Dawnn Lewis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dawnn Lewis
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Lewis in 2012
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Dawnn Jewel Lewis
August 13, 1961 New York City, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Miami (BM) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1985–present |
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| Awards | 1990, 1991, 1992 – BMI TV Music Award (A Different World) |
Dawnn Jewel Lewis (born August 13, 1961) is an American actress. She is famous for playing Jaleesa Vinson–Taylor on the TV show A Different World from 1987 to 1992. She also helped write the catchy theme song for that series.
Lewis has also played Robin Dumars on the sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and Cheryl Spade in the 1988 movie I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. You might also know her voice from many animated TV shows and video games.
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Early Life and Education
Dawnn Lewis was born in Brooklyn, New York City, on August 13, 1961. Her parents, Carl and Joyce Lewis, have African-American and Guyanese backgrounds.
She started singing when she was just four years old and began acting at age eleven. At sixteen, she graduated from the High School of Music & Art in New York City. Later, she studied musical theater and journalism at the University of Miami, graduating in 1982.
Acting Career Highlights
Starting on Stage (1985-1986)
Dawnn Lewis began her professional acting journey on stage. From 1985 to 1986, she performed in the national tour of the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid.
A Different World (1987–1992)
Lewis became well-known for her role as Jaleesa Vinson (later Vinson–Taylor) in A Different World. This popular show was about college life. She was a main character for the first five seasons.
She also helped create the show's theme song with Bill Cosby and Stu Gardner. She even sang the theme song for the first season! Later, she appeared in a special Hillman College Reunion segment on Nick at Nite with other cast members.
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992–1993)
After A Different World, Lewis joined the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper in 1992. She played Robin Dumars, the childhood best friend and roommate of the main character, Mark Curry.
Lewis and Holly Robinson Peete, along with the music group En Vogue, performed the theme song for the first season. She left the show after the first season because the producers decided to change the show's focus.
Voice Acting and Other Roles
Dawnn Lewis is also a talented voice actress. She has lent her voice to many popular characters in video games and animated TV shows.
- She voiced Storm from the X-Men in several video games, including Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2.
- You might recognize her as Granny Grim on The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy.
- She also voiced LaBarbara Conrad, the wife of Hermes Conrad, in the animated series Futurama.
- Other voice roles include Detective Terri Lee on Spider-Man: The Animated Series and characters on The Boondocks and King of the Hill.
- More recently, she voiced Captain Carol Freeman in the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks (starting in 2020).
- She also voices Bernice Hibbert on The Simpsons since 2021.
Lewis has also appeared in movies like Dreamgirls (2006) and Disney Channel Original Movies like The Poof Point and Let It Shine. In 2006, she released her own music CD called Worth Waiting For.
In 2019, Dawnn Lewis played Zelma, Tina Turner's mother, in the musical Tina on Broadway. In 2021, she was honored by being inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Images for kids
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Lewis in 2012
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Dawnn Lewis receiving an honorary degree in 2019.
