Valarie Pettiford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Valarie Pettiford
Valarie Pettiford in 2009
Born	(1960-07-08) July 8, 1960 (age 64) New York City, U.S.
Education	High School of Performing Arts
Occupation	Actress dancer singer
Years active	1978–present
Spouse(s)	Tony Rader

Valarie Pettiford (born July 8, 1960) is an American actress, dancer, and jazz singer. She is known for her work on stage, in movies, and on TV shows. Valarie was nominated for a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway musical Fosse. She also played Deirdre "Big Dee Dee" LaFontaine Thorne in the TV show Half & Half.

Valarie's Amazing Stage Career

Valarie Pettiford started her career as a dancer and choreographer. She worked in many Bob Fosse shows on Broadway. Broadway is a famous theater district in New York City.

A newspaper called the New York Times once wrote about her. They said that you couldn't take your eyes off Valarie Pettiford. They described her as a strong and graceful dancer. She was skilled in both ballet and Broadway dance styles.

In 1995 and 1996, Valarie played the character Julie in a traveling show called Show Boat. This show toured around different cities.

Tony Award Nomination for Fosse

From 1998 to 1999, Valarie starred in the Broadway show Fosse. This musical celebrated the work of famous choreographer Bob Fosse. For her role, Valarie was nominated for a Tony Award. A Tony Award is one of the highest honors for theater in the United States. She was also nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award.

A magazine called Variety said Valarie sang beautifully. They also noted she was a powerful and elegant dancer. After Fosse, she moved to London. There, she played Velma Kelly in the musical Chicago. She performed in London's West End from 1999 to 2000. She even performed alongside the famous actress Chita Rivera.

Other Stage Achievements

In 2007, Valarie won the Backstage Bistro Award. This was for her first performance in a cabaret show in New York City. She also won an NAACP Theatre Award for her main role in the play The Wild Party.

Valarie has also performed in her own solo shows. In 2008, she starred in "Valarie Pettiford - Thankful." This show was performed in New York City and Los Angeles. In 2009, she had another solo show called "Valarie Pettiford - The Concert."

Valarie's Movie Roles

Valarie Pettiford started acting in movies when she was 17. Her first movie was The Wiz in 1978. She was part of a large group of performers in that film.

Later, she played Mariah Carey's mother in the 2001 movie Glitter. In 2007, she had a role in the movie Stomp the Yard. She also played Aunt Geneva in the 2011 film Jumping the Broom.

Valarie on Television

In the 1990s, Valarie appeared on daytime soap operas. These included Another World and One Life to Live. On One Life to Live, she was the first actress to play the character Sheila Price.

Half & Half and Other TV Shows

From 2002 to 2006, Valarie had a main role in the TV sitcom Half & Half. She played Deirdre "Big Dee Dee" LaFontaine Thorne. This role earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations. These awards celebrate outstanding performances by people of color.

From 2008 to 2009, she played Sandra Lucas in the comedy-drama series Tyler Perry's House of Payne. She also appeared in a TV pilot called Anatomy of Hope. This show was directed by the famous J. J. Abrams.

Valarie has a recurring role on the NBC drama The Blacklist. She plays the wife of Harold Cooper, who is an Assistant Director of the FBI. She also starred as the witch Emily Mather in the TV series A Discovery of Witches.

In September 2024, it was announced that Valarie joined the cast of The Young and the Restless. She will play the character Amy Lewis in this long-running show.

Valarie's Music Career

While she was working on the TV show Half & Half, Valarie also released a jazz album. Her album, called Hear My Soul, came out in 2005.

Valarie's Early Life and Family

Valarie Pettiford was born on July 8, 1960. She was born in Queens, New York. Her parents are Ralph and Blanch Pettiford. She graduated from the High School of Performing Arts in 1978. This school is famous for training young artists.

Valarie is married to Tony Rader. Tony is an actor and used to be a baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is also her manager. They got engaged in 1991.

Filmography

Movies Valarie Has Been In

TV Shows Valarie Has Appeared In

Stage Roles Valarie Has Played

• The Wiz (2006), Aunt Em
• The Wild Party (2005)
• He Hunts (2002), Leontine Duchotel
• Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (2002), Dorothy Shaw
• Chicago (August 1999—February 2000), Velma Kelly
• Fosse (1998—99)
• Show Boat (1995—96), Julie
• Freefall (1994)
• The Naked Truth (1994), Cassandra Keefer
• Weird Romance (1992), Shannara and other roles
• West Side Story (1987), Anita
• Big Deal (1986), Pearl, dance captain
• Ladies and Gentlemen, Jerome Kern (1985), choreographer
• Grind (1985), Fleta
• Dancin' (1979), performer
• Sophisticated Ladies (1978), a sophisticated lady and understudy for Miss Jamison, dance captain
• A Broadway Musical (1978), swing performer
• Summer and Smoke
• The Balcony
• Beehive
• Tango Apasionato
• Sarah and Abraham
• She Stoops to Conquer
• Sweet Charity