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Alfre Woodard


Alfre Ette Woodard was born on November 8, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the youngest of three children. She was named by her godmother, who claimed she saw a vision of Alfre's name in written out in gold letters. A former high school cheerleader and track star, she got the acting bug after being persuaded to audition for a school play by a nun at her school... See full bio »

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Nominated for Oscar. Another 29 wins & 42 nominations See more awards »

Known For


Filmography

Hide HideActress (102 titles)
2013/I The Door (short)
 
2012 Private Practice (TV series)
Dee Bennett
The Next Episode (2012) … Dee Bennett
 
2012 Steel Magnolias (TV movie)
Ouiser
 
2010-2012 True Blood (TV series)
Ruby Jean Reynolds
Hopeless (2012) … Ruby Jean Reynolds
 
2011 Grey's Anatomy (TV series)
Justine Campbell
 
2010-2011 Memphis Beat (TV series)
Lt. Tanya Rice
The Feud (2011) … Lt. Tanya Rice
 
2010 Black Panther (TV mini-series)
Dondi Reece / Dora Milaje / Miss M'Buve / …
Episode #1.5 (2010) … Dondi Reece/Dora Milaje/Miss M'Duve (voice)
Episode #1.6 (2010) … Dondi Reece/Dora Milaje/Miss M'Buve (voice)
Episode #1.3 (2010) … Queen Mother (voice)
Episode #1.4 (2010) … Dondi Reece/Dora Milaje/Miss M'Buve (voice)
Episode #1.1 (2010) … Dondi Reece/Queen Mother (voice)
 
2009 Maggie Hill (TV movie)
Virginia
 
2008 AmericanEast
Angela Jensen
 
2008 Reach for Me
Evelyn
 
2006 The Water Is Wide (TV movie)
Mrs. Brown
 
2005 Inconceivable (TV series)
Dr. Lydia Crawford
Pilot (2005) … Dr. Lydia Crawford
Secrets and Thighs (2005) … Dr. Lydia Crawford
 
2003 Static Shock (TV series)
Jean Hawkins
Flashback (2003) … Jean Hawkins (voice)
 
2003 A Wrinkle in Time (TV movie)
Mrs. Whatsit
 
2003 The Core
Stickley
 
2003 Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property (documentary)
Narrator
 
2003 The Practice (TV series)
Denise Freeman
Final Judgement (2003) … Denise Freeman
Down the Hatch (2003) … Denise Freeman
 
2003 The Singing Detective
Chief of Staff
 
2002 The Wild Thornberrys Movie
Akela (Cheetah Mother) (voice)
 
2002 Baby of the Family
Rachel
 
2001 The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie (TV movie)
Medicine Woman (voice)
 
2000 Holiday Heart (TV movie)
Wanda
 
2000 Lost Souls
Dr. Allen (uncredited)
 
2000 Dinosaur
Plio (voice)
 
2000 What's Cooking?
Audrey Williams
 
2000 John Henry (short)
Polly/Narrator (voice)
 
1999 Mumford
Lily
 
1999 Funny Valentines
Joyce May
 
1999 The Wishing Tree
Clara
 
1998 Secrets (short)
 
1998 Homicide: Life on the Street (TV series)
Dr. Roxanne Turner
Mercy (1998) … Dr. Roxanne Turner
 
1997 Adventures from the Book of Virtues (TV series)
Harriet Tubman
Faith (1997) … Harriet Tubman (voice)
 
1997 The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue (video)
Maisie (voice)
 
1997 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (TV series)
Winoome Bear
Goldilocks and the Three Bears (1997) … Winoome Bear (voice)
 
1996 A Step Toward Tomorrow
Dr. Sandlin
 
1996 Primal Fear
Shoat
 
1996 Special Report: Journey to Mars (TV movie)
Tamara O'Neil
 
1996 Follow Me Home
Evey
 
1995 The Piano Lesson (TV movie)
Berniece Charles
 
1995 Statistically Speaking (short)
 
1994 Frasier (TV series)
Edna
The Botched Language of Cranes (1994) … Edna (voice)
 
1994 Blue Chips
Lavada McRae
 
1994 Aliens for Breakfast (TV movie)
 
1993 Bopha!
Rosie Mangena
 
1993 Heart and Souls
Penny Washington
 
1992 Rich in Love
Rhody Poole
 
1992 The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag
Attorney Ann Orkin
 
1991 Grand Canyon
Jane
 
1991 Pretty Hattie's Baby
Hattie
 
1990 Blue Bayou (TV movie)
Jessica Filley
 
1989 A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story (TV movie)
Mary Thomas
 
1985-1988 St. Elsewhere (TV series)
Dr. Roxanne Turner
 
1988 The Child Saver (TV movie)
Andrea Crawford
 
1987 Mandela (TV movie)
Winnie Mandela
 
1987 The Line (TV movie)
Denise Powell
 
1986 Unnatural Causes (TV movie)
Maude DeVictor
 
1986 L.A. Law (TV series)
Adrianne Moore
Pilot (1986) … Adrianne Moore
 
1985 Faerie Tale Theatre (TV series)
Guest Interviewee / Princess Lovinia
Puss in Boots (1985) … Princess Lovinia
Grimm Party (1985) … Guest Interviewee
 
1985 Sara (TV series)
Rozalyn Dupree
Brief Encounter (1985) … Rozalyn Dupree
A Night at the Ballet (1985) … Rozalyn Dupree
Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985) … Rozalyn Dupree
Meet Mr. Cooper (1985) … Rozalyn Dupree
Sara's Short Story (1985) … Rozalyn Dupree
 
1982-1985 American Playhouse (TV series)
Esther / Mattie / Woman who lost her stuff
Go Tell It on the Mountain (1985) … Esther
The Killing Floor (1984) … Mattie
 
1985 Words by Heart (TV movie)
Claudie Sills
 
1984 Sweet Revenge (TV movie)
Vicki Teague
 
1983 Hill Street Blues (TV series)
Doris Robson
Goodbye, Mr. Scripps (1983) … Doris Robson
Praise Dilaudid (1983) … Doris Robson
Doris in Wonderland (1983) … Doris Robson
 
1982 The Ambush Murders (TV movie)
Kariha Ellsworth
 
1982 Precious Blood (TV movie)
 
1981 The Sophisticated Gents (TV movie)
Evelyn Evers
 
1981 Enos (TV series)
Darlene
Forever Blowing Bubbles (1981) … Darlene
 
1981 Palmerstown, U.S.A. (TV series)
Nona
The Threat (1981) … Nona
 
1980 The White Shadow (TV series)
Sandra Wilcox
Reunion: Part 1 (1980) … Sandra Wilcox
 
1980 HealtH
Sally Benbow
 
1979 Freedom Road (TV movie)
Katie
 
1978 Remember My Name
Rita
 
1978 The Trial of the Moke (TV movie)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (3 titles)
2005 Beauty Shop (performer: "Amazing Grace")
 
1997 The Member of the Wedding (TV movie) (performer: "His Eye is on the Sparrow")
 
1993 Heart and Souls (performer: "Mr. Hug-A-Bug", "Walk Like A Man" - uncredited)
 
Show ShowProducer (3 titles)
1999 Funny Valentines (executive producer)
 
1998 Down in the Delta (co-producer)
 
1991 Pretty Hattie's Baby (associate producer)
 
Show ShowThanks (3 titles)
2011 Little Birds (thanks)
 
2006 Desperate Housewives Special: All the Juicy Details (TV movie) (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (85 titles)
2012 The Hadza: Last of the First (documentary) (post-production)
Narrator
 
2004-2013 Independent Lens (TV series documentary)
Herself / Herself - Narrator / Narrator
Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property (2004) … Herself - Narrator (voice)
 
2013 Miracle Rising: South Africa (documentary)
 
2013 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV movie)
Herself - Presenter/Nominee (also archive footage)
 
2012 The Wendy Williams Show (TV series)
Herself - Guest
Episode dated 5 October 2012 (2012) … Herself - Guest
 
2012 Anderson Live (TV series)
Herself - Guest
 
2005-2012 The View (TV series)
Herself
Steel Magnolias (2012) … Herself
Episode dated 10 November 2005 (2005) … Herself
 
2012 Extra (TV series)
Herself - Guest
Episode #18.19 (2012) … Herself - Guest
 
2012 43rd NAACP Image Awards (TV movie)
Herself
 
2011 Women, War & Peace (TV series)
Herself - Narrator
The War We Are Living (2011) … Herself - Narrator
 
2011 The Talk (TV series)
Herself - Guest
Episode dated 28 June 2011 (2011) … Herself - Guest
 
2010 The Mo'Nique Show (TV series)
Herself
Episode dated 25 October 2010 (2010) … Herself
 
2010 Have You Heard From Johannesburg (documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
2008-2010 Entertainment Tonight (TV series)
Herself
Episode dated 4 March 2010 (2010) … Herself
Episode dated 1 March 2010 (2010) … Herself
Episode dated 28 August 2008 (2008) … Herself
 
2010 41st NAACP Image Awards (TV movie)
Herself
 
2009 Sundance Directors Lab (TV series documentary)
Herself
That's a Wrap! (2009) … Herself
Working with the Actor (2009) … Herself
 
2009 The 40th NAACP Image Awards (TV movie)
Herself
 
2008 Medal of Honor (TV documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
2008 TV Guide Live at the Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself
 
2008 The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Nominee: Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
 
2008 Road to Ingwavuma (documentary short)
 
2007 Nefertiti and the Lost Dynasty (TV documentary)
Herself - Narrator
 
2007 20 on 20 (TV movie)
Herself
 
2006 The Megan Mullally Show (TV series)
Herself
Episode #1.67 (2006) … Herself
 
2006 The Oprah Winfrey Show (TV series)
Herself
 
2006 The 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Nominee
 
2006 Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (TV series)
Herself
Red State, Blue State (2006) … Herself
 
2006 The 60th Annual Tony Awards (TV special)
Herself - Presenter
 
2006 King Leopold's Ghost (documentary)
Ilanga (voice)
 
2006 Legends Ball (TV documentary)
Herself
 
2006 HBO First Look (TV series documentary)
Herself
Take the Lead (2006) … Herself
16 Blocks (2006) … Herself
 
2006 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV special)
Herself
 
2005 Remembering 'The Forgotten' (video documentary short)
Herself
 
2005 Tavis Smiley (TV series)
Herself
Episode dated 21 March 2005 (2005) … Herself
 
2004 Reading Rainbow (TV series)
Herself
Visiting Day (2004) … Herself (voice)
 
2004 All Our Sons: Fallen Heroes of 9/11 (documentary short)
Narrator
 
2003 The 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Co-Presenter
 
2003 Tribeca Film Festival Presents (TV documentary)
Herself
 
2002 Searching for Debra Winger (documentary)
Herself
 
2001 American Exile (documentary short)
Narrator
 
2001 Dennis Miller Live (TV series)
Herself
Al Gore (2001) … Herself
 
2000 Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks (TV documentary)
Narrator
 
2000 The Kennedy Center Presents: Speak Truth to Power (TV documentary)
Various
 
1994-2000 The American Experience (TV series documentary)
Herself - Narrator
Eleanor Roosevelt (2000) … Herself - Narrator
Malcolm X: Make It Plain (1994) … Herself - Narrator (voice)
 
2000 2000 Essence Awards (TV movie)
Herself
 
2000 The Directors (TV series documentary)
Herself
The Films of Spike Lee (2000) … Herself
 
1999 30th NAACP Image Awards (TV special)
Herself
 
1999 Save Our History (TV series documentary)
Herself - Host
The Underground Railroad (1999) … Herself - Host
 
1999 The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards (TV documentary)
Herself - Presenter: Best Actress/Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
 
1999 Celebrity Profile (TV series documentary)
Herself
Danny Glover (1999) … Herself
 
1999 The Underground Railroad (TV documentary)
Host
 
1998 1998 ALMA Awards (TV special)
Herself
 
1998 4th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV special)
Herself
 
1998 The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards (TV special)
Herself - Winner: Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
 
1997 Slave Ship (TV movie)
Herself - Narrator
 
1997 Cadillac Desert (TV mini-series documentary)
Narrator
 
1997 The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Winner: Best Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special and Co-Presenter: Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series
 
1997 Wild On... (TV series)
Herself - Actress
Wild on Jamaica … Herself - Actress
 
1996 48th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Nominee: Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special & Presenter: Best Miniseries
 
1996 2nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (TV special)
Herself - Winner: Best Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
 
1995 The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True (TV documentary)
Host
 
1995 People's Century: 1900-1999 (TV series documentary)
Narrator (US version)
 
1995 The 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Nominee: Best Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special & Presenter: Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special
 
1995 The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (TV movie)
Herself - Presenter: Best Screenplay
 
1994 Frederick Douglass: When the Lion Wrote History (TV documentary)
Narrator
 
1994 Countdown to Freedom: 10 Days That Changed South Africa (documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
1994 The Essence Awards (TV movie)
Herself
 
1994 A Century of Women (TV mini-series documentary) (voice)
 
1994 Frontline (TV series documentary)
Narrator
In the Game (1994) … Narrator
 
1989-1994 The Arsenio Hall Show (TV series)
Herself
Episode dated 17 January 1994 (1994) … Herself
Episode dated 9 May 1989 (1989) … Herself
 
1994 The 51st Annual Golden Globe Awards (TV movie)
Herself - Presenter
 
1993 The 65th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Co-Presenter: Best Sound Mixing
 
1991 The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Nominee: Best Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
 
1990 Ebony/Jet Showcase (TV series)
Herself
Episode dated 23 November 1990 (1990) … Herself
 
1990 The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Nominee: Best Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special
 
1989 The 10th Annual National CableACE Awards (TV movie)
Herself - Presenter
 
1988 The 9th Annual CableACE Awards (TV movie)
Herself
 
1988 20th NAACP Image Awards (TV special)
Herself - Presenter
 
1987 The 39th Annual Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Winner: Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series & Nominee: Best Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special
 
1984 The 36th Annual Emmy Awards (TV special)
Herself - Winner: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
 
1984 The 56th Annual Academy Awards (TV special documentary)
Herself - Nominee: Best Actress in a Supporting Role
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (5 titles)
2010 Obama in NC: The Path to History (documentary)
Herself
 
2008 Hillary! Uncensored: Banned by the Media (video documentary)
Herself
 
2006 Desperate Housewives Special: The More You Know, the Juicier It Gets (TV movie)
Betty Applewhite (uncredited)
 
2006 Corazón de... (TV series)
 
2006 Desperate Housewives Special: All the Juicy Details (TV movie)
Betty Applewhite (uncredited)
 

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Personal Details

Other Works:

In 2001, starred as Dana Franklin in the miniseries "Kindred," a production of the Sci-Fi channel web radio dram series, "Seeing Ear Theatre." See more »

Publicity Listings:

3 Interviews  | 4 Articles  | See more »

Height:

5' 3½" (1.61 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[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. See more »

Trivia:

As of September 13, 2003, she now holds the record of being the most honored African American actress in Primetime Emmy history. Until her win (as Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for The Practice), she was tied with Cicely Tyson at three Primetime Emmys apiece. She won her first Primetime... See more »

Star Sign:

Scorpio