Jenifer Lewis

Jenifer Lewis, born on January twenty-fifth, nineteen fifty-seven, is a celebrated American actress and singer whose career spans several decades. She began her journey in the world of entertainment on Broadway, where she showcased her talent in various musicals. Her early career also included working as a backup singer for the iconic Bette Midler, which paved the way for her transition into film.

Lewis gained widespread recognition for her memorable performances in films such as Beaches in nineteen eighty-eight and Sister Act in nineteen ninety-two. She is particularly known for her portrayal of matriarchal figures in a variety of films, including What's Love Got to Do With It, Poetic Justice, and The Preacher's Wife. This consistent role as a mother figure has earned her the unofficial title of 'The Mother of Black Hollywood,' a moniker that also serves as the title of her memoir.

In addition to her film work, Lewis has lent her voice to beloved animated characters, including Mama Odie in Disney's The Princess and the Frog and Flo in Pixar's Cars series. Her filmography also includes notable roles in Dead Presidents, Cast Away, and Hereafter, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

On television, Lewis starred as Lana Hawkins in the Lifetime medical drama Strong Medicine from two thousand to two thousand six. She has made guest appearances in popular sitcoms such as A Different World, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Girlfriends. In two thousand fourteen, she began her role as Ruby Johnson in the ABC comedy series Black-ish, earning two nominations for the Critics' Choice Television Awards for her outstanding performance.