Yvette Nicole Brown
Yvette Nicole Brown (born August 12, 1971) is an American actress, voice actress, writer, comedian, and host. Brown starred as Shirley Bennett on the NBC comedy series Community. She had a recurring role as Helen Dubois on the Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh, and voiced the character Cookie on the American-Canadian animated series Pound Puppies. Brown also starred as Dani in the 2015 version of The Odd Couple on CBS and as Dina Rose on the ABC sitcom The Mayor. In 2018, she assumed the role of Nora, AA sponsor to Christy, the central character on Mom. Brown has also had guest roles in television shows such as That '70s Show, The Office, Boston Legal, Chuck, and The Soul Man. In addition to television, she has had supporting roles in films such as (500) Days of Summer, Tropic Thunder, Repo Men, and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. She also voiced "Harper" from the video game Minecraft: Story Mode in addition to Cookie on Pound Puppies, Luna on Elena of Avalor and Principal Amanda Waller on DC Super Hero Girls. She has hosted Syfy cosplay series Cosplay Melee and has been a frequent couch guest on Talking Dead. She has also served as a guest co-host on talk shows including The View, The Talk, and The Real.
Yvette Nicole Brown | |
|---|---|
 Brown in July 2019 | |
| Born | August 12, 1971 East Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Akron |
| Occupation | Actress, voice actress, comedian, writer |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Website | yvettenicolebrown |
Early life
Yvette Nicole Brown was born on August 12, 1971, in East Cleveland, Ohio.[1] She graduated from Warrensville Heights High School in 1989.[2] Brown studied communication studies at the University of Akron and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 1994.[3][4] While at Akron she was selected for initiation into Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honors Society.
After graduating, Brown took acting classes in Hollywood, Los Angeles.[5]
Career
Brown appeared as "Yvette" in the music video "1-4-All-4-1" by the East Coast Family, a Michael Bivins project, for Biv10 Records.[6] Brown said of the experience, "It was a great run, but I guess music was just never meant to be for me."[7]
Brown first appeared on commercials before entering television shows and films a few years later.[8] She has since played roles on television shows such as The War at Home, Girlfriends, Malcolm in the Middle, That's So Raven, “Half & Half,” and the American version of The Office. She also had a recurring role as movie theater manager Helen Dubois in the Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh. Frances Callier replaced Brown as Helen for one episode. Brown reprised the role in the season 2 episode of Victorious titled "Helen Back Again".[5] She also provided the voice of Cookie on The Hub's Pound Puppies.
In 2009, Brown began starring as Shirley Bennett on the comedy series Community. On September 30, 2014, Brown announced that she would be leaving the show after five seasons in order to take care of her ailing father. In her announcement she said, "My dad needs daily care and he needs me. The idea of being away 16 hours a day for five months, I couldn't do it. It was a difficult decision for me to make, but I had to choose my dad."[9]
She has appeared in television commercials for Hamburger Helper, Big Lots, Pine-Sol, Comcast, Aquapod, Shout, Fiber One, Yoplait Yogurt, DiGiorno Pizza, Dairy Queen, and Time Warner. She has appeared on episodes of The Thrilling Adventure Hour as "The Troubleshooter" in the Sparks Nevada, Marshall on Mars series.
In 2012, Brown appeared as a celebrity contestant on GSN's The Pyramid with her Community co-star Danny Pudi.
In 2014, it was reported that Brown was set to recur on the USA Network series Benched.[10] Shortly after her exit of Community, Brown's role of Dani on the CBS sitcom The Odd Couple was upgraded to series regular.[11] She has also been a regular guest on AMC's Talking Dead. She currently hosts Syfy cosplay series Cosplay Melee.
In July 2018, Brown temporarily replaced Chris Hardwick as the host of Talking Dead and served as moderator for The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead panels at the San Diego Comic-Con during Hardwick's suspension.[12]
In 2019, Brown wrote the independent feature Always a Bridesmaid, a romantic comedy. Set for a fall release, the film stars Jordan Calloway and Javicia Leslie, and features Marcel Spears, Brandon Micheal Hall, Affion Crockett, Richard Lawson, and Telma Hopkins among the supporting cast.[13]
Personal life
Brown was inducted into Warrensville Heights High School's hall of fame in 2009.[2] Brown serves on the SAG-AFTRA 2019-2021 National Board.
Politics
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Brown endorsed and campaigned for Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[14] She has been a critic of former U.S. President Donald Trump and former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | His Woman, His Wife | Renee | |
| 2003 | 180 Miles Away | Maebell | Short film |
| 2004 | Little Black Book | Kita | |
| 2005 | The Island | Nurse Esther | |
| The Kid & I | Bunny | ||
| 2006 | Dreamgirls | Flo | |
| 2007 | The Neighbor | Ms. Juanita | |
| 2008 | Meet Dave | Old Navy Saleswoman Betty Turner | |
| Tropic Thunder | Vivica (Peck's assistant) | ||
| 2009 | N.C.B.S | Flashback wife | Short film |
| Hotel for Dogs | Ms. Camwell | ||
| 500 Days of Summer | Doris | ||
| The Ugly Truth | Dori Coleman | ||
| 2010 | Repo Men | Rhodesia | |
| 2013 | Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters | Gray Sister #3- Pamela | |
| 2014 | Yellowbird | Ladybug (voice) | |
| 2017 | Smartass | Officer Neesy | |
| 2019 | Avengers: Endgame | Phyllis Jenkins | |
| Always a Bridesmaid | Pastor Althea Brody | Also writer and executive producer | |
| Lady and the Tramp | Aunt Sarah | ||
| 2020 | Broken Diamonds | Cookie | completed |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | For the People | Maxine | Episode: "Lonely Hearts" |
| Do Over | Rose | Episode: "Investing in the Future" | |
| 2003 | Girlfriends | Sherri Childs | 2 episodes |
| 2004 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Edie | Episode: "Opening Night" |
| The Big House | Eartha Cleveland | 6 episodes | |
| Two and a Half Men | Mandy | Episode: "Just Like Buffalo" | |
| 7th Heaven | Leah Morris | Episode: "Gratitude" | |
| 2004–07 | Drake & Josh | Helen Dubois | 15 episodes |
| 2005 | Fat Actress | Reese | Episode: "Big Butts" |
| That's So Raven | Monica | Episode: "Too Much Pressure" | |
| That '70s Show | Sgt. Davis | Episode: "You're My Best Friend" | |
| Hot Properties | Oprah-Head | Episode: "Waiting for Oprah" | |
| 2006 | Malcolm in the Middle | Female Security Agent Rose | Episode: "Bride of Ida" |
| House | Ellen Stambler | Episode: "Sex Kills" | |
| The War at Home | Airport Security Guard Robin | Episode: "The West Palm Beach Story" | |
| Half & Half | Ceci | 2 episodes | |
| Pepper Dennis | Angela Howell | Episode: "Pepper Dennis Behind Bars" | |
| Sleeper Cell | Fatima | 2 episodes | |
| 2007 | The Office | Paris | Episode: "The Return" |
| The Loop | Isabelle Miller | Episode: "Yeah, Presents" | |
| American Body Shop | Ms. Durant | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| Entourage | Daily Variety Agent Maureena | Episode: "Gary's Desk" | |
| Boston Legal | Doris Thumper | 2 episodes | |
| 2008 | 'Til Death | Roxie | Episode: "Raisinette in the Sun" |
| Privileged | Pam | Episode: "All About the Haves and the Have-Nots" | |
| Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh | Helen Dubois | Television film | |
| 2009 | Kath & Kim | CeCe | Episode: "Competition" |
| True Jackson, VP | Coral Barns | Episode: "Company Retreat" | |
| Rules of Engagement | Mrs. Alberts | Episode: "Voluntary Commitment" | |
| Roommates | Madam Saphire | Episode: "The Tarot" | |
| iCarly | Robin | Episode: "iMust Have Locker 239" | |
| Sherri | Ms. Mary | Episode: "There Is No 'I' in Church" | |
| 2009–15 | Community | Shirley Bennett | 99 episodes Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Comedy Series or Special[15] |
| 2010–13 | Pound Puppies | Cookie / Additional voices | 65 episodes |
| 2011–14 | Family Guy | Various voices | 4 episodes |
| 2011 | Victorious | Helen Dubois | Episode: "Helen Back Again" |
| Chuck | Buy More Chelsea | Episode: "Chuck Versus the Hack Off" | |
| 2012–16 | The Soul Man | Robyn | 4 episodes |
| 2012–present | Talking Dead | Herself | 10 episodes |
| 2013 | Shake It Up | Madame Tiffany | Episode: "Psych It Up" |
| Once Upon a Time | Ursula (voice) | Episode: "Ariel" | |
| 2014 | Psych | Hazel Lazarus | Episode: "A Touch of Sweevil" |
| Melissa & Joey | Calista | Episode: "I'll Cut You" | |
| BoJack Horseman | Beyoncé, Pedestrian (voice) | Episode: "Our A-Story is a 'D' Story" | |
| 2015 | Harvey Beaks | M.O.M. (voice) | Episode: "Randl's Scandl" |
| 2015–17 | The Odd Couple | Danielle "Dani" Duncan | 38 episodes |
| 2015 | Game Shakers | Helen Dubois | Episode: "Tiny Pickles" |
| 2015–2018 | DC Super Hero Girls | Principal Amanda Waller (voice) | 25 episodes[16] |
| 2015 | New Looney Tunes | Rhoda Roundhouse (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | The Young and the Restless | Lois Thompson | 3 episodes |
| Bunnicula | Mrs. Varney (voice) | Episodes: "Walking Fish" & "Lucky Vampire’s Foot" | |
| Rizzoli & Isles | Agent CJ Prescott | Episode: "Post Mortem" | |
| Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Brigid (voice) | Episode: "Star vs. Echo Creek" | |
| 2016–2020 | Elena of Avalor | Luna (voice) | 15 episodes |
| 2017 | Dr. Ken | Amy | Episode: "A Day In The Life" |
| Regular Show | Seer (voice) | Episode: "Meet The Seer" | |
| SuperMansion | Portia Jones/Zenith (voice) | 8 episodes | |
| Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero | Boat Maria (voice) | 3 episodes | |
| The Mayor | Dina Rose | Main role | |
| Be Cool, Scooby-Doo | Judge Connie Monroe(voice) | Episode: "The People vs. Fred Jones"[17] | |
| Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures | Lieutenant Valeria, Pilots (voice) | 9 episodes | |
| The New Edition Story | Shirley Bivins | 3 episodes | |
| Puppy Dog Pals | Daisy (voice) | Episode: "History Mystery" | |
| Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters | Quick Charge/Sarah Kamen (voice) | 2 episodes | |
| 2018–19 | Mom | Nora Rogers | Recurring role |
| 2018 | Talking Dead | Host | Season 7, Episode 9 |
| The Tom and Jerry Show | Momma Mockingbird (voice) | Episode: "To Kill A Mockingbird" | |
| 2019 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars | Guest judge | Season 4, episode 5 |
| Weird City | Glail | Episode: "Below" | |
| The Loud House | Mayor Davis (voice) | 2 episodes | |
| A Black Lady Sketch Show | Judge Anita Harper | Episode: "Born at Night, But Not Last Night" | |
| What Just Happened??! with Fred Savage | Herself | Episode: "Family" | |
| Dear White People | Evelyn Conners | Episode: "Volume 3: Chapter V" | |
| 2020 | It's Pony | Mrs. Dunscomb (voice) | Supporting role |
| Will & Grace | Ru | Episode: "New Crib" | |
| The Chicken Squad | Captain Tully (voice) | [18] | |
| The Masked Singer | Guest panelist | Episode: "The Mother Of All Final Face Offs, Part 1" | |
| Gentefied | Doctor Macer | Episode: "Delfina" | |
| The Big Fib | Host | ||
| Crossing Swords | Sgt. Meghan (voice) | 4 episodes | |
| Spider-Man | Head Administrator (voice) | Episode: "Spider-Man Unmasked" | |
| 2021 | Celebrity Wheel of Fortune | Herself | Episode: "Constance Zimmer, Maria Menounos & Yvette Nicole Brown" |
| Nickelodeon's Unfiltered | Herself | Episode: "As Seen On Burrito" |
Video game
| Year | Title | Voice role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse | Additional Voices |
| 2016 | Minecraft: Story Mode | Harper[19] |
| 2018 | Lego DC Super-Villains | Amanda Waller |
References
- Rose, Mike (August 12, 2020). "Today's famous birthdays list for August 12, 2020 includes celebrities Yvette Nicole Brown, George Hamilton". Cleveland.com. Cleveland: Advance Newspapers. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- Dawidziak, Mark (May 8, 2012). "Yvette Nicole Brown brings inspirational messages to students at Warrensville Heights High School". Cleveland.com. Cleveland: Advance Newspapers. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
- "Community star Yvette Nicole Brown to be honored by UA". The University of Akron. August 31, 2010.
- "Yvette Nicole Brown". The University of Akron.
- Dawidziak, Mark (November 13, 2009). "Yvette Nicole Brown, an East Cleveland native, enjoys role on TV sitcom Community". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- YouTube: East Coast Family 1-4-All-4-1 | Retrieved 11-20-2011 | 2:22 mark
- Bierly, Mandi (September 24, 2009). "'Community': Get to know Yvette Nicole Brown (and how she got to know Chevy, Joel, Jude, and Gerard)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
- Asim, Jabari (August 6, 2006). "The 'Trouble' With Black Actresses". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- Schneider, Michael (September 30, 2014). "Exclusive: Yvette Nicole Brown Departs Community". TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- Dawidziak, Mark. "Molly Shannon and Yvette Nicole Brown courted for USA Network's 'Benched'". cleveland.com. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
- Ausiello, Michael (October 4, 2014). "CBS' Odd Couple Reboot Promotes Yvette Nicole Brown to Series Regular". TV Line. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
- "Yvette Nicole Brown to Replace Chris Hardwick as 'Walking Dead' Panel Moderator at Comic-Con".
- N'Duka, Amanda (April 19, 2019). "Yvette Nicole Brown To Make Screenwriting Debut With 'Always A Bridesmaid'". Deadline. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
- "Women with Warren: Coffee and Chat with Yvette Nicole Brown". mobilize.us. February 15, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- "2011 Gracie Awards Winners". Alliance for Women in Media. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
- yvette nicole brown [@YNB] (October 23, 2015). ""Just heard that #DCSuperHeroGirls got a pick up for more episodes! And there are DOLLS! I voice #PrincipalWaller! Ỿ t.co/p/gDBKPqacHR"" (Tweet). Retrieved November 11, 2015 – via Twitter.
- "Yvette Nicole Brown". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
- Bhatti, Umbher (October 23, 2019). "Disney Junior Greenlights Animated 'Chicken Squad' Inspired by Book Series (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
- "Minecraft: Story Mode' Episode 7 'Access Denied' Ready For Download On July 26." UniversityHerald.com. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
