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Jennifer Holliday

Soundtrack | Actress | Music Department

Trivia:

Portrayed the role of Effie Melody White in the original musical version of "Dreamgirls", giving one of the most triumphant singing performances ever committed to Broadway. Her raw, all-consuming vocal version of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" made the Tony-winning performer a cult phenomenon. See more trivia »

Born:

Jennifer Yvette Holliday
in Houston, Texas, USA
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Jennifer Holliday and S. Epatha Merkerson
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Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

Melanie Molnar - Reel -- No description provided.

Melanie Molnar - Reel

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel


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Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideSoundtrack (14 titles)
2006-2012 So You Think You Can Dance (TV series)
– Top 10 Perform (2012) (performer: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going")
– Top 6 Perform (2006) (performer: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going")
– Top 8 Perform (2006) (performer: "Fake Your Way to the Top")
 
2012 American Idol (TV series)
– Winner Announced (2012) (performer: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going")
 
2011 Happily Divorced (TV series)
– Vegas Baby (2011) (performer: "Lucky in Love")
 
2008 So You Think You Can Dance Canada (TV series)
– Top 4 (2008) (performer: "Move You're Stepping On My Heart")
 
2008 Pageant (documentary) (performer: "And I'm Telling You")
 
1999 Great Performances (TV series)
– My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies (1999) (performer: "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going")
 
1998 The 52nd Annual Tony Awards (TV special) (performer: "And I'm Tellin' You I'm Not Going")
 
1995 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (TV series)
– The Script Formerly Known As... (1995) (performer: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going")
 
1995 Women of the House (TV series)
– Miss Sugarbaker Goes to Washington (1995) (performer: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going")
 
1991 The Five Heartbeats (performer: "Amazing Grace" / arranger: "Amazing Grace")
 
1988 I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (performer: "Magic Man" / as Jennifer Holiday)
 
1987 In the Mood (performer: "IN THE MOOD")
 
1984 The 56th Annual Academy Awards (TV special documentary) (performer: "The Way He Makes Me Feel")
 
1982 The 36th Annual Tony Awards (TV special) (performer: "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going")
 
Show ShowActress (6 titles)
2009 Musical Theatre of Hope (TV series)
Singer
 
1997-2001 Ally McBeal (TV series)
Lisa Knowles
– Queen Bee (2001) … Lisa Knowles
– Turning Thirty (2000) … Lisa Knowles
– Sex, Lies and Politics (1999) … Lisa Knowles
– Happy Trails (1998) … Lisa Knowles
– Fools Night Out (1998) … Lisa Knowles
See all 6 episodes »
 
2001 The Rising Place
Sadie
 
2000 Hang Time (TV series)
Charlotte Hayes
– The Gospel According to Silk (2000) … Charlotte Hayes
 
1999 Touched by an Angel (TV series)
Norma
– Then Sings My Soul (1999) … Norma
 
1986 The Love Boat (TV series)
Dr. Charlene Thomas
– The Shipshape Cruise (1986) … Dr. Charlene Thomas
 
Show ShowMusic Department (2 titles)
2001 The Rising Place (music supervisor)
 
1980 Below the Belt (performer: additional vocals)
 
Show ShowSelf (34 titles)
2013 Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (documentary) (post-production)
Herself
 
2012 American Idol (TV series)
Herself - Performer
– Winner Announced (2012) … Herself - Performer
 
2012 Celebration of Gospel (TV movie)
Herself
 
2011 The Wendy Williams Show (TV series)
Herself - Guest
– Episode dated 17 October 2011 (2011) … Herself - Guest
 
2011 Happily Divorced (TV series)
Herself
– Vegas Baby (2011) … Herself
 
2010 The Mo'Nique Show (TV series)
Herself
– Episode dated 25 November 2010 (2010) … Herself
 
2007 BET Awards 2007 (TV special)
 
2007 E!'s Live Countdown to the Academy Awards (TV movie)
Herself
 
1996-2001 The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV series)
Herself
– Episode dated 13 June 2001 (2001) … Herself
– Episode dated 16 January 2001 (2001) … Herself
– Episode dated 10 June 1999 (1999) … Herself
– Episode dated 24 December 1998 (1998) … Herself
– Episode dated 28 September 1998 (1998) … Herself
See all 6 episodes »
 
2001 Essence Awards (TV documentary)
Herself
 
2000 Millennium Chorus: The Greatest Story Ever Sung (TV special)
Herself
 
1999 Great Performances (TV series)
Herself
– My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies (1999) … Herself
 
1999 30th NAACP Image Awards (TV special)
Herself
 
1998 Sin City Spectacular (TV series)
Herself
– Episode #1.18 … Herself
 
1998 The 52nd Annual Tony Awards (TV special)
Herself - Performer
 
1997 10th Anniversary Essence Awards (TV movie)
Herself
 
1996 Ellen (TV series)
Herself
– Fleas Navidad (1996) … Herself (uncredited)
 
1996 A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury (TV movie)
Herself - Performer
 
1996 The 50th Annual Tony Awards (TV special)
Herself
 
1991 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (TV movie)
Herself
 
1986-1991 Ebony/Jet Showcase (TV series)
Herself
– Episode dated 20 October 1991 (1991) … Herself
– Episode dated 2 May 1986 (1986) … Herself
 
1991 All-Star Salute to Our Troops (TV movie)
Herself
 
1990 That's What Friends Are for: Arista's 15th Anniversary Concert (TV documentary)
Herself
 
1988 In Performance at the White House: A Salute to Broadway, Showstoppers (TV movie)
Herself
 
1988 Family Reunion: A Gospel Music Celebration (TV documentary)
Herself
 
1988 A Salute to Broadway: Showstoppers (TV movie)
Herself
 
1985 Motown Returns to the Apollo (TV special)
Herself
 
1985 Night of 100 Stars II (TV movie)
Herself
 
1984 The 56th Annual Academy Awards (TV special documentary)
Herself - Performer
 
1983 Soul Train (TV series documentary)
Herself
– Jennifer Holiday/Klique (1983) … Herself
 
1983 The 4th Annual Black Achievement Awards (TV special)
Herself
 
1983 The 25th Annual Grammy Awards (TV special)
Herself
 
1982 The 36th Annual Tony Awards (TV special)
Herself - Performer & Winner
 
1982 Saturday Night Live (TV series)
Herself - Musical Guest
– John Madden/Jennifer Holliday (1982) … Herself - Musical Guest
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (1 title)
2011 Saturday Night Live Backstage (TV documentary)
Herself
 
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

Appeared on Broadway in Chicago the Musical playing Matron "Mama" Morton. See more »

Alternate Names:

Jennifer-Yvette Holliday
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

Twenty years ago when I was in 'Dreamgirls,' I was always a joke because I was huge. I went out once to a birthday gathering for me, and the New York Post wrote that I had broken the chair because I was so big. Well, I didn't break the chair; it was just really wobbly. But the humiliation was terrible." "Even after I lost weight, I was still the same person. See more »

Trivia:

Portrayed the role of Effie Melody White in the original musical version of "Dreamgirls", giving one of the most triumphant singing performances ever committed to Broadway. Her raw, all-consuming vocal version of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" made the Tony-winning performer a cult phenomenon. See more »

Star Sign:

Libra