Who is Kim Fields?
Kim Fields is an American actress, perhaps still best remembered as Dorothy ‘Tootie’ Ramsey in the TV sitcom “The Facts of Life” (1979-1988) and as Regine Hunter in the TV sitcom “Living Single” (1993-1998), among many other roles she’s had in her career.
Kim Fields Wiki: Age, Childhood, and Education
Kim Fields was born on 12 May 1969, in New York City, USA – Fields’ mother is actress and director Chip Fields, and her step-father is a film producer and actor Erv Hurd; there’s no information on her biological father.
Although born in New York City, she grew up in California, where Fields attended the Burbank High School, and was involved in various school productions. She then enrolled at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where she obtained a communications degree.
Career Beginnings
Fields started her acting career at a young age – her mother, Chip Fields, was already an established actress and director in the entertainment industry, and she introduced Kim to the world of acting. – her first role was at the age of five when she appeared in Mrs Butterworth’s syrup commercial.
Fields next had the role of Sharon Hayes in the 1977 TV movie “Have I Got a Christmas for You” through her mother’s connections in the entertainment industry, starring alongside actors like Pat Morita and Gary Coleman in a heartwarming Christmas story about a group of kids trying to give their unemployed father a memorable holiday.
Kim then secured the role of Angie Ellis in the TV show “Baby, I’m Back” (1977-1978), in which she was part of the main cast portraying the character of the daughter of a recently divorced man, who returns to his hometown and tries to win back his ex-wife’s heart.
Rise to Prominence
Kim Fields shot to fame in 1979, when she landed the role of Dorothy “Tootie” Ramsey in the popular TV series “The Facts of Life”, which aired from 1979 to 1988, and she was part of the main cast throughout the show’s run.
The series followed a group of girls attending a fictional boarding school called Eastland School for Girls, and Kim played the role of Tootie, the youngest of the main characters, who was known for her roller skates and her catchphrase “We’re in trou-ble!”
The show was popular throughout its run, and dealt with various issues such as peer pressure, relationships, and growing up, making it a hit among the audience. Kim Fields starred alongside other talented actresses such as Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn and Nancy McKeon, who all played different characters in the series.
Kim’s performance as Tootie earned her critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, including several Young Artist Awards for Best Young Actress in a Comedy Series. Kim’s character Tootie grew and evolved throughout the series, dealing with issues such as racism, friendship, and family problems, making her a beloved character among the show’s fans.
Kim Fields reprised her role as Dorothy “Tootie” Ramsey in two TV movies related to “The Facts of Life”. In 1982, she starred in “The Facts of Life Goes to Paris” where Tootie and her friends went on a trip to Paris, France, and got involved in a mystery involving stolen jewels. In 1987, she starred in “The Facts of Life Down Under” where the girls traveled to Australia and helped a wildlife park owner save his business from being taken over by developers.
Both TV movies were spin-offs from the original series, and featured several of the original cast members, including Lisa Whelchel, and Mindy Cohn as well as Kim.
Hiatus
Kim then enrolled into university after completing “The Facts of Life” in 1988, and took a break from acting to focus on her studies.
Continued Success
After completing her degree, she returned to the entertainment industry and upon her return to acting, Kim immediately secured another long-running TV role – from 1993 to 1998, Kim Fields played the role of Regina “Regine” Hunter in the hit TV show “Living Single”.
The show followed the lives of six friends, including Regine, who lived in a Brooklyn brownstone and navigated their careers, relationships, and everyday life. Kim’s performance earned her critical acclaim, and she became a fan favorite for her character’s sassy, confident personality and her impeccable fashion sense.
Kim Fields starred alongside talented actors such as Queen Latifah, Erika Alexander, and T.C. Carson – “Living Single” was a groundbreaking show that featured an all-Black cast and explored various issues relevant to the African-American community, making it a cultural phenomenon of the ’90s.
Career Decline
Kim’s popularity declined with the start of the new millennium, and she focused on other interests, such as directing and music. However, this didn’t bring success.
It was only in 2017 that she secured another lead role. This time, she was Rhoda in the TV series “Living the Dream”, which follows a British family who moves to Florida and starts a trailer park business.
Since 2021, Kim Fields has been playing the role of Regina “Reggie” Upshaw in the Netflix comedy series “The Upshaws”, which follows the working-class African-American Upshaw family, living in Indiana, as they navigate the challenges of their daily lives, including their careers, relationships, and family dynamics. Kim’s character, Regina, is the ex-wife of the main character, Bennie Upshaw, played by Mike Epps, and the mother of their three children.
Directing
To speak of her work as a director, Kim has been involved in such shows as “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (2007-2022), then “All The Queen’s Men” (2021), and “Haus of Vicious” (2022), among several other projects.
Net Worth
According to sources, Kim Field’s net worth is estimated at $6 million, as of early 2023.
Personal Life, Dating, Married, Husband, Children
Kim was married to film producer Franklin Freeman from 1995 to 2001.
She married actor Christopher Morgan in 2007, with whom she has two children, Sebastian Alexander Morgan and Quincy Morgan.
She had suffered two miscarriages between the two pregnancies.
Appearance and Body Measurements
Kim Fields has black hair and brown eyes. She stands at a height of 5ft (1.52m), while she weighs approximately 165lbs (75kgs). Her vital statistics are 40-33-40, and her bra size is 36DD.