About The Cast Of Meet The Browns

ANGELA BASSETT (Brenda)

Electrifying audiences with emotionally charged performances has been a signature quality for Angela Bassett, who personifies dignity, pride and grace when she appears on screen. Her talents as both an actress and executive producer in both television and film have earned her respect from her peers and fans as one of the industry's premiere leading ladies.

In 2008, Bassett starred opposite Laurence Fishburne in the critically-acclaimed AKEELAH AND THE BEE, received rave reviews for her work with Fishburne in August Wilson's classic play FENCES at the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse and wrapped production on Giancarlo Esposito's film GOSPEL HILL.

Her book FRIENDS: A LOVE STORY co-written with her husband, actor Courtney B. Vance, was released on February 14, 2007. The inspirational book is the real-life love story of Bassett and Vance, who were friends for many years before marrying.

Perhaps best known for her intense portrayal of Tina Turner in the biopic WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT opposite Laurence Fishburne, Bassett received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama as well as an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture, and an Academy Award nomination for her powerful performance.

Bassett is a five-time NAACP Image Awards nominee for her roles in the films HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK, THE SCORE opposite Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton and Marlon Brando, MUSIC OF THE HEART with Meryl Streep, MALCOLM X opposite Denzel Washington and the sci-fi blockbuster CONTACT opposite Jodie Foster and BOESMAN AND LENA with Danny Glover. Bassett also received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her performance in "Ruby's Bucket of Blood." She received an Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a television movie for her work in "The Rosa Parks Story," a film she executive produced.

Other memorable roles include a recurring role in the hit drama series "Alias," the comedy MR. 3000, opposite Bernie Mac, John Sayles' SUNSHINE STATE with Edie Falco, Terry McMillan's WAITING TO EXHALE co-starring Whitney Houston, James Cameron's futuristic STRANGE DAYS opposite Ralph Fiennes, VAMPIRE IN BROOKLYN opposite Eddie Murphy, and SUPERNOVA with James Spader. She was also voicing the character of Mildred in Disney's animated hit MEET THE ROBINSONS, based on the successful children's book of the same name by William Joyce.

Beginning her career on stage, she performed in such Broadway and off Broadway productions as "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," "Colored People's Time," "Henry IV, Part I," "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," "Antigone," "Pericles" and "Black Girl." She returned to the stage in 1998 to star opposite Alec Baldwin in "Macbeth" at the Joseph Papp Public Theater in New York.

Bassett made her debut in the small, but memorable role as an ambitious single mother in John Singleton's BOYZ N THE HOOD. She later appeared in the ABC mini-series "The Jacksons: An American Family," receiving critical raves for her touching performance as Katherine Jackson, she received an Emmy nomination for an episode for "Uncle Jed's Barbershop" for PBS' Storytime; and critical nods for her narrative of the electrifying miniseries, "Africans In America," also for PBS.

RICK FOX (Harry)

Rick Fox was born in Canada of Caribbean and Italian ancestry. At 13 years old, Fox began to devotedly pursue basketball. Following high school, he went on to play at The University of North Carolina, where he honed the skills needed to enter the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 1991, he was selected as a first round draft pick by The Boston Celtics where he remained until 1997. From there, Fox headed to The Los Angeles Lakers, where as a member of that team, he helped them win three NBA championships.

After 14 successful years, Fox retired from professional basketball in 2004. Following his amazing sports career, he decided to pursue his other deep-seated passion, acting.

Among his early acting credits include Spike Lee's HE GOT GAME, the Disney feature HOLES and a recurring guest appearance on the critically acclaimed HBO series "Oz."

Other credits include a memorable recurring role on the hit television series "Ugly Betty," a role on the television series "Love, Inc.", a starring role in MINNIE'S FIRST TIME as a sought after masseur, alongside Alec Baldwin and Carrie-Anne Moss; the popular FX series "Dirt," and the CW drama "One Tree Hill."

MARGARET AVERY (Carol)

Ever since being born premature and weighing only two pounds, stage and screen actress, Margaret Avery has been a fighter, and a survivor.

As a young woman, she fought to train for and get experience in an industry that provided little opportunity for aspiring black actresses. After studying and learning her craft, she fought for quality roles during a time when movie execs were quick to assign black women to parts as maids, cooks, servants and other stereotypical roles. Determined and undaunted, she became inspired by Martin Luther King messages of equal opportunity for all, and fought for - and won - vital roles in such films as WHICH WAY IS UP?, MAGNUM FORCE, HELL UP IN HARLEM, THE FISH THAT SAVED PITTSBURGH, BLUEBERRY HILL, and WHITE MAN'S BURDEN.

In 1985, her faith and persistence paid off when she was nominated for an Academy Award® for her unforgettable role as the sultry and spirited blues singer, "Shug Avery" in THE COLOR PURPLE, Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of Alice Walker's prize winning novel.

In 1998, she and award-winning Blair Underwood co-hosted and presented the critically acclaimed docudrama, "Sister, I'm Sorry: An Apology to our African American Queens."

Today, while she continues to act, Ms. Avery also finds joy and fulfillment in working with at-risk teenagers and battered women in greater Los Angeles. An Oklahoma native who now lives in Los Angeles, she has won numerous awards for acting and her activism, including the Academy Award® nomination for THE COLOR PURPLE, a Los Angles Drama Critics Award for her role in "Does A Tiger Wear A Necktie?" and an NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award.

A former school teacher, Ms. Avery holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of San Francisco, and a Master's Degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy. She lectures across the country and abroad on issues involving women of color and her passion in life, seeking to empower, enlighten and inspire.

Ms. Avery stars opposite Martin Lawrence, James Earl Jones, and Cedric "The Entertainer" in WELCOME HOME, ROSCOE JENKINS a comedy currently in theaters nationwide and motion picture for Universal Studios.

JENIFER LEWIS (Vera)

Jenifer Lewis is best known for her role as 'Lana Hawkins', the no-nonsense receptionist who maintains order in the clinic, in Lifetime Television's hit drama series "Strong Medicine.". Her innate ability to captivate an audience stems from her versatile voice, her bawdy sense of humor and her powerful acting performances honed largely in Broadway hits like "Eubie", ""Comin' Uptown", Dreamgirls" "Rock and Roll, the First 5,00 Years", and Neil Simon's "Promises Promises." It was her tour with Bette Midler as an infamous Harlotte however that got Hollywood's calling.

Once there, Lewis garnered two NAACP Image Award nominations as Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Tina Turner's mother, in WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT and in the romantic comedy THE PREACHER'S WIFE. Both earning her the endearing title of "The Black Mother of Hollywood."

Lewis has appeared in over than 60 feature films, displaying her versatility as both a dramatic actress and comedic star such as THE ANTWONE FISHER STORY, directed by Denzel Washington; CORRINA CORRINA with Whoopi Goldberg; THE MIGHTY, RENAISSANCE MAN, SISTER ACT and SISTER ACT II, DEAD PRESIDENTS, BLAST FROM THE PAST, THE BROTHERS, MYSTERY MEN, POETIC JUSTICE and CASTAWAY with Tom Hanks. She has lent her unique voice to such animated features as SHARK TALES and Pixar's blockbuster hit CARS and is presently recording the voice of "Mama Odie" for Disney's upcoming animated film THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG.

Her over 70 television show appearances include "The Temptations," "Friends," "Touched by an Angel," "The Cosby Show," "Murphy Brown," "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," "Boston Legal," "Shark," "Girlfriends" and "Courthouse." It was her role as "Jackie Washington" in Lifetime's cult movie "Jackie's Back!" however that firmly established her as a 'Diva' and an icon. Recently, Lewis publicly disclosed being BiPolar by writing and starring in her successful one woman show "BiPolar Bath and Beyond", which she followed up by appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to encourage its diagnosis and proper treatment.

Lewis' recent stage work includes starring alongside Meryl Streep in Shakespeare in the Park's summer 2006 production of "Mother Courage and her Children" and she will be returning to her roots on Broadway in April 2008 to play 'Motormouth Maybelle' in the hit musical 'Hairspray'.

Lewis resides in Los Angeles with her adopted daughter Charmaine whom she met in the "Los Angeles Big Brother/Big Sister Program" and is a relentless supporter and activist to find a cure for Breast Cancer and HIV/AIDS.

LANCE GROSS (Michael)

Lance Gross has emerged as one of Hollywood's hot young actors and is quickly becoming one of the finest newcomers to hit the big screen. Currently starring on Tyler Perry's hit show "House of Payne," Gross has already garnered a NAACP award for his stand-out role on the show.

Gross began his career in music videos alongside such leading ladies as Rihanna, Mariah Carey, and most recently Mary J. Blige. He has also appeared on the television shows "Eve" and "The Bernie Mac Show."

Lance received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Howard University. He went on to train at The Ivanna Chubbuck Studio and Tasha Smith Acting Studio. Gross currently resides in Los Angeles.

SOFÍA VERGARA (Cheryl)

Recipient of the "Hispanic Woman of the Year" Award in 2000 from Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu commending her leadership skills representing the qualities Latina women have to offer the world, Sofia Vergara also became the first Colombian to win the "Women of Hope" Award from the City of Hope Organization for being a role model for future generations.

Most recently, Sofia was seen on ABC's breakout hit, "Dirty Sexy Money" where she plays the free-spirited love interest to the youngest Darling son. Before that she played the sexy Columbian actress who stirred things up in the season four premiere of HBO's "Entourage."

Director Barry Sonnenfeld gave Sofia her big U.S. break when he cast her as Nina in Disney's comedy BIG TROUBLE, co-starring Tim Allen and Rene Russo. Sofia followed that with a pivotal dramatic role opposite James Marsden in Anthony Piccirillo's independent film THE 24TH DAY.

In 2005 Sofia starred opposite Heath Ledger in Sony Pictures' LORDS OF DOGTOWN as well as FOUR BROTHERS alongside Mark Wahlberg and Terrence Howard.

On the small screen, Sofia has co-starred on the ABC comedies "Hot Properties" and "The Knights of Prosperity" where she was often singled out by critics for her comedic talents.

An international philanthropist, Vergara is closely associated with the non-profit organization "Peace and Hope for the Children of Colombia" established in 2001. Her generous donations helped build a Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at Hospital Niño de Jesús that gives chemotherapy and cancer treatment free to underprivileged children; and funded the construction of "Parque Hogar Infantil Lipaya" which sponsors 100% of the education and health programs for 600 children in her native Barranquilla.

A successful businesswoman, Sofia has her own production company, Latin World Entertainment and her own fashion line, Vergara by Sofia, inspired by her Latin style. Vergara by Sofia is a socially conscious brand that has generated 1,500 jobs in her native Colombia since 2004. In 2007, Sofia was named one of The 25 Most Powerful Hispanic Women in the Entertainment Industry by The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard.

A former dentistry student, Vergara is a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association, as the disease affects all of her siblings. She has graced the cover of over 100 international magazines and hosted dozens of top Hispanic events, each watched by more than 100 million viewers. Sofia's Hispanic television credits include, "Fuera de Serie" (Out of this World) on Univisión and her own top-rated weekly show, "A que no te atreves" (I dare you).

Her web page www.SofíaVergara.com averages 22 million hits a month.

LAMMAN RUCKER (Will)

Lamman Rucker was born in Pittsburgh, PA and grew up in Washington, DC, the son of an educator, athlete and entrepreneur. Mr. Rucker may be recognized as Mona's handsome boyfriend "Chase" on UPN's "Half & Half" as well as his loveable bad boy characters in the daytime dramas "As The World Turns" and "All My Children." He has also been a memorable guest star on "Law & Order," "All Of Us," "House Of Payne" and the popular television movie mini-series "The Temptations."

On Stage, Lamman received a 2002 Audelco nomination for his incredible portrayal of Jason in Euripides' Media. Mr. Rucker is a founding ensemble member of the Black Gents of Hollywood, a Los Angeles-based all-black male theatre company whose powerful award winning play "WEBIME" is currently taking the country by storm. A graduate of the illustrious Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Lamman's accomplishments also include a NFAA Presidential Scholarship in the Arts nomination Drama & Musical Theatre training at the Carnegie Mellon University, a full scholarship to the Berkshire Theatre Festival and having romantic leads in plays and musicals like "Hot Snow," "Nefetari Rising," "Pain In My Heart," "Perfect Mate" and "Sweet Charity."

While in high school, Lamman was an original member of the groundbreaking youth company - the Washington Area Improvisational Teen Theatre (W.A.I.T.T.). The company's primary goal was to promote sexual abstinence to teens and educate young people about their bodies, the risks of teen pregnancy, STD's and HIV/AIDS. Lamman went on to become a successful teacher, coach, mentor and youth advocate - acquiring a Masters of Science in Education in 2000 and then on to star in BET's award-winning HIV/AIDS film LET'S TALK in 2006. Mr. Rucker is an activist and spokesperson for several non-profit organizations and community action initiatives including A.H.E.A.D., Inc., Inner City Industry, BET's Rap-It-Up campaign, the Black AIDS Institute and several grass-roots organizations across the country leading the way in uplifting families and mobilizing communities to encourage prevention, education and testing initiatives for HIV/AIDS and other issues.

Lamman co-starred in the hit motion picture TYLER PERRY'S WHY DID I GET MARRIED? with an all-star cast including Jill Scott, Janet Jackson, and Tyler Perry. Mr. Rucker is currently starring in the independent award-winning romantic comedy I'M THROUGH WITH WHITE GIRLS -- THE INEVITABLE UNDOING OF JAY BROOKS. In 2008, Lamman will also star in the gritty basketball-themed Michael Roiff drama, BALL DON'T LIE with Mykelti Williamson, Steve Harris, Robert Wisdom, Harold Perrineau and Chris "Ludacris" Bridges.

TAMELA MANN (Cora)

For the past decade, Tamela Mann has been a mainstay in Tyler Perry's successful string of Madea stage plays. In the role of Cora, Madea's daughter with the Bible-thumping Mr. Brown, she has become a familiar face to the thousands of ardent fans who have witnessed Perry's musicals. The talented artist recently released her new CD THE LIVE EXPERIENCE which debuted on the Billboard Top 40 gospel charts off the strength of her powerful new radio single, YOU DESERVE MY PRAISE.

The youngest of fourteen children, Mann was born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised by her mother. Church was at the center of Mann's home life. By the time she was 12 years old, Tamela was electrifying the Holy Tabernacle Church of God in Christ's (C.O.G.I.C.) adult choir as a soloist. She later joined a local vocal group, the Living Lights. Mann's goal was to graduate from high school and she accomplished that dream becoming the first and only of her 14 siblings to do so.

Then, David Mann entered Mann's life. He and his singing partner were electrifying audiences with their gospel music in a singing group called the Humble Hearts. After hearing Tamlea sing, they asked her to join and together with then fledgling gospel singer Kirk Franklin toured the nation as Kirk Franklin & the Family. Their hit crossover single THE REASON WHY WE SING in 1993 turned Franklin into an icon in the gospel music world and paved the way for many others. Over the years, Mann led such Kirk Franklin & the Family classics as BEHOLD THE LAMB and "Lean on Me" which also featured Bono and R. Kelly. She and David married in 1988.

In 1996, Tamela joined the David E. Talbert gospel stage play, HE SAY...SHE SAY...BUT WHAT DOES GOD SAY? and was bitten by the acting bug. She and David left the Family in 1999 and a few weeks later were recruited for Tyler Perry's first stage play, I CAN DO BAD BY MYSELF where she played the character of Cora-Madea's spiritual but giggly daughter and the lovable daughter of Mr. Brown in the production. She appeared in Perry's musical comedy DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN in 2001 portraying the character of Myrtle-a feisty, preachy woman who's never short on words. Mann's exemplary performances paved the way for Cora to become a principal character in Perry's other successful stage plays, MADEA'S FAMILY REUNION and MADEA'S CLASS REUNION. In January 2005, Perry launched the stage play MEET THE BROWNS with the Manns as stars of the sold-out show, which toured for six months around the country.

The Mann's also opened their own recording label, Tillymann Music. Their first project was Tamela's debut CD GOTTA KEEP MOVIN' which sold 7,000 copies in the first week and has since sold over 60,000 copies. The single "SPEAK LORD" has spent a dozen weeks in the Top Ten on Billboard magazine's gospel singles chart. Tamela took that whole project to a new level by recording it live as the simply entitled CD/DVD, THE LIVE EXPERIENCE. Recorded live with a five-camera shoot in Dallas at the state-of-the-art Calvary Church, the album resonates with the energy of a rock concert inside a Pentecostal church.

DAVID MANN (Mr. Brown)

Over the last decade, David Mann has become one of urban America's premier funny men and emcees. As the Bible-thumping, zany Mr. Brown in Tyler Perry's hugely successful "Madea" stage plays, Mann has become one of the most beloved personalities in theater today. Now, he's poised to conquer the worlds of radio, television and film. His debut CD MR. BROWN'S GOOD OLE TIME CHURCH, a mix of comedy sketches and traditional gospel songs, debuted in the Billboard Top 40 gospel album sales chart.

It's all an interesting turn of events for Mann who grew up in Dallas with a total immersion in church activities. He sang in the youth choir and lent his smooth tenor to high school productions. It was in these early shows that his razor-sharp comedic skills were honed. After graduating from high school, Mann's former classmate Kirk Franklin called him up to join the new gospel group he was forming called, the Family. Their first single "The Reason Why We Sing" became a massive R&B and gospel radio hit and sent the group on sold-out tours across the country from 1994-1995. Then, the following year, Mann discovered plays.

He appeared in David E. Talbert's "He Say...She Say...But What Does God Say?" Mann's portrayal of the high-strung gangster "Forty Ounce" had audiences rolling in the aisles. That part led to his role as Mr. Brown in Tyler Perry's first play, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself." The outrageous Mr. Brown quickly found a place in America's heart, leading to sold-out theater houses in Perry's various plays in the decade since that first role.

IRMA P. HALL (Mildred)

Although she grew up in Chicago, Illinois, Irma P. Hall was born in Beaumont, Texas. She attended elementary and high school in Chicago, and then graduated from Texas Collage in Tyler, Texas. She became an English and Foreign Languages public school teacher in Dallas, Texas for almost 30 years. During that time, she was also a reporter for the Dallas Express, and was the co-founder of The Dallas Minority Repertory Theatre, becoming an Administrator, and eventually found herself performing in their plays as well.

In 1973, while reciting one of her poems at a gathering of artists and writers, a visiting producer asked Ms. Hall to audition for a role in a film he was producing. The film was BOOK OF NUMBERS, directed by Raymond St. Jacques, and Irma, a 36 year old teacher and mother of two, got the part. However, she didn't give up her teaching career.... yet!

It wasn't until 1978, after acting in several episodes of "Dallas," as Tilly, the housekeeper, that her acting career gained momentum. Two TV movies followed, as well as a small role in the telefilm, "Skyward," directed by Ron Howard. The following year she worked on two more TV movies, "Crisis At Central High" and "Broken Promise." Besides working steadily on TV and in features, Irma was performing on stage at various Dallas theatres. Finally, after 27 years of teaching, she quit to pursue acting full time. In the late 1980's, Hall moved back to Chicago where she performed on stage at the Chicago Theatre Company, the Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre and with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. At the same time she was appearing in Chicago-themed movies such as BACKDRAFT, starring Kurt Russell and directed by Ron Howard, and STRAIGHT TALK, starring Dolly Parton and James Woods.

In 1996, Irma won the Chicago Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as tough but lovable Aunt T in the film A FAMILY THING starring James Earl Jones and Robert Duvall. In 1998 she won an NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work as Big Momma in the feature film SOUL FOOD, and was again nominated for an Image Award in 2001 when she reprised her role in the Showtime series based on the film.

Since then, she has appeared in BAD COMPANY, DON'T LET GO, OUR AMERICA, PATCH ADAMS, BELOVED, MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, STEEL, BUDDY, A LESSON BEFORE DYING, SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT, THE BABE, THE KID WHO LOVED CHRISTMAS, TO SIR WITH LOVE II, MO' MONEY, SQUARE DANCE, A RUGRATS KWANZAA SPECIAL, and THE LONG HOT SUMMER just to name a few.

In January of 2004, Irma P. Hall was seriously injured in car crash in which her broken ribs punctured her aorta, requiring open-heart surgery. She also sustained a broken arm and badly crushed ankle, but she recovered in time to see a private screening of her first three 2004 releases: THE LADYKILLERS, in which she co-starred with Tom Hanks as Mrs. Munson, a tenacious church-going old lady. She won the coveted Special Jury Award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival for that performance, where Quentin Tarantino called her "a force of nature." The other 2004 films were A SLIPPING DOWN LIFE with Guy Pierce and Lili Taylor, and COLLATERAL, starring Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx (in an Academy Award® nominated performance).

Ms. Hall received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Actress for THE LADYKILLERS, as well as the Movie Guide Awards. She was presented as a Black History Maker by the DuSable Museum in Chicago, and was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in Austin, Texas where she was introduced by Ethan and Joel Coen, the directors of THE LADYKILLERS.

Irma is grandmother to Shedrick, Sir and Toni, who live in Texas.

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