Jenifer Lewis
Born January 25, 1957 (Age: 69)
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Kinloch, Missouri, USA
Biography
Jenifer Jeanette Lewis (born January 25, 1957) is an American film and television actress and singer. She is one of Hollywood's most familiar faces, with more than 300 appearances in film and television and was dubbed a "national treasure" by TV Guide.com. She began her career appearing in Broadway musicals and worked as a back-up singer for Bette Midler before appearing in the films Beaches and Sister Act. She delivered legendary performances as Tina Turner's mother in What's Love Got to Do With It and in The Preacher's Wife as the mother of Whitney Houston's character. She starred opposite Matt Damon in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter. For director Tyler Perry, she created unforgettable characters in Madea's Family Reunion and Meet the Browns. In the movie Cast Away, she portrayed Tom Hanks' boss. In animated films, Jenifer's uniquely recognizable voice is adored by Disney fans worldwide in roles such as "Flo" in Cars and Cars 2, and as "Mama Odie" in The Princess and the Frog. For six seasons, Jenifer portrayed "Lana Hawkins" on Lifetime's hit series Strong Medicine. She starred on the hit show Black-ish (ABC), where her hilarious portrayal of "Ruby Johnson" earned her a nomination for the 2016 Critics Choice Award. She has also written two books: The Mother of Black Hollywood and Walking in My Joy: In These Streets.
Jenifer Jeanette Lewis (born January 25, 1957) is an American film and television actress and singer.
She is one of Hollywood's most familiar faces, with more than 300 appearances in film and television and was dubbed a "national treasure" by TV Guide.com. She began her career appearing in Broadway musicals and worked as a back-up singer for Bette Midler before appearing in the films Beaches and Sister Act.
She delivered legendary performances as Tina Turner's mother in What's Love Got to Do With It and in The Preacher's Wife as the mother of Whitney Houston's character.
She starred opposite Matt Damon in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter. For director Tyler Perry, she created unforgettable characters in Madea's Family Reunion and Meet the Browns. In the movie Cast Away, she portrayed Tom Hanks' boss. In animated films, Jenifer's uniquely recognizable voice is adored by Disney fans worldwide in roles such as "Flo" in Cars and Cars 2, and as "Mama Odie" in The Princess and the Frog.
For six seasons, Jenifer portrayed "Lana Hawkins" on Lifetime's hit series Strong Medicine. She starred on the hit show Black-ish (ABC), where her hilarious portrayal of "Ruby Johnson" earned her a nomination for the 2016 Critics Choice Award.
She has also written two books: The Mother of Black Hollywood and Walking in My Joy: In These Streets.
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Filmography
GOAT
2026
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as Flo Everson (voice)
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Age: 69
Spellbound
2024
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as Nazara (voice)
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Age: 67
The Addams Family
2019
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as Great Auntie Sloom (Voice)
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Age: 62
Cars 3
2017
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as Flo (voice)
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Age: 60
The Wedding Ringer
2015
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as Doris Jenkins
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Age: 57
Think Like a Man Too
2014
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as Loretta
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Age: 57
Baggage Claim
2013
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as Catherine Moore
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Age: 56
Think Like a Man
2012
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as Loretta Hanover
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Age: 55
Cars 2
2011
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as Flo (voice)
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Age: 54
Hereafter
2010
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as Candace
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Age: 53
The Princess and the Frog
2009
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as Mama Odie (voice)
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Age: 52
Not Easily Broken
2009
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as Mary 'Mama' Clark
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Age: 51
Meet the Browns
2008
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as Vera
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Age: 51
Who's Your Caddy?
2007
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as C-Note's Mom
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Age: 50
Cars
2006
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as Flo (voice)
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Age: 49
Madea's Family Reunion
2006
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as Milay Jenay Lori
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Age: 49
Shark Tale
2004
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as Motown Turtle (voice)
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Age: 47
The Cookout
2004
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as Lady Em
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Age: 47
Antwone Fisher
2002
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as Aunt Mary Williams (uncredited)
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Age: 45
The Brothers
2001
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as Louise Smith
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Age: 44
Cast Away
2000
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as Becca Twig
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Age: 43
Partners
2000
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as Detective Lancy
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Age: 43
Little Richard
2000
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as Muh Penniman
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Age: 43
Mystery Men
1999
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as Lucille
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Age: 42
Blast from the Past
1999
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as Dr. Aron
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Age: 42
The Mighty
1998
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as Mrs. Addison
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Age: 41
Rituals
1998
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as Carmen
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Age: 40
The Preacher's Wife
1996
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as Margueritte Coleman
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Age: 39
Girl 6
1996
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as Boss #1 - Lil
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Age: 39
Dead Presidents
1995
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as Mrs. Curtis
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Age: 38
Panther
1995
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as Rita
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Age: 38
Corrina, Corrina
1994
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as Jevina
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Age: 37
Renaissance Man
1994
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as Mrs. Coleman
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Age: 37
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
1993
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as Vegas Backup Singer #1
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Age: 36
Undercover Blues
1993
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as Cab Driver
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Age: 36
The Meteor Man
1993
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as Mrs. Williams
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Age: 36
Poetic Justice
1993
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as Annie
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Age: 36
What's Love Got to Do with It
1993
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as Zelma Bullock
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Age: 36
Sister Act
1992
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as Michelle
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Age: 35
Beaches
1988
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as Diva
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Age: 31
No Image
Bette Midler: No Frills
1983
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as Herself
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Age: 26