Holly Robinson Peete facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Holly Robinson Peete
Peete in 2010
Born	Holly Elizabeth Robinson (1964-09-18) September 18, 1964 (age 60) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma mater	Sarah Lawrence College
Occupation	Actress, author, singer, television personality
Years active	1969–present
Known for	21 Jump Street Hangin' with Mr. Cooper For Your Love
Spouse(s)	Rodney Peete ​ (m. 1995)​
Children	4
Parent(s)	Matt Robinson (father)

Holly Elizabeth Robinson Peete (born September 18, 1964) is a well-known American actress and singer. She is famous for her roles in popular TV shows like 21 Jump Street, where she played Judy Hoffs, and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, where she was Vanessa Russell. She also starred as Dr. Malena Ellis in For Your Love.

Holly was also one of the first hosts of the TV talk show The Talk. In 1992, she played the legendary singer Diana Ross in the miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream. Holly also wrote a children's book called My Brother Charlie, which won an NAACP Image Award in 2011.

Early Life and Education

Holly Elizabeth Robinson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her mother, Dolores, was a teacher and later a talent manager. Her father, Matt Robinson, was a producer and writer. He was also the original Gordon on the children's show Sesame Street. Holly has an older brother named Matthew.

When she was young, Holly went to Greene Street Friends School. In 1974, her family moved to California. She finished high school at Santa Monica High School. After high school, Holly went to Sarah Lawrence College. She earned a degree in psychology and French. She even studied in Paris for a year at the Sorbonne. While there, she sang in Paris nightclubs and performed with jazz musician Lionel Hampton.

Acting and Singing Career

Holly's first TV appearance was on Sesame Street when she was six years old. She later worked as a celebrity reporter for a children's show called Kidsworld when she was 11. She interviewed many actors for the show.

Holly has starred in several TV series:

• 21 Jump Street (1987–1991)
• Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992–1997)
• For Your Love (1998–2002)
• Like Family (2003–2004)
• Love, Inc. (2005–2006)

She also appeared in the music video for "Whip Appeal" by Babyface in 1990.

Besides acting, Holly has also sung. She performed the opening song for 21 Jump Street. She also sang several songs for the movie Howard the Duck. She and Dawnn Lewis, along with the group En Vogue, sang the theme song for the first season of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper.

Other Projects and Advocacy

In 2006, Holly co-wrote a book about football called Get Your Own ... Beer, I'm Watching the Game!.

In 2010, she was a contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice 3. She played to raise money for her charity, the HollyRod Foundation. This foundation helps families dealing with Parkinson's disease or autism.

From 2010 to 2011, Holly was a co-host on the CBS talk show The Talk. She often spoke about issues important to the African American community and about autism awareness. Her son, Rodney, has autism.

Holly and her husband, Rodney, starred in two reality TV series. For Peete's Sake aired on OWN from 2016 to 2017. It showed their lives balancing careers and family. They also had a similar show called Meet the Peetes on Hallmark Channel from 2018 to 2019.

In 2023, Holly competed on The Masked Singer as "Fairy." She made references to her father's work on Sesame Street during the show.

Personal Life and Family

Peete with her husband Rodney Peete in 2010

On June 10, 1995, Holly married Rodney Peete. Rodney was a professional National Football League quarterback. He proposed to Holly during an episode of her show Hangin' with Mr. Cooper in 1994.

Holly and Rodney have four children: a twin boy and girl born in 1997, and two more sons born in 2002 and 2005. One of their twins was diagnosed with autism at age three in 2000.

After her father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Holly and Rodney started the HollyRod Foundation. This foundation works to find cures for Parkinson's disease and autism. It also helps families who are living with these conditions.

In 2012, Holly became a spokesperson for Nestle's Carnation Breakfast Essentials. She also became an honorary member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Film and Television Roles

Holly Robinson Peete has appeared in many films and TV shows.

Film Appearances

Television Series

Music Videos

Note: She was credited as Holly Robinson until 1997.

Images for kids

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  Peete in 2010

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  Peete with her husband Rodney Peete in 2010

See also

In Spanish: Holly Robinson Peete para niños