Loretta Devine (born August 21, 1949) is an American actress. She is known for numerous roles across stage and screen. Her most high profile roles include Lorrell Robinson in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls, the long-suffering Gloria Matthews in the film Waiting to Exhale, and her recurring role as Adele Webber on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 2011.

Loretta Devine
Devine in 2010
Born (1949-08-21) August 21, 1949 (age 74)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Houston (BA)
Brandeis University (MFA)
OccupationActress
Years active1977–present
Spouse
Glenn Marshall Tyler
(m. 1967)
Children2
AwardsFull list

Early life edit

Loretta Devine was born in Houston, Texas, on August 21, 1949.[1] She grew up in the Acres Homes area of Houston, where her mother was a single mother to six children.[2] She was very active on the pep squad, and performed in talent shows at George Washington Carver High School.[3]

In 1971, Devine graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Drama.[3] In 1976, she received a Master of Fine Arts in Theater from Brandeis University.[4]

Career edit

Stage work edit

Devine has worked extensively on Broadway. Her Broadway debut was in 1978 in a musical called A Broadway Musical, which closed after 14 previews and only one performance on December 21, 1978. She captured attention in her second Broadway show, called Comin' Uptown, which featured Gregory Hines.[5]

She rose to stardom in Dreamgirls, a smash 1981 Broadway musical loosely based on the history of The Supremes, in which she originated the role of Lorrell Robinson (a fictional character based on Mary Wilson). The story of Dreamgirls was created during workshops that were carried out in six-week workshops over the period of three years, which Devine, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Jennifer Holliday developed via improv.[5] She also received raves in the 1995 Apollo revival of The Wiz as Glinda the Good Witch of the South.[citation needed]

Film edit

While rehearsing for Dreamgirls with a little girl in 1981, Devine was cast in Jessie Maple's Will, the first independent feature-length film directed by an African-American woman.[6] For her featured role in the low-budget film, Devine earned $500.[6]

Minor roles for Devine followed in films such as Little Nikita and Stanley & Iris.

In 1995, she landed a major role as Gloria Matthews in Waiting to Exhale, opposite Whitney Houston, Gregory Hines, and Angela Bassett. The role earned her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, as did her next film, The Preacher's Wife, her second film with Houston and Hines. She later co-starred opposite Alfre Woodard in Down in the Delta (1998) and Funny Valentines (1999).

She has a cameo performance in the film version of Dreamgirls.

Television and continued film successes edit

Devine played roles as a repertory character in the play The Colored Museum with Vickilyn Reynolds. Devine and Reynolds both went on to play sisters in the short-lived TV series Sugar and Spice. During the period between the play and the series, Devine appeared in the first season of the TV series A Different World as Stevie Rallen, a dormitory director at the fictional Hillman College.

From 2000 to 2004, Devine starred as high school teacher Marla Hendricks on the Fox drama series Boston Public. Devine won three more Image Awards for her work in the series. She also continued to work in film, playing prominent roles in Urban Legend, Urban Legends: Final Cut, and I Am Sam. Devine earned yet another Image Award nomination and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her work in the 2004 film Woman Thou Art Loosed. She also appeared in the 2005 film Crash. In 2007, she appeared in This Christmas, and in the next year had a series regular role on the ABC comedy-drama Eli Stone. Devine also was part of the ensemble casts of two Tyler Perry-directed films For Colored Girls and Madea's Big Happy Family. In 2008, she was featured prominently on George Michael's remake of "Feeling Good." She also appeared in First Sunday, Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Jumping the Broom.[5]

Devine had a recurring role in the Shonda Rhimes drama series Grey's Anatomy as Dr. Richard Webber's first wife, Adele.[7] In 2011 she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her performance. She was nominated for a second time for her performance in 2012.[8] Devine also won Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Feature Role for Grey's Anatomy in 2012.[9]

In 2011, she also starred on the short-lived ABC Family comedy State of Georgia. In 2012, she was part of Being Mary Jane cast. She also voiced the character Hallie, on the Disney Junior series Doc McStuffins. Later that year she began starring in the Lifetime series The Client List, playing the role of Georgia Cummings, the owner of the massage parlor where the lead character Riley Parks works. The series was canceled after two seasons.[10] Devine also played Cynthia Carmichael on the NBC sitcom The Carmichael Show.[11][12] Devine starred on the Netflix series, Family Reunion, with Richard Roundtree and Tia Mowry-Hardrict.

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1981 Will Will's Wife
1983 Anna to the Infinite Power Ms. Everett Benson
1988 Little Nikita Verna McLaughlin
Sticky Fingers Diane Cooley
1990 Stanley & Iris Bertha Simmons
1991 Caged Fear Judy
Livin' Large Nadine Biggs
1992 Class Act Ms. Brown
1993 Amos & Andrew Ula
1994 The Hard Truth Rose Maxwell
1995 Waiting to Exhale Gloria Matthews
1996 The Preacher's Wife Beverly
1997 The Price of Kissing Jackee Blaine
Hoodlum Pigfoot Mary
Lover Girl Leticia
1998 Love Kills Sylvia Finkelstein
Down in the Delta Zenia
Urban Legend Reese Wilson
Operation Splitsville Principal
Alyson's Closet Raul's Mother (voice) Short
1999 Funny Valentines Dearie B.
The Breaks Floria
Lillie Michelle
2000 Punks Aretha Stone
Urban Legends: Final Cut Reese Wilson
What Women Want Florence "Flo" Glover
2001 Kingdom Come Marguerite Slocumb
I Am Sam Margaret Calgrove
2002 Book of Love Mary Baker
Baby of the Family Delores Evans
2004 Woman Thou Art Loosed Cassey Jordan
Crash Shaniqua Johnson
2005 King's Ransom Miss Gladys
2006 Dirty Laundry Evelyn
Dreamgirls Gladys Brooks
2007 Cougar Club Dolly
This Christmas Shirley Ann "Ma'Dere" Whitfield
2008 First Sunday Sister Doris
Beverly Hills Chihuahua Delta (voice)
2009 Spring Breakdown Dr. Marguerite Tyson
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? Miss Willheima Roberts
2010 Death at a Funeral Cynthia
Lottery Ticket Grandma Dorothy Carson
For Colored Girls Juanita Sims/Green
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 Delta (voice) Video
2011 Madea's Big Happy Family Shirley
Jumping the Broom Pamela Taylor
Politics of Love Shirlee Gupta
2012 In the Hive Mrs. Inez
2013 The Get Away Ms. Crawford Short
Khumba Mama Veronica aka Mama V (voice)
A Very Larry Christmas Mrs. Claus
2014 Comeback Dad Malinda
Welcome to Me Barb Vaughn
The Sound and the Fury Dilsey
You're Not You Marilyn Jo
2015 Back to School Mom Meghan Graham
1440 and Counting Mrs. Nickel Short
For the Love of Ruth Naomi
2016 Norm of the North Tamecia (voice)
Caged No More Aggie James
Grandma's House Grandma Margie
36 Hour Layover Mrs. Carey
2017 My Other Home Mabel Marbury
Naked Carol
Violets Marcy Short
2018 Sierra Burgess Is a Loser Ms. April Thomson
2019 The Trap Mama Jay
First Day Back Superintendent Lola Greene Short
Postmarked Hattie Short
2020 The Last Starship Dorothy Short
Spell Eloise
Always and Forever Elda
The McHenry Trial - Don't Judge a Kid by Their Hoodie Doris McHenry Short
2021 Queen Bees Sally Heart
The Starling Velma
2022 Mack & Rita Sharon
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Irene
2023 A Snowy Day in Oakland Jeanette
TBA Lost & Found in Cleveland TBA Completed

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1986 The Core of the Apple Herself Episode: "Manhattan Afrodreams"
1987 CBS Summer Playhouse Cheryl Episode: "Sirens"
1987–88 A Different World Stevie Rallen Main cast (season 1)
1988 The Murder of Mary Phagan Annie Maude Carter Episode: "Episode #1.1 & #1.2"
Amen Lydia Cummings Episode: "Court of Love"
1989 Parent Trap III Thelma Pardrige TV movie
Heart and Soul Tonia Harris TV movie
1990 Murphy Brown Nurse Diana Hawking Episode: "The Bitch's Back"
Sugar and Spice Loretta Fontaine Main cast
Cop Rock Juror Devine Episode: "Marital Blitz" & "No Noose Is Good Noose"
1991 Great Performances Janine Wills Episode: "The Colored Museum"
Reasonable Doubts Valerie Hall Episode: "Hard Bargains"
1992 Love & War Donna Episode: "For John"
1992–93 Roc Cynthia Raine Recurring cast (season 2)
1993 Out All Night Crystal Episode: "The Way We Were"
Family Album June Episode: "Salon, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehn, Goodbye"
The American Clock Irene Mack Shaw TV movie
1995 Picket Fences Marla Melrose Episode: "Close Encounters"
Ned and Stacey Mrs. Sally Duncan Episode: "Reality Check"
1996 Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault Miss Mary Johnson TV movie
1997 Touched by an Angel Tonya Hawkins Episode: "Amazing Grace: Part 1"
Promised Land Tonya Hawkins Episode: "Amazing Grace: Part 2"
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Mother (voice) Episode: "The Golden Goose"
Clover Everleen Moore TV movie
Don King: Only in America Connie Harper TV movie
1998 E! Behind the Scenes Herself Episode: "Urban Legend"
1999 Moesha Gwen "Stephanie" "Steph" Watkins Episode: "It Takes Two"
Clueless Phyllis Holiday Episode: "Graduation"
Jackie's Back Snookie Tate TV movie
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge Ruby Dandridge TV movie
1999–2001 The PJs Muriel Stubbs (née Warren) (voice) Main cast
2000 Family Law Gloria Rivers Episode: "Playing God"
Ally McBeal Nora Mills Episode: "I Will Survive"
Freedom Song Evelyn Walker TV movie
Best Actress Connie Travers TV movie
2001 Intimate Portrait Herself Episode: "Lela Rochon"
Hollywood Squares Herself/Panelist Recurring guest
2000–04 Boston Public Marla Hendricks Main cast
2003 Pyramid Herself/Celebrity Contestant Episode: "Nov 4, 2003"
Half & Half Erika Duke Episode: "The Big Phat Mouth Episode: Part 1 & 2"
2004–05 Wild Card M. Pearl McGuire Main cast (season 2)
2005 Supernatural Missouri Moseley Episode: "Home"
2005–06 Girlfriends Judge Vashti Jackson Episodes: "Trial and Errors", "...Ain't Nothing Over There"
2005–13 Grey's Anatomy Adele Webber Recurring cast (season 2-4 & 7-8), guest (season 5-6 & 9)
2006 Boston Legal Annabelle Carruthers Episode: "The Nutcrackers"
Life Is Not a Fairy Tale Addie Collins TV movie
2006–07 Everybody Hates Chris Maxine Guest (season 1), recurring cast (season 2)
2007 Boston Legal Judge Victoria Thomson Episode: "Oral Contracts"
2008–09 Eli Stone Patti Dellacroix Main cast
2009 Cold Case Chandra Patterson '09 Episode: "Soul"
Legally Mad Jeanette Woods Unaired pilot[13]
2010 Party Down Diane Ellison Episode: "James Ellison Funeral"
2011 Glee Sister Mary Constance Episode: "Original Song"
State of Georgia Honey Dupree Main cast
2012 RuPaul's Drag Race Herself Episode: "Snatch Game"
Shake It Up Judge Marsha Elliott Episode: "Judge It Up"
The Game Grandma Donna Mack Episode: "There's No Place Like Home"
The Cleveland Show Shirley (voice) Episode: "Mama Drama"
The Soul Man Della Ballentine Recurring cast (season 1)
2012–13 The Client List Georgia Cummings-Clemens Main cast
2012–20 Doc McStuffins Hallie Hippo (voice) Main cast
2013 Teachers Doris TV movie
2014 Psych Melba Birdson Episode: "1967: A Psych Odyssey"
Sullivan & Son Rose Episode: "Hank Goes Black"
Turbo Fast Lydia Episode: "Zoo Lander/Balloonatics"
2014–15 Sirens Rosemary St. Claire Recurring cast (season 1), guest (season 2)
2015 Being Mary Jane CeCe Robinson Recurring cast (season 3)
2015–17 The Carmichael Show Cynthia Carmichael Main cast
2016 Hollywood Game Night Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Sealed with a Kesha"
Nubbin & Friends Mrs. Sandy Johnson Episode: "The Letter "A""
2017 Supernatural Missouri Moseley Episode: "Patience"
The Lost Souls Cafe Geneva TV movie
2018 Dear White People Sorbet Episode: "Volume 2: Chapter VII"
Living Biblically Estelle Williams Episode: "Never Let Loyalty Love You"
Love Is Rose Marie Recurring cast
Behind the Movement Jo Ann Robinson TV movie
Jingle Belle Emory Simons TV movie
2019 A Black Lady Sketch Show Pastor Rosetta Daniels Episode: "Your Boss Knows You Don't Have Eyebrows"
Black-ish Lynette Mae Recurring cast (season 6)
A Sweet Christmas Romance Mrs. Rose TV movie
A Family Reunion Christmas Amelia 'M'Dear' McKellan TV movie
2019–22 Family Reunion Amelia 'M'Dear' McKellan Main cast
2020 Cherish the Day Herself Episode: "Catharsis"
Game On: A Comedy Crossover Event Amelia 'M'Dear' McKellan Episode: "Family Reunion: Remember the Family's Feud?"
Connecting Dayleen Recurring cast
2020–22 P-Valley Earnestine Sayles Main cast (season 1), recurring cast (season 2)
2021 Teenage Euthanasia God (voice) Episode: "First Date with the Second Coming"
Christmas in Harmony Mama TV movie
Christmas Déjà Vu Crystal TV movie
2021–23 The Loud House Gayle McBride (voice) Recurring cast (season 5-6), guest (season 7)
2022 Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Angela Main cast (season 2)
Eureka! Wanda (voice) Recurring cast
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race Herself/Fabulosity Episode: "I'm Coming Out: First Time in Drag!"
All I Didn't Want for Christmas Lorraine TV movie
2023 Days of Our Lives Angela 2 episodes
Doc McStuffins: The Doc and Bella Are In! Hallie Hippo (voice) Recurring cast
God-ly Clotho Episode: "King of the Castle P1"
Young Love Gigi Young (voice) Recurring cast
Kingdom Business Darlene Recurring cast (season 2)

Music video edit

Year Song Artist
2004 "What If" Ruben Studdard

Video games edit

Year Title Role
2015 King's Quest Muriel Hobblepot

Broadway edit

Year Musical Role Location
1977 Hair Dionne Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Langston Hughes Soloist AMAS Repertory Theatre
Karma - Richard Allen Center
Verandah Gloria New Dramatists
Seasons Reasons Soloists Henry Street Settlement Playhouse
1978 Godsong Minister La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club
A Broadway Musical Yenta Lady Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
Miss Truth Loretta Apollo Theatre
Bones - Circle in the Square Theatre
The Wiz Glinda the Good Witch of the South Henry Street Settlement Playhouse
The Blacks Virtue Richard Allen Center
1979 Comin' Uptown Young Mary Winter Garden Theatre
1980 Lion and the Jewel Jewel Lincoln Center
Dementos Precious New York City Center
1981 Dreamgirls Lorell Robinson Imperial Theatre
1983 The Casting of Kevin Christian - Shepherd Street Art Gallery
1984 Gotta Getaway! Mermaid Radio City Music Hall
1985 Long Time Since Yesterday Janeen Earl-Taylor Henry Street Settlement Playhouse
1986 Big Deal Lilly Broadway Theatre
The Colored Museum Lala, Wigs, and Model Public Theaters/Susan Stein Shiva Theater
1990 Spunk Delia Mark Taper Forum
Woman from the Town Cissy -
A Midsummer Night's Dream Cissy -
The Hot Mikado Cissy -
1991 Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill Billie Holiday Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, CA, then Little Theatre, Phoenix, AZ, 1991
Rabbit Foot Holly Day Los Angeles Theatre Center
East Texas Hot Links Charlesetta The Met
Rodgers, Hart, Hammerstein Tribute Soloist Embassy Theatre
Big Moments on Broadway Soloist Kennedy Center Opera House
1995 The Wiz Glinda the Good Witch of the South Apollo Revival

Awards and nominations edit

Year Awards Category Title Outcome
1995 Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Resident Musical Hot Mikado Nominated
1996 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Waiting to Exhale Won
1997 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture The Preacher's Wife Won
2001 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Boston Public Won
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Freedom Song Won
2002 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Kingdom Come Nominated
2003 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Boston Public Won
2003 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actress – Television Series Drama Boston Public Nominated
2004 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Boston Public Won
2004 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actress – Television Series Drama Boston Public Nominated
2005 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Woman Thou Art Loosed Nominated
2005 Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Female Woman Thou Art Loosed Nominated
2007 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Life Is Not a Fairy Tale Nominated
2008 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture This Christmas Nominated
2009 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Eli Stone Nominated
2011 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Grey's Anatomy Won
2012 Gracie Allen Awards Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role Grey's Anatomy Won
2012 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Grey's Anatomy Nominated
2012 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series Grey's Anatomy Nominated
2012 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series Grey's Anatomy Nominated
2013 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture In the Hive Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Grey's Anatomy Won
Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special Doc McStuffins Won
2022 Children's and Family Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Performance Family Reunion Nominated

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ McCann, Bob (2009). Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television. McFarland. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-7864-5804-2. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Loewenstein, Melinda (August 19, 2011). "Emmy Nominee Loretta Devine Reflects on a Divine Career". Backstage. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Kelly, Chris (February 26, 2013). "Devine Calling". Modern Luxury – Houston. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  4. ^ Pease, Theresa (Summer 2011). "Achieving Devinity: Even if you don't know this Brandeis actress' name, you'll recognize her face". Brandeis Magazine. Brandeis University. Archived from the original on December 19, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c Smiley, Tavis (May 4, 2011). "Actress Loretta Devine" (Video interview). Tavis Smiley. PBS. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  6. ^ a b Oxendine, Alece (July 31, 2013). "Remembering Jessie Maple And Her Landmark 1981 Feature-Length Film, 'Will'". Indie Wire. indiewire.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  7. ^ Braxton, Greg (April 17, 2008). "Devine counts many blessings". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  8. ^ "| Academy of Television Arts & Sciences". Emmys.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  9. ^ "2012 Gracie Awards". thegracies.org. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  10. ^ "The Client List: canceled, no season three | canceled + renewed TV shows". TV Series Finale. November 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
  11. ^ Wells, Veronica (August 25, 2015). "Loretta Devine Talks New Show, Waiting To Exhale & More". MadameNoire. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  12. ^ Raqiyah, Mays (August 26, 2015). "Loretta Devine Tackles Topical Comedy on 'The Carmichael Show' [Interview]". Ebony. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016..
  13. ^ Schneider, Michael (May 11, 2009). "NBC passing on 'Legally Mad'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 29, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.

External links edit