ "New Black Series Is Hanging On". The New York Times. April 11, 1995. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  7. ↑ Tambay A. Obenson (January 12, 2016). "Bounce TV Enters Original Hour-Long Drama Series Programm - Shadow and Act". Shadow and Act. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  8. ↑ Stephanie Stephens (March 4, 2016). "Vanessa Bell Calloway: First Lady of New Saints & Sinners Drama". Parade. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  9. ↑ Todd McCarthy (January 24, 2016). "'Southside With You': Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  10. ↑ "'Harriet' Biopic: Vanessa Bell Calloway, Zackary Momoh, Vondie Curtis-Hall And Deborah Ayorinde Added To Cast". shadowandact.com. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  11. ↑ Kroll, Justin (August 13, 2019). "'Coming 2 America': Vanessa Bell Calloway to Reprise Original Role (EXCLUSIVE)".
  12. ↑ Haring, Bruce (March 10, 2022). "'Carl Weber's The Black Hamptons' Limited Series Set For BET Bow".
  13. ↑ Cordero, Rosy (April 4, 2023). "BET Her Greenlights Film 'Black Girl, Erupted' From Vanessa Bell Calloway & Tressa Azarel Smallwood".
  14. 1 2 Bell Calloway, Vanessa; Parker, Najja (October 16, 2015). "In Her Words: Vanessa Bell Calloway Shares Her Breast Cancer Survival Story". Ebony . Retrieved November 1, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ↑ "Bet's 'Baldwin Hills' Returns With Fresh Faces and New Drama". lasentinel.net. July 10, 2008. Archived from the original on September 16, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2008.

Vanessa was a member of Cleveland’s Karamu Dancers, at Karamu House, in the early 1970’s. She received her basic dance training in Eric Hawkins technique from Joan Hartshorne, a former Jose Limon dancer.

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