Kimberly Elise facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kimberly Elise
Elise in 2012
Born	Kimberly Elise Trammel (1967-04-17) April 17, 1967 (age 58) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1995–present
Spouse(s)	Maurice Oldham ​ ​ (m. 1989; div. 2005)​ George McCrary ​ (m. 2023)​
Children	2

Kimberly Elise Trammel, born on April 17, 1967, is an American actress. She first appeared in a movie called Set It Off in 1996. Later, she earned great praise for her acting in Beloved (1998).

Throughout her career, Elise has acted in many films. Some of these include John Q., The Manchurian Candidate, and The Great Debaters, all with Denzel Washington. She also starred in Diary of a Mad Black Woman and For Colored Girls, both directed by Tyler Perry. .....

She was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her role in the 2004 drama film, Woman Thou Art Loosed. Kimberly Elise also played main roles in several TV movies. She starred in the CBS crime drama series Close to Home (2005–07) and the VH1 comedy-drama series Hit the Floor (2013-2016). She has won four NAACP Image Awards.

Early Life and Education

Kimberly Elise Trammel was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her mother, Erma Jean, was an elementary school teacher. Her father, Marvin Trammel, owned a company that helps find executives for businesses. Kimberly has three brothers and sisters.

She studied at The American Film Institute to learn about directing. She also earned a degree in Mass Communications from the University of Minnesota.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Out in the 1990s

Kimberly Elise made her first big movie appearance in 1996. It was a crime action film called Set It Off, directed by F. Gary Gray. In the movie, she played one of four women who decide to rob a bank. Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah, and Vivica A. Fox also starred in the film. It was a success with critics and earned over $41 million.

In 1997, she acted in a TV movie called The Ditchdigger's Daughters. This movie was based on a popular book. Her performance in this film was highly praised. She won the Best Supporting Actress award at the 19th annual CableACE Awards in 1997. This role helped her get a part in the 1998 movie Beloved. She starred alongside Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover in this horror-drama film. Even though the movie didn't make a lot of money, Elise's acting was praised. She won the Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Actress. She also received a Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture. She earned her first NAACP Image Award nomination for this role.

Success in the 2000s

In 2000, Elise played Loretta Claiborne in The Loretta Claiborne Story. This movie was shown on ABC as part of The Wonderful World of Disney. She received good reviews for her portrayal of Claiborne. Later that year, she was the main female lead in Jamie Foxx's movie Bait. The next year, she starred with Gregory Hines in the true-story drama Bojangles. In 2002 and 2003, she appeared as a guest on the TV shows Girlfriends and Soul Food.

In 2002, Elise acted with Denzel Washington in the crime film John Q. This movie was very successful, earning over $100 million. She then had a main role in the independent drama Woman Thou Art Loosed. In this film, she played Michelle, a young woman who finds help while in prison. For this role, she won a Black Reel award for Best Actress. She was also nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. Later, she starred in the political thriller The Manchurian Candidate, again with Denzel Washington.

In 2005, Elise starred in the comedy-drama film Diary of a Mad Black Woman. This movie was written by Tyler Perry. She received positive reviews for her acting, and the film was a huge box office success. It earned over $50 million. She won her first NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for this movie. From 2005 to 2007, Elise starred in the CBS crime drama series Close to Home. She played Maureen Scofield, a prosecutor. She won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in 2006 for this show. She also made guest appearances in two dramas by Shonda Rhimes: Private Practice in 2007 and Grey's Anatomy in 2009.

In 2007, Elise appeared in two biographical drama films. First was Pride with Terrence Howard. This movie was based on the true story of a swim coach named Jim Ellis. Later, she acted again with Denzel Washington in The Great Debaters. This film was about the Wiley College debate team. In 2009, she starred with Cuba Gooding Jr. in the TV film Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. She won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special for this role.

Roles in the 2010s

In 2010, Elise starred in the drama film For Colored Girls. She played Crystal, a wife facing challenges. The film was based on a famous play by Ntozake Shange. It was written, directed, and produced by Tyler Perry. While the film received mixed reviews, many critics praised her performance. She won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for her role.

Elise has also had main roles in several independent films. These include Ties That Bind (2011). She co-starred with Whoopi Goldberg in the Lifetime TV film A Day Late and a Dollar Short in 2014. In 2013, she began starring in the VH1 comedy-drama series Hit The Floor. ..... The next year, she co-starred with Kerry Washington in the HBO film Confirmation. Later in 2016, Elise starred in the Christmas comedy-drama film Almost Christmas. She acted alongside Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, and Mo'Nique. She then starred in Death Wish with Bruce Willis. In 2019, she appeared in the science fiction film Ad Astra.

Recent Work in the 2020s

In 2020, Elise was cast with Justin Theroux in the Apple TV+ drama series The Mosquito Coast. This show is based on a 1981 novel by Paul Theroux.

Personal Life

Kimberly Elise was married to Maurice Oldham from 1989 to 2005. They had two daughters, born in 1990 and 1998. Maurice Oldham passed away in 2007. Elise married George McCrary in August 2023.

Elise is vegan and has worked with PETA to promote this lifestyle.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

Kimberly Elise has received many awards and nominations for her acting:

• African-American Film Critics Association
  • 2010: Won – Best Supporting Actress for For Colored Girls

• Black Reel Awards
  • 2002: Won – Best Supporting Actress for Bojangles (2001)
  • 2005: Won – Best Actress, Independent Film for Woman Thou Art Loosed (2004)
  • 2006: Won – Best Actress for Diary of a Mad Black Woman
  • 2011: Won – Outstanding Ensemble for For Colored Girls

• CableACE Award
  • 1997: Won – Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries for The Ditchdigger's Daughters (1997)

• Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
  • 1999: Won – Most Promising Actress for Beloved (1998)

• Golden Satellite Awards
  • 1999: Won – Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture – Drama for Beloved (1998)

• NAACP Image Awards
  • 2006: Winner – Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for Diary of a Mad Black Woman
  • 2007: Winner – Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for Close to Home
  • 2010: Winner – Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special for Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story
  • 2011: Winner – Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for For Colored Girls

See also

In Spanish: Kimberly Elise para niños