Donzaleigh Abernathy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donzaleigh Abernathy
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Abernathy speaking at the Virginia Military Institute in 2003
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| Born | August 5, 1957 (age 67) Montgomery, Alabama, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Emerson College |
| Occupation | Actress, author, civil rights activist |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Parent(s) | Ralph Abernathy Juanita Abernathy |
Donzaleigh Abernathy (born August 5, 1957) is an American actress, author, and civil rights activist. She is known for her work in movies and TV shows. She also continues her family's important work in civil rights.
Contents
Early Life and Civil Rights
Donzaleigh Abernathy was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on August 5, 1957. Her parents were Ralph Abernathy and Juanita Abernathy. Her father was a close friend and partner of Martin Luther King Jr. in the Civil Rights Movement.
When Donzaleigh was born, her family was already deeply involved in the fight for equal rights. Just before she was born, her parents' home was bombed. This happened after the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott.
In 1962, her family moved to Atlanta, Georgia. This was at the request of Dr. King. Her father continued to lead the Civil Rights Movement with Dr. King there.
In 1965, after the historic "Selma to Montgomery March for the Right To Vote," Donzaleigh and her siblings helped integrate public schools. They attended Spring Street Elementary School with Dr. King's children. This was a big step in ending segregation in Southern schools.
Donzaleigh grew up very close to the King family. The Abernathy and King children went to school together. They also spent holidays and vacations together. Donzaleigh shared that she and Dr. King's daughter, Yolanda King, would put on plays for their parents. Dr. King would even film their performances! This is how Donzaleigh first became interested in acting.
She attended George School, a Quaker prep school in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Acting Career
After college, Donzaleigh Abernathy moved to New York City to start her acting career. She began with Off-Off-Broadway plays. She also worked with famous designers from "Saturday Night Live."
She has appeared in many movies and television shows. One of her notable roles was playing Martha, a slave, in the historical Civil War drama Gods and Generals. Film critic Roger Ebert praised her performance in this movie.
Donzaleigh also starred for four years as Sara Jackson in the Lifetime TV series Any Day Now. Her life has been dedicated to civil and human rights, just like her parents.
Film Roles
Donzaleigh Abernathy has acted in several films:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Camp Nowhere | Dorothy Welton | |
| 1995 | Night of the Running Man | Francine | |
| 1995 | Lone Justice 2 | Effie Petit | |
| 2003 | Gods and Generals | Martha | |
| 2003 | Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood | Esmeralda | Video |
| 2006 | Grilled | Karen | |
| 2015 | Fingerprints | Delphine Frost | |
| 2016 | Sleight | Mary | |
| 2016 | 59 Seconds | Katherine | |
| 2020 | The Industry Did It | Aunt Urtha | Post-production |
Television Roles
She has also appeared in many TV shows and movies:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Murder in Mississippi | Sue | TV film |
| 1990, 1992 | L.A. Law | Jenny Manley, Naomi | Episodes: "Watts a Matter?", "Silence of the Lambskins" |
| 1992 | Grass Roots | Cora Mae Turner | TV film |
| 1993 | Sirens | Mariah Henry | Episode: "Strike Two" |
| 1993 | Bodies of Evidence | Clarissa Watson | Episode: "Endangered Species" |
| 1993 | Ned Blessing: The True Story of My Life | Effie Pettit | Episode: "Return to Plum Creek" |
| 1994 | NYPD Blue | Mrs. Danton | Episode: "Guns 'n Rosaries" |
| 1994 | Family Album | Lorrie | TV miniseries |
| 1995 | Amazing Grace | D.A. Goodwin | Episode: "Family Values" |
| 1995 | Cagney & Lacey: Together Again | Alcina Lewis | TV film |
| 1996 | Dangerous Minds | Irene Timmons | Episodes: "Pilot", "Family Ties", "Need Deep" |
| 1997 | Miss Evers' Boys | Betty | TV film |
| 1997 | EZ Streets | Patricia Wyler | Episodes: "St. Jude Took a Bullet", "One Acquainted with the Night" |
| 1997 | The Burning Zone | Nora Dawson | Episode: "Wild Fire" |
| 1997 | Don King: Only in America | Henrietta King | TV film |
| 1998 | The Pretender | Susan Healy | Episode: "Hazards" |
| 1998 | Chicago Hope | Porschia Tate | Episode: "Absent Without Leave" |
| 1998 | The Tempest | Mambo Azaleigh | TV film |
| 1998–2002 | Any Day Now | Sara Jackson | Main role |
| 1999 | The Sky's On Fire | Dr. Hellstrom | TV film |
| 2002 | Whitewash: The Clarence Brandley Story | Narrator | TV film |
| 2003 | 24 | Barbara Maccabee | Episodes: "Day 2: 5:00p.m.-6:00pm", "Day 2: 6:00pm-7:00pm" |
| 2004 | Judging Amy | Denise Lawrence | Episode: "Conditional Surrender" |
| 2005–2006 | Commander in Chief | Patricia | Recurring role (season 1) |
| 2006 | House | Brady | Episode: "Skin Deep" |
| 2008 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Carolina Bell | Episode: "For Gedda" |
| 2008–2009 | Lincoln Heights | Hazel Glass | Episodes: "The Price You Pay", "Lucky" |
| 2012–2013 | The Walking Dead | Dr. Stevens | Episodes: "Walk with Me", "Made to Suffer", "The ... King" |
| 2013 | Shameless | Tawny | Episode: "Civil Wrongs" |
| 2015 | Father Pete's Corner | The Fairy | TV series |
| 2016 | Suits | Gloria Danner | Episodes: "Tick Tock", "25th Hour" |
| 2016 | Shooter | Mrs. Fenn | Episodes: "Exfil", "Overwatch" |
| 2017 | Chicago P.D. | Jeanette Barnes | Episode: "Don't Read the News" |
| 2019 | Words & Actions | Monica Henderson | Episode: "Man Delights Not Me, Nor Woman Neither" |
| 2021 | NCIS | NSA Deputy Director Ellis | Episode: “Rule 91” |
| 2022 | Good Sam | Carla | Episode: “A Light in the Storm” |
| 2022 | All Rise | Ness’ Mother | Episode: “Unwanted Guest” |
| 2022 | 9-1-1 | Joanne Kingston | Episode: ”The Devil You Know” |
Books Written
Donzaleigh Abernathy is also an author. She contributed to the 2001 book In the spirit of Martin: the living legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr..
In 2004, she wrote her own book called Partners To History - Martin Luther King, Ralph David Abernathy and the Civil Rights Movement. She wrote this book to honor her parents and their important work. The American Library Association nominated her book as one of the "Best Books for Young Adults" in 2003.
See also
In Spanish: Donzaleigh Abernathy para niños
