Danielle Brooks
Brooks in 2014
Born
Danielle Brittany Brooks

(1989-09-17) September 17, 1989
Augusta, Georgia
EducationJuilliard School (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
OccupationActress
Years active2009–present
Spouse
Dennis Gelin
​
(m. 2022)​
Children1

Danielle Brittany Brooks (born September 17, 1989)[1] is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson on the comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019) and Leota Adebayo on the superhero series Peacemaker (2022–present). In 2015, she made her Broadway debut in the musical revival of The Color Purple, for which she received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. She returned to Broadway in the revival of the August Wilson play The Piano Lesson in 2022.

Brooks also appeared in the HBO series Girls (2014), Netflix's Master of None (2015–2017), and the animated sitcom Close Enough (2020–2022). In 2021, she received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Television Movie as an executive producer on Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia.[2] In 2022, she hosted Netflix's reality series Instant Dream Home and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Program Host.

In 2023, Brooks starred in Blitz Bazawule's film adaptation of the musical The Color Purple, and was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture.

Early life and education

Brooks was born in Augusta, Georgia,[1] and grew up in Simpsonville, South Carolina,[3] in a Christian family. Her father Dunnel [4] Is a BMW worker and a deacon; and her mother LaRita is a teacher and a minister.[5][6] She began acting at the age of six in a nativity play put on by her church.[7][8] For her final two years of high school, she attended South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities, a selective arts high school.[6] She studied drama at the Juilliard School and graduated in 2011.[9]

Career

After graduating from Juilliard, Brooks won roles in two theater productions: the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Servant of Two Masters, and Blacken the Bubble. She left both productions in 2013 to join the cast of the Netflix-produced television series Orange Is the New Black, a show about a women's prison, based on Piper Kerman's memoir of the same name. Brooks played as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson.[9] Her character originally was intended to be featured in the show for only two episodes, but was written into the rest of the first season and subsequent seasons.[9] Taystee's onscreen best friend Poussey is played by Samira Wiley, with whom Brooks has been friends since they met while studying together at Juilliard.[10] Brooks' performance on the show has been favorably reviewed by TV critics,[11] with one writer calling her "the breakout actress of the show and one of the most refreshing and exciting new talents of 2013."[6] Brooks was upgraded from a recurring cast member to a series regular for the show's second season.[12] She competed against co-star Uzo Aduba in an episode of Spike's Lip Sync Battle that aired on June 28, 2017. Brooks won with performances of Ciara's "1, 2 Step" and Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer".[13]

In September 2013, Brooks was cast in a third-season episode of the HBO series Girls, becoming the first African-American actress on the show.[12]

Brooks made her Broadway debut in the 2015 revival of The Color Purple as Sofia.[1][14] The musical opened on December 10, 2015, at the Bernard B. Jacobs. Brooks received good notices for her performance, and received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.[15] In June 2019, she played Beatrice in The Public Theater's production of Much Ado About Nothing, receiving a Drama League Award nomination for her performance.[16][17]

In 2022, Brooks co-starred in James Gunn's Peacemaker television series, playing the role of Leota Adebayo. The series is spin-off of Gunn's film The Suicide Squad (2021) and is the first television series to be included in the DCEU. In an 2022 interview, Brooks revealed that Gunn was a big fan of Orange is the New Black and wrote the part of Adebayo with her in mind.[18]

It was announced that Brooks would star in a Broadway revival of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson starting on September 19, 2022,[19] directed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson.[20] She also appeared in The Color Purple, a feature adaptation of the musical of the same name, directed by Blitz Bazawule.[21]

From 2021 to 2022, Brooks voiced Lillie Carter-Grant, mother of protagonist Karma and doctor, in the animated series Karma's World.[22]

Personal life

On July 2, 2019, Brooks announced that she was pregnant with her first child.[23] In November, she gave birth to a girl, Freeya Carel.[24] She married Dennis Gelin in January 2022 in Miami, Florida.[25][26]

Filmography

Film

Key
* Denotes works that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014 Time Out of Mind Receptionist
2015 I Dream Too Much Abbey
Phenomenal Woman, a Short Film Woman Short film
2016 The Angry Birds Movie Olive Blue/Monica the Crossing Guard (voice)
2018 Sadie Carla
2019 Clemency Evette
The Day Shall Come Venus
The Public's Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice Filmed production
All the Little Things We Kill Claire Soto
2020 Eat Wheaties! Wendy
2023 The Color Purple Sofia
2025 Minecraft * Dawn Pre-production [27]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Modern Love Raimy TV movie
2013 Black Girls Rock! 2013 Herself TV movie
2013–2019 Orange Is the New Black Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson Main role, 89 episodes
2014 Girls Laura Episode: "Females Only"
2015–2017 Master of None Shannon 3 episodes
2017 Tangled: The Series Ruthless Ruth (voice) Episode: "The Wrath of Ruthless Ruth"
Lip Sync Battle Herself Episode: "Danielle Brooks vs. Uzo Aduba"
2018 Project Runway All Stars Herself Episode: "Damsels in Distress"
High Maintenance Regine Episode: "Namaste"
Elena of Avalor Charica (voice) Episode: "A Lava Story"
2020–2022 Close Enough Pearle Watson (voice) Recurring role (season 1); main (season 2)
2020 Social Distance Imani Episode: "And We Could All Together/Go Out on the Ocean"
Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine Jordana Bachman TV special
2021 Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Mahalia Jackson TV movie; also co-executive producer
2021–2022 Karma's World Dr. Lillie Carter-Grant (voice) 8 episodes
2022–present Peacemaker Leota Adebayo[28] Main role, 8 episodes
2022 Instant Dream Home Host 8 episodes

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
2015–17 The Color Purple Sofia Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, Broadway
2019 Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice Delacorte Theater, Off-Broadway
2022–23 The Piano Lesson Berniece St. James Theatre, Broadway

Awards and nominations

AwardYearCategoryWorkResultRef.
Alliance of Women Film Journalists 2024 Best Actress in a Supporting Role The Color Purple Nominated [29]
Astra Film and Creative Awards 2024 Breakthrough Performer Award Herself Won [30]
Best Supporting Actress The Color Purple Nominated [31]
Best Cast Ensemble Won
Austin Film Critics Association Awards 2024 Best Actress in a Supporting Role The Color Purple Pending [32]
Celebration of Cinema and Television 2023 Ensemble Award – Film The Color Purple Won [33]
Black Reel Awards 2024 Outstanding Supporting Performance The Color Purple Won [34]
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress The Color Purple Nominated [35]
Best Acting Ensemble Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Awards 2022 Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Nominated [36]
Critics' Choice Super Awards 2023 Best Actress in a Superhero Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie Peacemaker Nominated [37]
Daytime Emmy Awards 2023 Outstanding Daytime Program Host Instant Dream Home Runner-up [38]
Drama Desk Award 2016 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical The Color Purple Nominated [39]
Drama League Award 2020 Distinguished Performance Much Ado About Nothing Nominated [17]
2023 The Piano Lesson Nominated [40]
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress The Color Purple Nominated [41]
[42]
Best Ensemble Nominated
Golden Globe Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress – Motion PictureThe Color Purple Nominated [43]
Grammy Awards 2017 Best Musical Theater Album The Color Purple Won [44]
NAACP Image Awards 2016 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Orange is the New Black Nominated [45]
2018 Nominated [46]
2019 Nominated [47]
2022 Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Nominated [48]
Outer Critics Circle Award 2016 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical The Color Purple Nominated [49]
Palm Springs International Film Festival 2023 Spotlight Award, Actress Herself Won [50]
Primetime Emmy Award 2021 Outstanding Television Movie Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Nominated
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2024 Virtuoso Award The Color Purple Won [51]
Satellite Awards 2018 Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Orange Is the New Black Nominated
2022 Best Actress in a Miniseries, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia Nominated
Saturn Awards 2022 Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series Peacemaker Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2014 Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Orange is the New Black Won
2015 Won
2016 Won
2017 Nominated
2024 Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role The Color Purple Pending [52]
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Pending
Seattle Film Critics Society Awards 2024 Best Actress in a Supporting Role The Color Purple Nominated [53]
Theatre World Award 2016 Herself Honoree
Tony Awards 2016 Best Featured Actress in a Musical The Color Purple Nominated
Young Hollywood Award 2013 Breakthrough Actress Orange is the New Black Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actress Danielle Brooks Nominated [54]
Women Film Critics Circle Awards 2023 Best Supporting Actress The Color Purple Nominated [55]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Danielle Brooks". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Danielle Brooks". Television Academy. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  3. ↑ Hutcheson, Susannah (November 15, 2017). "How I became an actress and advocate". USA Today. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Danielle Brooks is Married! Actress Weds Fiancé Dennis Gelin in 3-in-1 Christian Siriano Dress".
  5. ↑ Danielle Brooks and her Mom LaRita at NAACP Image Awards https://hellobeautiful.com/3069019/all-the-times-danielle-brooks-was-twinning-with-her-mom/2/
  6. 1 2 3 Fallon, Kevin (December 11, 2013). "Danielle Brooks, Taystee on 'Orange Is the New Black,' Is the Breakout Star of the Year". The Daily Beast. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  7. ↑ Soloski, Alexis (July 10, 2013). "Quick Route From Juilliard to Jail". The New York Times. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  8. ↑ Marks, Peter (December 3, 2021). "From 'Orange' to 'Purple': the multi-hued performance ride of Danielle Brooks". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 Abdulhamid, Yassmeen (September 2013). "Fame Is the New Reality for 'Orange' Actress". The Juilliard School. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  10. ↑ Andrews, Helena (September 9, 2013). "Danielle Brooks on Being 'Tasytee' and Staying Grounded". Ebony. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  11. ↑ Henderson, Samantha (August 29, 2013). "Danielle Brooks of 'Orange Is The New Black': 'We Weren't Going To Sugarcoat Things'". Out. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Danielle Brooks Will Be 'The First Black Woman' On 'Girls'". HuffPost. September 15, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  13. ↑ Ganz, Jami (June 26, 2017). "OITNB's Danielle Brooks rocks out to Bon Jovi on Lip Sync Battle". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  14. ↑ Cox, Gordon (May 27, 2015). "Danielle Brooks of 'Orange Is the New Black' Joins Broadway's 'Color Purple'". Variety. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Danielle Brooks: Awards". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  16. ↑ Shattuck, Kathryn (June 14, 2019). "Danielle Brooks Is Ready to Be a Love Interest". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  17. 1 2 "Nominations Announced for 86th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Peacemaker's Danielle Brooks explains why James Gunn created her role". Digital Spy. January 9, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  19. ↑ Lang, Brent (March 29, 2022). "Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Danielle Brooks Starring in Broadway Revival of 'The Piano Lesson'". Vanity Fair. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Brooks, John David Washington to Lead Broadway Revival of The Piano Lesson". TheatreMania. March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  21. ↑ Breznican, Anthony (February 3, 2022). "Oprah Winfrey Reveals the Glorious Cast of The Color Purple Musical Film". Vanity Fair.
  22. ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (September 23, 2021). "Trailer: 'Karma's World' Brings a Positive Beat to Netflix". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Orange Is the New Black's Danielle Brooks Pregnant, Expecting Her 1st Child: 'So Elated'". Us Weekly. July 2, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Oh, Baby! Orange Is the New Black's Danielle Brooks Gives Birth to 1st Child". Us Weekly. November 16, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Danielle Brooks Is Married! Actress Weds Fiancé Dennis Gelin in 3-in-1 Christian Siriano Dress". People. January 13, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Danielle Brooks Marries Dennis Gelin in a Custom Three-in-One Christian Siriano Wedding Dress". Vanity Fair. January 14, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  27. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 30, 2023). "'Minecraft': Warner Bros Movie Adds Danielle Brooks & Sebastian Eugene Hansen". Deadline. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  28. ↑ Otterson, Joe (November 11, 2020). "'Peacemaker' Series at HBO Max Casts 'Orange Is the New Black' Alum Danielle Brooks". Variety.
  29. ↑ Major, Michael (December 27, 2023). "Danielle Brooks, Ariana DeBose & More Receive 2023 AWFJ EDA Award Nominations". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  30. ↑ Cristi, A.A. (January 5, 2024). "Danielle Brooks to Receive the Breakthrough Performer Award at Hollywood Creative Alliance's Astra Film Awards". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  31. ↑ "AwardsWatch - Barbie and Oppenheimer Lead Hollywood Creative Alliance (HCA) Astra Awards Nominations". AwardsWatch. December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  32. ↑ Neglia, Matt (January 3, 2024). "The 2023 Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  33. ↑ Thompson, Jaden (November 13, 2023). "America Ferrera, Colman Domingo and Greta Lee Among Critics Choice Association Honorees for Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements". Variety. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  34. ↑ Complex, Valerie (December 15, 2023). "Black Reel Awards Nominations: 'The Color Purple' And 'Rustin' Dominate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  35. ↑ "29th Critics' Choice Awards", Wikipedia, December 14, 2023, retrieved December 14, 2023
  36. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (December 6, 2021). "Critics Choice TV Nominations: 'Succession' leads field as HBO edges Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  37. ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly (February 22, 2023). "'The Batman' Leads Nominations for 2023 Critics Choice Super Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  38. ↑ "NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES (NATAS) AND CBS ANNOUNCE 2023 DAYTIME EMMY® NOMINATIONS" (PDF). National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  39. ↑ Cox, Gordon (June 5, 2017). "Drama Desk Awards 2017: Bette Midler, 'Oslo' Take Top Honors (Full List)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  40. ↑ "Some Like It Hot, Annaleigh Ashford, Leopoldstadt, More Win 2023 Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  41. ↑ Neglia, Matt (December 29, 2023). "The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
  42. ↑ Neglia, Matt (January 5, 2024). "The 2023 Georgia Film Critics Association (GAFCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  43. ↑ Hipes, Patrick; Andreeva, Nellie (December 11, 2023). "Golden Globe Nominations: 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer' Top Movie List; 'Succession' Leads Way in TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  44. ↑ "59th Annual GRAMMY Awards Winners & Nominees". The GRAMMYs. Archived from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  45. ↑ "'Creed,' 'Empire' Top NAACP Image Award Nominations; Full List". The Hollywood Reporter. February 4, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  46. ↑ "2018 NAACP Image Awards: The Complete Winners List". Variety. January 16, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  47. ↑ Richards, Kimberley (March 31, 2019). "50th NAACP Image Awards: Here Are The Winners". HuffPost. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  48. ↑ Zhan, Jennifer (February 26, 2022). "NAACP Image Awards Winners Include Jazmine Sullivan, Will Smith, Red Table Talk". Vulture. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  49. ↑ "Outer Critics Circle Nominations Announced: Hello, Dolly!, Anastasia, Groundhog Day and More!". BroadwayWorld.com. BWW News. April 25, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  50. ↑ Hammond, Pete (December 7, 2023). "Danielle Brooks To Receive Palm Springs Film Festival's Spotlight Award, Actress". Deadline. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  51. ↑ Scott Feinberg (December 5, 2023). "Santa Barbara Film Fest: Lily Gladstone, Charles Melton and Danielle Brooks Among Eight Set for Virtuoso Honor". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  53. ↑ Neglia, Matt (January 3, 2024). "The 2023 Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  54. ↑ Neglia, Matt (December 9, 2023). "The 2023 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  55. ↑ Anderson, Erik (December 18, 2023). "Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC): Barbie, Nyad, Killers of the Flower Moon, Past Lives Win Big". AwardsWatch. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
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