Jenifer Lewis
Jenifer Lewis

Jenifer Lewis

Born: January 25, 1957 (69 years)
Kinloch, Missouri, USA

Jenifer Jeanette Lewis (born January 25, 1957) is an American film and television actress and singer. She is one of Hollywood's most familiar faces, with more than 300 appearances in film and television and was dubbed a "national treasure" by TV Guide.com. She began her career appearing in Broadway musicals and worked as a back-up singer for Bette Midler before appearing in the films Beaches and Sister Act. She delivered legendary performances as Tina Turner's mother in What's Love Got to Do With It and in The Preacher's Wife as the mother of Whitney Houston's character. She starred opposite Matt Damon in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter. For director Tyler Perry, she created unforgettable characters in Madea's Family Reunion and Meet the Browns. In the movie Cast Away, she portrayed Tom Hanks' boss. In animated films, Jenifer's uniquely recognizable voice is adored by Disney fans worldwide in roles such as "Flo" in Cars and Cars 2, and as "Mama Odie" in The Princess and the Frog. For six seasons, Jenifer portrayed "Lana Hawkins" on Lifetime's hit series Strong Medicine. She starred on the hit show Black-ish (ABC), where her hilarious portrayal of "Ruby Johnson" earned her a nomination for the 2016 Critics Choice Award. She has also written two books: The Mother of Black Hollywood and Walking in My Joy: In These Streets.

Movies as Actor (76)
GOAT

GOAT

as Flo Everson (voice)

Feb 11, 2026

Tiana's Bayou Adventure | Disneyland Resort

Tiana's Bayou Adventure | Disneyland Resort

as Mama Odie (Voice)

Jul 17, 2025

Ado

Ado

as Ms. Hopkins

Jan 21, 2025

Spellbound

Spellbound

as Nazara (voice)

Nov 22, 2024

The Greatest Love Story Never Told

The Greatest Love Story Never Told

as Self

Feb 26, 2024

This Is Me…Now

This Is Me…Now

as Gemini

Feb 15, 2024

Commitment to Life

Commitment to Life

as Self (archive footage)

Feb 10, 2023

black-ish: A Celebration – An ABC News Special

black-ish: A Celebration – An ABC News Special

as Self

Apr 19, 2022

All Boys Aren't Blue

All Boys Aren't Blue

Aug 13, 2021

Finding Kendrick Johnson

Finding Kendrick Johnson

as Narrator (voice)

Jul 30, 2021

Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square

Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square

as Margeline

Nov 22, 2020

Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back

Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back

as Self (archive footage)

Nov 10, 2019

The Addams Family

The Addams Family

as Great Auntie Sloom (Voice)

Oct 10, 2019

Forbidden

Forbidden

Mar 15, 2018

Cars 3

Cars 3

as Flo (voice)

Jun 15, 2017

Jewel's Catch One

Jewel's Catch One

as Self

Jan 7, 2017

Secrets of the Magic City

Secrets of the Magic City

as Aunt Valerie

Jun 26, 2015

The Wedding Ringer

The Wedding Ringer

as Doris Jenkins

Jan 16, 2015

Think Like a Man Too

Think Like a Man Too

as Loretta

Jun 20, 2014

The Radiator Springs 500½

The Radiator Springs 500½

as Flo (voice)

May 20, 2014

Baggage Claim

Baggage Claim

as Catherine Moore

Sep 27, 2013

Hiccups

Hiccups

as Flo (voice)

Mar 22, 2013

Zambezia

Zambezia

as Gogo (voice)

Jun 5, 2012

Think Like a Man

Think Like a Man

as Loretta Hanover

Apr 20, 2012

Five

Five

as Maggie

Oct 10, 2011

Cars 2

Cars 2

as Flo (voice)

Jun 11, 2011

When Harry Met Sally 2 with Billy Crystal & Helen Mirren

When Harry Met Sally 2 with Billy Crystal & Helen Mirren

as Retirement Home Waitress (uncredited)

Apr 6, 2011

Hereafter

Hereafter

as Candace

Oct 22, 2010

The Princess and the Frog

The Princess and the Frog

as Mama Odie (voice)

Dec 8, 2009

Not Easily Broken

Not Easily Broken

as Mary 'Mama' Clark

Jan 9, 2009

Prop 8: The Musical

Prop 8: The Musical

as Riffing Prop 8'er

Dec 3, 2008

Meet the Browns

Meet the Browns

as Vera

Mar 21, 2008

Redrum

Redrum

as Therapist

Oct 30, 2007

Who's Your Caddy?

Who's Your Caddy?

as C-Note's Mom

Jul 27, 2007

Geared-Up

Geared-Up

Nov 7, 2006

Dirty Laundry

Dirty Laundry

as Aunt Lettuce

Jul 15, 2006

Cars

Cars

as Flo (voice)

Jun 8, 2006

Madea's Family Reunion

Madea's Family Reunion

as Milay Jenay Lori

Feb 24, 2006

Earth to America

Earth to America

as Self

Nov 20, 2005

Shark Tale

Shark Tale

as Motown Turtle (voice)

Sep 20, 2004

The Cookout

The Cookout

as Lady Em

Sep 3, 2004

Nora's Hair Salon

Nora's Hair Salon

as Nora

May 25, 2004

Antwone Fisher

Antwone Fisher

as Aunt Mary Williams (uncredited)

Dec 19, 2002

Juwanna Mann

Juwanna Mann

as Aunt Ruby

Jun 21, 2002

The Brothers

The Brothers

as Louise Smith

Mar 23, 2001

Dancing in September

Dancing in September

as Judge Warner

Feb 3, 2001

Cast Away

Cast Away

as Becca Twig

Dec 22, 2000

Partners

Partners

as Detective Lancy

Jul 20, 2000

Little Richard

Little Richard

as Muh Penniman

Feb 20, 2000

Mystery Men

Mystery Men

as Lucille

Aug 6, 1999

Jackie's Back!

Jackie's Back!

as Jackie Washington

Jun 14, 1999

Blast from the Past

Blast from the Past

as Dr. Aron

Feb 12, 1999

Get Bruce!

Get Bruce!

as Self

Jan 1, 1999

An Unexpected Life

An Unexpected Life

as Camille

Jun 24, 1998

The Mighty

The Mighty

as Mrs. Addison

Jun 1, 1998

Rituals

Rituals

as Carmen

Jan 1, 1998

The Preacher's Wife

The Preacher's Wife

as Margueritte Coleman

Dec 13, 1996

Girl 6

Girl 6

as Boss #1 - Lil

Mar 22, 1996

Dead Presidents

Dead Presidents

as Mrs. Curtis

Sep 29, 1995

Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan

Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan

as Denice Cooper

May 8, 1995

Panther

Panther

as Rita

May 3, 1995

Deconstructing Sarah

Deconstructing Sarah

as Betty

Dec 16, 1994

Shake, Rattle and Rock!

Shake, Rattle and Rock!

as Amanda

Aug 26, 1994

Corrina, Corrina

Corrina, Corrina

as Jevina

Aug 12, 1994

Renaissance Man

Renaissance Man

as Mrs. Coleman

Jun 3, 1994

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

as Vegas Backup Singer #1

Dec 9, 1993

Undercover Blues

Undercover Blues

as Cab Driver

Sep 10, 1993

The Meteor Man

The Meteor Man

as Mrs. Williams

Aug 6, 1993

Poetic Justice

Poetic Justice

as Annie

Jul 23, 1993

What's Love Got to Do with It

What's Love Got to Do with It

as Zelma Bullock

Jun 9, 1993

Frozen Assets

Frozen Assets

as Jomisha

Oct 23, 1992

Sister Act

Sister Act

as Michelle

May 28, 1992

Sunday in Paris

Sunday in Paris

as Taylor Chase

Jul 7, 1991

Beaches

Beaches

as Diva

Dec 21, 1988

Bette Midler: Art or Bust

Bette Midler: Art or Bust

as Self - Harlette

Aug 18, 1984

Bette Midler: No Frills

Bette Midler: No Frills

as Herself

Aug 23, 1983

TV Shows as Actor (67)
Haunted Hotel

Haunted Hotel

as Additional Voices (voice)

Sep 19, 2025

The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish

The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish

as Mother Nature (voice)

May 17, 2024

History of the World: Part II

History of the World: Part II

as Grandma

Mar 6, 2023

Not Dead Yet

Not Dead Yet

as Donna

Feb 8, 2023

Night Court

Night Court

as Erika

Jan 17, 2023

So Help Me Todd

So Help Me Todd

as Jacqueline Burton

Sep 29, 2022

Sherri

Sherri

as Self - Guest

Sep 12, 2022

The Jennifer Hudson Show

The Jennifer Hudson Show

as Self - Guest

Sep 12, 2022

Cars on the Road

Cars on the Road

as Flo (voice)

Sep 8, 2022

I Love That for You

I Love That for You

as Patricia Cochran

May 1, 2022

And Just Like That…

And Just Like That…

as Lucille Highwater

Dec 9, 2021

The Ghost and Molly McGee

The Ghost and Molly McGee

as Patty (voice)

Oct 1, 2021

Mickey Mouse Funhouse

Mickey Mouse Funhouse

as Wheezelene (voice)

Aug 20, 2021

Monsters at Work

Monsters at Work

as Grandma Tuskmon (voice)

Jul 7, 2021

Rugrats

Rugrats

as Ms. Marjorie / Narrator (voice), Ms. Marjorie (voice)

May 27, 2021

The Upshaws

The Upshaws

as Dr. Pearl Edmunds

May 12, 2021

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune

Celebrity Wheel of Fortune

as Self - Contestant

Jan 7, 2021

Star Trek: Lower Decks

Star Trek: Lower Decks

as Bartender (voice)

Aug 6, 2020

Stars in the House

Stars in the House

as Self - Special Guest

Mar 16, 2020

Amphibia

Amphibia

as Mama Hasselback (voice)

Jun 17, 2019

grown-ish

grown-ish

as Ruby Johnson

Jan 3, 2018

Big Hero 6 The Series

Big Hero 6 The Series

as Professor Granville (voice)

Nov 20, 2017

The $100,000 Pyramid

The $100,000 Pyramid

as Self

Jun 27, 2016

Match Game

Match Game

as Self - Panelist

Jun 26, 2016

To Tell the Truth

To Tell the Truth

as Self - Panelist

Jun 14, 2016

black-ish

black-ish

as Ruby Johnson

Sep 24, 2014

Teen Titans Go!

Teen Titans Go!

as Microwavabelle (voice)

Apr 23, 2013

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars

as Self - Guest Judge

Oct 22, 2012

Jenifer Lewis and Shangela

Jenifer Lewis and Shangela

as Jenifer Lewis

Aug 31, 2012

The Playboy Club

The Playboy Club

as Pearl

Sep 19, 2011

Young Justice

Young Justice

as Olympia Savage (voice)

Nov 26, 2010

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

as Self - Guest

Jul 16, 2009

Day Break

Day Break

as Elizabeth Hopper

Nov 15, 2006

Shark

Shark

as Ellie Broussard

Sep 21, 2006

The Boondocks

The Boondocks

as Boss Willona (voice), Geraldine (voice)

Nov 6, 2005

Dancing with the Stars

Dancing with the Stars

as Self - Musical Guest

Jun 1, 2005

American Dad!

American Dad!

as Lessie (voice)

Feb 6, 2005

Boston Legal

Boston Legal

as Judge Isabel Fisher

Oct 3, 2004

That's So Raven

That's So Raven

as Vivian

Jan 17, 2003

Bette

Bette

Oct 11, 2000

Girlfriends

Girlfriends

as Veretta Childs

Sep 11, 2000

Strong Medicine

Strong Medicine

as Lana Hawkins

Jul 23, 2000

Time of Your Life

Time of Your Life

Oct 25, 1999

Grown Ups

Grown Ups

as Kathy

Aug 23, 1999

The PJs

The PJs

as Bebe Ho (voice)

Jan 10, 1999

The Temptations

The Temptations

as Mama Rose

Nov 1, 1998

The Chris Rock Show

The Chris Rock Show

as Self

Feb 7, 1997

Promised Land

Promised Land

as Queenie

Sep 17, 1996

The Jamie Foxx Show

The Jamie Foxx Show

as Josie

Aug 28, 1996

The Daily Show

The Daily Show

Jul 22, 1996

Moesha

Moesha

as Mrs. Biggs

Jan 23, 1996

Courthouse

Courthouse

as Rosetta Reide

Sep 13, 1995

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

as Female Black Widow Spider (voice), Hazel (voice)

Mar 12, 1995

The Parent 'Hood

The Parent 'Hood

Jan 18, 1995

Friends

Friends

as Paula

Sep 22, 1994

Touched by an Angel

Touched by an Angel

as Queenie

Sep 21, 1994

New York Undercover

New York Undercover

Sep 8, 1994

Rebel Highway

Rebel Highway

as Amanda Baldwin Cooper

Jul 7, 1994

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

as Mystique

Sep 12, 1993

Living Single

Living Single

Aug 29, 1993

Hangin' with Mr. Cooper

Hangin' with Mr. Cooper

as Georgia Rodman

Sep 22, 1992

Roc

Roc

as Charlaine

Aug 25, 1991

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

as Aunt Helen

Sep 10, 1990

Dream On

Dream On

as Carolyn

Jul 8, 1990

In Living Color

In Living Color

Apr 15, 1990

A Different World

A Different World

as Susan Clayton, Dean Dorothy Dandridge Davenport

Sep 24, 1987

Rhona Who Lives by the River

Rhona Who Lives by the River

as Missy