Lela Rochon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lela Rochon
Rochon at the New York City Essence Awards, 1998.
Born	Lela Rochon Staples (1964-04-17) April 17, 1964 (age 61) Torrance, California, U.S.
Education	California State University, Dominguez Hills
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1984–present
Spouse(s)	Adolfo Quiñones ​ ​ (m. 1982; div. 1987)​ Antoine Fuqua ​ (m. 1999)​
Children	2

Lela Rochon Fuqua (born Lela Rochon Staples on April 17, 1964) is an American actress. She is famous for her role as Robin Stokes in the 1995 movie Waiting to Exhale. Lela Rochon also appeared in other well-known films. These include Harlem Nights (1989), Boomerang (1992), and Any Given Sunday (1999).

Lela Rochon's Early Life and Education

Lela Rochon was born in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Zelma, was a nurse. Her father, Samuel Staples, owned a business and was a graphic artist. Lela finished Cerritos High School in 1982.

After high school, she went to California State University, Dominguez Hills. There, she studied Broadcast Journalism. She also took classes in Sociology and Theatre. In 2016, Lela Rochon returned to her university to give a speech to the graduating students.

Lela Rochon's Acting Career Journey

Starting Out in Acting

Lela Rochon began her career in 1984. She was an extra in the movie Breakin’. She also appeared in many TV commercials for Spuds MacKenzie from 1986 to 1988. During this time, she was still in college.

She was in music videos for famous singers. These included Gerald Levert, Luther Vandross, Lionel Richie, Al B. Sure!, and Tupac Shakur. Lela Rochon also had guest roles in popular TV shows. Some of these were The Cosby Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper.

Her first film role was in 1985 in Fox Trap. In 1989, she acted with Eddie Murphy in Harlem Nights. She played the character "Sunshine." She worked with Eddie Murphy again in the 1992 comedy Boomerang. In 1995, she was a regular cast member on The Wayans Bros. TV show.

Becoming a Star Actress

Rochon in 2010

In 1995, Lela Rochon got a big role in the movie Waiting to Exhale. She starred alongside Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, and Loretta Devine. She played Robin Stokes. For this role, she was nominated for an MTV Movie Award and an NAACP Image Award.

In 1996, Lela Rochon starred in the TV film Mr. and Mrs. Loving. She was nominated for a Cable ACE Award for Best Actress. Later that year, she played the main female role in the movie The Chamber. The next year, she acted with Jim Belushi and Tupac Shakur in Gang Related.

In 1998, Lela Rochon had a main role in Why Do Fools Fall in Love. She also appeared in Knock Off with Jean-Claude Van Damme. In 1999, she was in Any Given Sunday, directed by Oliver Stone. In 2001, she returned to TV in the crime drama The Division. She left the show after one season.

Lela Rochon's Recent Work

In 2004, Lela Rochon acted with Katie Holmes in the movie First Daughter. In 2009, she had a small role in Brooklyn's Finest. Her husband, Antoine Fuqua, directed this film.

In 2013, she played a main role in Let The Church Say Amen. This film was directed by Regina King. She also appeared in Supremacy (2014) and Reversion (2015). In 2017, she had a recurring role in the TV series Training Day. In 2019, she was in the drama David Makes Man.

In 2024, Lela Rochon was cast in a main role. She will play Big Shirley Duncan in the BET+ crime drama series, The Family Business: New Orleans.

Lela Rochon's Personal Life

Lela Rochon has been married two times and has two children. Her first marriage was to dancer and actor Adolfo Quiñones. They were married from 1982 to 1987. In 1999, she married film director Antoine Fuqua. They have a daughter named Asia Rochon Fuqua and a son named Brando Fuqua.

Awards and Nominations

Lela Rochon has been recognized for her acting talent.