Vanessa Williams
Biography
Vanessa Williams is an American actress and producer. She is known for her roles in the Showtime drama series Soul Food, the Fox prime time soap opera Melrose Place, and the 1991 crime drama film New Jack City. She is also known for her appearances in the Candyman films. Vanessa Williams was born in New York City, New York, USA on May 12, 1963. She has been credited with 59 acting roles. She is sometimes professionally credited as Vanessa A. Williams.
Career overview
Vanessa Williams is an American actress and producer. She has appeared in various film and television projects throughout her career. In the 1990s, Williams played the role of Rhonda Blair in the first season of the Fox prime time soap opera, Melrose Place. She also appeared as Keisha in the 1991 crime drama film, New Jack City, where she portrayed Nino Brown's feisty gun moll.
Williams is also known for her portrayal of Maxine Joseph-Chadway in the Showtime drama series, Soul Food, which aired from 2000 to 2004. Her performance in this series earned her recognition, although the specific details of the award are not provided. In addition to her work in television, Williams has also appeared in film, including the Candyman series, where she played the role of Anne-Marie McCoy in the first and fourth installments.
Throughout her career, Vanessa Williams has accumulated a significant number of credits, with a total of 59 known credits to her name. She has established herself as a versatile actress, capable of taking on a wide range of roles in both film and television.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
61 titles- Wild Rose (2026) as Joyce
- Legacy of Screams: The Evolution of Horror Movies (2025) as Self - (archive footage)
- Black Girl, Erupted (2023) as Cassandra Cole
- Cruel Encounters (2023) as Corynne
- Mid-Century (2022) as Beverly Gordon
- Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (2022) as Lucille
- Angie's Cure (2022) as Carla
- American Horror Stories (2021) as Dr. Eleanor Berger
- Candyman (2021) as Anne-Marie McCoy
- A Rich Christmas (2021) as Aggie Maggy / Madison
- A Luv Tale (2021) as Candice
- Welcome to the Christmas Family Reunion (2021) as Eve Christmas
- Love on a Two Way Street (2020) as Gloria
- One Fine Christmas (2019) as Susan
- I Left My Girlfriend for Regina Jones (2019) as Rebecca
- 9-1-1 (2018) as Claudette Collins
- 40 and Single (2018) as Bertha Brown
- Thriller (2018) as Mrs. Walker
- The Flash (2014) as Francine West
- Men, Money & Gold Diggers (2014) as Sandra Winslow
- Crossed the Line (2014) as Juice
- Sugar Mommas (2012) as Lynn
- Raising Izzie (2012) as Tonya
- Imagine That (2009) as Lori Strother
- Contradictions of the Heart (2009) as Lea
- The Wendy Williams Show (2008)
- Flirting with Forty (2008) as Kristine
- Phineas and Ferb (2007) as Flight Attendant (voice)
- Ice Spiders (2007) as Dr. April Sommers
- Happy to Be Nappy and Other Stories of Me (2004) as Self (voice)
- Cold Case (2003) as Crystal Stacy (2007)
- Black Listed (2003) as J.W.
- Allergic to Nuts (2003)
- Like Mike (2002) as Pharmacist
- Our America (2002) as Sandra Williams
- Good Day Live (2001) as Self
- Soul Food (2000) as Maxine Chadway
- Punks (2000) as Jennifer
- Playing with Fire (2000) as Riana Roberts
- Total Recall 2070 (1999)
- Incognito (1999) as Wilhelmina Hunter
- Between Brothers (1997) as Rebecca
- The Pretender (1996) as Denise Clements
- The Steve Harvey Show (1996) as Nina
- Malcolm & Eddie (1996)
- Buddies (1996)
- Mother (1996) as Donna
- Murder One (1995)
- Murder One (1995) as Lila Marquette
- Chicago Hope (1994) as Grace Carr
- Drop Squad (1994) as Mali
- Living Single (1993)
- Melrose Place (1992) as Rhonda
- Candyman (1992) as Anne-Marie McCoy
- The Jaleel White Special (1992)
- New Jack City (1991) as Keisha
- Law & Order (1990) as Vera
- The Word (1990)
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988)
- The Cosby Show (1984) as Jade
- The Cosby Show (1984) as Cheryl
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Vanessa Williams best known for?
Vanessa Williams is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Music in the Attic (1950), Candyman (2021), 9-1-1 (2018), The Flash (2014).
When and where was Vanessa Williams born?
Vanessa Williams was born on May 12, 1963 in New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Vanessa Williams have?
Vanessa Williams has accumulated over 61 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1984 to 2026.
What is Vanessa Williams's background in cinema and television?
Vanessa Williams is an American actress and producer. She is known for her roles in the Showtime drama series Soul Food, the Fox prime time soap opera Melrose Place, and the 1991 crime drama film New Jack City. She is also known for her appearances in the Candyman films. Vanessa Williams was born in New York City, New ...
Vanessa Williams by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- 9-1-1 (2018) as Claudette Collins — aged about 55
- Living Single (1993) — aged about 30
- Phineas and Ferb (2007) as Flight Attendant (voice) — aged about 44
- American Horror Stories (2021) as Dr. Eleanor Berger — aged about 58
- The Flash (2014) as Francine West — aged about 51
- Cold Case (2003) as Crystal Stacy (2007) — aged about 40
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