Terri J. Vaughn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Terri J. Vaughn-Riley
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Vaughn at EssenceFest 2025 in July.
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Terri Juanita Vaughn
October 16, 1969 San Francisco, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actress, director, producer |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3 |
Terri Juanita Vaughn-Riley, born on October 16, 1969, is an American actress, director, and producer. She is well-known for her role as Lovita Alizay Jenkins-Robinson, a high school secretary, in The Steve Harvey Show. This was a popular TV comedy show that aired from 1997 to 2002. For her work on this show, she won three NAACP Image Awards. Later, she also starred in other TV shows like All of Us (2003–2005) and Meet the Browns (2009–2011).
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Terri Vaughn's Acting Journey
Terri Vaughn started her acting career appearing in movies like Friday and Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood. She also acted alongside Joan Severance in the action-comedy films Black Scorpion (1995) and its follow-up, Black Scorpion II: Aftershock (1997).
Becoming Lovita on The Steve Harvey Show
In 1997, Terri Vaughn joined the cast of The Steve Harvey Show as Lovita Alizay Jenkins-Robinson. This role made her very popular. She earned three NAACP Image Awards for her funny performances. After The Steve Harvey Show ended in 2002, Vaughn took on the role of Eva Holly in the drama series Soul Food. She was nominated for another NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for this role.
Other TV Shows and Movies
From 2003 to 2005, Vaughn was a regular actress on the TV comedy All of Us. In 2007, she had a supporting role in the movie Daddy's Little Girls, which also starred Gabrielle Union. She then had another regular role in a TV show called Meet the Browns from 2009 to 2011.
Behind the Scenes: Directing and Producing
Terri Vaughn also has her own production company called Nina Holiday Entertainment. She runs it with her business partner, Cas Sigers. This company has produced movies like Sugar Mommas, A Cross to Bear, and Girlfriends' Getaway. In 2016, Terri Vaughn directed her first comedy film, #DigitalLivesMatter.
More recently, in 2016, Vaughn had a recurring role as a housekeeper in the TV drama Greenleaf. In 2020, she appeared as Robin in the South African TV series Kings Of Jo'burg, which is available on Netflix.
Terri Vaughn's Family Life
Terri Vaughn grew up in San Francisco, California. She was married to Derrick Carolina and they had a son named Daylen Ali, born in 2001. She is now married to Karon Riley, who used to be a football player. They have a son and a daughter together.
Movies and TV Shows
Terri Vaughn has appeared in many movies and television shows throughout her career. Here are some of them:
Film Appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit | Student | |
| 1995 | Friday | China | |
| Black Scorpion | Tender Lovin' | ||
| Excessive Force II: Force on Force | Grace | ||
| 1996 | Don't Be a Menace | Keisha | |
| Carnosaur 3: Primal Species | B.T. Coolidge | ||
| 1997 | Black Scorpion II: Aftershock | Tender Lovin' | |
| 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag | Flight Attendant | ||
| 2000 | The Smoker | - | Short |
| 2003 | Detonator | Sharona Brown | |
| 2005 | Fair Game | Wanda | |
| Exposure | Woman #1 | Short | |
| 2006 | Stick It | Susie Mack | |
| 2007 | Dirty Laundry | Jackie | |
| Daddy's Little Girls | Brenda | ||
| Redrum | Amber | ||
| Angels Can't Help But Laugh | Herself | ||
| Three Can Play That Game | Linda | ||
| 2010 | Baby Mama's Club | Mrs. Lagos | |
| Love Me or Leave Me | Sheila Edwards | TV movie | |
| This Time | Janet | Short | |
| 2012 | Think Like a Man | Audience Member | |
| Sugar Mommas | Sheila | TV movie | |
| The Marriage Chronicles | Kamel Jackson | ||
| Probable Cause | Tamika | ||
| Life, Love, Soul | Tiffany | ||
| 2013 | Who Did I Marry? | Jennifer | |
| Between Sisters | Benita | TV movie | |
| In the Meantime | Nina | TV movie | |
| Not 4 Sale | Juanita Poitier | Short | |
| 2014 | Where's the Love? | Kai | TV movie |
| Hamlet & Hutch | Kendall | Video | |
| Girlfriends' Getaway | Sophie | TV movie | |
| Breeze | Brenda | ||
| 2015 | 72 Hours | Kia | |
| Touched | Laura | ||
| Girlfriends' Getaway 2 | Sophie | TV movie | |
| Soul Ties | Ruth | ||
| 2016 | Beat Street | Mayor Cummings | Video |
| 2017 | Love by Chance | Herself | |
| 2018 | Melinda | Stacia LeBeau | |
| One Crazy Christmas | Felecia | ||
| 2019 | Cultural Clash | Mrs. Jefferson | |
| His, Hers & the Truth | Craigs Mom | ||
| 2020 | Heaven On Seven | Sister Lisa | |
| The Millennial | Mrs. Sterling | ||
| A Christmas Surprise | Aisha | TV movie | |
| 2022 | The Millennial | Mrs. Sterling | |
| 2023 | Here Comes the Sun | Ruth |
Television Appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Living Single | Woman #1 | Episode: "Great Expectations" |
| The Sinbad Show | Woman #1 | Episode: "Strictly Business" | |
| 1994 | Married... with Children | Connie | Episode: "Business Sucks: Part 1" |
| Family Matters | Girl #1 at Party | Episode: "Beta Chi Guy" | |
| 1995 | Sherman Oaks | Denise Cook | Episode: "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" |
| Family Matters | Eddie's Date | Episode: "They Shoot Urkels, Don't They?" | |
| 1997–2002 | The Steve Harvey Show | Lovita Alizay Jenkins Robinson | Main Cast: Seasons 2–6 |
| 1999 | ER | Mrs. Gleason | Episode: "Point of Origin" |
| 2001 | The Test | Herself/Panelist | Episode: "The PDA Test" & "The Optimist Test" |
| 2002–03 | Soul Food | Eva Holly | Guest: Season 3, Recurring Cast: Season 4 |
| 2003 | Girlfriends | Tasha | Episode: "Single Mama, Drama" |
| 2003-05 | All of Us | Jonelle Abrahams | Main Cast: Seasons 1–2, Guest: Season 3 |
| 2004 | The Drop | Herself | Episode: "Episode #1.35" |
| 2008 | Baisden After Dark | Herself | Episode: "Are Women Too Picky?" |
| 2009–11 | Meet the Browns | Renee | Recurring Cast: Season 3, Main Cast: Seasons 4–5 |
| 2011 | The Real Housewives of Atlanta | Herself | Episode: "The Bride and the Doom" |
| 2013 | JD Lawrence's Community Service | Lydia | Main Cast |
| 2016 | Being | Herself | Episode: "Terri J. Vaughn" |
| Unsung Hollywood | Herself | Episode: "Jasmine Guy" | |
| Greenleaf | Melisse | Recurring Cast: Season 1 | |
| 2017 | Mann & Wife | Lieutenant Tate | Recurring Cast: Season 3 |
| 2018 | Rel | Tia | Episode: "Windy City Politics" |
| 2020 | Insecure | Rose Cranberry | Recurring Cast: Season 4 |
| Terror Lake Drive | Dr. Chisholm | Episode: "Something About AJ" | |
| Kings of Jo'burg | Robin | Recurring Cast | |
| 2020–21 | We Stay Looking | Rose Cranberry | Main Cast |
| 2021–22 | First Wives Club | Cousin Pam | Guest: Season 2, Recurring Cast: Season 3 |
| 2022 | The Neighborhood | Claire | Episode: "Welcome to the Man Code" |
| Johnson | Wanda Brooks | Recurring Cast: Season 2 | |
| Cherish the Day | Anastasia | Main Cast: Season 2 | |
| 2025 | She the People | Antoinette Dunkerson | Lead role |
Awards and Nominations
Terri Vaughn has been recognized for her acting with several awards and nominations.
| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | The Steve Harvey Show | Nominated |
| 2001 | Won | |||
| 2002 | Won | |||
| 2003 | Won | |||
| 2004 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Soul Food | Nominated | |
| 2004 | BET Awards | BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | All of Us | Nominated |
