Victoria Rowell is a multifaceted individual with a plethora of accomplishments, including being an award-winning actress, international lecturer, and holder of two honorary doctorates. She is also a dedicated teacher, advocate, mother, and former foster youth, having been recognized by 193 members of Congress for her tireless work on behalf of education, arts, foster and adoptive youth, parents, and diversity issues.
Her literary endeavors have been met with great acclaim, including the publication of her New York Times bestseller, The Women Who Raised Me, by HarperCollins Publishers. Additionally, she has secured a literary book deal with Simon & Schuster for her popular soap opera novel series.
As an Emmy-nominated, NAACP-winning actress, Rowell has co-starred alongside Dick Van Dyke in the prime-time television series Diagnosis Murder (1993) for VIACOM, starring in Daytime television, and was submitted for a Golden Globe Award for her role in Home of the Brave (2006) opposite Samuel L. Jackson. Her other notable credits include Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and various series. She has also appeared in multiple films alongside renowned actors such as Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Jeff Bridges, Samuel L. Jackson, Beau Bridges, Forest Whitaker, and more. Currently, she is filming opposite Harry Lennix, star of The Blacklist and Man of Steel.
Born in Maine, Rowell was raised on a 60-acre working farm and developed a passion for classical ballet through self-study. She eventually turned professional and performed with American Ballet Theater (ABT) II and other prominent ballet companies.
Rowell is a devoted mother to her two adult children, Maya and Jasper.
