Jenifer Lewis is a highly accomplished actress with over 300 appearances in film and television, earning her the nickname "national treasure" from TV Guide.com. She currently stars in the hit show Black-ish, where her portrayal of Ruby Johnson earned her a nomination for the 2016 Critics Choice Award.
Jenifer has appeared in a wide range of films, including The Wedding Ringer, Think Like A Man, Think Like A Man Too, and Baggage Claim. She has delivered memorable performances in What's Love Got to Do With It, where she played Tina Turner's mother, and in The Preacher's Wife, where she played the mother of Whitney Houston's character. She has also starred alongside Matt Damon in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter and opposite Tyler Perry in Madea's Family Reunion and Meet the Browns.
In addition to her live-action work, Jenifer has also lent her voice to several animated films, including Cars, Cars 2, and The Princess and the Frog, where she played the beloved character Mama Odie.
On television, Jenifer has had a long and varied career, with roles on shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Friends, Boston Legal, and Girlfriends. She also starred in the Lifetime series Strong Medicine for six seasons.
But Jenifer's talents extend beyond the screen. She has had a successful career in music and theater, performing in four Broadway shows, including Hairspray, where she played the role of Motormouth Mable. She has also presented over 200 concerts, performing in 49 states and on four continents.
Born and raised in Kinloch, Missouri, Jenifer has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Webster University, and the American Black Film Festival's Career Achievement Award.
