Vanessa Bell Calloway

Vanessa Bell Calloway, born on March 20, 1957, is a multifaceted American actress whose career began in the world of dance. She gained widespread recognition for her memorable role as Princess Imani Izzi in the iconic 1988 comedy, Coming to America, and its sequel. Over the years, she has showcased her talent in more than 150 film and television productions, earning her a place among the notable figures in the entertainment industry.

Throughout her illustrious career, Calloway has appeared in a variety of films, including Death Spa (1988), What's Love Got to Do with It (1993), The Inkwell (1994), Crimson Tide (1995), Daylight (1996), The Brothers (2001), and Biker Boyz (2003). Her versatility extends to television, where she starred in the first African American prime time soap opera, Under One Roof (1995), and later took on recurring roles in popular series such as Hawthorne, Shameless, and This Is Us.

From 2016 to 2022, Calloway captivated audiences as Lady Ella Johnson in the Bounce TV prime time soap opera, Saints & Sinners. In 2022, she began a new chapter in her career by starring in the BET+ crime drama, The Black Hamptons. Her talent has also shone through in biographical films, where she portrayed Marian Shields Robinson in Southside with You (2016) and took on the role of Harriet Tubman's mother in Harriet (2019).

With a remarkable career spanning decades, Vanessa Bell Calloway has been recognized as a nine-time nominee for the NAACP Image Awards, reflecting her significant contributions to the arts and her enduring impact on the industry.