Dawnn Lewis
Biography
Dawnn Jewel Lewis is an American actress born on August 13, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. She is best known for portraying Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor on the NBC television sitcom A Different World, appearing from the series beginning in 1987 until the end of its fifth season in 1992. In addition to acting in the series, she co-wrote its opening theme song. Lewis's other notable roles include playing Robin Dumars on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper during its first season from 1992 to 1993, and portraying Cheryl Spade in the 1988 film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Throughout her career, she has appeared in numerous television series, including other sitcoms, and has also performed on stage.
Career overview
Dawnn Jewel Lewis is an American actress born on August 13, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. She is best known for her television roles, most notably portraying Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor on the NBC television sitcom A Different World from the beginning of the series in 1987 until the end of its fifth season in 1992. In addition to her acting work on the show, she co-wrote the opening theme song for the series.
Following her departure from A Different World, Lewis took on other notable television and film roles. She portrayed Robin Dumars on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper during its first season from 1992 to 1993. On the big screen, she appeared as Cheryl Spade in the 1988 film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka.
Throughout her career, Lewis has appeared in numerous television series, including various other sitcoms, and has also performed on stage. With a career spanning decades, her known credits include acting in over one hundred television and film projects.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
140 titles- R.J. Decker (2026) as Officer Penmar
- The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish (2024) as Tina Churner (voice)
- The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish (2024) as Tina Churner / Citizen 3 (voice)
- Fired on Mars (2023) as Judith (voice)
- Maggie Simpson in "Rogue Not Quite One" (2023) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) as Additional Voices (voice)
- The Cuphead Show! (2022) as Bedelia / Boo-Boo (voice)
- Welcome to the Club (2022) as Ursula / Kaa (voice)
- Blackjack Christmas (2022) as Corrine Allen
- For Gunter’s Eyes Only (2022) as (voice)
- The Good, the Bart, and the Loki (2021) as Ravonna Renslayer (voice)
- Reunion Road Trip (2021) as Self
- Writing Around the Christmas Tree (2021) as Sharon Samuels
- Solar Opposites (2020) as Opossum Head / Dock Worker 2 (voice)
- Solar Opposites (2020) as Val Helsing (voice)
- Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020) as Carol Freeman (voice)
- Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal (2020) as Chief (voice)
- Be the Light (2020) as Gladys
- The Boys (2019) as Valerie
- Carmen Sandiego (2019) as Chief (voice)
- The Ready Room (2019) as Self
- The Ready Room (2019)
- 9-1-1 (2018) as Danvers
- Craig of the Creek (2018) as Brenda (voice)
- Apple & Onion (2018) as Patty (voice)
- Revival! (2018) as Cleo
- Bunyan and Babe (2017) as Maybelle (voice)
- Legend of Master Legend (2017) as Tana
- This Is Us (2016) as Rosemary
- Celebrating 100 Disney Channel Original Movies (2016) as Self
- Better Call Saul (2015) as Judge
- Inside Out (2015) as Additional Voices (voice)
- iZombie (2015) as Mama Leone
- Celebrity Family Feud (2015) as Self - Contestant
- Stitchers (2015) as Arlene Grant
- Megachurch Murder (2015) as Lucille Williams
- Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories (2014) as Agent
- A Lesson in Romance (2014) as Diane
- The Divorce (2014) as Yolanda Massey
- Rick and Morty (2013) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Rick and Morty (2013) as Assimilated Alien 1 (voice)
- Monsters University (2013) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Second Chances (2013) as Maria
- Toy Story of Terror! (2013) as Delivery Lady (voice)
- Doc McStuffins (2012) as Grandma McStuffins (voice)
- The Soul Man (2012) as Erika
- The Soul Man (2012) as Erica
- Let It Shine (2012) as Gail
- Dino Time (2012) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Jennifer (2012) as Dr. Fox
- Breaking In (2011) as Janet Jenkins
- Regular Show (2010) as JB / Fun Fun Zone Employee (voice)
- Regular Show (2010) as Duck Lady / Woman #2 / Woman #3 (voice)
- Sinbad: Where U Been? (2010) as Self
- Preacher's Kid (2010) as Mya
- Castle (2009) as Yvonne
- The Cleveland Show (2009) as Mrs. Bailey (voice)
- The Cleveland Show (2009) as Mrs. Bailey /Receptionist (voice)
- Glenn Martin, DDS (2009) as (voice)
- Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder (2009) as LaBarbara Conrad / Womens' Prison Warden (voice)
- The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008) as Lauren's Mom
- Futurama: Bender's Big Score (2007) as LaBarbara Conrad (voice)
- The Last Sentinel (2007) as Angel - Tallis' Rifle (voice)
- Holly Hobbie and Friends: Secret Adventures (2007) as Carolyn Baker (voice)
- Dreamgirls (2006) as Melba Early
- Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes (2006) as Carolyn Baker (voice)
- The Adventures of Brer Rabbit (2006) as Mom (voice)
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Jamarah Blake
- The Boondocks (2005)
- Spider-Man: The Venom Saga (2005) as Detective Terri Lee (voice)
- Black in the 80s (2005)
- CSI: NY (2004) as Waitress
- Veronica Mars (2004) as Marcia Langdon
- Medical Investigation (2004) as Dr. Burton
- One Tree Hill (2003) as Denise Fields
- Daredevil vs. Spider-Man (2003) as Detective Terri Lee (voice)
- Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure (2003) as Bessie
- CSI: Miami (2002) as Stacy McCann
- Ozzy & Drix (2002) as Cilia Tyson (voice)
- Andy Richter Controls the Universe (2002)
- Spider-Man: The Ultimate Villain Showdown (2002) as Detective Terri Lee (voice)
- The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (2001) as Grim's Granny
- The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (2001)
- The Legend of Tarzan (2001) as Naoh (voice)
- The Poof Point (2001) as Marigold Ballard
- Strong Medicine (2000) as Detective Wright
- Girlfriends (2000) as Linda Dent
- Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000) as Mary (voice)
- Static Shock (2000) as Brickhouse (voice)
- The 10th Kingdom (2000) as Blabberwort the Troll
- Futurama (1999) as LaBarbara Conrad (voice)
- Futurama (1999) as Jackie Anderson (voice)
- Futurama (1999) as LaBarbara Conrad / Hermes' Mother (voice)
- Futurama (1999) as LaBarbara Conrad / Influencer (voice)
- Futurama (1999) as Nurse (voice)
- The Wood (1999) as Woman in Cleaners
- The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs (1998)
- King of the Hill (1997) as Sharona Johnson (voice)
- The View (1997) as Self
- Under Pressure (1997) as Sandy Tierra
- Bruno the Kid: The Animated Movie (1997) as Di Archer (voice) (archive footage)
- Nash Bridges (1996) as Winifred Holt
- The Steve Harvey Show (1996) as Alise Peyton
- Early Edition (1996) as Gayle Clark
- The Jamie Foxx Show (1996) as Dr. Kanella
- Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm (1996) as Sheeva (voice)
- Bruno the Kid (1996) as Di Archer (voice)
- C Bear and Jamal (1996)
- The Cherokee Kid (1996) as Stagecoach Mary, Love GAng
- Sliders (1995) as Dr. Natalie Sylvius
- Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) as Princess Songe (voice)
- The Parent 'Hood (1995)
- Jirimpimbira: An African Folk Tale (1995) as Temba's Sister
- Spider-Man (1994) as Detective Terri Lee (voice)
- Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad (1994) as Minnie
- A Cool Like That Christmas (1993) as Jarvis (voice)
- Mouse Soup (1993) as (Voice)
- Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992) as Robin Dumars
- Stompin' at the Savoy (1992) as Ella Fitzgerald
- Dream On (1990) as Rema Hort
- The Simpsons (1989) as Bernice Hibbert (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Texxon Customer (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Bernice Hibbert / Female Firefighter (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Mrs. McBride (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Daly Night / Etta Pryor (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Bernice Hibbert / Naima (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Juvenile Court Bailiff (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Lenora Carter (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Hotshot lawyer (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Cannabis Influencer (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Flight Attendant (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Court Bailiff (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Opal (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Party guest (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Bernice Hibbert / Pam / Perimenopause: The Musical Singer (voice)
- I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) as Cheryl
- A Different World (1987) as Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor
- Battle of the Network Stars (1976)
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Guest
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Dawnn Lewis best known for?
Dawnn Lewis is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including R.J. Decker (2026), The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish (2024), The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish (2024), Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022).
When and where was Dawnn Lewis born?
Dawnn Lewis was born on August 13, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Dawnn Lewis have?
Dawnn Lewis has accumulated over 140 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1962 to 2026.
What is Dawnn Lewis's background in cinema and television?
Dawnn Jewel Lewis is an American actress born on August 13, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. She is best known for portraying Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor on the NBC television sitcom A Different World, appearing from the series beginning in 1987 until the end of its fifth season in 1992. In addition to acting in t...