Anna Maria Horsford

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anna Maria Horsford
Born (1948-03-06) March 6, 1948 (age 73)
Harlem, New York, U.S.
EducationHigh School of Performing Arts[1]
OccupationActress
Years active1967–present

Anna Maria Horsford (born March 6, 1948) is an American actress, known for her performances in television comedies.

Horsford is best known for her roles as Thelma Frye on the NBC sitcom Amen (1986–91), and as Dee Baxter on the WB sitcom The Wayans Bros. (1995–99). She had dramatic roles on the FX crime drama The Shield playing A.D.A. Beth Encardi, and CBS daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful as Vivienne Avant, for which she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series in 2016.

Horsford appeared in a number of movies, most notable as Craig Jones' mother Betty in 1995 comedy film Friday and its sequel Friday After Next (2002). Her other film credits include Times Square (1980), The Fan (1981), Presumed Innocent (1990), Set It Off (1996), Along Came a Spider (2001), Our Family Wedding (2010), and A Madea Christmas (2013).

Early life[]

Horsford was born in Harlem in 1948 to Victor Horsford, an investment real estate broker originally from the Dominican Republic, and Lillian Agatha (née Richardson) Horsford, who emigrated from Antigua and Barbuda in the 1940s.[2][3] According to a DNA analysis, she has maternal ancestry from the Limba people of Sierra Leone.[4]

Career[]

Her first major role in television was as a producer for the PBS show Soul!, hosted by Ellis Haizlip, which aired between 1967 and 1973. One of her first TV appearances was in 1973 on the first run syndication game show of To Tell the Truth where she was an imposter for Laura Livingston, one of the first female military police. Horsford made guest appearances on such sitcoms as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Sparks, Moesha, The Bernie Mac Show, The Shield, Girlfriends, and Everybody Hates Chris. She had main roles on the sitcoms The Wayans Bros. as "Dee Baxter" and "Thelma Frye" on Amen. She appeared on the drama Judging Amy.[5]

More recently, she was seen in the first season of Grey's Anatomy.[6] She returned to the big screen in the 2013 film A Madea Christmas. She portrayed Helen on the BET sitcom Reed Between the Lines.[5]

Horsford currently has a recurring role as Vivienne Avant on The Bold and the Beautiful. For the role, she was nominated for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series in the 43rd Daytime Emmy Awards.[7]

Personal life[]

On October 29, 2011, Horsford was awarded the title of Ambassador of Tourism of Antigua.[3]

Filmography[]

Films[]

Year Title Role Notes
1979 An Almost Perfect Affair Amy Zon
1979 Hollow Image Monica Television Movie
1980 Times Square Rosie Washington
1981 The Fan Emily Stolz Cast also included Lauren Bacall, James Garner, Maureen Stapleton, Michael Biehn and Héctor Elizondo.
1981 Bill Ms. Marge Keating Television Movie. Cast also included Mickey Rooney and Dennis Quaid.
1982 Love Child Mara Based on a true story. Cast also included Amy Madigan, Beau Bridges, Mackenzie Phillips, Albert Salmi, and Joanna Merlin.[8]
1982 Muggable Mary, Street Cop Kathy Thomas Television Movie
1982 Benny's Place Charmaine Television Movie. Cast also included Louis Gossett Jr. and Cicely Tyson.
1983 Class Maggie
1984 Crackers Slam Dunk
1984 A Doctor's Story Dr. Williams's wife Television Movie (NBC). Starring Howard E. Rollins Jr. as Dr. Williams and Art Carney.[9]
1985 St. Elmo's Fire Naomi
1985 Stone Pillow Collins Television Movie. Starred Lucille Ball in her last motion picture.[10]
1986 Nobody's Child Nurse Betty Television Movie. Directed by Lee Grant and starring Marlo Thomas.[11]
1986 A Case of Deadly Force Virginia Cates Television Movie
1986 Eva Short film
1986 Heartburn Della, Harry's Maid
1986 C.A.T. Squad Mrs. Raines Television Movie
1987 Street Smart Harriett
1987 If It's Tuesday, It Must Be Belgium Television Movie
1988 Who Gets the Friends Television Movie
1989 Taken Away Mrs. Pierson Television Movie
1990 Presumed Innocent Eugenia
1990 A Killer Among Us Barbara Evans Television Movie
1992 Murder without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story Veronica Perry Television Movie. Directed by Kevin Hooks. Also starring Curtis McClarin, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Georg Stanford Brown, Taurean Blacque, Guy Killum, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jay Underwood and Carla Gugino.[12]
1993 Mr. Jones Judge Harris
1995 Friday Betty Jones Cast also included Ice Cube, Paula Jai Parker, Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac, John Witherspoon, Regina King, Nia Long, and Faizon Love.[13]
1995 Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored Miss Annie
1996 Dear God Lucille Barnett Cast also included Greg Kinnear, Laurie Metcalf, Maria Pitillo, Tim Conway, Hector Elizondo and Roscoe Lee Browne.[14]
1996 Set It Off Ms. Wells Other cast members include Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, John C. McGinley, Kimberly Elise, Blair Underwood, and Ella Joyce.[15]
1996 One Fine Day Evelyn
1996 Widow's Kiss Lavanda Harrison Television Movie
1997 Circle of Pain Television Movie. Cast also included Todd Bridges, Rosalind Cash and Glynn Turman.[16]
1997 Kiss the Girls Vickie Cross Cameo
1999 At Face Value Mosetta Short
2000 Dancing in September Sitcom Mom
2000 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Denise's Mother
2000 Lockdown Saunders
2001 Along Came a Spider Vickie The cast also included Morgan Freeman, Michael Wincott, Monica Potter, Dylan Baker, and Mika Boorem.[17]
2001 How High Mamma King
2001 Jacked Thelma Barnes
2002 Minority Report Casey
2002 Friday After Next Betty Jones
2004 Justice Chief Public Defender Poole
2004 Guarding Eddy Carol
2005 My Big Phat Hip Hop Family Mamma Pearl
2005 Ganked Mrs. Barry Video
2006 Gridiron Gang Sharon Weathers
2006 Broken Bridges Loretta
2007 Trade Detective Martinez
2007 I Tried Milly
2010 Our Family Wedding Diane Boyd
2010 Wigger Ruth
2012 Living Loaded Bernie Television Movie
2013 Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas Elieen Murphy Starring Tyler Perry, Chad Michael Murray, Tika Sumpter, Larry the Cable Guy, and Anna Maria Horsford.[18]
2017 Jalen vs. Everybody Mom Television Movie
2017 Gladys Brown Gladys Brown Short

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes
1978 NBC Special Treat Ginnie Sheridan Episode: "The Tap Dance Kid"
1979 Guiding Light Clara Jones Unknown episodes
1981-1984 ABC Afterschool Specials Stephanie Marshak/Jessica Episodes: "Starstruck", "Summer Switch"
1982 Nurse Joleen Episode: "The Store"
1983 The Firm Sergeant Johnson Episode: "Pilot"
1985 American Playhouse Hannah Episode: "Charlotte Forten's Mission: Experiment in Freedom"
1986-1991 Amen Thelma Frye Series regular, 110 episodes. Also starring Sherman Hemsley, Clifton Davis, Roz Ryan and Jester Hairston.
1987 The Bronx Zoo Mrs. Devlin Episode: "It's Hard to Be a Saint in the City"
1991 Baby Talk Cynthia Willoughby Episode: "Womb with a View"
1991 L.A. Law Judge Olga Winbush Episode: "Do the Spike Thing"
1992 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Karen Carruthers Episode: "Geoffrey Cleans Up"
1992-1993 Rhythm & Blues Veronica Washington Series regular, 13 episodes
1992-1993 The Addams Family Additional Voices Recurring role, 21 episodes
1993 Tall Hopes Lainie Harris Series regular, 6 episodes
1995-1999 The Wayans Bros. Deidre "Dee" Baxter Series regular, 80 episodes
1996 Sparks Wilma's Aunt Episode: "How Papa Got His Groove Back"
1998 L.A. Doctors Angela Daly Episodes: "Pilot", "Under the Radar"
1998 7th Heaven Joyce Episode: "Here Comes Santa Claus"
1999 The Wild Thornberrys Gola's Mother (voice) Episode: "Chimp off the Block"
1999 Judging Amy Defense Attorney Charles Episode: "Crowed House"
2000 Moesha Diane Henderson Episode: "The Candidate"
2002 The Chronicle Jolene Freewald Episode: "Touched by an Alien"
2004 The Bernie Mac Show Aunt Sis Episode: "Family Reunion"
2004 The District Yates/Bobbi Yates/Vicky Yates 3 episodes
2004 Method & Red Dorothea Series regular, 13 episodes
2005-2006 Entourage Saigon's Mother Episodes: "Good Morning, Saigon", "I Wanna Be Sedated"
2005, 2007 Grey's Anatomy Elizabeth Fallon Episodes: "No Man's Land", "Some Kind of Miracle"
2005-2008 The Shield A.D.A Beth Encardi Recurring role, 8 episodes
2006 Heist Wanda Evans Episode: "How Billy Got His Groove Back"
2008 Las Vegas Aunt Vonice Episode: "Three Weddings and a Funeral Part 2"
2008 Everybody Hates Chris Hattie Mitchell Episodes: "Everybody Hates Easter", "Everybody Hates the BFD"
2009 Cold Case Geraldine Watkins Episode: "Soul"
2010 American Dad! Voice Episode: "The People vs. Martin Sugar"
2011 Let's Stay Together Raynelle/Jacqueline Episodes: "The Wedding Planner", "Your Arm's Too Short to Box with Grandparents"
2011 Reed Between the Lines Helen Wilson Series regular, 20 episodes
2012 Key and Peele Maid Episode: "Dueling Magical Negros"
2012 The League Trina Richardson Episode: "Training Camp"
2012, 2017 New Girl Charmaine Episodes: "Katie", "Misery"
2015 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Janet Barrett Episode: "The Gang Goes on Family Fight"
2015 The Soul Man Ceci Episode: "Mo Momma, Mo Problems"
2015–present The Bold and The Beautiful Vivienne Avant Series regular,
2018 I Feel Bad Norman's Mom Episode: "My Kid Has to Grow Up"
2018-2019 Mom Ms. Ferguson 2 episodes
2019–Present The Last O.G. Roberta 6 episodes
2020 The Conners Nicole Episode: "Plastics, Trash Talk & Darlene Antoinette"
2020 Studio City Jolene Hernandez 3 episodes.[19] Horsford nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for her performance.
2021 Pose Charlene 2 episodes
2021 Hacks Francine Episode: "1.69 Million"

Awards and nominations[]

List of acting awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title Result Ref.
1988
 Image Awards (NAACP) Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Amen Nominated [20]
2005
 Black Reel Award Best Actress – Network/Cable Television Justice Nominated
2016
 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
[21]
2017
 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
[22]
2021
 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Guest Performer in a Daytime Fiction Program Studio City Nominated [23]

In popular culture[]

Horsford has been featured on the cover of several magazines, including:

  • TV Guide, August 29 – September 4, 1987, issue #1796. Cover photograph featured Sherman Hemsley and Anna Maria Horsford of NBC's Amen.[24]
  • Jet Magazine, November 23, 1987. Cast members, including Horsford, are featured on the cover. Article titled "Fun-filled Amen still one of hottest TV shows”.[25]
  • TV Guide, February 3, 1990, Four television shows are featured including Amen with photo of Horsford and Clifton Davis. Article titled "Oh, what a week! February is off with a bang."[26]
  • Jet Magazine, February 5, 1990. Cover photo and article: "Clifton Davis and Anna Maria Horsford Tie Knot on TV's Amen"[27]
  • Jet Magazine, May 13, 1991, Photo and cover article feature Clifton Davis and Horsford. Article titled “New baby and guest star James Brown climax fifth season of TV’s Amen.”[28]
  • Solo Magazine, 2011 Holiday Issue. Cover photograph and article: Anna Maria Horsford: Brings the Laughs and Drama to new BET Show.

References[]

  1. ^ Anna Maria Horsford profile, IMDB.com; accessed October 28, 2016.
  2. ^ McCann, Bob, ed. (2009). Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television. p. 165. ISBN 9780786437900. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Staff, ed. (October 26, 2011). "New Tourism Ambassador for Antigua". Carib Journal. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  4. ^ Anna Marie Horsford Ancestry Reveal on YouTube
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Anna Maria Horsford at IMDb
  6. ^ Profile, IMDb.com; accessed May 16, 2016.
  7. ^ Variety Staff (May 2, 2016). "Daytime Emmy Winners: Complete List". Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  8. ^ Maslin, Janet (1982-10-15). "BEAU BRIDGES IN 'LOVE CHILD'". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  9. ^ Maslin, Janet (1984-04-23). "TV REVIEW; 'A DOCTOR'S STORY,' WITH ART CARNEY". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Ball's last movie was "Stone Pillow"". Santa Maria Times. 25 Jan 1998. p. 22. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  11. ^ O'Connor, John J. (1986-04-04). "MARLO THOMAS AS FORMER MENTAL-HOSPITAL PATIENT". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  12. ^ O'Connor, John J. (1992-01-06). "Review/Television; A Bright if Problematic Future Fouled by Tragedy". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  13. ^ James, Caryn (1995-04-26). "FILM REVIEW; Replacing Rap's Anger With a Sense of Humor". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  14. ^ Maslin, Janet (1996-11-01). "Where Do Dead Letters Go? Heaven". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  15. ^ Holden, Stephen (1996-11-06). "Just Trying to Get Even While They Get Rich". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  16. ^ "Bridges returns to acting". Jet Magazine. Johnson Publishing Company: 64. 1996-03-11. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  17. ^ Mitchell, Elvis (2001-04-06). "FILM REVIEW; Weaving an Intricate Web To Trap a Wily Kidnapper". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  18. ^ Rapold, Nicolas (2013-12-13). "Special Matriarchal Lessons". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Studio City (TV Series 2019– )". IMDb. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  20. ^ Snow, Shauna (1988-11-11). "Nominees for 21st Image Awards Announced". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  21. ^ "The 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations" (PDF). New York, New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  22. ^ "The 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations" (PDF). New York City: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  23. ^ "Hollywood Reporter Lands Daytime Emmy Nomination for Roundtable Series". The Hollywood Reporter. 2021-06-28. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  24. ^ "Amen's Sherman Hemsley: He Feared His Career Might Be Over Life Without Cable? No Way!". www.tvguidemagazine.com. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  25. ^ "Fun-filled Amen still one of the hottest TV shows". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 1987-11-23. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  26. ^ "Oh, What a Week!". www.tvguidemagazine.com. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Clifton Davis and Anna Maria Horsford Tie Know on TV's Amen". Jet Magazine. Johnson Publishing Company. 1990-02-05. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  28. ^ "New baby and guest star James Brown climax fifth season of TV's Amen". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. 1991-05-13. Retrieved 30 June 2021.

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