african american female actress who played on a series as a lawyer

What are some good TV shows about African American lawyers?

Sep 24, 2014 · Maxine Shaw, attorney-at-law on the 1990’s Living Single, was one of TV’s funniest slick-tongued lawyers. Played by Alexander, Maxine initially worked for the firm Evans & Bell but was fired in the...

Are there any TV shows about female lawyers?

Oct 11, 2016 · Series about Joan Clayton, an African American corporate attorney in L.A. and her three closest friends. Features Tracee Ellis Ross as Joan. Girls' Club (Fox TV, 2002--). This new series by David E. Kelley stars Gretchen Mol, Kathleen Robertson and Chyler Leigh as ambitious young attorneys in San Francisco. Premieres October 21st.

Are there any TV shows starring black women?

Kerry Washington is an African-American actress, television show producer and film director who is known for her roles in Scandal, Ray, the Tim Story Fantastic Four film series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Confirmation, Django Unchained, Little Fires Everywhere, Cars 3 and The Last King of Scotland. She ...

Who are some famous female lawyers?

This legal drama starring Viola Davis debuted in 2014. It focuses on lawyer and law professor Annalise Keating (Davis) and the morally questionable situations in which she and the law students she employs find themselves. ABC comes on right after "Scandal," but "Murder" has arguably garnered more critical acclaim, including an Emmy for Davis in 2015. It marked the …

What was that TV show with female lawyer?

Ally McBealAlly McBealGenreLegal drama Comedy drama SurrealCreated byDavid E. KelleyStarringCalista Flockhart Courtney Thorne-Smith Greg Germann Lisa Nicole Carson Jane Krakowski Vonda Shepard Portia de Rossi Lucy Liu Peter MacNicol Gil Bellows Hayden PanettiereTheme music composerVonda Shepard22 more rows

Who is the black woman lawyer on for life?

Eunice CarterBornEunice Roberta HuntonJuly 16, 1899 Atlanta, GeorgiaDiedJanuary 25, 1970 (aged 70) New York CityAlma materSmith College, 1921 Fordham Law School, 1932OccupationSocial worker Lawyer10 more rows

Who was the first black lady lawyer?

Charlotte E. RayRay, married name Charlotte E. Fraim, (born January 13, 1850, New York, New York, U.S.—died January 4, 1911, Woodside, New York), American teacher and the first black female lawyer in the United States.

Did Isaac Wright Jr sue?

Wright ultimately served more than 7 years in jail at the maximum security facility in New Jersey. After his release, he settled a 1990 lawsuit against the prosecutor's office for “peanuts,” as Wright put it.Feb 21, 2019

Is there a series two of For Life?

For Life: Season 2 (2020 - 2021)

Who was the first black female judge?

Jane Matilda BolinShe became the first black woman to serve as a judge in the United States when she was sworn into the bench of the New York City Domestic Relations Court in 1939....Jane Bolin.Jane Matilda BolinKnown forFirst black woman judge in the United StatesPolitical partyRepublican6 more rows

What kind of lawyer was Charlotte Ray?

Upon graduating in 1872, Ray opened a law practice, specializing in commercial law. However, Ray was unable to maintain her practice due to race and gender discrimination. She returned to New York in 1879 where she worked as a teacher in Brooklyn.Feb 28, 2020

Who was the first African-American to be appointed to the Supreme Court?

Thurgood MarshallJohnson nominated distinguished civil rights lawyer Thurgood Marshall to be the first African American justice to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. Marshall had already made his mark in American law, having won 29 of the 32 cases he argued before the Supreme Court, most notably the landmark case Brown v.

1. Hattie McDaniel

After working as early as the 1910s as a band vocalist, Hattie McDaniel debuted as a maid in The Golden West (1932). Her maid-mammy characters became steadily more assertive, showing up first in Judge Priest (1934) and becoming pronounced in Alice Adams (1935). In this one, directed by George ...

2. Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem, New York City, where she was raised by her devoutly religious parents, from the Caribbean island of Nevis. Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. She was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony magazine and...

3. Angela Bassett

Captivating, gifted, and sensational, Angela Bassett's presence has been felt in theaters and on stages and television screens throughout the world. Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on August 16, 1958 in New York City, to Betty Jane (Gilbert), a social worker, and Daniel Benjamin Bassett, a ...

4. Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg was born Caryn Elaine Johnson in the Chelsea section of Manhattan on November 13, 1955. Her mother, Emma (Harris), was a teacher and a nurse, and her father, Robert James Johnson, Jr., was a clergyman. Whoopi's recent ancestors were from Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. She worked in...

5. Ruby Dee

Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. She is best known for originating the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun (1961).#N#She also starred in The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Cat People (1982), ...

6. Halle Berry

Halle Maria Berry was born Maria Halle Berry on August 14, 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Bedford, Ohio to Judith Ann Hawkins, a psychiatric nurse & Jerome Jesse Berry, a hospital attendant. Halle first came into the spotlight at seventeen years when she won the Miss Teen All-American ...

7. Gail Fisher

A classy, smart-looking African-American actress who broke racial barriers in 1970s Hollywood but suffered greatly in her private life years after her TV glory days, award-winning actress Gail Fisher was born on August 18, 1935, in Orange, New Jersey, the youngest of five children. Her father, a ...

Who plays Chandra Wilson in Grey's anatomy?

5 Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey-Grey's A natomy) If Grey's Anatomy is known for one thing, that's a strong cast. While the drama is centered around Meredith Grey, it's often Miranda Bailey that will steal a scene. There would be no Meredith, Alex, Izzie or Christina if it wasn't for the teaching that Bailey provided.

Who played Jessica Pearson in Suits?

However, watching Gina Torres portray the powerful Jessica Pearson was a thing of beauty. While Suits did not offer the image of too many African American lawyers, the two major ones were the bosses. While the storylines focused more on the exploits of Mike and Harvey, it was still Jessica they answered to.

What is true strength?

However, true strength is what's inside of you. The trait that sets you apart for everyone else. In Hollywood, an actress can be as timid and shy as they come but when the director yells "action" they morph into someone else. For women, strength is just a natural trait.

How long was Cookie Lyon in prison?

Her character Cookie Lyon was as strong as they come. After spending 17 years in prison for taking the charge for her husband Lucious, Cookie came out a take over to the world, the music industry, and her kids. As she made mistake after mistake, fans of Empire still cheered for her to come out on top.

Who played Tess in Touched by An Angel?

10 Della Reese (Tess-Touched By An Angel) What made Touched By An Angel so appealing is that it was completely different than what we were used to on TV. Della Resse portrayed Tess who played the role of a caseworker/supervisor for Monica but also came across as a mother-figure.

What did Lydia Grant want her students to do?

Lydia Grant wanted her students to be the best possible version of themselves. Fame was about hard work and dedication and while Grant made her mistakes and may have pushed too hard at times, she understood what had to be done in order to stay at the top of their craft day in and day out.

How to get away with murder Viola Davis?

2 Viola Davis (Annalise Keating-How To Get Away With Murder) A powerful layer teaches law to a bunch of eager to learn students. Then in one night, their lives are changed forever. After a murder is committed, Annalise Keating takes five students under her wing tighter than what she intended to in the beginning.

Who was the first black actress to play in the show "Beulah"?

“Beulah” is about a maid who has a knack for fixing her employers’ problems. The legendary singer and Broadway star Ethel Waters was the first actress to play the lead role.

What was the first show to feature a black actress in a non-stereotypical way?

NBC sitcom “Julia” broke ground in 1968 for being the first network show to feature a Black actress in a non-stereotypical. In the comedy, Diahann Carroll plays a widowed nurse raising her young son. It marked one of the rare times the viewing public had the opportunity to see a Back woman play a working professional rather than a domestic.

Who played Olivia Pope in the ABC scandal?

Starring Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, “Scandal” is about a woman who runs a crisis management firm that the powerful and elite trust to solve their problems, including murders and extramarital affairs.

Who played Joanna Locasto in Deception?

When NBC’s “Deception”—starring African-American actress Meagan Good —debuted in January 2013, the show immediately drew comparisons to “Scandal.” Good stars in “Deception” as San Francisco police officer Joanna Locasto, who’s working undercover to solve the mysterious death of her childhood best friend, Vivian Bowers.

What is the show Get Christie Love about?

Starring Teresa Graves as Christie Love, the show was about a female police detective who goes undercover to try to thwart a drug ring.

1. Zarinah Reed

Zarinah Reed is known for her work on Snowfall (2017) and Insecure (2016).

2. Tanisha Grant

TANISHA LAVERNE GRANT a 2018 distinguished BLACK WOMEN IN MEDIA honoree single-handedly gets the exclusive! A widely respected entertainment journalist known as a "Hollywood Insider" Tanisha is one of the industry's leading go to personalities for all things pop culture! The multi award winning ...

3. Regina Hall

Regina Hall was born December 12, 1970 in Washington, D.C., to Ruby, a teacher, and Odie Hall, a contractor. She graduated from Fordham University in 1992, and went on to earn a master's degree in journalism from New York University before shifting to an acting career. In 1997 at age 26, she began ...

4. Robin Givens

Robin Simone Givens was born on November 27, 1964 in New York City, to Ruth (Newby) and Reuben Givens. Her father left his family when Robin was a young girl, and she seldom saw him after that. Robin's mother raised her and her younger sister in Westchester, Connecticut. Her mother (once linked to ...

5. Ruby Dee

Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. She is best known for originating the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun (1961).#N#She also starred in The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Cat People (1982), ...

6. Viola Davis

Actress Viola Davis was born on her grandmother's farm, at the then-Singleton Plantation in St. Matthews, South Carolina. When she was two months old her family moved to Central Falls, Rhode Island, where her father, Dan Davis, worked as a horse groomer and trainer. Her mother, Mary Alice (Logan), ...

7. Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson was born in Harlem, New York City, where she was raised by her devoutly religious parents, from the Caribbean island of Nevis. Her mother, Theodosia, was a domestic, and her father, William Tyson, was a carpenter and painter. She was discovered by a fashion editor at Ebony magazine and...

Who is Viola Davis?

Viola Davis is one of the most critically acclaimed actress around. She began her career in 1992. She is not just a film and TV actress but does a lot of stage acting too. She is the only black actress to win the coveted Triple Crown of Acting, which is an actor or actress winning an Academy award, Emmy Award and a Tony award in acting categories. She has been nominated twice for the best supporting actress Oscar, once for ‘Doubt’ (2008) and second for ‘Fences’ (2016) which she won. She also has a best actress nomination for 2011’s ‘The Help’. She also won the BAFTA and Golden Globe for her role in ‘Fences’. She has achieved critical acclaim for her role in ‘ How to get away with Murder ’ for which she received an Emmy award.

Who is Ruby Dee?

Ruby Dee is a legend in her own right. She began her career way back in 1948 with the movie ‘That Man of Mine’ and was active till her death in 2014. Her last movie was ‘1982’ in 2013. Ruby Dee was not just an actress in movies but she did a lot of theatre work and also was an excellent singer. Dee was an avid civil rights activist. She is famous for her work in films like ‘The Jackie Robinson Story’ (1950), ‘Do the Right Thing’ (1989).’Jungle Fever’ (1991) and ‘American Gangster’ (2007). She received an academy award nomination for her role in ‘American Gangster’. She has also been nominated several time for the Primetime Emmy and Golden globes for her roles in various TV shows.

What movies did Pam Grier play?

Pam Grier. Pam Grier gained fame in the early 1970s for starring in a string of women in prison and black exploitation films like ‘The Big Bird Cage’ (1972), ‘Coffy’ (1973), ‘Foxy Brown’ (1974) and ‘Sheba Baby’ (1975). She has also been highly rated among her peers for her action roles.

What movie did Octavia Spencer play in?

Octavia Spencer. Octavia Spencer began her career in 1996 with a minor role in the film ‘A Time to Kill ’. After doing a lot of minor roles she got her big break with the film ‘The Help’ (2011) for which she received several awards for best supporting actor including an Academy award, Golden Globe and a BAFTA.

Who is Lupita Nyong'o?

Lupita Nyong’o is a Kenyan-Mexican actress. Relatively a newcomer, but she deserves a place in the list. Lupita Nyong’o received an academy award for the best supporting actress for 2013’s ’12 years a slave’. She became the 9th actress to win this award on debut and first Kenyan and Mexican to win the award. She was also nominated for a Golden globe and BAFTA for the same film. She is known for her motion capture performance as Maz Kanata in ‘Star Wars- The Force Awakens’, she will be reprising her role in the sequel. She has been praised for her role in Mira Nair’s ‘Queen of Katwe’. She will also be appearing next year in MCU ’s ‘ Black Panther ’.

Who is the voice of Wonder Woman?

Rosario Dawson. Rosario Dawson has been active in the industry since mid-90s. She is known for her work in films like ‘Men in Black II’, ‘Sin City’, ‘25th Hour’, ‘Clerks II’, ‘Death Proof’, ‘Trance’. She has lent her voice in several DC animated movies as Wonder Woman.

Is Zoe Saldana a sci-fi queen?

It would not be wrong to call Zoe Saldana as the Queen of Sci-fi. She is well-known for playing roles of Uhura in JJ Abrams’ ‘Star Trek’ (2009) & its 2 sequels, a motion-capture role Neytiri in James Cameron ’s ‘ Avatar ’ and Gamora in MCU’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1. & 2’. She is poised to appear in the Avatar sequels and Avengers- Infinity Wars. She has also done some amazing roles in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl’, Steven Spielberg ’s ‘ The Terminal ’ and ‘Vantage Point’.

Who plays Diane in Blackish?

At the young age of 14, Marsai Martin had already broken so many barriers for young Black women and girls all around the world. A recurring star on the ABC show Blackish, Marsai Martin plays the role of Diane, one of the children in the Johnson family.

Who is Danielle Brooks?

Juilliard graduate Danielle Brooks is one of Hollywood's most prominent TV and Broadway stars. Brooks played Taystee in Netflix’s OITNB and was hailed for her performance in the show’s 7th season. In 2016, Brooks starred in the lead role for the Broadway show The Color Purple playing the role of Sofia which was generally well-received. Brooks is also a singer-songwriter famously known for her song “Black Woman” which aims to encourage and highlight the beauty of Black women.

What is the book Big Little Lies about?

Big Little Lies is based on the novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty and follows a group of women who all witness a tragic event at school and have to reckon with their involvement in the situation. The series is a great look into different women's experiences in their interpersonal relationships.

Who played Robyn in High Fidelity?

The series is a great look into different women's experiences in their interpersonal relationships. Kravitz also starred as heartbroken record store owner Robyn in the Hulu series High Fidelity based on the book of the same name by Nick Hornby.

What is the song that Brooks sings?

Brooks is also a singer-songwriter famously known for her song “Black Woman” which aims to encourage and highlight the beauty of Black women.

What movies has Tessa Thompson been in?

Tessa Thompson has starred in several movies in the last few years from the mind-bending Sorry to Bother You to starring alongside Chris Hemsworth in Men in Black: International, but two of her best performances have been in Amazon's Sylvie's Love and Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok.

How to get away with murder Viola Davis?

Audiences were thrilled to hear that Viola Davis would lead a stellar and powerful lead performance as Law Professor Annalise Keating in How To Get Away With Murder. Davis’s performance as Keating won her a Primetime Emmy in the Best Actress category making her the first Black woman to win in this category. Viola Davis’s extreme talent and power in the lead role would not only make her one of Hollywood's most respected actors but also the first Black woman to have achieved the triple crown of acting with an Academy Award for Fences.

Who were the first African American characters on soap?

Martha and Jim Frazier, 'Guiding Light'. Martha, a registered nurse, and her husband, Jim, a doctor, were the first African-American characters to appear as regulars on a soap. They faded from view in 1967 but were the precursors of the many black characters who would come after them.

Who is the longest running black character in soap opera history?

A Days mainstay since 1981, Abe is the longest-running black character in soap opera history. A cop who has been involved in several of Salem's major investigations — including white slavery and murder, to name a few — Carver was shot and killed by a serial killer.

Who is Dru in Y&R?

Dru has held down many jobs — ballerina, supermodel and nightclub proprietor — and spent some time in a mental hospital. She was presumed dead after falling off a cliff in 2007, but her body was never found. We all know what that means.

Who is Olivia Barber?

Dr. Olivia Barber Hastings Winters, 'The Young and the Restless'. The fourth element in the Y&R Barber-Winters love — uh — square, Olivia is a successful, straitlaced (to a point) sister of the free-spirited Drucilla and ex-wife of Malcolm Winters.

Who plays Celeste in Days of Our Lives?

Celeste Perrault, 'Days of Our Lives'. Advertisement. Played by: Tanya Boyd. The Creole lover of crime lord Stefano DiMera, Celeste is also the mom of Lexie Carver, who grew up thinking that the New Orleans woman was her aunt.

Who is Malcolm Winters' brother?

Malcolm Winters, 'The Young and the Restless'. Malcolm has a complicated relationship with his brother, Neil, whose wife he slept with and impregnated. Known for his bad luck with the ladies, Malcolm lost his first wife to AIDS and divorced his second wife, and his fiancée left him for his brother.