Telma Hopkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Telma Hopkins
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Hopkins in 2008
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| Born |
Telma Louise Hopkins
October 28, 1948 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1967–present |
| Known for | Bosom Buddies Gimme a Break! Family Matters Half & Half |
| Spouse(s) |
Donald B. Allen
(m. 1970; div. 1977) |
| Children | 1 |
Telma Louise Hopkins (born October 28, 1948) is an American actress and singer. She first became famous as a member of the 1970s pop music group Tony Orlando and Dawn. The group had several number-one hit songs and even starred in their own TV variety show.
After her music career, Hopkins became a successful actress. She is well-known for her roles in popular sitcoms. You might know her as Isabelle Hammond in Bosom Buddies, Addy Wilson in Gimme a Break!, or as Rachel Crawford in the hit show Family Matters. She has also starred in many other TV shows and movies, continuing to act in recent years.
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Early Life and First Steps in Music
Telma Hopkins was born in Louisville, Kentucky. She was raised by her grandmother in Highland Park, Michigan, near Detroit. As a child, she wasn't very interested in acting. Instead, her big dream was to become a singer.
Hopkins began her career as a background singer in Detroit, which was a major center for music. She sang on hit songs for famous record labels like Motown. She provided vocals on classic songs like "Band of Gold" by Freda Payne and the "Theme from Shaft" by Isaac Hayes. She also worked with music legends like the Four Tops and Marvin Gaye.
Career Highlights
A Star with Tony Orlando and Dawn
In the early 1970s, Hopkins and singer Joyce Vincent Wilson joined Tony Orlando to create the group Tony Orlando and Dawn. They became a huge success. The group released 16 songs that made it into the top-40 music charts, and three of their songs went all the way to number one.
Their popularity led to their own TV show on CBS, called Tony Orlando and Dawn, which ran from 1974 to 1976. The group decided to stop performing together in 1977, and Hopkins began to focus on a new career.
From Singer to Actress
In 1979, Hopkins started her acting career with a role in the TV miniseries Roots: The Next Generations. Soon after, she began appearing in sitcoms. Her first major role was in Bosom Buddies from 1980 to 1982, where she acted alongside Tom Hanks.
From 1983 to 1987, she played Addy Wilson, the best friend of Nell Carter's character, on the NBC show Gimme a Break!.
A Household Name with Family Matters
In 1989, Hopkins landed one of her most famous roles as Rachel Baines-Crawford in the popular sitcom Family Matters. She played the fun-loving aunt in the Winslow family. After four seasons, she left to star in her own show, Getting By, which aired from 1993 to 1994. She later returned to Family Matters for special guest appearances.
Continued Success in TV and Film
Throughout her career, Hopkins has appeared in many other shows and movies. She played the mother of Richard T. Jones's character in the movie The Wood (1999) and the mother of Romany Malco's character in The Love Guru (2008).
From 2002 to 2006, she was a main cast member of the sitcom Half & Half. She also had roles in Are We There Yet? from 2010 to 2013 and Partners in 2014. In 2021, she appeared on the soap opera The Young and the Restless, which reunited her with her Family Matters co-star Bryton James.
Personal Life and Charity Work
Hopkins was married to Donald B. Allen from 1970 to 1977. They have one son.
Besides her work in entertainment, Hopkins is dedicated to helping others. She volunteers for many charities, including organizations that help children. She also enjoys mentoring young people and being active with the Parent–teacher association.
Selected Roles
Hopkins has appeared in dozens of movies and television shows. Here are some of her most notable roles.
Movies
- Trancers (1984) - as Ruth "Ruthie" Raines
- Trancers II (1991) - as Ruth "Ruthie" Raines
- The Wood (1999) - as Mrs. Hightower
- The Love Guru (2008) - as Lillian Roanoke
- The Matrix Resurrections (2021) - as Freya
Television
- Tony Orlando and Dawn (1974–1976) - as Herself
- Bosom Buddies (1980–1982) - as Isabelle Hammond
- Gimme a Break! (1983–1987) - as Addy Wilson
- Family Matters (1989–1997) - as Rachel Crawford
- Getting By (1993–1994) - as Dolores Dixon
- Half & Half (2002–2006) - as Phyllis Thorne
- Are We There Yet? (2010–2013) - as Marilyn Persons
- Dead to Me (2019–2022) - as Yolanda
- Family Reunion (2019–2022) - as Maybelle
- The Young and the Restless (2021) - as Denise Tolliver
