Wendy Raquel Robinson (born, July 25, 1967) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as high school principal Regina "Piggy" Grier on The WB comedy sitcom The Steve Harvey Show (1996–2002), and as sports agent Tasha Mack on The CW/BET/Paramount+ comedy-drama The Game (2006–2015).
Wendy Raquel Robinson | |
|---|---|
 Robinson in 2013 | |
| Born | July 25, 1967 [1] Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Wendy Robinson |
| Education | Howard University (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Spouse | |
Early life and education
editRobinson was born in Los Angeles, California. She attended Howard University, where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama.[3][4]
Career
editShe made her acting debut in 1993 on an episode of Martin. That same year, she guest starred on episodes of Thea and The Sinbad Show.
From 1995 to 1996, Robinson co-starred on the short-lived NBC sitcom Minor Adjustments, starring Rondell Sheridan. The following year she won the role of Regina "Piggy" Grier in The WB sitcom The Steve Harvey Show which aired for six seasons. After the series ended its run in 2002, she appeared on the short-lived sketch comedy series Cedric the Entertainer Presents with her former Steve Harvey co-star Cedric the Entertainer. Robinson also made guest appearances on The Parkers, All of Us, and The New Adventures of Old Christine. Robinson has also appeared in several films including The Walking Dead, followed by roles in A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996), Ringmaster (1998), Two Can Play That Game (2001), and Rebound (2005). In 2000, she played Miss California in the film Miss Congeniality.
In 2006, Robinson began portraying the role of Tasha Mack, in the comedy The Game.[5] After three seasons, the series was canceled by The CW on May 21, 2009.[6] BET struck a deal with The Game's parent company CBS to develop new episodes of the series, relocating taping of the show from Los Angeles to Atlanta,[7] and announcing its renewal at the April 2010 upfronts.[8]
The Game returned to the air for a fourth season on January 11, 2011,[9] The series ended in 2015. She also appeared in ABC's medical drama Grey's Anatomy in 2010. In 2014, she was cast as Cruella de Vil in the Disney's Descendants.[10][11] In 2017, she has appeared in the film Flatliners, and had a recurring role on the short-lived ABC comedy series, The Mayor.
In 2018, Robinson was cast in the ABC comedy-drama series Grand Hotel opposite Demián Bichir and Roselyn Sánchez.[12][13] In 2022, she featured in the Netflix series Family Reunion as Joyce.
Philanthropy
editIn 1996, Robinson co-founded the Amazing Grace Conservatory, a school that predominantly serves children from 5 to 18 years old from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds in the fields of the arts and media production.[citation needed] Robinson serves as the school's artistic director.[14] The school has provided a safe haven and training for thousands of young people. Some notable members include Issa Rae, Rhyon Nicole Brown,[15] and Elle Varner.[16]
Personal life
editRobinson was initiated as an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority during the organization’s Centennial Boulé in July 2022. [17]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | M.A.N.T.I.S. | Ndiaye, Hawkins' Assistant | TV movie |
| 1995 | The Walking Dead | Celeste | |
| Seven Thirty-Five | Dana | Short | |
| 1996 | A Thin Line Between Love and Hate | Gwen | |
| 1998 | Ringmaster | Starletta | |
| 2000 | Miss Congeniality | Leslie Davis, Miss California | |
| 2001 | Two Can Play That Game | Karen | |
| 2002 | A Baby Blues Christmas Special | Josie/Madge (voice) | TV short |
| 2003 | With or Without You | Serena | |
| Mind Games | Natalie, the Hairstylist | ||
| 2004 | Reflections: A Story of Redemption | Maya | Short |
| 2005 | Squirrel Man | Sonya Wendell | Short |
| Rebound | Jeanie Ellis | ||
| 2006 | Something New | Cheryl | |
| 2008 | Peaches | Peaches | Video |
| 2009 | Contradictions of the Heart | Kim | Video |
| 2010 | When the Lights Go Out | Sheila | Video |
| 2011 | 35 and Ticking | Callise | |
| He's Mine Not Yours | Sophia | ||
| 2014 | My Dad's a Soccer Mom | Holly Casey | TV movie |
| 2015 | Mysterious Ways | Marilyn | |
| Descendants | Cruella de Vil | TV movie | |
| I'll Text You | Cindy | Short | |
| 2016 | A Weekend with the Family | Nip Stankershet | |
| Sugar | Mimi | Short | |
| Grandma's House | Cynthia | ||
| Boy Bye | Veronica Love | ||
| 2017 | Flatliners | Mrs. Jean Manning | |
| 2018 | Revival! | Woman With Blood Issue | |
| 2019 | Hip Hop Holiday | Paris | |
| 2020 | The Sin Choice | – | |
| A Christmas Surprise | Tanya | TV movie | |
| 2021 | Fruits of the Heart | Ella | |
| A Christmas Family Reunion | Mona Christmas | TV movie | |
| 2022 | Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story | Cylestine |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | The New WKRP in Cincinnati | Stacey | Episode: "Strange Bedfellows" |
| 1993 | Martin | Vanessa Tucker | Episode: "Really, Gina Is Not My Lover" |
| The Sinbad Show | Yvette | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| Thea | Patrice Washington | Episode: "Artie's Party" | |
| 1994 | Dream On | Tiffany | Episode: "The Homecoming Queen" |
| Me and the Boys | Amelia | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| Sisters | Mannequin #2 | Episode: "Scandalous" | |
| 1995 | The Watcher | Wendy | Episode: "Pilot" |
| Vanishing Son | Linda | Episode: "Long Ago and Far Away" | |
| 1995–96 | Minor Adjustments | Rachel Aimes | Main Cast |
| 1996 | NYPD Blue | Lucy Kinley | Episode: "Closing Time" & "He's Not Guilty, He's My Brother" |
| 1996–02 | The Steve Harvey Show | Regina "Piggy" Grier | Main Cast |
| 1998 | Getting Personal | Kaylene | Recurring Cast |
| 2000–02 | Baby Blues | Josie (voice) | Recurring Cast |
| 2002 | Yes, Dear | Andrea | Episode: "Greg's New Friend" |
| Cedric the Entertainer Presents | Various Characters | Main Cast | |
| 2002–03 | The Proud Family | Katanga/Leslie (voice) | Episode: "Behind Family Lines" & "Hooray for Iesha" |
| 2003 | Pyramid | Herself/Celebrity Contestant | Recurring Guest |
| The Parkers | Dr. Shepherd | Episode: "The Accidental Therapist" | |
| 2004–05 | All of Us | Sarah Willis | Recurring Cast: Season 2 |
| 2006 | The New Adventures of Old Christine | Anita | Episode: "The Other F Word" |
| Girlfriends | Tasha Mack | Episode: "The Game" | |
| 2006–15 | The Game | Tasha Mack | Main Cast |
| 2007 | Family Guy | Jackée Harry/Bernice (voice) | Episode: "Believe It or Not, Joe's Walking on Air" |
| 2009 | Played by Fame | Herself | Episode: "Wendy Raquel Robinson" & "Kevin's Child's Play" |
| 2010 | Grey's Anatomy | Officer Gina Thompson | Episode: "Sympathy for the Parents" |
| 2010–11 | Glenn Martin, DDS | Hair Dresser/Professor Randall (voice) | Episode: "Courtney's Pony" & "Date with Destiny" |
| 2012 | Malibu Country | Joan | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2013 | Kimmie's Kitchen | Herself | Episode: "Sweet Potato Pie/Wendy Raquel Robinson" |
| 2015 | Unsung Hollywood | Herself | Episode: "Vivica A. Fox" |
| Teens Wanna Know | Herself | Episode: "2015 Hollywood Award Season" | |
| Being | Herself | Episode: "Wendy Raquel Robinson" | |
| 2016 | Here We Go Again | Loretta Walker | Main Cast |
| 2017 | Tia Mowry at Home | Herself | Episode: "Game On" |
| Detroiters | Councilwoman Gwinett | Episode: "Sam the Man" | |
| The Mayor | Krystal | Recurring Cast | |
| 2018 | Hollywood and African Prestigious Awards | Herself/Host | Main Host |
| Raven's Home | Dreamweaver | Episode: "Weirder Things" | |
| 2018–19 | Dear White People | Tina White | Guest Cast: Season 2–3 |
| For Evan's Sake | Dr. Cynthia King-Watkins | Main Cast | |
| 2019 | Annual Trumpet Awards | Herself/Co-Host | Main Co-Host |
| Annual African Pride Gospel SuperFest | Herself/Host | Main Host | |
| Grand Hotel | Helen "Mrs. P" Parker | Main Cast | |
| 2020 | Celebrity Game Face | Herself | Episode: "Sweatsuit Charades and Donut Holes" |
| Cherish the Day | Dr. Coral LeRose | Episode: "Synopsis" | |
| Two Degrees | Wendy | Episode: "U.B.E.R." | |
| 2020–21 | Insecure | Lila | Recurring Cast: Season 4, Guest: Season 5 |
| 2021 | MacGyver | Lauretta Bozer [18][19] | Episode: "H2O + Orthophosphates + Mission City + Corrosion + Origins" |
| 2021–23 | The Game | Tasha Mack | Main Cast |
| 2022 | Family Reunion | Joyce | Episode: "Remember When the Raccoon Crashed the Wedding?" |
| Kid's Crew | Gloria Thomas | Recurring Cast | |
| 2024 | Poppa's House | Catherine | Recurring Cast |
Award nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | The Steve Harvey Show | Nominated |
| 2001 | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| 2002 | Nominated | |||
| 2003 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Cedric the Entertainer Presents | Nominated | |
| 2008 | The Game | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Nominated | |||
| 2010 | Nominated | |||
| 2012 | Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Nominated | |||
| 2014 | Won | |||
| 2015 | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=888057096686125&id=100064455291318&set=a.547588527399652
- ^ https://www.ebony.com/wendy-raquel-robinson-headed-for-divorce-after-15-years-of-marriage/
- ^ "Wendy Raquel Robinson Biography". Tvguide.com. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "Wendy Raquel Robinson Biography". cw.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
- ^ "Tasha Mack Wendy Raquel Robinson". BET. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
- ^ Stransky, Tanner (May 21, 2009). "INSIDE TV The CW announces fall schedule: 'Melrose Place' paired with '90210". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
- ^ Murray, Jawn. "The Game Sitcom's Return On BET". aolblackvoices.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
- ^ Murray, Jawn (October 6, 2010). "BET puts sitcom back in 'The Game'". variety.com. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
- ^ "'The Game': Season Four Starts on BET in January 2011 at 10 pm est". tvseriesfinale.com. October 12, 2010.
- ^ Andrea Seikaly @AndiSeikaly (May 23, 2014). "Disney Confirms 'Descendants' Villains". Variety. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "Wendy Raquel Robinson to Play Cruella de Vil in Disney Channel's 'Descendants'". EURweb. September 12, 2006. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
- ^ "'Grand Hotel' Books Wendy Raquel Robinson & Shalim Ortiz; Sawyer Barth Joins Tim Doyle Comedy Pilot". March 5, 2018.
- ^ "ABC New Series Trailers: 'The Rookie', 'The Fix', the Kids Are Alright', 'Single Parents', More". May 15, 2018.
- ^ "About AGC".
- ^ TV.com (May 26, 2007). "Rhyon Nicole Brown". TV.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
- ^ "Elle Varner". Bet.com. December 29, 2016. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
- ^ EE-YIP! Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Inducts Nicci Gilbert, Marsha Ambrosius, Wendy Raquel Robinson And More Into Pack Of Honorary Pretty Poodles
- ^ "MacGyver Casts Bozer's Parents for a Hometown Murder Mystery". February 19, 2021.
- ^ "Ernie Hudson, Wendy Raquel Robinson to Guest Star on 'MacGyver'". February 19, 2021. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
External links
edit- wendyraquel.com Archived December 7, 2013, at the Wayback Machine Wendy Raquel Robinson Official Website
- Wendy Raquel Robinson at IMDb