Jenifer Lewis Photo

Jenifer Lewis

Acting

6.2 Popularity Jan 25, 1957 (68 years old) Kinloch, Missouri, USA

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...

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.

Filmography 144

2026
GOAT Movie

as Florence Everson (voice)

2025
ADO Movie

as Ms. Hopkins

2024
Spellbound Movie

as Nazara (voice)

2024
The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish TV

as Mother Nature (voice)

2024
This Is Me…Now Movie

as Gemini

2023
Not Dead Yet TV

as Donna

2023
Night Court TV

as Erika

2022
So Help Me Todd TV

as Jacqueline Burton

2022
Sherri TV

as Self - Guest

2022
Cars on the Road TV

as Flo (voice)

2022
I Love That for You TV

as Patricia Cochran

2021
The Ghost and Molly McGee TV

as Patty (voice)

2021
Mickey Mouse Funhouse TV

as Wheezelene (voice)

2021
Finding Kendrick Johnson Movie

as Narrator (voice)

2021
Monsters at Work TV

as Grandma Tuskmon (voice)

2021
Rugrats TV

as Ms. Marjorie / Narrator (voice)

Photos 3

Jenifer Lewis Photo
Jenifer Lewis Photo
Jenifer Lewis Photo

Personal Details

Known For Acting
Gender Not specified
Birthday January 25, 1957 (68 years old)
Place of Birth Kinloch, Missouri, USA
Years Active 1983 - 2026
Popularity 6.2
Career Stats
144 Total Credits
73 Movie Roles
66 TV Roles
3 Photos