LaChanze
Biography
Rhonda LaChanze Sapp, known professionally as LaChanze, is an American actress, singer, and dancer who was born on December 16, 1961, in St. Augustine, Florida, USA. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical in 2006 for her role as Celie Harris Johnson in The Color Purple. Her career in acting includes thirty-three known credits. She is also known for her work in the films Hercules released in 1997, Hercules released in 1998, and The Help released in 2011. Her professional profile identifies her with female gender and documents her birth date and birthplace.
Career overview
Rhonda LaChanze Sapp, known professionally as LaChanze, is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She was born on December 16, 1961, in St. Augustine, Florida, United States.
LaChanze has built a career in acting across film, television, and stage. Her acting credits include the films The Help in 2011, Hercules in 1997, and Hercules in 1998. In addition to her screen work, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical in 2006 for her portrayal of Celie Harris Johnson in The Color Purple.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
36 titles- By Any Means (2026)
- Highest 2 Lowest (2025) as Sgt. Bell
- Broadway's Leading Ladies (2025) as Self
- Genie (2023) as Grandma Patty
- Birth/Rebirth (2023) as Colleen
- East New York (2022) as Simone Bentley
- The Underground Railroad (2021) as Ms Reva
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- Tamron Hall (2019) as Self - Guest
- Diane (2019) as Jennifer
- The Good Fight (2017)
- The Good Fight (2017) as Julius' Wife
- The Night Of (2016) as Dwight's Mom
- The Blacklist (2013) as Anne
- Side Effects (2013) as Wards Island Desk Nurse
- Person of Interest (2011) as Mona
- The Help (2011) as Rachel
- Breaking Upwards (2009) as Maggie
- Lucy (2003) as Harriett
- Heartbreak Hospital (2002) as Lisa
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Ms. Pivik
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Rosa Freeman
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Amber
- Hercules: Zero to Hero (1999) as Terpsichore, Muse of Dance (voice) (archive sound)
- Sex and the City (1998) as Hostess
- Hercules (1998) as Terpsichore (voice)
- The View (1997) as Self
- Hercules (1997) as Terpsichore the Muse of Dance (voice)
- A Magical Walt Disney World Christmas (1997) as Self
- David Searching (1997) as God Truth
- New York Undercover (1994)
- For Love or Money (1993) as Nora
- Leap of Faith (1992) as Georgette
- My New Gun (1992) as Kelly Jane
- The Cosby Show (1984) as Sylvia
- Broadway: The Next Generation as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is LaChanze best known for?
LaChanze is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including By Any Means (2026), Highest 2 Lowest (2025), East New York (2022), Stars in the House (2020).
When and where was LaChanze born?
LaChanze was born on December 16, 1961 in St. Augustine, Florida, USA.
How many credits does LaChanze have?
LaChanze has accumulated over 36 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1984 to 2026.
What is LaChanze's background in cinema and television?
Rhonda LaChanze Sapp, known professionally as LaChanze, is an American actress, singer, and dancer who was born on December 16, 1961, in St. Augustine, Florida, USA. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical in 2006 for her role as Celie Harris Johnson in The Color Purple. Her career in act...
LaChanze by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- By Any Means (2026) — aged about 64
- The Help (2011) as Rachel — aged about 49
- Person of Interest (2011) as Mona — aged about 49
- The Night Of (2016) as Dwight's Mom — aged about 54
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Ms. Pivik — aged about 37
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Rosa Freeman — aged about 37
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