Anna Maria Horsford facts for kids

Anna Maria Horsford is an American actress famous for her roles in TV comedies. She is known for playing Thelma Frye on the TV show Amen (1986–91). She also played Dee Baxter on The Wayans Bros. (1995–99).

Anna Maria Horsford has also acted in serious TV shows. She was A.D.A. Beth Encardi in the crime drama The Shield. She also appeared as Vivienne Avant in the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. For this role, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2016 and 2017.

She has been in many movies too. Some of her most famous movie roles include Craig Jones' mom, Betty, in the comedy Friday (1995) and its sequel Friday After Next (2002). Other movies she appeared in are Set It Off (1996) and A Madea Christmas (2013).

Early Life and Education

Anna Maria Horsford was born in Harlem, New York City, in 1948. Her father, Victor Horsford, was from the Dominican Republic. Her mother, Lillian Agatha Horsford, came from Antigua and Barbuda. Anna Maria grew up with four brothers and sisters.

She went to Wadleigh Junior High School. Later, she attended the High School of Performing Arts. After high school, she started acting through a program called Harlem Youth for Change. Her first acting job was in a play called Coriolanus in Central Park.

Anna Maria Horsford's Acting Career

Anna Maria Horsford started her career behind the scenes. Her first big job in TV was as a producer for the PBS show Soul!. This show was on TV from 1968 to 1973.

Early TV Appearances

In 1973, she appeared on the game show To Tell the Truth. She pretended to be Laura Livingston, one of the first female military police. Later, she made guest appearances on many popular TV shows. These include The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Moesha, and The Bernie Mac Show. She also appeared in Everybody Hates Chris.

Main Roles in Sitcoms

Horsford had main roles in two well-known sitcoms. She played "Dee Baxter" in The Wayans Bros.. She was also "Thelma Frye" in Amen. These roles made her a familiar face to many TV viewers.

Recent Work and Awards

More recently, Anna Maria Horsford has continued to act. She was in the first season of Grey's Anatomy. She also returned to movies in 2013 with A Madea Christmas. She played Helen in the BET sitcom Reed Between the Lines.

She has a regular role as Vivienne Avant on The Bold and the Beautiful. For this role, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2016. She also started a recurring role on the show B Positive in 2021. You might have also seen her in the TBS sitcom The Last O.G. as Tray's mother.

Personal Life and Recognition

Anna Maria Horsford is a member of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. In 2011, she received a special honor. She was named the Ambassador of Tourism for Antigua. This is a country where her mother's family came from.

Awards and Nominations

Anna Maria Horsford has been recognized for her acting. Here are some of her nominations: