Loretta Devine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loretta Devine
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Devine in 2010
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| Born | August 21, 1949 Houston, Texas, U.S.
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| Education | University of Houston (BA) Brandeis University (MFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Glenn Marshall Tyler
(m. 1967) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Full list |
Loretta Devine (born August 21, 1949) is a famous American actress. She is known for her many roles on stage, in movies, and on television.
One of her most famous roles was Lorrell Robinson in the original Broadway show Dreamgirls in 1981. She also played Gloria Matthews in the movie Waiting to Exhale (1995). Many people know her as Adele Webber from the TV medical drama Grey's Anatomy. For this role, she won a special award called a Primetime Emmy Award.
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Early Life and Education
Loretta Devine was born in Houston, Texas. She grew up in a Houston neighborhood called Acres Homes. Her mother, Eunice, raised six children on her own. In high school, Loretta was on the pep squad and performed in talent shows.
In 1971, she graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Speech and Drama. Later, in 1976, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater from Brandeis University.
Career
Starting on the Stage
Loretta Devine has a long history of acting on Broadway in New York City. She became famous for her role in the musical Dreamgirls. This show was loosely based on the story of the singing group The Supremes. Devine played Lorrell Robinson, a character based on singer Mary Wilson.
The show was a huge hit. Devine and the other main actresses, Sheryl Lee Ralph and Jennifer Holliday, helped create their characters through workshops and improvisation over three years. She also received great reviews for playing Glinda the Good Witch in a 1995 version of The Wiz.
Movie Roles
In 1981, while working on Dreamgirls, Devine was cast in her first movie, Will. It was a small-budget film, and she earned $500 for her part. After that, she had small roles in movies like Little Nikita and Stanley & Iris.
Her big break in movies came in 1995. She played Gloria Matthews in Waiting to Exhale alongside stars like Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett. This role won her an NAACP Image Award. She won another Image Award for her next movie, The Preacher's Wife, where she acted with Whitney Houston again.
She also had a small part in the movie version of Dreamgirls, which was a fun nod to her original Broadway role.
Success in Television
From 2000 to 2004, Devine starred as the teacher Marla Hendricks in the TV show Boston Public. Her work on this show won her three more NAACP Image Awards. She also acted in popular movies like Urban Legend and I Am Sam.
One of her most well-known TV roles was on Grey's Anatomy. She played Adele Webber, the wife of Dr. Richard Webber. For this recurring role, she won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2011.
She also voiced the character Hallie the hippo in the Disney Junior cartoon Doc McStuffins. More recently, she starred in the Netflix series Family Reunion.
Selected Filmography
Loretta Devine has appeared in many movies and TV shows. Here are some of her most notable works.
Notable Films
- Waiting to Exhale (1995) as Gloria Matthews
- The Preacher's Wife (1996) as Beverly
- Urban Legend (1998) as Reese Wilson
- I Am Sam (2001) as Margaret Calgrove
- Crash (2004) as Shaniqua Johnson
- Dreamgirls (2006) as a jazz singer
- This Christmas (2007) as Ma'Dere Whitfield
- For Colored Girls (2010) as Juanita Sims
- Jumping the Broom (2011) as Pamela Taylor
- Queen Bees (2021) as Sally Heart
- Mack & Rita (2022) as Sharon
Notable Television Shows
- A Different World (1987–88) as Stevie Rallen
- The PJs (1999–2001) as the voice of Muriel Stubbs
- Boston Public (2000–04) as Marla Hendricks
- Grey's Anatomy (2005–13) as Adele Webber
- Eli Stone (2008–09) as Patti Dellacroix
- Doc McStuffins (2012–20) as the voice of Nurse Hallie
- The Carmichael Show (2015–17) as Cynthia Carmichael
- Family Reunion (2019–22) as M'Dear McKellan
- P-Valley (2020–22) as Earnestine Sayles
Awards and Nominations
Loretta Devine has won many awards for her acting.
Won: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for Grey's Anatomy (2011)
- NAACP Image Awards
Won: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for Waiting to Exhale (1996) Won: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for The Preacher's Wife (1997) Won: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Boston Public (2001, 2003, 2004) Won: Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie for Freedom Song (2001) Won: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Grey's Anatomy (2013) Won: Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program for Doc McStuffins (2013)
See also
In Spanish: Loretta Devine para niños
