Loretta Devine

Loretta Devine

76 · Born: Aug 21, 1949

Personal Details

BornAug 21, 1949 Houston, Texas, USA
Spouse
  • Lamar Tyler

    ( Dec 31, 1969 to Jan 4, 2008 )
  • Glen Marshall

    ( Dec 8, 2025 to Dec 8, 2025 )

Biography

Loretta Devine is a highly acclaimed actress, renowned for her versatility and talent in both stage and screen performances. She first gained national attention for her role as Lorrell in the classic Broadway musical "Dreamgirls," followed by notable performances in "Big Deal," "Colored Museum," and "Lady Day at Emerson Bar and Grill."

Devine's film career has been marked by a range of critically acclaimed and commercially successful roles, including "Waiting to Exhale," "The Preacher's Wife," "Women Thou Art Loosed," "Crash," and "Dreamgirls." She has received numerous awards and nominations for her performances, including NAACP Image Awards, Independent Spirit Award nominations, and a Primetime Emmy Award.

In television, Devine has made a significant impact, earning critical acclaim for her roles in "Grey's Anatomy," "The Cosby Show," "A Different World," "The PJs," "Boston Public," "Eli Stone," and "The Client List." She has also voiced characters in the animated series "Doc McStuffins" and will star in the upcoming Netflix series "FAMILY REUNION."

Throughout her career, Devine has been recognized with numerous honors, including nine NAACP Image Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pan African Film Festival and the NAACP Theatre Awards. She has also received a Doctorate of Humane Letters and a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Houston.

Loretta Devine continues to be a respected and celebrated figure in the entertainment industry, known for her dedication to her craft and her ability to bring depth and nuance to a wide range of roles.

Career

2025
Lil Kev
Lil Kev as Lunch Lady Gloria
Bull Street
Bull Street as Mrs. Big-Gal
Holidazed
Holidazed as Linda Lewin
2023
Young Love
Young Love as Gigi Young (voice)
2022
Mack & Rita
Mack & Rita as Sharon
Doc McStuffins
Doc McStuffins as Hallie (voice)
P-Valley
P-Valley as Ernestine
2021
Queen Bees
Queen Bees as Sally
2020
Spell
Spell as Eloise
2019
The Trap
The Trap as Mama Jay
A Family Reunion Christmas
A Family Reunion Christmas as Amelia 'M'Dear' McKellan
2018
Behind the Movement
Behind the Movement as Jo Ann Robinson
Jingle Belle
Jingle Belle as Emory Simons
2017
Chapter & Verse
Chapter & Verse as Miss Maddy
Naked
Naked as Carol
Another Shot
Another Shot as Mabel Marbury
Violets
Violets as Marcy
2016
36 Hour Layover
36 Hour Layover as Ms. Carey
Norm of the North
Norm of the North as Tamecia (voice)
The Carmichael Show
The Carmichael Show as Cynthia Carmichael
Back to School Mom
Back to School Mom as Meghan Graham
Doc McStuffins
Doc McStuffins as Nurse Hallie (voice)
2014
Comeback Dad
Comeback Dad as Malinda
Welcome to Me
Welcome to Me as Barb Vaughn
2013
Khumba
Khumba as Mama V (voice)
Teachers
Teachers as Doris
The Doc Files
The Doc Files as Hallie (voice)
2012
In the Hive
In the Hive as Mrs. Inez
The Client List
The Client List as Georgia Cummings
Jumping the Broom
Jumping the Broom as Mrs. Taylor
Politics of Love
Politics of Love as Shirlee Gupta
State of Georgia
State of Georgia as Honey Dupree
2010
For Colored Girls
For Colored Girls as Juanita / Green
Spring Breakdown
Spring Breakdown as Dr. Marguerite
2008
First Sunday
First Sunday as Sister Doris
Eli Stone
Eli Stone as Patti Dellacroix
2007
This Christmas
This Christmas as Shirley Ann "Ma'Dere" Whitfield
2006
Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls as Jazz Singer
2005
King's Ransom
King's Ransom as Miss Gladys
Crash
Crash as Shaniqua Johnson
2004
Woman Thou Art Loosed
Woman Thou Art Loosed as Cassey Jordan
Wild Card
Wild Card as M. Pearl McGuire
2003
Boston Public
Boston Public as Marla Hendricks
2001
Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come as Marguerite Slocumb
I Am Sam
I Am Sam as Margaret Calgrove
Freedom Song
Freedom Song as Evelyn Walker
Best Actress
Best Actress as Connie Travers
Punks
Punks as Health Counselor
1999
Love Kills
Love Kills as Sylvia Finkelstein
Funny Valentines
Funny Valentines as Dearie B.
The Breaks
The Breaks as Floria
Jackie's Back!
Jackie's Back! as Snookie Tate (Jackie's Childhood Friend)
The PJs
The PJs as Muriel Stubbs (voice)
1998
Urban Legend
Urban Legend as Reese Wilson
Clover
Clover as Everleen
Hoodlum
Hoodlum as Pigfoot Mary
Lover Girl
Lover Girl as Leticia / 'Coco'
1996
1995
1992
Class Act
Class Act as Blade's Mom
1991
Livin' Large!
Livin' Large! as Nadine Biggs
1990
1989
1988
Little Nikita
Little Nikita as Verna McLaughlin
1987
A Different World
A Different World as Stevie Rallen
1983
1981
Will
Will as Jean