Vanessa Bell Calloway

Vanessa Bell Calloway

Vanessa Bell Calloway is an American actress and dancer. She is known for her film roles as Princess Imani Izzi in the 1988 comedy Coming to America, as well as for her roles in What's Love Got to Do with It, The Inkwell, Crimson Tide, and Daylight. She is a nine-time NAACP Image Award nominee.

She began her acting career in the ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children in 1985. After moving to Los Angeles in 1986, she began appearing in episodes of prime time shows such as The Colbys, Falcon Crest, 227, China Beach, A Different World, and L.A. Law. She made her film debut on Number One with a Bullet (1987), before supporting role of Eddie Murphy's character's arranged wife in the 1988 comedy Coming to America. In 1990, she co-starred alongside Joe Morton in the ABC drama series, Equal Justice. During the 1990s, she had a number of supporting roles in films, including What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) opposite Angela Bassett, The Inkwell (1994), and Crimson Tide (1995) as Denzel Washington's character wife. She also voiced main role in the 1992 animated comedy, Bébé's Kids. She had a number of leading and supporting roles in made for television movies. In 1995, she co-starred opposite James Earl Jones and Joe Morton in the short-lived CBS prime time soap opera, Under One Roof, the first drama series that featured African-American lead characters. For her role on the series, Calloway was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. She had leading roles on the short-lived NBC sitcom Rhythm & Blues (1992–93), and starred alongside Larry Hagman as his girlfriend in the CBS drama Orleans (1997). In the 2000s, she had recurring roles on Boston Public and The District. She co-starred in films including The Brothers, All About You, Dawg, Biker Boyz, Love Don't Cost a Thing, and Cheaper by the Dozen. She has guest starred on The Division, Strong Medicine, The Closer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Dexter, Rizzoli & Isles, Castle, and Grey's Anatomy. From 2010 to 2011, she had the recurring role in the TNT medical drama, Hawthorne. In 2011, she began appearing in the Showtime comedy-drama, Shameless. In 2016, she was cast as lead character in the Bounce TV first prime time soap opera, Saints & Sinners. Also in 2016, she co-starred as president Obama's future mother-in-law, Marian Shields Robinson, and in the comedy-drama film Southside with You. In 2018, she appeared in the Christian drama film Unbroken: Path to Redemption and the crime thriller Dragged Across Concrete. In 2019, she played abolitionist Harriet Tubman's mother in the biographical drama film Harriet. She reprised her role as Imani Izzi in the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America.

Acting

2022

2022

Sherri
Tv

Self - Guest

2022

The Black Hamptons
Tv

Carolyn Britton

2022

2022

2021

2021

Kenan
Tv

Bobbi

2019

Harriet
Movie

Rit Ross

2019

2018

2018

Thriller
Movie

Mrs. Jackson

2016

2016

This Is Us
Tv

Edie (uncredited)

2016

Saints & Sinners
Tv

Lady Ella Johnson

2012

A Beautiful Soul
Movie

Guardian Angel

2011

Harry's Law
Tv

Jude Campbell

2011

Shameless
Tv

Carol Fisher

2009

Castle
Tv

Beryl Wickfield

2008

2007

Stompin'
Movie

Mrs. Jackson

2006

Dexter
Tv

Crisis Counselor

2005

The Closer
Tv

Lynn Talmadge

2005

Grey's Anatomy
Tv

Lucinda Gamble

2003

2003

NCIS
Tv

Sally Hammond

2002

CSI: Miami
Tv

Tonya Washington

2002

Dawg
Movie

Christine Hodges

2001

All About You
Movie

Donna Taylor

2001

The Brothers
Movie

Dr. Thelma Woolridge

2000

Strong Medicine
Tv

Melanie Rhodes

1998

The Temptations
Tv

Johnnie Mae Matthews

1997

1996

The Cherokee Kid
Movie

Abby Holsopple

1996

Daylight
Movie

Grace Calloway

1996

America's Dream
Movie

Miss Williams (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black")

1996

Moesha
Tv

Dr. Woods

1995

Crimson Tide
Movie

Julia Hunter

1994

1994

The Inkwell
Movie

Francis Phillips

1993

1992

1992

Bebe's Kids
Movie

Jamika (voice)

1988

Death Spa
Movie

Marci Hewitt

1986

L.A. Law
Tv

Robyn Edwards

1985

1981

Infos

Full Name
Vanessa Bell Calloway
Gender
Female
Date of Birth
3/20/1957
Website
http://vanessabellcalloway.com/
Also Known As

Vanessa Bell