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Niecy Nash Betts
Niecy Nash 2010.jpg
Nash in 2010
Born
Carol Denise Ensley

(1970-02-23) February 23, 1970 (age 54)
Alma mater California State University, Dominguez Hills
Occupation Actress, comedian, television host
Years active 1995–present
Spouse(s)
Don Nash
(m. 1994; div. 2007)
Jay Tucker
(m. 2011; div. 2020)
(m. 2020)
Children 3

Carol Denise Betts (née Ensley; born February 23, 1970), known professionally as Niecy Nash (/ˈnsi/), is an American actress, comedian and television host. Her acting career began in the late 1990s, with appearances in films Boys on the Side (1995) and Cookie's Fortune (1999). She garnered further recognition for her portrayal of Deputy Raineesha Williams in the comedy series Reno 911! (2003–2009, 2020–present), along with hosting the Style Network show Clean House (2003—2010), for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award.

Nash received two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for playing nurse Denise "Didi" Ortley in the HBO comedy-drama series, Getting On (2013–2015). She also starred on the TV Land sitcom The Soul Man (2012–2016), Fox horror-comedy series, and Scream Queens (2015–2016), From 2017 to 2022, she played the leading role of Desna Simms in the TNT crime comedy-drama Claws (2017–2022), for which she received Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, and in 2022 began starring as Special Agent Simone Clark in the ABC crime series, The Rookie: Feds.

Nash starred in three Ava DuVernay's projects: played civil rights activist Richie Jean Jackson in the historical drama film Selma (2014), mother and activist Delores Wise in the Netflix miniseries When They See Us (2019), for which she received Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, and Marion Russell Wilkerson in the biographical drama film Origin (2023). Nash also played feminist leader Florynce Kennedy in the FX on Hulu miniseries Mrs. America (2020), and Glenda Cleveland in the Netflix limited series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022), receiving Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries and well as Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards nominations.

Early life

Carol Denise Ensley was born in Palmdale, California.

She is a spokesperson for M.A.V.I.S. (Mothers Against Violence In Schools). The organization was founded by her mother after the 1993 shooting death of Nash's younger brother, Michael. M.A.V.I.S.'s mission is to inform the public of the violence children encounter on school campuses.

Nash attended California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Career

Niecy Nash Emmys 2008
Nash at the 2008 Emmys

Early works

Nash made her professional acting debut in the 1995 film Boys on the Side. On television, she later guest-starred in NYPD Blue, Judging Amy, Reba, Girlfriends, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and ER. She also appeared in 1999 film Cookie's Fortune, and had a recurring role on the CBS drama series City of Angels in 2000.

From 2003 to 2009, Nash played the roles of Deputy Raineesha Williams and T.T. on the Comedy Central comedy series Reno 911!. She hosted Clean House on the Style Network from 2003 to 2010, as well as providing the voice of Mrs. Boots on the ABC Family animated series Slacker Cats, and starred as Rhonda, opposite Jerry O'Connell, in the short-lived Fox sitcom Do Not Disturb in 2008. She guest-starred on The Bernie Mac Show as Bernie's sister Bonita from 2003 to 2005. Nash won a Daytime Emmy in 2010 as the producer/host of Clean House: The Messiest Home in the Country in the category of Outstanding Special Class Special. On August 4, 2010, Nash announced that she was leaving Clean House, and also that the show would continue without her.

Niecy Nash 2008
Nash in 2008 commercial for Clorox products

Nash appeared on the tenth season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars beginning in March 2010, where she was partnered with Louis van Amstel. On May 11, 2010, Nash and van Amstel were eliminated from the competition, taking fifth place. In 2011 she got her own reality show, Leave It To Niecy, on TLC, about her life with her new husband and stepson, but it was quickly cancelled. In that same year she was in a TLC wedding special. She also appeared in the films Code Name: The Cleaner (2007), Reno 911!: Miami (2007), Not Easily Broken (2009), G-Force (2009), and Trust Me (2013).

2012–present

Niecy Nash 2008
Nash in 2008 commercial for Clorox products

In 2012, Nash began starring opposite Cedric the Entertainer in the TV Land sitcom The Soul Man, a spinoff of Hot in Cleveland. The series ran five seasons and ended in 2016. In 2013, she began starring opposite Laurie Metcalf in the HBO comedy series Getting On. She received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series nomination for her role on the show in 2015 and 2016, as well as a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016. For her performance, Nash received positive critical reception, followed by more serious roles.

In 2014, Nash played Richie Jean Jackson, the wife of Dr. Sullivan Jackson, in the historical drama film Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay. DuVernay cast Nash after seeing her on the Getting On. The film received acclaim from critics; on Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rating of 99%, based on 205 reviews, with an average rating of 8.7/10. Selma was listed on many critics' top ten lists. Also that year, Nash joined the cast of the Fox comedy series The Mindy Project in a recurring role as Dr. Jean Fishman, a rival of the title character.

From 2015 to 2016, Nash co-starred on the Fox horror-comedy series Scream Queens as a security guard, and then FBI Agent Denise Hemphill. She appeared in another Fox comedy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, as Andre Braugher's sister. Also in 2016, she was cast in the leading role in the Fox comedy pilot The Enforcers. The pilot, however, was not ordered to series.

In 2017, Nash was cast in a leading role in the TNT crime comedy-drama series Claws, produced by Rashida Jones, about a South Florida nail salon. Also in 2017, Nash appeared in Mary J. Blige's music video for "Strength of a Woman". For her dramatic turn in Claws, Nash has received critical praise. She received a Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, as well as another nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. In July 2018, Nash received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the television category.

In 2020, Nash starred in Netflix drama film, Uncorked, directed by Prentice Penny, and had a recurring role in the Netflix comedy-drama Never Have I Ever, created by Mindy Kaling. Also that year, she played civil rights advocate Florynce Kennedy in the Hulu miniseries Mrs. America. Later in 2020, Nash signed on to host her own syndicated daytime talk show for CBS Television Distribution. Nash reprised her role as Deputy Raineesha Williams in the seventh season of Reno 911! which aired on Quibi. She starred in the Lifetime movie Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story playing Gloria Williams, her abductor. She also appeared in the 2021 Paramount+ movie Reno 911! The Hunt for QAnon. The eighth season of the series, titled Reno 911! Defunded, premiered on The Roku Channel in February 2022. During season five of The Masked Singer, Nash served as a guest host while regular series host Nick Cannon recovered from COVID-19. On April 28, 2021, Fox announced that it had ordered a revival of Don't Forget the Lyrics with Nash as host. It premiered on May 23, 2022.

Nash guest-starred on two episodes of The Rookie, titled "Simone" and "Enervo", which served as a backdoor pilot centered on her character and aired on April 24 and May 1, 2022. On May 13, 2022, the spinoff, titled The Rookie: Feds, was ordered. The series premiered on September 27, 2022. In July 2022, Nash signed a first-look television deal with Entertainment One. Also that year, she played the title character's mother in the drama film, Beauty.

In late 2022, Nash starred as Glenda Cleveland in the Netflix true-crime limited series, Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. She received positive reviews for her performance. She won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special. Additionally, she received a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie, the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. The following year, she starred in the biographical drama film Origin by Ava DuVernay, based on life of Isabel Wilkerson. It premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival.

Personal life

In February 1993, Nash's brother Michael Ensley was shot and killed at the age of 17 by a 16-year-old gunman at Reseda High School in California. In the aftermath, Nash began telling jokes to help her mother cope with depression. "That is when I knew I had a gift to do comedy. I decided I was going to go out and spread this around as a means to help the other people who are suffering."

Nash was married for 13 years to Don Nash, an ordained minister; they filed for divorce in June 2007. They have three children together.

In September 2010, Nash became engaged to Jay Tucker. Nash participated in a TLC reality show that followed the preparations for the wedding. On May 28, 2011, they were married at the Church Estate Vineyard in Malibu. On October 30, 2019, Nash announced her pending divorce from Tucker via Instagram. On June 21, 2020, the divorce was finalized.

On August 29, 2020, Nash married singer Jessica Betts. She has chosen not to label her sexual orientation, and does not feel she is coming out now as she didn't feel sexually repressed before.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Boys on the Side Woman at Diner
1999 Cookie's Fortune Wanda Carter
The Bachelor African-American Bride
2003 Malibu's Most Wanted Gladys
2004 Hair Show Debra
2005 Jepardee! Keisha Jenkins Short film
Guess Who Naomi
Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie Mama Robin Voice
2007 Code Name: The Cleaner Jacuzzi
Reno 911!: Miami Deputy Raineesha Williams
Cook Off! Ladybug Briggs
2008 Horton Hears a Who! Miss Yelp Voice
Mrs. C Anesthesiologist Short film
2009 Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy Herself
Not Easily Broken Michelle
The Proposal Stewardess Cameo appearance
G-Force Rosalita
2013 Trust Me Angie
Nurse 3D Regina
2014 Walk of Shame Bus Driver
Selma Richie Jean Jackson
2017 Downsizing Leisureland Salesperson
2020 Uncorked Sylvia
2022 Beauty Beauty’s Mother
2023 Origin Marion Russell Wilkerson

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Party of Five Nurse Episode: "Spring Breaks: Part 1"
1998 Rude Awakening Gaynielle 1 episode
1999 Malcolm & Eddie Jackie Episode: "B.S. I Still Love You"
Time of Your Life Clerk Episode: "The Time She Came to New York"
2000 City of Angels Eveline Walker Recurring cast (season 1)
Popular Teacher Episode: "Hard on the Outside, Soft in the Middle"
Any Day Now Miss Lavonde Episode: "Lighten Up, Rene"
2001 Rude Awakening Caller #3 Episode: "Altar Ego"
Kate Brasher June/Jane Clark Episode: "Tracy"
One on One Darla Episode: "Fifteen Candles"
That's Life Darlene 2 episode
NYPD Blue Tonya Dunbar Episode: "Baby Love"
Judging Amy Officer Letitia Sitz Episode: "Beating the Bounds"
2002 Reba Maya Episode: "He's Having a Baby"
Girlfriends LaShelle Episode: "Just Dessert"
For Your Love Clerk Episode: "The Blast from the Past"
Presidio Med Nurse Episode: "Milagros"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Episode: "Snuff"
2003 That's So Raven Madame Cassandra/Shirley Episode: "Psychics Wanted"
ER Judith Anderson Episode: "Missing"
Kid Notorious Tollie Mae (voice) Main cast
2003–05 The Bernie Mac Show Benita Guest cast (season 2-4)
2003–09
2020–22
Reno 911! Deputy Raineesha Williams Main cast
2003–10 Clean House Herself/host Main cast (season 1-9)
2004 Half & Half Carla Episode: "The Big Mother of a Mother's Day Rides Again Episode"
Monk Varla Davis Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Girl Who Cried Wolf"
2005 My Name Is Earl Rhonda Gibbs Episode: "Cost Dad the Election"
2006 The Boondocks Cookie Freeman (voice) Episode: "Wingmen"
Minoriteam Fasto's Mama (voice) Recurring cast
2007 Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List Herself Episode: "Dating for Publicity"
2007–09 Slacker Cats Mrs. Boots (voice) Recurring cast
2007–13 American Dad! Additional Voices (voice) Recurring cast
2008 MADtv Herself Episode: "Episode #14.1"
The Mighty B! Miriam Breedlove (voice) Episodes: "Toot Toot!"/"To Bee or Not to Bee"
"Something's Wrong with This Taffy"/"Name Shame"
Chocolate News Trina Harper Episode: "Episode 2"
Do Not Disturb Rhonda Peet Main cast
2009 The Real Housewives of Atlanta Herself Episode: "New Attitude, Same ATL"
2009–10 Messiest Home Herself Recurring cast
2010 New Now Next Awards Herself/host TV special
RuPaul's Drag Race Herself/Guest Judge Episode: "The Snatch Game"
Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business Herself Episode: "It's a Celebration"
Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant: Season 10
Gary Unmarried Charleen Episode: "Gary Tries to Find Something for Mitch" & "Gary Unmarried?"
The Cleveland Show Janet (voice) Episode: "Another Bad Thanksgiving"
2011 Way Black When: Primetime Herself/host Episode: "Episode #1.6"
Annual Trumpet Awards Herself/host TV special
The LeBrons Gloria (voice) Main cast
2012 Celebrity Wife Swap Herself Episode: "Niecy Nash/Tina Yothers"
Leave It to Niecy Herself Main cast
Let's Talk About Love Herself Main cast
2012–16 The Soul Man Lolli Ballentine Main cast
2013 Life After Herself Episode: "Sheryl Lee Ralph: Life After Dreamgirls"
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Herself Episode: "Celebrity Week 4 & 5"
Hollywood Game Night Herself/Panelist Episode: "America's Got Game Night"
Ben and Kate Roz Episode: "Father-Daughter Dance"
2013–15 Getting On Denise "Didi" Ortley Main cast
2014 Exhale Herself Episode: "What Is Love?"
Family Game Night Herself Episode: "Celebrity Edition: Niecy Nash"
Bad Teacher Carla Episode: "What's Old Is New"
The Mindy Project Dr. Jean Fishman Recurring cast (season 3)
2015 Celebrity Family Feud Herself Episode: "Cheryl Hines vs. Niecy Nash/Duck Dynasty vs. Katy Mixon"
Hollywood Game Night Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Cedric Gives Niecy a Hand"
2015–16 TripTank Additional Voices (voice) Recurring cast
Scream Queens Denise Hemphill Recurring cast
2016 The $100,000 Pyramid Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Kevin Pollak vs. Niecy Nash"
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Debbie Holt Episode: "The Cruise"
As the Fire Pit Burns Jennifer Bowen-Brown Main cast
2016–19 Match Game Herself/Celebrity Player Recurring guest
2017 Drop the Mic Herself Episode: "Niecy Nash vs. Cedric the Entertainer"
Modern Family Joan Episode: "All Things Being Equal"
Angie Tribeca Pandora Episode: "Go Get 'Em, Tiger"
2017–22 Claws Desna Simms Main cast
2018 Kevin Hart: What The Fit Herself Episode: "Firefighting with Niecy Nash"
Fresh Off the Boat Wilhelmina Episode: "Big Baby"
A.P. Bio Kim Episode: "Teacher Jail"
Speechless Kiki Episode: "J-i-Jingle T-h-Thon"
2018–19 Family Guy Sheila (voice) Recurring cast (season 17), guest (season 18)
2019 Black Girls Rock! Herself/host TV special
When They See Us Delores Wise Main cast
Marvel Rising: Playing with Fire Shocktress (voice) Episode: "Playing with Fire"
2020 Behind Her Faith Herself Episode: "Niecy Nash"
I Can See Your Voice Herself/Panelist Episode: "Episode #1.2" & #1.10"
The Masked Singer Herself/Guest Panelist Episode: "The Group A Finals - The Masked Frontier"
Celebrity Game Face Herself Episode: "Sweatsuit Charades and Donut Holes"
A Million Little Things Gloria Episode: "The Kiss"
Mrs. America Flo Kennedy Recurring cast
Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story Gloria Williams TV movie
2020–23 Never Have I Ever Dr. Jamie Ryan Recurring cast
2021 The Masked Singer Herself Host: Season 5
GLAAD Media Awards Herself/host TV special
Q-Force Caryn (voice) Recurring cast
The Problem with Jon Stewart Thelma Episode: "Guns"
Reno 911!: The Hunt for QAnon Deputy Raineesha Williams TV movie
2022 About Last Night Herself Episode: "Casey Wilson/Niecy Nash/Damion Lee/Sydel Curry Lee"
Don't Forget the Lyrics! Herself/host TV series
Finding Your Roots Herself Episode: "Episode #9.3"
Celebrity Game Face Herself Episode: "Tournament of Losers"
Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Glenda Cleveland Main cast
Reno 911!: It's a Wonderful Heist Deputy Raineesha Williams TV movie
2022–2023 The Rookie: Feds Special Agent Simone Clark Main cast
The Rookie Recurring cast (season 4-5)
2023 Finding Your Roots Herself Episode: "Secret Lives"
Celebrity Family Feud Herself Episode: "The Rookie vs. The Rookie: Feds and Lauren Lapkus vs. June Diane Raphael"
Agent Elvis Bertie (voice) Main cast
Human Resources Hope (voice) 4 episodes

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Spider-Man 2 Additional Voices (voice)

Awards and nominations

Year Association Award Project Result Ref.
2009 Gracie Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Reno 911! Won
Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lifestyle Program Clean House Nominated
Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Special Class Program Nominated
2010 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lifestyle Program Nominated
Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Special Class Program Won
2014 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series The Soul Man Nominated
2014 Black Film Critics Circle Best Ensemble Selma Won
Black Reel Awards Best Ensemble Won
Critics' Choice Movie Award Best Acting Ensemble Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Best Ensemble Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series The Soul Man Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting in a Comedy Series Getting On Nominated
2016 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2018 Satellite Awards Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Claws Won
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nominated
2019 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nominated
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Actress in a Limited Series or Movie When They See Us Won
African-American Film Critics Association Best Ensemble Won
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Movie Nominated
2020 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie or Series Won
Online Film Critics Society Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Limited Series Won
Online Film Critics Society Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Limited Series Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie Nominated
Essence Magazine Essence Black Women in Hollywood Honored
Women's Image Network Awards Actress Made For Television Movie / Limited Series Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story Nominated
2023 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story Won
Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress - Television Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or Movie Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Television Series Won
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Pending

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Niecy Nash para niños

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