Erica Gimpel(I)

Erica Gimpel rose to international prominence in her debut role of "Coco Hernandez" on the groundbreaking hit series FAME. Erica was born in Manhattan, New York, to Phyllis Bash, a concert singer and Joseph Gimpel, an actor, singer and writer. Her parents met and fell in love at their singing teacher's studio and got married in 1963 when interracial marriage was a revolutionary act. Music and singing were a big part of Erica's family life. In their later years, she and her parents would perform what became their signature song, Gershwin's "Our Love is Here to Stay", reflecting the love they shared, while also bringing joy to the many people who heard them.

As a child, Erica would go on tour with her mother who was singing the role of Bess in the opera Porgy and Bess. As a member of the chorus, Erica had her first acting experience, and at eight-years-old decided to become an actor. Later, she got accepted into the High School of the Performing Arts' Drama Department, and in her junior year auditioned and got the role of "Coco Hernandez" in the TV series "Fame."

Since then, Erica has gone on to star in numerous prime time and streaming shows including: 9-1-1, NCIS: New Orleans, Chicago Med, Grey's Anatomy, Shut Eye, True Blood, Criminal Minds, Nikita, Rizzoli & Isles, House, ER, Profiler, and Veronica Mars. One of Erica's favorite projects was playing "Trish" on the CBS drama God Friended Me for two seasons. Most recently Erica played "Ellie Fielding" in Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches for AMC, and "Brittany Arrington" on the Netflix hit, The Night Agent.

Film credits include: "Tuesday Morning Ride" with Ruby Dee, Wayne Wang's "Smoke" opposite Forest Whitaker, Abel Ferrara's cult classic "The King of New York" with Christopher Walken, Hal Hartely's "No Such Thing" with Helen Mirren, "Freaky Friday" opposite Jaime Lee Curtis, "Romeo and Juliet in Harlem", with Harry Lennix and Aunjanue Ellis. Erica was also in the critically acclaimed "Sylvie's Love" opposite Tessa Thompson. Next, she will be seen in the independent feature "Bang Bang" opposite Tim Blake Nelson.

Off-Broadway and Regional credits include: originating the roles of "Mayme" in Lynn Nottages's award-winning "Intimate Apparel", "Glory Bee" in Sam Shepard's "States of Shock" opposite John Malkovich, and "Nelly" in Jose Rivera's "Each Day Dies with Sleep." Erica received the Los Angeles Stage Raw Award for Best Solo-Performance, for her dynamic portrayal of multiple characters in the one-woman play "Sister" by Michael Phillip Edwards.

Having earned gold and platinum records for her singing on "Fame." Erica began producing her own music as a singer-songwriter. The title track from her debut album "Spread Your Wings and Fly" is featured in the indie film "Hill and Gully" an Official Selection at Pan African de Cannes.

As a filmmaker, Erica is developing several projects through her company Womans Paradise Productions. Erica's directorial debut short film "Have a Heart" was developed in the Sundance Collab Directing: Core Elements Course. Erica is preparing to direct and act in her screenplay "Rise" which will shoot in New York and Martha's Vineyard.

Erica is the recipient of the LA Femme Film Festival's "Innovative Award", and is also an active member of the world peace organization, the SGI-USA dedicated to pursuing the values of peace, culture and education.

Over the years Erica has used her talents to highlight different causes near to her heart by creating and producing benefit concerts focusing on women's rights, unhoused families, and the rise of racially motivated acts of violence against people of color. Knowing firsthand the transformative power the performing arts has on young people's lives Erica teaches and mentors young artists whenever her schedule permits.