ACTOR
Dawnn Lewis
Known for The Boys · Rick and Morty · Grey's Anatomy
Dawnn Jewel Lewis (born August 13, 1961) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Jaleesa Vinson–Taylor on the NBC television sitcom A Different World from the series beginning in 1987 until the end of its fifth season in 1992, in addition to co-writing the opening theme song for the series. Lewis's other notable roles include portraying Robin Dumars on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper for its first season…
Snapshot 2026-10-13
- Born
- Aug 13, 1961
- Birthplace
- Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- Known For
- Acting
Biography
Dawnn Jewel Lewis (born August 13, 1961) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Jaleesa Vinson–Taylor on the NBC television sitcom A Different World from the series beginning in 1987 until the end of its fifth season in 1992, in addition to co-writing the opening theme song for the series.
Lewis's other notable roles include portraying Robin Dumars on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper for its first season (1992–93) and as Cheryl Spade in the 1988 film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Since then, Lewis has appeared in numerous TV series, including other sitcoms, and has also performed on stage.
Advertisement
Known For
TV
The BoysValerie · 2019
★ 8.4
★ 8.4
TV
Rick and MortyAdditional Voices (voice) · 2013
★ 8.7
★ 8.7
TV
Grey's AnatomyJamarah Blake · 2005
★ 8.2
★ 8.2
TV
The SimpsonsBernice Hibbert (voice) · 1989
★ 8.0
★ 8.0
TV
Better Call SaulJudge · 2015
★ 8.7
★ 8.7
TV
FuturamaLaBarbara Conrad (voice) · 1999
★ 8.4
★ 8.4
TV
9-1-1Danvers · 2018
★ 8.2
★ 8.2
TV
Regular ShowJB / Fun Fun Zone Employee (voice) · 2010
★ 8.6
★ 8.6
Filmography
Movies
I'm Gonna Git You SuckaCheryl
1988
Stompin' at the SavoyElla Fitzgerald
1992
A Cool Like That ChristmasJarvis (voice)
1993
Mouse Soup(Voice)
1993
Race to Freedom: The Underground RailroadMinnie
1994
Jirimpimbira: An African Folk TaleTemba's Sister
1995
The Cherokee KidStagecoach Mary, Love GAng
1996
Bruno the Kid: The Animated MovieDi Archer (voice) (archive footage)
1997
Under PressureSandy Tierra
1997
The WoodWoman in Cleaners
1999
The Poof PointMarigold Ballard
2001
Spider-Man: The Ultimate Villain ShowdownDetective Terri Lee (voice)
2002
Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great AdventureBessie
2003
Daredevil vs. Spider-ManDetective Terri Lee (voice)
2003
Spider-Man: The Venom SagaDetective Terri Lee (voice)
2005
DreamgirlsMelba Early
2006
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas WishesCarolyn Baker (voice)
2006
The Adventures of Brer RabbitMom (voice)
2006
Futurama: Bender's Big ScoreLaBarbara Conrad (voice)
2007
Holly Hobbie and Friends: Secret AdventuresCarolyn Baker (voice)
2007
The Last SentinelAngel - Tallis' Rifle (voice)
2007
Futurama: Into the Wild Green YonderLaBarbara Conrad / Womens' Prison Warden (voice)
2009
Preacher's KidMya
2010
Sinbad: Where U Been?Self
2010
Dino TimeAdditional Voices (voice)
2012J
JenniferDr. Fox
2012
Let It ShineGail
2012
Monsters UniversityAdditional Voices (voice)
2013
Second ChancesMaria
2013
Toy Story of Terror!Delivery Lady (voice)
2013
A Lesson in RomanceDiane
2014
The DivorceYolanda Massey
2014
Inside OutAdditional Voices (voice)
2015
Megachurch MurderLucille Williams
2015C1
Celebrating 100 Disney Channel Original MoviesSelf
2016
Bunyan and BabeMaybelle (voice)
2017
Revival!Cleo
2018
Be the LightGladys
2020
Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to StealChief (voice)
2020
The Good, the Bart, and the LokiRavonna Renslayer (voice)
2021
Writing Around the Christmas TreeSharon Samuels
2021
Blackjack ChristmasCorrine Allen
2022
For Gunter’s Eyes Only(voice)
2022
Minions: The Rise of GruAdditional Voices (voice)
2022
Welcome to the ClubUrsula / Kaa (voice)
2022
Maggie Simpson in "Rogue Not Quite One"Additional Voices (voice)
2023Television
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonSelf - Guest · 1 eps
1962
Battle of the Network Stars1 eps
1976
A Different WorldJaleesa Vinson-Taylor · 119 eps
1987
The SimpsonsBernice Hibbert (voice) · 13 eps
1989The SimpsonsTexxon Customer (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsBernice Hibbert / Female Firefighter (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsMrs. McBride (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsDaly Night / Etta Pryor (voice) · 1 eps
1989The Simpsons(voice) · 2 eps
1989The SimpsonsBernice Hibbert / Naima (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsJuvenile Court Bailiff (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsLenora Carter (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsHotshot lawyer (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsCannabis Influencer (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsFlight Attendant (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsCourt Bailiff (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsOpal (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsParty guest (voice) · 1 eps
1989The SimpsonsBernice Hibbert / Pam / Perimenopause: The Musical Singer (voice) · 1 eps
1989
Dream OnRema Hort · 3 eps
1990
Hangin' with Mr. CooperRobin Dumars · 22 eps
1992
Spider-ManDetective Terri Lee (voice) · 13 eps
1994
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every ChildPrincess Songe (voice) · 1 eps
1995
SlidersDr. Natalie Sylvius · 1 eps
1995
The Parent 'Hood1 eps
1995
Bruno the KidDi Archer (voice) · 1 eps
1996
C Bear and Jamal13 eps
1996
Early EditionGayle Clark · 1 eps
1996
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the RealmSheeva (voice) · 3 eps
1996
Nash BridgesWinifred Holt · 1 eps
1996
The Jamie Foxx ShowDr. Kanella · 1 eps
1996
The Steve Harvey ShowAlise Peyton · 1 eps
1996
King of the HillSharona Johnson (voice) · 2 eps
1997
The ViewSelf · 1 eps
1997
The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs44 eps
1998
FuturamaLaBarbara Conrad (voice) · 19 eps
1999FuturamaJackie Anderson (voice) · 1 eps
1999FuturamaLaBarbara Conrad / Hermes' Mother (voice) · 1 eps
1999FuturamaLaBarbara Conrad / Influencer (voice) · 1 eps
1999FuturamaNurse (voice) · 1 eps
1999FuturamaCoco Charm / Ensign Zinc (voice) · 1 eps
1999FuturamaBrainormous (voice) · 1 eps
1999
Buzz Lightyear of Star CommandMary (voice) · 1 eps
2000
GirlfriendsLinda Dent · 2 eps
2000
Static ShockBrickhouse (voice) · 1 eps
2000
Strong MedicineDetective Wright · 1 eps
2000
The 10th KingdomBlabberwort the Troll · 5 eps
2000
The Grim Adventures of Billy and MandyGrim's Granny · 1 eps
2001The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy1 eps
2001
The Legend of TarzanNaoh (voice) · 1 eps
2001
Andy Richter Controls the Universe1 eps
2002
CSI: MiamiStacy McCann · 1 eps
2002
Ozzy & DrixCilia Tyson (voice) · 2 eps
2002
One Tree HillDenise Fields · 3 eps
2003
CSI: NYWaitress · 1 eps
2004
Medical InvestigationDr. Burton · 1 eps
2004
Veronica MarsMarcia Langdon · 8 eps
2004
Black in the 80sSelf · 3 eps
2005
Grey's AnatomyJamarah Blake · 3 eps
2005
The BoondocksCivil Rights Protester (voice) · 1 eps
2005The BoondocksTaeshawndretta Brown (voice) · 1 eps
2005The Boondocks(voice) · 1 eps
2005
The Secret Life of the American TeenagerLauren's Mom · 4 eps
2008
CastleYvonne · 1 eps
2009
Glenn Martin, DDS(voice) · 1 eps
2009
The Cleveland ShowMrs. Bailey (voice) · 1 eps
2009The Cleveland ShowMrs. Bailey /Receptionist (voice) · 1 eps
2009
Regular ShowJB / Fun Fun Zone Employee (voice) · 1 eps
2010Regular ShowDuck Lady / Woman #2 / Woman #3 (voice) · 1 eps
2010
Breaking InJanet Jenkins · 1 eps
2011
Doc McStuffinsGrandma McStuffins (voice) · 2 eps
2012
The Soul ManErika · 1 eps
2012The Soul ManErica · 1 eps
2012
Rick and MortyAdditional Voices (voice) · 1 eps
2013Rick and MortyAssimilated Alien 1 (voice) · 1 eps
2013
Tim and Eric's Bedtime StoriesAgent · 1 eps
2014
Better Call SaulJudge · 1 eps
2015
Celebrity Family FeudSelf - Contestant · 1 eps
2015
iZombieMama Leone · 4 eps
2015
StitchersArlene Grant · 1 eps
2015
This Is UsRosemary · 2 eps
2016
Legend of Master LegendTana · 1 eps
2017
9-1-1Danvers · 1 eps
2018
Apple & OnionPatty (voice) · 76 eps
2018
Craig of the CreekBrenda (voice) · 1 eps
2018
Carmen SandiegoChief (voice) · 27 eps
2019
The BoysValerie · 1 eps
2019
The Ready RoomSelf · 1 eps
2019The Ready Room1 eps
2019
Solar OppositesOpossum Head / Dock Worker 2 (voice) · 1 eps
2020Solar OppositesVal Helsing (voice) · 1 eps
2020
Star Trek: Lower DecksCarol Freeman (voice) · 50 eps
2020
Reunion Road TripSelf · 1 eps
2021
The Cuphead Show!Bedelia / Boo-Boo (voice) · 1 eps
2022
Fired on MarsJudith (voice) · 2 eps
2023
The Fairly OddParents: A New WishTina Churner (voice) · 6 eps
2024The Fairly OddParents: A New WishTina Churner / Citizen 3 (voice) · 1 eps
2024
A Different WorldJalessa Vinson-Taylor · 1 eps
2026
R.J. DeckerOfficer Penmar · 1 eps
2026Photos
Advertisement
Catalog data and artwork by TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.