Acting · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA · Born August 13, 1961
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.
TVR.J. Decker
2026
as Officer Penmar
TVThe Fairly OddParents: A New Wish
2024
as Tina Churner (voice)
MovieMaggie Simpson in "Rogue Not Quite One"
2023
as Additional Voices (voice)
TVFired on Mars
2023
as Judith (voice)
MovieBlackjack Christmas
2022
as Corrine Allen
MovieWelcome to the Club
2022
as Ursula / Kaa (voice)
MovieMinions: The Rise of Gru
2022
as Additional Voices (voice)
MovieFor Gunter’s Eyes Only
2022
as (voice)
TVThe Cuphead Show!
2022
as Bedelia / Boo-Boo (voice)
MovieWriting Around the Christmas Tree
2021
as Sharon Samuels
MovieThe Good, the Bart, and the Loki
2021
as Ravonna Renslayer (voice)
TVReunion Road Trip
2021
as Self
TVStar Trek: Lower Decks
2020
as Carol Freeman (voice)
TVSolar Opposites
2020
as Opossum Head / Dock Worker 2 (voice)
MovieCarmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal
2020
as Chief (voice)
MovieBe the Light
2020
as Gladys
TVThe Boys
2019
as Valerie
TVThe Ready Room
2019
as Self
TVCarmen Sandiego
2019
as Chief (voice)
MovieRevival!
2018
as Cleo
TVCraig of the Creek
2018
as Brenda (voice)
TVApple & Onion
2018
as Patty (voice)
TV9-1-1
2018
as Danvers
TVLegend of Master Legend
2017
as Tana
MovieBunyan and Babe
2017
as Maybelle (voice)
TVThis Is Us
2016
as Rosemary
Celebrating 100 Disney Channel Original Movies
2016
as Self
TVCelebrity Family Feud
2015
as Self - Contestant
MovieInside Out
2015
as Additional Voices (voice)
TVStitchers
2015
as Arlene Grant
TViZombie
2015
as Mama Leone
TVBetter Call Saul
2015
as Judge
MovieMegachurch Murder
2015
as Lucille Williams
TVTim and Eric's Bedtime Stories
2014
as Agent
MovieA Lesson in Romance
2014
as Diane
MovieThe Divorce
2014
as Yolanda Massey
TVRick and Morty
2013
as Additional Voices (voice)
MovieToy Story of Terror!
2013
as Delivery Lady (voice)
MovieMonsters University
2013
as Additional Voices (voice)
MovieSecond Chances
2013
as Maria
MovieDino Time
2012
as Additional Voices (voice)
Jennifer
2012
as Dr. Fox
TVThe Soul Man
2012
as Erika
MovieLet It Shine
2012
as Gail
TVDoc McStuffins
2012
as Grandma McStuffins (voice)
TVBreaking In
2011
as Janet Jenkins
TVRegular Show
2010
as JB / Fun Fun Zone Employee (voice)
MovieSinbad: Where U Been?
2010
as Self
MoviePreacher's Kid
2010
as Mya
TVThe Cleveland Show
2009
as Mrs. Bailey (voice)
TVGlenn Martin, DDS
2009
as (voice)
TVCastle
2009
as Yvonne
MovieFuturama: Into the Wild Green Yonder
2009
as LaBarbara Conrad / Womens' Prison Warden (voice)
TVThe Secret Life of the American Teenager
2008
as Lauren's Mom
MovieFuturama: Bender's Big Score
2007
as LaBarbara Conrad (voice)
MovieThe Last Sentinel
2007
as Angel - Tallis' Rifle (voice)
MovieHolly Hobbie and Friends: Secret Adventures
2007
as Carolyn Baker (voice)
MovieDreamgirls
2006
as Melba Early
MovieHolly Hobbie and Friends: Christmas Wishes
2006
as Carolyn Baker (voice)
MovieThe Adventures of Brer Rabbit
2006
as Mom (voice)
TVThe Boondocks
2005
MovieSpider-Man: The Venom Saga
2005
as Detective Terri Lee (voice)
TVGrey's Anatomy
2005
as Jamarah Blake
TVBlack in the 80s
2005
TVCSI: NY
2004
as Waitress
TVVeronica Mars
2004
as Marcia Langdon
TVMedical Investigation
2004
as Dr. Burton
TVOne Tree Hill
2003
as Denise Fields
MovieCharlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure
2003
as Bessie
MovieDaredevil vs. Spider-Man
2003
as Detective Terri Lee (voice)
TVCSI: Miami
2002
as Stacy McCann
TVOzzy & Drix
2002
as Cilia Tyson (voice)
MovieSpider-Man: The Ultimate Villain Showdown
2002
as Detective Terri Lee (voice)
TVAndy Richter Controls the Universe
2002
MovieThe Poof Point
2001
as Marigold Ballard
TVThe Legend of Tarzan
2001
as Naoh (voice)
TVThe Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy
2001
as Grim's Granny
TVBuzz Lightyear of Star Command
2000
as Mary (voice)
TVStatic Shock
2000
as Brickhouse (voice)
TVGirlfriends
2000
as Linda Dent
TVStrong Medicine
2000
as Detective Wright
TVThe 10th Kingdom
2000
as Blabberwort the Troll
MovieThe Wood
1999
as Woman in Cleaners
TVFuturama
1999
as LaBarbara Conrad (voice)
TVThe Secret Files of the Spy Dogs
1998
MovieUnder Pressure
1997
as Sandy Tierra
TVThe View
1997
as Self
MovieBruno the Kid: The Animated Movie
1997
as Di Archer (voice) (archive footage)
TVKing of the Hill
1997
as Sharona Johnson (voice)
MovieThe Cherokee Kid
1996
as Stagecoach Mary, Love GAng
TVEarly Edition
1996
as Gayle Clark
TVBruno the Kid
1996
as Di Archer (voice)
TVMortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
1996
as Sheeva (voice)
TVThe Jamie Foxx Show
1996
as Dr. Kanella
TVThe Steve Harvey Show
1996
as Alise Peyton
TVNash Bridges
1996
as Winifred Holt
TVC Bear and Jamal
1996
TVSliders
1995
as Dr. Natalie Sylvius
TVHappily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
as Princess Songe (voice)
MovieJirimpimbira: An African Folk Tale
1995
as Temba's Sister
TVThe Parent 'Hood
1995
TVSpider-Man
1994
as Detective Terri Lee (voice)
MovieRace to Freedom: The Underground Railroad
1994
as Minnie
MovieA Cool Like That Christmas
1993
as Jarvis (voice)
MovieMouse Soup
1993
as (Voice)
TVHangin' with Mr. Cooper
1992
as Robin Dumars
MovieStompin' at the Savoy
1992
as Ella Fitzgerald
TVDream On
1990
as Rema Hort
TVThe Simpsons
1989
as Bernice Hibbert (voice)
MovieI'm Gonna Git You Sucka
1988
as Cheryl
TVA Different World
1987
as Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor
TVBattle of the Network Stars
1976
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self - Guest
