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Robin Givens
Born (1964-11-27) November 27, 1964 (age 60)
Alma mater Sarah Lawrence College
Occupation Actress, model, director
Years active 1978–present
Spouse(s)
  • (m. 1988; div. 1989)
  • Svetozar Marinković
    (m. 1997; div. 1998)
Partner(s) Murphy Jensen
(1999–2002)
Children 2

Robin Givens (born November 27, 1964) is an American actress and director. Givens played Darlene Merriman in the ABC sitcom Head of the Class in 1986, and remained on the series for its five year duration. Her troubled marriage to boxer Mike Tyson in 1988 drew considerable media attention, as did their acrimonious divorce. She later went on to become a spokesperson for the National Domestic Violence Hotline for several years.

Givens continued her career with film and television roles such as The Women of Brewster Place (1989) and Boomerang (1992). In 1996, Givens co-starred on the sitcom Sparks, which aired for two seasons on UPN. In January 2000, she took over hosting duties on the syndicated talk show Forgive or Forget. In 2007, Givens released her autobiography, Grace Will Lead Me Home. She has since had recurring roles on The Game, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Chuck, Riverdale and its spin-off Katy Keene, and has been part of the main cast of Batwoman. In 2020, Givens began working as a television and film director.

Early life

Givens' mother raised Robin and her sister Stephanie in Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, New York. Givens was raised Catholic. She occasionally modeled and acted as a teen. As a model, she appeared in magazines such as Seventeen and Mademoiselle. She made her film debut at age 14 in the film The Wiz (1978) as a guest at Aunt Emma's Party.

Givens graduated from New Rochelle Academy (a private school which closed in June 1987). At the age of 15, she enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College as a pre-medical major, becoming one of the youngest to attend the school. While in school she acted in daytime dramas. She graduated at the age of 19 in 1984. Givens claimed to have dropped out of Harvard Medical School to focus on her acting career, but the registrar's office stated that she never applied.

Career

1980s–1990s

In 1985, Givens auditioned for a guest spot on The Cosby Show. She won the spot and Bill Cosby became her mentor. He persuaded her to drop out of school and promised that if she was not successful in two years, he would get her back into medical school and pay her tuition. Soon after Givens appeared in Diff'rent Strokes and the 1986 television film Beverly Hills Madam, opposite Faye Dunaway. That same year, she landed her breakthrough role as rich girl Darlene Merriman on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class. The series lasted five seasons, ending in 1991. In 1989, while starring in Head of the Class, she appeared in The Women of Brewster Place with Oprah Winfrey. She later starred in the feature films A Rage in Harlem (1991) and Boomerang (1992).

In 1996, Givens portrayed Claudia in the television movie The Face (also known as A Face to Die For) with Yasmine Bleeth. Later that year, she co-starred in the UPN sitcom Sparks, which ended its run in 1998. She also played Denise in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

2000s–2010s

In January 2000, Givens appeared in a cameo in Toni Braxton's music video "He Wasn't Man Enough", as the wife of a cheating husband. She returned to the entertainment industry later that year as the host of the talk show Forgive or Forget, replacing television personality Mother Love halfway through the show's second season. Ratings initially increased after Givens took over hosting duties, but soon fell. The series was canceled after this season.

In 2006, Givens attempted a return to television on MyNetworkTV's telenovela Saints and Sinners, but the show garnered low ratings and was soon canceled. Givens continued acting in made-for-television films while also making appearances on Trinity Broadcasting Network's Praise the Lord program (July 12, 2007), and Larry King Live. In June 2007, she released her autobiography Grace Will Lead Me Home. Givens returned to feature films in Tyler Perry's Southern drama The Family That Preys (2008). She also had a recurring role portraying a fictionalized version of herself on the CW comedy-drama The Game. Additionally, she has had a recurring role on the TBS show Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and a guest role on USA Network's Burn Notice. In addition to television and film roles, Givens has performed onstage. From February to April 16, 2006, she played the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway play Chicago. In 2007, she toured the country playing a part in the I'm Ready Productions play Men, Money & Golddiggers. Givens starred in the 2009 stage play A Mother's Prayer, which also starred Johnny Gill, Shirley Murdock, and Jermaine Crawford.

In 2007, Givens published a memoir entitled Grace Will Lead Me Home. In it, she reflects on the life of her praying grandmother, Grace, her experiences of domestic violence, her strong will to survive, feeling abandoned by her father, and her faith in God. In 2011, she guest-starred in three episodes of NBC's spy-comedy Chuck: "Chuck Versus the Masquerade", "Chuck Versus the A-Team", and "Chuck Versus the Muuurder", as Jane Bentley. Later that year, she performed as Angel, a struggling blues singer, in the play Blues for An Alabama Sky at Pasadena Playhouse. In 2015, she starred alongside Clifton Powell, Mishon Ratliff, and Malachi Malik in the segment "Mama's Boy" of TV One's anthology romance horror film Fear Files.

Givens was the spokesperson for the National Domestic Violence Hotline for several years.

In 2017, the actress hosted the San Diego Black Film Festival as she had for the several previous years.

In 2021, Givens was cast in season three of Batwoman as Jada Jet, the CEO of Jeturian Industries and Ryan Wilder's biological mother who is based on Jezebel Jet.

In 2022, Givens appeared in the Lifetime film He's Not Worth Dying For as part of its "Ripped from the Headlines" feature films that was inspired by the feud of Rachel Wade and Sarah Ludemann. She portrayed Cher Heinemann, the mother of Grace Heinemann who was based on Ludemann.

2020s

In 2020, Givens made her directorial debut with the Lifetime mystery thriller film, A Murder to Remember. She later directed films Favorite Son (2021) and its sequel, Favorite Son Christmas (2023), A Jenkins Family Christmas (2021) and The Christmas Clapback (2022), all for BET+. In 2021, she directed the horror films Haunted Trail and Horror Noire. In 2023 she directed the comedy film, The Nana Project.

In 2021, Givens was cast in season three of Batwoman as Jada Jet, the CEO of Jeturian Industries and Ryan Wilder's biological mother who is based on Jezebel Jet.

In 2022, Givens appeared in the Lifetime film He's Not Worth Dying For as part of its "Ripped from the Headlines" feature films that was inspired by the feud of Rachel Wade and Sarah Ludemann. She portrayed Cher Heinemann, the mother of Grace Heinemann who was based on Ludemann.

Givens directed the episodes of television series Riverdale, Dynasty, Nancy Drew, So Help Me Todd and Elsbeth.

Personal life

Givens began dating boxer Mike Tyson in 1987. During their marriage, Givens bought a $4.3 million mansion in the affluent suburb of Bernardsville, New Jersey with money withdrawn from Tyson's brokerage account. They appeared in a Diet Pepsi commercial together and on the cover of Life magazine.

After her miscarriage in June 1988, their marriage began to fall apart. In October 1988, Givens filed for divorce, citing spousal abuse and was granted a temporary restraining order. Tyson sought an annulment, accusing her of stealing millions of dollars and manipulating the public. Givens responded by filing a $125 million libel suit for defamation. Their divorce was finalized on Valentine's Day in 1989.

Givens received negative press following her split from Tyson, particularly within the sports and African-American communities. Headlines heralded her as "the Most Hated Woman in America" and she was described as a "gold digger who married Tyson solely for his millions." Givens denied that she received a reported divorce settlement of over $10 million from Tyson, stating that she "didn't receive one dime."

According to the 1989 biography Fire and Fear: The Inside Story of Mike Tyson, Tyson admitted he punched Givens, stating "that was the best punch I've ever thrown in my entire life." Tyson later claimed the book was "filled with inaccuracies." In 2009, Tyson joked about "socking" Givens on Oprah, which caused laughter in the audience. Winfrey later issued an apology to Givens.

In 1993, Givens adopted her first son, Michael "Buddy" Givens. In 1997, she married her tennis instructor, Svetozar Marinković. Givens filed for divorce months later. In 1999, she had a biological son, William "Billy" Jensen, with ex-boyfriend, tennis player Murphy Jensen.

In January 2004, Givens struck a pedestrian while driving an SUV through a Miami, Florida, intersection. Givens was ticketed for failing to use due care with a pedestrian in a crosswalk, but the charges were later dismissed. In June 2004, the injured party filed a civil lawsuit against Givens for an unspecified amount.

A May 7, 2009, article in Forbes magazine reported that the Internal Revenue Service was suing Givens for unpaid federal income taxes totaling $292,000 ($398,000 in present-day USD when adjusted for inflation), an amount which included interest and penalties. The government had asked a federal court in Florida for a judgment against her on 39 assessments covering a span of eight years.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1978 The Wiz Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
1986 Beverly Hills Madam April Baxter TV movie
1989 The Penthouse Dinah St. Clair
1991 A Rage in Harlem Imabelle
1992 Boomerang Jacqueline Broyer
1993 Angel Street Det. Anita King TV movie
1994 Foreign Student April
Blankman Kimberly Jonz
1995 Dangerous Intentions Kaye Ferrar TV movie
1996 A Face to Die For Claudia
1998 Secrets - Short
1999 Michael Jordan: An American Hero Juanita Vanoy TV movie
2000 Everything's Jake Publisher
The Expendables Randy TV movie
2001 The Elite Ashe
Spinning Out of Control Erin TV movie
2002 Book of Love Iyanna
Antibody Dr. Rachel Saverini Video
2003 Head of State Kim
A Good Night to Die Dana
Love Chronicles Monifa Burly
Hollywood Wives: The New Generation Kyndra TV movie
2005 Flip The Script Rain Jones
Captive Hearts Jade Marlo TV movie
2006 Restraining Order Diane McNeil
2008 The Family That Preys Abigail "Abby" Dexter
2009 God Send Me a Man Kim
Little Hercules In 3-D Dana
Sounds of Poetry Eleanor Short
Preaching to the Pastor Dr. Leslie Williams
A Mother's Prayer Brenda Video
2010 Enemies Among Us Gloria
2011 Church Girl Cat
Should've Put a Ring on It Sherri
Breathe Nurse Nancy
The Love You Save Alexis TV movie
2012 Waiting for Angels Jack's Daughter Video
2013 Je'Caryous Johnson's Marriage Material Shauna
Will a Man Rob God? Mrs. Alexis Video
JK's House Dr. Amber Jenkins
2014 Airplane Vs Volcano Lisa Whitmore Video
Four Seasons Helen
Unspoken Words Mrs. Lewis
On Angel's Wings Amber
2015 Fear Files Elaine Channing TV movie
Perfect Match Wedding Coordinator
A Christmas to Remember Veronica
2016 Definitely Divorcing April
The Perfect Match Geneva
God's Not Dead 2 Principal Kinney
2017 Dreams I Never Had Prosecuting Attorney Hernandez
2018 The Products of the American Ghetto Penny
God Bless the Broken Road Kareena Williams
Never Heard Shala Davis
2019 Gully Irma
2020 The Sin Choice Grace Thompson
Dear Christmas Penny TV movie
2021 Saints & Sinners Judgment Day Wilhelmina Parker
2022 Last Looks Fontella Davis
Kimi Angela's Mother
He's Not Worth Dying For Cher TV movie
A New Diva's Christmas Carol Sahra
2023 The Nana Project Director
Christmas Rescue Mama Rose TV movie

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1985 Cosby Show, TheThe Cosby Show Susanne Episode: "Theo and the Older Woman"
Guiding Light Diana Episode: "Episode #1.9784"
1986 Soul Train Herself Episode: "Al Jarreau/Vesta Williams"
Diff'rent Strokes Ann Episode: "The Big Bribe"
Philip Marlowe, Private Eye Token Ware Episode: "Pickup on Noon Street"
1986–1991 Head of the Class Darlene Merriman Main role
1987 Hollywood Squares Herself/Panelist Episode: "April 27, 1987"
1988 Sonny Spoon Alvita 1 episode
1989 The Women of Brewster Place Kiswana/Melanie Browne Miniseries
1992 Angel Street Detective Anita King Main role
1995 Me and the Boys Nina Recurring role
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Denise Episode: "Cold Feet, Hot Body"
Courthouse Suzanne Graham Main role
1996 In the House Alex Peterson Recurring role
1996–1998 Sparks Wilma Cuthbert Main role
1997 Moesha Ladonna Episode: "Strike a Pose"
1999 The Love Boat: The Next Wave Dana Chase Episode: "Don't Judge a Book by Its Lover"
Cosby Ms. Malone Recurring role
2000 Hollywood Squares Herself/Panelist
Intimate Portrait Herself Episode: "Robin Givens"
Forgive or Forget Herself Host
Chicken Soup for the Soul Counselor Episode: "The Right Thing"
DAG Jennifer Episode: "Jennifer Returns"
2003 Driven Herself Episode: "Mike Tyson"
2003–2004 One on One Sheila Recurring role
2007 Saints & Sinners Kelly Mitchell Episode: "Plumbing Problems"
2008 The Game Herself Recurring role
Tyler Perry's House of Payne Tanya Recurring role
Burn Notice Kandi Episode: "Scatter Point"
Everybody Hates Chris Stacy Episode: "Everybody Hates Doc's"
2010 My Parents, My Sister & Me Keela Goldman Main role
Drop Dead Diva Ann Simpson Episode: "A Mother's Secret"
Nikita Mary Miracle Episode: "All the Way"
2011 Chuck Director Jane Bentley Recurring role
Reed Between the Lines Dominique Episode: "Let's Talk About Jealousy"
2012 RuPaul's Drag U Herself Episode: "Revenge of the Nerds"
Suburgatory Tulsa Episode: "Independence Day"
Retired at 35 Dr. Keller Episode: "The Dates"
Are We There Yet? Episode: "Open Mic Gaffe"
2013 90210 Cheryl Harwood Recurring role
Twisted Judy
The First Family Melanie Episode: "The First Pageant"
2016 Unsung Hollywood Herself Episode: "Eartha Kitt"
Man Seeking Woman Vicki Claus Episode: "Tinsel"
Lucifer Leila Simms Episode: "Sin-Eater"
2017 About Him 2: The Revolution Dr. Alfeni Henderson Main role
Malibu Dan the Family Man Jessica Dankles Recurring role
2017–2018 Once Upon a Time Eudora
2017–2021 Riverdale Sierra McCoy
2018 Saints & Sinners Wilhelmina Hayworth
The Bold and the Beautiful Dr. Phillips Main role
2019 25 Words or Less Herself Recurring role
The Fix Julianne Johnson
Ambitions Stephanie Carlisle Main role
2019–2022 Step Up Dana Recurring role
2020 Worst Cooks in America Herself Main role
Katy Keene Sierra McCoy Episode: "Chapter Six: Mama Said"
2021 Head of the Class Darlene Merriman Recurring role
2021–2022 Batwoman Jada Jet Main role
2022 Queens Robin Episode: "Let the Past Be the Past"
2024 So Help Me Todd Director 1 episode

Music video

Year Song Artist
2019 "Shoes" Mina Tobias

Awards and nominations

Year Award Result Category Film
1991 ShoWest Convention, USA Won Female Star of Tomorrow
2004 Black Reel Awards Nominated Television: Best Supporting Actress Hollywood Wives: The New Generation

Books

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Robin Givens para niños

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