Alfre Woodard Wiki Biography
Alfre Woodard was born on the 8th November 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma USA, and is an actress and producer, well known for her appearances in many films including “Grand Canyon” (1991), “Heart and Souls” (1993), “How to Make an American Quilt” (1995), “Star Trek: First Contact” (1996) and many others. She has been nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards 18 times, four of which she won; 21 times for NAACP Image Awards, eight won. Moreover, she is the winner of three SAG Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Alfre Woodard has been active in the entertainment industry since 1978.
How much is the net worth of Alfre Woodard? It has been estimated by authoritative sources that the total size of her wealth is as much as $13 million, as of the data presented in the middle of 2016.
Alfre Woodard Net Worth $13 Million
To begin with, Woodard was born the youngest of three children; the name Alfre she received from her godmother, who claimed to have had a vision in which the name Alfre appeared in golden letters. In high school she was a cheerleader, and enthusiastic about acting after being convinced to participate in a play. Later, she studied drama at Boston University and made a brief appearance on stage in Washinton DC. Then she moved to Los Angeles.
Her first major role was in 1978 in the film “Remember My Name”, in which Jeff Goldblum participated, too. For her role in the film “Cross Creek” (1984) she received an Oscar nomination as Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Guest appearances in the television series “Hill Street Blues” (1983) and “LA Law” (1986) brought her two Emmy Awards, and for her performance in the film “Passion Fish” (1993) the actress was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. In 1999, Woodard starred alongside Al Freeman, Jr., Esther Rolle, Loretta Devine, and Wesley Snipes in the film “Down in the Delta”, her role of Loretta Sinclair bringing her an NAACP Image Award. Her net worth was rising steadily.
Alfre’s biggest achievement has been her role in the mini-series “Miss Evers’ Boys” (1997), for which she received an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Cable ACE Award. From 2005 to 2006, she was a regular in the award winning series “Desperate Housewives”, but meanwhile landed a number of roles on the big screen in such as “Beauty Shop” (2005), “Take The Lead” (2006), “King Leopold’s Ghost” (2006) and others. Afterwards, she landed regular roles in the series “My Worst Enemy” (2008) and “Three Rivers” (2009–2010), and Woodard was also in the main cast of the blockbuster “12 Years a Slave” by Steve McQueen. All added to her net worth.
Lately, she has landed roles in two feature films – “So B. It” (2016) by Stephen Gyllenhaal and “Burning Sands” (2016) by Gerard McMurray. Moreover, she has a regular role in the television series “Luke Cage” (2016–present). Overall, the actress has created more than 50 roles on the big screen as well as more than 30 roles in various television productions, which have increased the outright size of Alfre Woodard’s net worth.
Finally, in the personal life of the actress, she now lives with her husband of 33 years, author Roderick Spencer and two adopted two children. The family resides in Santa Monica.
| Full Name | Alfre Woodard |
| Net Worth | $13 Million |
| Date Of Birth | November 8, 1952 |
| Place Of Birth | Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Height | 5′ 3½” (1.61 m) |
| Profession | Actress, Producer |
| Education | Kelley High School, in Tulsa, Boston University |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Roderick Spencer (m.1983-) |
| Children | Mavis Spencer, Duncan Spencer |
| Parents | Constance Woodard, Marion H. Woodard |
| https://twitter.com/alfrewoodard?lang=en | |
| https://www.instagram.com/realalfrewoodard/?hl=en | |
| IMDB | http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005569 |
| Awards | NAACP Image Awards, Independent Spirit Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Emmy Award (2003) |
| Nominations | Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| Movies | “Remember My Name” (1978), “Cross Creek” (1984), “Grand Canyon” (1991), “Heart and Souls” (1993), “How to Make an American Quilt” (1995), “Star Trek: First Contact” (1996),“So B. It” (2016), “Burning Sands” (2016) |
| TV Shows | “Hill Street Blues” (1983), “LA Law” (1986), “Miss Evers’ Boys” (1997), “Desperate Housewives”, “My Worst Enemy” (2008), “Three Rivers” (2009–2010), “Luke Cage” (2016–present) |
| Quote | |
|---|---|
| 1 | I call myself an actor. I mean, when did you last go to the doctress? |
| 2 | Somehow, by just keeping myself up and available and free, so that when I do have work, I can approach it simply as an actress, not an irate, mistreated black actress. And because I take myself to that place, or try to keep myself at that place, the spirit has always provided for me. I’ve always had work. I’ve never gotten rich doing it, but I could die tomorrow and say that I’ve had a FULL artistic life. |
| 3 | I come from a FULL house of storytellers. If they wanted to simply tell you about someone pouring the tea, it would take about ten minutes. They would act out all the parts. I had to kind of jump in there because, as the youngest, if I wanted to get in an opinion, I had to yell and jump and really participate. In addition to participating, I was also observing. I think an actor really has to be an observant person. Not necessarily remembering facts, not observing THAT way. |
| 4 | I’ve surrendered to Facebook just to maintain a relationship with my children. I also follow them on Twitter. They’re witty, irreverent, hip. I have only eight friends. Otherwise, it becomes a job. |
| 5 | I’m on the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. We spent a year accumulating all the data out there on how arts infused into students’ education affects their grade point averages, graduation rates, discipline. |
| 6 | [on Bérénice Bejo’s performance in Le passé (2013)] As Marie in Asghar Farhadi’s “The Past,” Bérénice Bejo has a daunting task. She plays a woman in an increasingly grim dilemma, which is largely of her own making. Yet somehow, in her passionate eyes, we see glimpses of Marie’s hope for, and even belief in, a loving future for herself and her family. Such are Bérénice’s gifts that her performance remains unadorned, yet deeply layered. So the film’s increasingly tragic revelations feel at once inevitable and utterly surprising. Berenice’s taut yet unstrained simplicity anchors Farhadi’s film and serves as the gravitational center for her fellow actors. As always, Ms. Bejo’s luminous face wordlessly expresses the depths of emotion that the filmmaker wishes us to know. |
| 7 | I’m a mom and a wife. That’s what I do in the world. That’s my identity. Second, I’m an actor. |
| 8 | [on her marriage] We were both taught, “You pick your friends on how they treat you – not by what they have or what they look like”. We get twice the cultures. |
| Fact | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Considers Lauren Bacall as her favorite acting mentor/best friend. |
| 2 | Her acting mentors are the late Lauren Bacall and Carol Burnett. |
| 3 | Remained close friends with Lauren Bacall, until her death on August 12, 2014. |
| 4 | Woodard estimates she’s performed in the play “For Colored Girls…” several thousand times: twice in Los Angeles, an Australian tour, and then on PBS. It was her work in the latter that brought her to the attention of producer Robert Altman, who hired her for her first film, “Remember My Name.”. |
| 5 | Graduated Boston University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting. |
| 6 | She designated the French classic “The Red Balloon” as her favorite film for an AFI poll. |
| 7 | Shares the same birthday with Norman Lloyd. They co-starred together on St. Elsewhere (1982). |
| 8 | Her part in Primal Fear (1996) was originally written for a 60-year old Caucasian male. When Woodard was offered the part she accepted the part with one condition; That the age and race would be the only element that changed about the character, and not a single other trait. |
| 9 | Was convinced on to star in 12 Years a Slave (2013) without reading the script, because she wanted to work with Steve McQueen. |
| 10 | Both of her parents was from a family of twelve children. |
| 11 | Went to a Catholic school. |
| 12 | One of the favorite characters she has played was Wanda in Holiday Heart (2000). Some of the favorite films of her own are 12 Years a Slave (2013), Miss Evers’ Boys (1997), Bopha! (1993), Passion Fish (1992), and Miss Firecracker (1989). |
| 13 | Currently resides in Santa Monica, California. |
| 14 | Parents are Marion H. and Constance Woodard. |
| 15 | Has appeared in four films with Mary McDonnell: Grand Canyon (1991), Passion Fish (1992), Blue Chips (1994) and Mumford (1999). |
| 16 | Adopted her second child at age 41, a son Duncan Spencer on November 12, 1993. Child’s father is her husband, Roderick M. Spencer. |
| 17 | Adopted her first child at age 36, a daughter Mavis Spencer on September 29, 1989. Child’s father is her husband, Roderick M. Spencer. |
| 18 | Studied acting with Michael Howard at Boston University, where she graduated from. |
| 19 | Jonathan Frakes calls her his “godmother”. The two became friends as young actors in the 1970s. |
| 20 | Was considered for the role of Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction (1994) but Uma Thurman, who went on to receive a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her performance, was cast instead. |
| 21 | For her revelatory performance in writer-director John Sayles’ Passion Fish (1992) she was the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s second pick (i.e. runner-up) for their best supporting actress prize in 1992. |
| 22 | Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 1990 and 1998. |
| 23 | Attended and graduated from Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. |
| 24 | Her old Tulsa, Oklahoma house located near the Broken Arrow Expressway is the same part of the Oklahoma Turnpike the Jackson family would take by bus to California for Jackson 5 performances. |
| 25 | She and Felicity Huffman are the only two cast members of Desperate Housewives (2004) to have Oscar nominations. |
| 26 | Among the Star Trek toys released for the film Star Trek: First Contact (1996), an action figure was made of Alfre in the likeness of her character in the film, Lily Sloane. |
| 27 | As of September 13, 2003, she now holds the record of being the most honored African American actress in Primetime Emmy Award history. Until her win (as Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for The Practice (1997)), she was tied with Cicely Tyson at three Primetime Emmy Awards apiece. She won her first Primetime Emmy Award in 1984 as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for a three-episode guest stint on Hill Street Blues (1981), as the mother of a young boy accidentally killed by a police officer. Her second Primetime Emmy Award came in 1986 as Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series (a category which has since been split into male and female equivalents) for the pilot episode of L.A. Law (1986) playing a woman dying of leukemia who claims to have been a victim of gang rape. In 1997, she won her third Primetime Emmy Award for Miss Evers’ Boys (1997) against stiff competition from the likes of Meryl Streep, Glenn Close and Stockard Channing. |
| 28 | Has played Dr. Roxanne Turner on St. Elsewhere (1982) and years later in an episode of Homicide: Life on the Street (1993). Tom Fontana was a writer for the first, and an executive producer for the second. |
| 29 | She was so impressed with the script of the independent film Follow Me Home (1996), that she offered to play the role of Evey without pay; much to the delight and awe of filmmaker Peter Bratt. |
Actress
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Years a Slave | 2013 | Mistress Shaw | |
| The Door | 2013/VIII | Short | E |
| Private Practice | 2012 | TV Series | Dee Bennett |
| Steel Magnolias | 2012 | TV Movie | Ouiser |
| True Blood | 2010-2012 | TV Series | Ruby Jean Reynolds |
| Grey’s Anatomy | 2011 | TV Series | Justine Campbell |
| Memphis Beat | 2010-2011 | TV Series | Lt. Tanya Rice |
| Three Rivers | 2009-2010 | TV Series | Dr. Sophia Jordan |
| Black Panther | 2010 | TV Mini-Series | Dondi Reece / Dora Milaje / Queen Mother / … |
| Maggie Hill | 2009 | TV Movie | Virginia |
| My Own Worst Enemy | 2008 | TV Series | Mavis Heller / Helen |
| AmericanEast | 2008 | Angela Jensen | |
| Reach for Me | 2008 | Nurse Evelyn | |
| The Family That Preys | 2008 | Alice Pratt | |
| American Violet | 2008 | Alma Roberts | |
| Pictures of Hollis Woods | 2007 | TV Movie | Edna Reilly |
| Desperate Housewives | 2005-2006 | TV Series | Betty Applewhite |
| Take the Lead | 2006 | Augustine James | |
| Something New | 2006/I | Joyce McQueen | |
| The Water Is Wide | 2006 | TV Movie | Mrs. Brown |
| Inconceivable | 2005 | TV Series | Dr. Lydia Crawford |
| Beauty Shop | 2005 | Ms. Josephine | |
| The Forgotten | 2004 | Det. Anne Pope | |
| Radio | 2003 | Principal Daniels | |
| Static Shock | 2003 | TV Series | Jean Hawkins |
| A Wrinkle in Time | 2003 | TV Movie | Mrs. Whatsit |
| The Core | 2003 | Stickley | |
| Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property | 2003 | Documentary | Narrator |
| The Practice | 2003 | TV Series | Denise Freeman |
| The Singing Detective | 2003 | Chief of Staff | |
| Baby of the Family | 2002 | Rachel | |
| The Wild Thornberrys Movie | 2002 | Akela (Cheetah Mother) (voice) | |
| The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie | 2001 | TV Movie | Medicine Woman (voice) |
| K-PAX | 2001 | Dr. Claudia Villars | |
| John Henry | 2000 | Short | Polly / Narrator (voice) |
| Holiday Heart | 2000 | TV Movie | Wanda Dean |
| Lost Souls | 2000 | Dr. Allen (uncredited) | |
| Dinosaur | 2000 | Plio (voice) | |
| Love & Basketball | 2000 | Camille Wright | |
| What’s Cooking? | 2000 | Audrey Williams | |
| The Wishing Tree | 1999 | Clara | |
| Mumford | 1999 | Lily | |
| Funny Valentines | 1999 | Joyce May | |
| Secrets | 1998 | Short | |
| Down in the Delta | 1998 | Loretta Sinclair | |
| Homicide: Life on the Street | 1998 | TV Series | Dr. Roxanne Turner |
| The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue | 1997 | Video | Maisie (voice) |
| Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | 1997 | TV Series | Winoome Bear |
| Miss Evers’ Boys | 1997 | TV Movie | Eunice Evers, R.N. |
| Adventures from the Book of Virtues | 1997 | TV Series | Harriet Tubman |
| The Member of the Wedding | 1997 | TV Movie | Berenice Sadie Brown |
| Star Trek: First Contact | 1996 | Lily | |
| A Step Toward Tomorrow | 1996 | Dr. Sandlin | |
| Primal Fear | 1996 | Judge Shoat | |
| Special Report: Journey to Mars | 1996 | TV Movie | Tamara O’Neil |
| Gulliver’s Travels | 1996 | TV Mini-Series | Queen of Brobdingnag |
| Follow Me Home | 1996 | Evey | |
| Statistically Speaking | 1995 | Short | |
| How to Make an American Quilt | 1995 | Marianna | |
| The Piano Lesson | 1995 | TV Movie | Berniece Charles |
| Frasier | 1994 | TV Series | Edna |
| Crooklyn | 1994 | Carolyn Carmichael | |
| Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad | 1994 | TV Movie | Harriet Tubman |
| Blue Chips | 1994 | Lavada McRae | |
| Bopha! | 1993 | Rosie Mangena | |
| Heart and Souls | 1993 | Penny Washington | |
| Rich in Love | 1992 | Rhody Poole | |
| Passion Fish | 1992 | Chantelle | |
| The Gun in Betty Lou’s Handbag | 1992 | Attorney Ann Orkin | |
| Pretty Hattie’s Baby | 1991 | Hattie | |
| Grand Canyon | 1991 | Jane | |
| Blue Bayou | 1990 | TV Movie | Jessica Filley |
| A Mother’s Courage: The Mary Thomas Story | 1989 | TV Movie | Mary Thomas |
| Miss Firecracker | 1989 | Popeye Jackson | |
| Scrooged | 1988 | Grace Cooley | |
| St. Elsewhere | 1985-1988 | TV Series | Dr. Roxanne Turner |
| The Child Saver | 1988 | TV Movie | Andrea Crawford |
| Mandela | 1987 | TV Movie | Winnie Mandela |
| The Line | 1987 | TV Movie | Denise Powell |
| Unnatural Causes | 1986 | TV Movie | Maude DeVictor |
| L.A. Law | 1986 | TV Series | Adrianne Moore |
| Extremities | 1986 | Patricia | |
| Words by Heart | 1985 | TV Movie | Claudie Sills |
| Faerie Tale Theatre | 1985 | TV Series | Princess Lovinia |
| Sara | 1985 | TV Series | Rozalyn Dupree |
| American Playhouse | 1982-1985 | TV Series | Esther / Mattie / Woman who lost her stuff |
| Sweet Revenge | 1984 | TV Movie | Vicki Teague |
| Go Tell It on the Mountain | 1984 | Esther | |
| Hill Street Blues | 1983 | TV Series | Doris Robson |
| Tucker’s Witch | 1982-1983 | TV Series | Marcia Fulbright |
| Cross Creek | 1983 | Geechee | |
| The Ambush Murders | 1982 | TV Movie | Kariha Ellsworth |
| Enos | 1981 | TV Series | Darlene |
| Palmerstown, U.S.A. | 1981 | TV Series | Nona |
| The Sophisticated Gents | 1981 | TV Series | Evelyn Evers |
| The White Shadow | 1980 | TV Series | Sandra Wilcox |
| HealtH | 1980 | Sally Benbow | |
| Freedom Road | 1979 | TV Movie | Katie |
| The Trial of the Moke | 1978 | TV Movie | Lucy |
| Remember My Name | 1978 | Rita | |
| Juanita | 2017 | pre-production | Juanita |
| Burning Sands | 2016 | post-production | Professor Hughes |
| Luke Cage | 2016 | TV Series | Mariah Dillard |
| So B. It | 2016 | Bernadette | |
| Captain America: Civil War | 2016 | Miriam | |
| The Last Ship | 2014-2015 | TV Series | Amy Granderson |
| Knucklehead | 2015 | Sheila | |
| State of Affairs | 2014-2015 | TV Series | President Constance Payton |
| Mississippi Grind | 2015 | Sam | |
| Annabelle | 2014/I | Evelyn | |
| Copper | 2013 | TV Series | Hattie Lemaster |
Producer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa | 2014 | Documentary executive producer | |
| Funny Valentines | 1999 | executive producer | |
| Down in the Delta | 1998 | co-producer | |
| Pretty Hattie’s Baby | 1991 | associate producer |
Soundtrack
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beauty Shop | 2005 | performer: “Amazing Grace” | |
| The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue | 1997 | Video performer: “Remember That Day”, “Hang In There, Kid” | |
| The Member of the Wedding | 1997 | TV Movie performer: “His Eye is on the Sparrow” | |
| Heart and Souls | 1993 | performer: “Mr. Hug-A-Bug”, “Walk Like A Man” uncredited |
Thanks
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Birds | 2011 | thanks | |
| Desperate Housewives Special: The More You Know, the Juicier It Gets | 2006 | TV Movie special thanks | |
| Desperate Housewives Special: All the Juicy Details | 2006 | TV Movie special thanks |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 2014-2016 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Impossible Choices | 2016 | Short | Herself |
| Maya Angelou and Still I Rise | 2016 | Documentary | Herself |
| Who Do You Think You Are? | 2015 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
| AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Steve Martin | 2015 | TV Special | Herself (uncredited) |
| Bridging the Divide: Tom Bradley and the Politics of Race | 2015 | TV Movie documentary | Narrator (voice) |
| Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band | 2015 | Documentary | Mary Lou Williams (voice) |
| Entertainment Tonight | 2008-2015 | TV Series | Herself / Herself – State of Affairs |
| The Talk | 2011-2015 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Extra | 2012-2014 | TV Series | Herself – State of Affairs / Herself – Guest |
| Steve Harvey | 2014 | TV Series | Herself – State of Affairs |
| Live with Kelly and Michael | 2014 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| The 88th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade | 2014 | TV Movie | Herself |
| Reflect, Reclaim, Rejoice: Preserving the Gift of Black Sacred Music | 2014 | Documentary short | Narrator |
| Makers: Women in Hollywood | 2014 | Documentary | Herself |
| Made in Hollywood | 2013-2014 | TV Series | Herself |
| Reel Junkie | 2014 | TV Series | Herself |
| Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa | 2014 | Documentary | Herself |
| Nelson Mandela Redrawn | 2014 | Documentary | Herself |
| Black Women Run Hollywood | 2014 | TV Short | Herself |
| The Hadza: Last of the First | 2014 | Documentary | Narrator (voice) |
| 22nd Annual Trumpet Awards | 2014 | TV Special | Herself – Honoree |
| 12 Years a Slave: A Historical Portrait | 2014 | Video documentary | Herself |
| E! Live from the Red Carpet | 2014 | TV Series | Herself |
| 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2014 | TV Special | Herself (uncredited) |
| TV One on One | 2013 | TV Series | Herself |
| The Reel Story: 12 Years a Slave | 2013 | Video | Herself |
| DP/30: Conversations About Movies | 2013 | TV Series | Herself |
| The Queen Latifah Show | 2013 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| The 65th Primetime Emmy Awards | 2013 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie |
| Oprah’s Next Chapter | 2013 | TV Series | Herself |
| Independent Lens | 2004-2013 | TV Series documentary | Herself / Narrator / Herself – Narrator |
| Miracle Rising: South Africa | 2013 | Documentary | |
| 44th NAACP Image Awards | 2013 | TV Movie documentary | Herself |
| 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2013 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter / Nominee |
| The Wendy Williams Show | 2012 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Anderson Live | 2012 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| The View | 2005-2012 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| 43rd NAACP Image Awards | 2012 | TV Special | Herself |
| Women, War & Peace | 2011 | TV Series | Herself – Narrator |
| The Mo’Nique Show | 2010 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Have You Heard From Johannesburg | 2010 | Documentary | Narrator (voice) |
| 41st NAACP Image Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Herself |
| For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots | 2010 | TV Movie documentary voice | |
| Sundance Directors Lab | 2009 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
| The 40th NAACP Image Awards | 2009 | TV Special | Herself |
| Medal of Honor | 2008 | TV Movie documentary | Narrator (voice) |
| The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards | 2008 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie |
| TV Guide Live at the Emmy Awards | 2008 | TV Special | Herself |
| Road to Ingwavuma | 2008 | Documentary short | |
| Nefertiti and the Lost Dynasty | 2007 | TV Movie documentary | Herself – Narrator |
| 20 on 20 | 2007 | TV Movie | Herself |
| The Megan Mullally Show | 2006 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| The Oprah Winfrey Show | 2006 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| The 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 2006 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series & Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie |
| Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List | 2006 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 60th Annual Tony Awards | 2006 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter: Memorial Tribute |
| King Leopold’s Ghost | 2006 | Documentary | Ilanga (voice) |
| Legends Ball | 2006 | TV Movie documentary | Herself |
| HBO First Look | 2006 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
| 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2006 | TV Special | Herself |
| Tavis Smiley | 2005 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| On the Set: The Making of ‘The Forgotten’ | 2005 | Video short | Herself |
| Remembering ‘The Forgotten’ | 2005 | Video documentary short | Herself |
| Reading Rainbow | 2004 | TV Series | Herself |
| All Our Sons: Fallen Heroes of 9/11 | 2004 | Documentary short | Narrator |
| The 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 2003 | TV Special | Herself – Co-Presenter: Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series |
| Tribeca Film Festival Presents | 2003 | TV Movie documentary | Herself |
| Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives | 2003 | Documentary | Reader |
| Searching for Debra Winger | 2002 | Documentary | Herself |
| American Exile | 2001 | Documentary short | Narrator |
| Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | 2001 | TV Series | Herself |
| 32nd NAACP Image Awards | 2001 | TV Special | Herself |
| Dennis Miller Live | 2001 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks | 2000 | TV Movie documentary | Narrator |
| The Kennedy Center Presents: Speak Truth to Power | 2000 | TV Movie documentary | Various |
| The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story | 2000 | TV Movie documentary | |
| American Experience | 1994-2000 | TV Series documentary | Herself – Narrator |
| 2000 Essence Awards | 2000 | TV Special | Herself |
| The Directors | 2000 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
| The Underground Railroad | 1999 | TV Movie documentary | Host |
| Different Moms | 1999 | Documentary | Narrator |
| 30th NAACP Image Awards | 1999 | TV Special | Herself |
| Save Our History | 1999 | TV Series documentary | Herself – Host |
| The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 1999 | TV Movie documentary | Herself – Presenter: Best Actress / Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV |
| Celebrity Profile | 1999 | TV Series documentary | Herself |
| 1998 ALMA Awards | 1998 | TV Special | Herself |
| 4th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 1998 | TV Special | Herself |
| The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards | 1998 | TV Special | Herself – Winner: Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV |
| The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1997 | TV Special | Herself – Winner: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special and Co-Presenter: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series |
| Wild On… | 1997 | TV Series | Herself – Actress |
| Slave Ship | 1997 | TV Movie | Herself – Narrator |
| Cadillac Desert | 1997 | TV Mini-Series documentary | Narrator |
| The 48th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1996 | TV Special | Herself – Nominated: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special & Presenter: Outstanding Miniseries |
| 2nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | 1996 | TV Special | Herself – Winner: Best Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries |
| The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True | 1995 | TV Movie documentary | Host |
| People’s Century: 1900-1999 | 1995 | TV Series documentary | Narrator (US version) (voice) |
| The 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1995 | TV Special | Herself – Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special & Presenter: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special |
| The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards | 1995 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter: Best Screenplay |
| Aliens for Breakfast | 1994 | TV Movie | Herself |
| Frederick Douglass: When the Lion Wrote History | 1994 | TV Movie documentary | Narrator |
| Countdown to Freedom: 10 Days That Changed South Africa | 1994 | Documentary | Narrator (voice) |
| The Essence Awards | 1994 | TV Special | Herself |
| Frontline | 1994 | TV Series documentary | Narrator |
| The 9th Annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards | 1994 | TV Special | Herself |
| The 51st Annual Golden Globe Awards | 1994 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter |
| The Arsenio Hall Show | 1989-1994 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| A Century of Women | 1994 | TV Mini-Series documentary | |
| The 65th Annual Academy Awards | 1993 | TV Special | Herself – Co-Presenter: Best Sound Mixing |
| The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1991 | TV Special | Herself – Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie |
| Ebony/Jet Showcase | 1990 | TV Series | Herself |
| The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1990 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special |
| The 10th Annual National CableACE Awards | 1989 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter |
| The 9th Annual CableACE Awards | 1988 | TV Special | Herself |
| 20th NAACP Image Awards | 1988 | TV Special | Herself – Presenter |
| The 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1987 | TV Special | Herself – Winner: Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series & Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special |
| The 38th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1986 | TV Special | Herself – Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actress in Drama Series |
| Faerie Tale Theatre | 1985 | TV Series | Herself – Guest |
| Black Hollywood | 1984 | TV Movie documentary | Herself |
| The 36th Primetime Emmy Awards | 1984 | TV Special | Herself – Winner: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series |
| The 56th Annual Academy Awards | 1984 | TV Special documentary | Herself – Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role |
| Precious Blood | 1982 | TV Movie | Herself – Narrator |
Archive Footage
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obama in NC: The Path to History | 2010 | Documentary | Herself |
| Hillary! Uncensored: Banned by the Media | 2008 | Video documentary | Herself |
| Desperate Housewives Special: The More You Know, the Juicier It Gets | 2006 | TV Movie | Betty Applewhite (uncredited) |
| Corazón de… | 2006 | TV Series | Herself |
| Desperate Housewives Special: All the Juicy Details | 2006 | TV Movie | Betty Applewhite (uncredited) |
Won Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Governors’ Award | Society of Camera Operators | ||
| 2013 | BFCC Award | Black Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Ensemble | 12 Years a Slave (2013) |
| 2013 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Network/Cable – Best Supporting Actress | Steel Magnolias (2012) |
| 2013 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Steel Magnolias (2012) |
| 2011 | Gracie | Gracie Allen Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress – Drama Series | Memphis Beat (2010) |
| 2007 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Network/Cable – Best Supporting Actress | The Water Is Wide (2006) |
| 2006 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Desperate Housewives (2004) |
| 2005 | Camie | Character and Morality in Entertainment Awards | Radio (2003) | |
| 2004 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Radio (2003) |
| 2003 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | The Practice (1997) |
| 2003 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series | The Practice (1997) |
| 2002 | Muse Award | New York Women in Film & Television | ||
| 2001 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Love & Basketball (2000) |
| 1998 | Golden Satellite Award | Satellite Awards | Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television | Miss Evers’ Boys (1997) |
| 1998 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries | Miss Evers’ Boys (1997) |
| 1998 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Miss Evers’ Boys (1997) |
| 1998 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series | Miss Evers’ Boys (1997) |
| 1997 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | Miss Evers’ Boys (1997) |
| 1997 | CableACE | CableACE Awards | Actress in a Movie or Miniseries | Miss Evers’ Boys (1997) |
| 1996 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries | The Piano Lesson (1995) |
| 1996 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series | The Piano Lesson (1995) |
| 1995 | Crystal Award | Women in Film Crystal Awards | ||
| 1993 | Independent Spirit Award | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Supporting Female | Passion Fish (1992) |
| 1992 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie | A Mother’s Courage: The Mary Thomas Story (1989) |
| 1990 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie | Mandela (1987) |
| 1989 | ACE | CableACE Awards | Actress in a Movie or Miniseries | Mandela (1987) |
| 1989 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie | Unnatural Causes (1986) |
| 1987 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series | L.A. Law (1986) |
| 1984 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Hill Street Blues (1981) |
| 1984 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | Cross Creek (1983) |
Nominated Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | State of Affairs (2014) |
| 2015 | Vision Award | NAMIC Vision Awards | Best Performance – Drama | State of Affairs (2014) |
| 2014 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | 12 Years a Slave (2013) |
| 2014 | Seattle Film Critics Award | Seattle Film Critics Awards | Best Ensemble Cast | 12 Years a Slave (2013) |
| 2014 | Fright Meter Award | Fright Meter Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Annabelle (2014) |
| 2014 | Gold Derby Award | Gold Derby Awards | Ensemble Cast | 12 Years a Slave (2013) |
| 2014 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | 12 Years a Slave (2013) |
| 2013 | PFCS Award | Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards | Best Acting Ensemble | 12 Years a Slave (2013) |
| 2013 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries | Steel Magnolias (2012) |
| 2013 | WIN Award | Women’s Image Network Awards | Outstanding Actress Made for Television Movie / Mini-Series | Steel Magnolias (2012) |
| 2013 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | Steel Magnolias (2012) |
| 2013 | Critics’ Choice TV Award | Critics Choice Television Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries | Steel Magnolias (2012) |
| 2013 | Gold Derby TV Award | Gold Derby Awards | TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress | Steel Magnolias (2012) |
| 2013 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Steel Magnolias (2012) |
| 2012 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Memphis Beat (2010) |
| 2011 | Acting and Activism Award | Women Film Critics Circle Awards | ||
| 2011 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | True Blood (2008) |
| 2011 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Memphis Beat (2010) |
| 2011 | Vision Award | NAMIC Vision Awards | Best Performance – Drama | Memphis Beat (2010) |
| 2010 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Best Supporting Actress | American Violet (2008) |
| 2010 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | American Violet (2008) |
| 2009 | Movies for Grownups Award | AARP Movies for Grownups Awards | Best Actress | The Family That Preys (2008) |
| 2009 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | My Own Worst Enemy (2008) |
| 2009 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | The Family That Preys (2008) |
| 2008 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | Pictures of Hollis Woods (2007) |
| 2008 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Best Actress | The Family That Preys (2008) |
| 2007 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Desperate Housewives (2004) |
| 2006 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Desperate Housewives (2004) |
| 2006 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | The Water Is Wide (2006) |
| 2006 | BET Award | BET Awards | Best Actress | Something New (2006) |
| 2006 | Black Movie Award | Black Movie Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role | Something New (2006) |
| 2006 | Gold Derby TV Award | Gold Derby Awards | Ensemble of the Year | Desperate Housewives (2004) |
| 2006 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | The Water Is Wide (2006) |
| 2002 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | K-PAX (2001) |
| 2001 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Holiday Heart (2000) |
| 2001 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Theatrical – Best Actress | What’s Cooking? (2000) |
| 2001 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Network/Cable – Best Actress | Holiday Heart (2000) |
| 2001 | Daytime Emmy | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Special | The Wishing Tree (1999) |
| 2001 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Holiday Heart (2000) |
| 2001 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children’s Series/Special | The Wishing Tree (1999) |
| 2001 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Holiday Heart (2000) |
| 2000 | Black Reel | Black Reel Awards | Network/Cable – Best Actress | Funny Valentines (1999) |
| 1999 | Black Film Award | Acapulco Black Film Festival | Best Actress | Down in the Delta (1998) |
| 1999 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture | Down in the Delta (1998) |
| 1999 | Independent Spirit Award | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Female Lead | Down in the Delta (1998) |
| 1998 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) |
| 1998 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) |
| 1997 | OFTA Television Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Miss Evers’ Boys (1997) |
| 1997 | Golden Satellite Award | Satellite Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Gulliver’s Travels (1996) |
| 1997 | CableACE | CableACE Awards | Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries | The Member of the Wedding (1997) |
| 1997 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Star Trek: First Contact (1996) |
| 1997 | OFTA Film Award | Online Film & Television Association | Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Actress | Star Trek: First Contact (1996) |
| 1996 | Actor | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast | How to Make an American Quilt (1995) |
| 1996 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | Gulliver’s Travels (1996) |
| 1996 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | How to Make an American Quilt (1995) |
| 1995 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | The Piano Lesson (1995) |
| 1995 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture | Bopha! (1993) |
| 1995 | Image Award | Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Passion Fish (1992) |
| 1994 | Saturn Award | Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA | Best Supporting Actress | Heart and Souls (1993) |
| 1993 | Golden Globe | Golden Globes, USA | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture | Passion Fish (1992) |
| 1990 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | A Mother’s Courage: The Mary Thomas Story (1989) |
| 1988 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series | St. Elsewhere (1982) |
| 1987 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | Unnatural Causes (1986) |
| 1986 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | St. Elsewhere (1982) |
| 1985 | Primetime Emmy | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special | Words by Heart (1985) |
| 1984 | Oscar | Academy Awards, USA | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Cross Creek (1983) |
2nd Place Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | LAFCA Award | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | Best Actress | Passion Fish (1992) |
3rd Place Awards
| Year | Award | Ceremony | Nomination | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | NYFCC Award | New York Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Crooklyn (1994) |
| 1992 | NYFCC Award | New York Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Passion Fish (1992) |