Holly Robinson Peete

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Holly Robinson Peete
Holly Robinson Peete.jpg
Peete in April 2007
Born
Holly Elizabeth Robinson

(1964-09-18) September 18, 1964 (age 56)
Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materSarah Lawrence College
OccupationActress, singer, author, television personality
Years active1969–present
Television
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1995)​
Children4
Parent(s)

Holly Elizabeth Robinson Peete (born September 18, 1964)[1] is an American actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Judy Hoffs on the Fox TV police drama 21 Jump Street, Vanessa Russell on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and Dr. Malena Ellis on the NBC/WB sitcom For Your Love. She also served as one of the original co-hosts of the CBS Daytime talk show, The Talk.

After graduating from high school, Peete entered Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She majored in Psychology and French. After she graduated in 1986, she considered attending graduate school and perhaps working in languages for the U.S. State Department. However, she decided to give an acting career a chance. Within a short time, Peete found roles on a television series and in two films.

Peete's children's book, My Brother Charlie, won her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in March 2011.[2] In 2012 the book was awarded the Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award.

In March 2016, a reality series debuted titled For Peete's Sake, documenting the everyday life of her family.

She is currently partnered with GreatCall as a caregiver ambassador.[3]

Early life[]

Peete was born Holly Elizabeth Robinson in Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Dolores and Matt Robinson (the original Gordon on Sesame Street). Her mother was a school teacher, in public relations, and later a personal talent manager, and her father a producer/writer. She has an older brother named Matthew Thomas Robinson III. She attended Greene Street Friends School in nearby Germantown.[4] In 1974, her family moved to California.[5] Peete graduated from Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, California, where her classmates included Rob Lowe and Yvette Lee Bowser. Peete graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a degree in psychology and French.[6] Peete studied abroad for a year at the Sorbonne, and is fluent in French.[6] While there she sang in Paris nightclubs, including a performance with jazz musician Lionel Hampton at the Hotel Meridian Jazz Club.[7][8][9]

Career[]

In 1969, she made her first television appearance by playing a little girl named Sally on the very first episode of Sesame Street. She recalls that when she was six years old, she kept blowing her line, saying "Hi, Daddy", instead of "Hi, Gordon", his character's name. She ended up with just an appearance where she walked down the street with Big Bird.[10] At the age of 11, Holly worked for the children's show Kidsworld as a celebrity correspondent; she interviewed many actors and actresses for the program. As an actress, she has appeared on the TV series 21 Jump Street (1987–1991), Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992–1997), For Your Love (1998–2002), and Like Family (2003–2004). She was featured in the video for the 1990 hit single "Whip Appeal" by Babyface as the sultry radio host at the beginning of the video.[11] In 1992, she portrayed Diana Ross in The Jacksons: An American Dream. Robinson most recently starred on the UPN comedy Love, Inc.. The show lasted just one season, and was canceled after the WB/UPN merger.

Robinson has also had a limited career as a singer and recording artist, including the introductory song to 21 Jump Street.[10] She contributed a variety of songs to the soundtrack of the film Howard the Duck. (She appeared as a musician/singer in a minor role in the film.) She recorded the theme song "We Got Our Love" for the 1988 film Three for the Road. She and Dawnn Lewis, along with R&B quartet En Vogue, performed the theme song for the first season of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper.

In 2006, she won, along with fellow writer Daniel Paisner, the Quills Award in Sports for the book Get Your Own Damn Beer, I'm Watching the Game!: A Woman's Guide to Loving Pro Football.[12]

In 2010, she participated in The Celebrity Apprentice 3, playing for her own charity, the HollyRod Foundation,[10] which provides support for families with Parkinson's disease or autism.

Robinson began co-hosting The Talk, a CBS daytime talk show, on October 18, 2010.[13] In this forum, Robinson was known for expressing herself through her ethnicity and being especially vocal about African American issues and, since her son Rodney is affected by it, autism.[14] In April 2011, Robinson hosted a weekly series on The Talk promoting autism awareness.[15]

After serving on The Talk for its first season, Peete along with Leah Remini were released from the show. Failure to ever disclose why the two were let go brought on a great deal of audience criticism of the show, as well as protests from the stars' fans.[16][17] Sharon Osbourne, Peete's former co-host on The Talk, reasoned why the two former hosts were released from the program in a guest appearance on The Howard Stern Show, criticizing both Peete and Remini. In early 2021, Osbourne was later embroiled in a scandal for remarks made on The Talk to Sheryl Underwood, leading to her termination from the program. During Osbourne's scandal and termination, both Peete and Remini took to social media to reproach Osbourne over her behaviors, additionally pointing out that they were on the receiving end of similar behaviors by Osbourne. Osbourne responded with threats of defamation lawsuits against both women, but ultimately did nothing.[18][19]

Peete hosted the 42nd NAACP Image Awards, alongside Wayne Brady, on March 4, 2011.[20]

The Peete family starred in a reality TV series on OWN, entitled For Peete's Sake.[21] The series followed the lives of Peete and her husband Rodney as they juggle career choices with their family life.[22]

Personal life[]

Robinson Peete with her husband Rodney Peete in 2010

On June 10, 1995, Robinson married Rodney Peete, a National Football League quarterback. He proposed by surprising Holly during an episode of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. They have four children: twins, daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete and son Rodney Peete, Jr. (born October 17, 1997), and sons Robinson Peete (born August 11, 2002), and Roman Peete (born February 25, 2005).

One of their twins, Rodney Jr., was diagnosed with autism at age three.[23] Robinson plays baseball for Sierra Canyon, the same school where Bronny James and Zaire Wade play basketball.

After her father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Robinson and her husband co-founded the HollyRod Foundation, which is dedicated to help find a cure for the disease, as well as for autism, and assist those living with the conditions.[10][24]

In September 2012, Nestle's Carnation Breakfast Essentials announced they had teamed up with Robinson, featuring her as the spokesperson for the brand.[25][26] On October 4, 2012, Robinson was inducted as an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.[27]

Filmography[]

Note: She was credited as Holly Robinson until 1997.

Film[]

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Howard the Duck K.C., Cherry Bomb
2007 Matters of Life and Dating Nicole Banning
2010 Speed-Dating Gayle
2012 21 Jump Street Judy Hoffs Cameo
2014 Instant Mom Mrs. Kimberley Phillips

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes
1969 Sesame Street Sally Walk-on role (and deleted scene)
1979 Dummy Genettia Lang Movie
1987–1991 21 Jump Street Officer Judy Hoffs Main role (102 episodes)
1992 The Jacksons: An American Dream Diana Ross Miniseries
1992–1997 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Vanessa Russell Main role (101 episodes)
1997 Touched by an Angel Vanessa Hamilton Episode: "Smokescreen"
1997 Pacific Blue Gina Galindo Episode: "Soft Targets"
1998 Killers in the House Jennie Sawyer Movie
1998–2002 For Your Love Malena Ellis Main role (84 episodes)
1999 After All Michelle Troussaint Movie
2001-2002 One on One Stacey Recurring role (6 episodes)
2002 My Wonderful Life Samika
2003–2004 Like Family Tanya Jones 23 episodes
2004 Earthquake Heaven Movie
2005–2006 Love, Inc. Clea 22 episodes
2009 The Bridget Show Macy Movie
2010 The Celebrity Apprentice Herself 12 episodes; runner-up
2010–2011 The Talk Co-host 59 episodes
2011 The Young and the Restless Herself July 28, 2011 episode
2011–2012 Mike & Molly Christina 12 episodes
2015 Angel of Christmas Yvette Collins Hallmark Movie
2016 Chicago Fire Tamara Jones 2 episodes
2016–2017 For Peete's Sake Herself Reality television series
2017 Christmas in Evergreen Michelle Lansing Hallmark Movie
2018 Morning Show Mystery: Mortal Mishaps Billie Blessings Hallmark Movie
2018 Morning Show Mystery: Murder on the Menu Billie Blessings Hallmark Movie
2018 Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa Michelle Lansing Hallmark Movie
2018 Meet the Peetes Herself Reality series
2019 Morning Show Mystery: Murder in Mind Billie Blessings Hallmark Movie
2019 Morning Show Mystery: Countdown to Murder Billie Blessings Hallmark Movie
2019 Morning Show Mystery: Death by Design Billie Blessings Hallmark Movie
2019 Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy Michelle Hallmark Movie
2019 A Family Christmas Gift Amanda Hallmark Movie
2020 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Detective Rachel Wilson Episode: "The Longest Night of Rain"
2020 The Christmas Doctor Dr. Alicia Wright Hallmark Movie
2021 American Housewife Tami Gaines Recurring role (6 episodes)
TBA Morning Show Mysteries: Murder Most Fair Billie Blessings Hallmark Movie

References[]

  1. ^ "Holly Robinson Peete Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "Holly Robinson Peete's Winning Image". Celebrity Baby Scoop. 2011-03-05. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  3. ^ "#PeaceByPiece: Introducing Caregiving Ambassador Holly Robinson Peete". GreatCall Currents. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  4. ^ "Hangin' with Mrs. Robinson Peete". philly-archives.
  5. ^ "The Holly Robinson Peete Picture Pages". Superiorpics.com. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "SLC Buzz: 2010–2011". Slc.edu. Archived from the original on 2011-08-13. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  7. ^ "Holly Robinson & Rodney Peete". Womensconference.org. 2010-03-16. Archived from the original on 2013-04-16. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  8. ^ "Holly Robinson". Luxury Awaits. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  9. ^ "Holly Robinson Peete | Speaker Profile and Speaking Topics". Apbspeakers.com. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Byrne, Bridget (2003-12-09). "Actress is at Home in TV Role As Busy Mom". Boston.com. Globe Newspaper Company / The New York Times Company. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  11. ^ Whip Appeal#Video
  12. ^ "The 2nd Annual Quill Awards". Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  13. ^ Domanick, Andrea (August 11, 2010). "CBS' 'The Talk' to Premiere Oct. 18". Broadcasting and Cable. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  14. ^ "Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete on their son RJ's autism". People. 2007-05-30. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  15. ^ Peden, Mike. "Holly Robinson Peete's Autism "Talk"". The Autistic Journalist. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  16. ^ Nede, Jethro (2011-09-07). "'The Talk' Without Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Peete: What THR Readers Are Saying". The Hollywood Reporter.
  17. ^ "Holly Robinson Peete Opens Up About Being Fired From The Talk!".
  18. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (March 13, 2021). "Sharon Osbourne Responds After Holly Robinson Peete Claims Her Former 'The Talk' Co-Host Said She Was "Too Ghetto" For CBS Show – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  19. ^ Murphy, Desiree (March 16, 2021). "Leah Remini Claims Sharon Osbourne Used Racist and Homophobic Language Towards 'The Talk' Co-Hosts". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  20. ^ Seidman, Robert (2011-03-04). "Wayne Brady and Holly Robinson Peete to Host '42nd NAACP Image Awards' Friday, March 4 on Fox". TV By the Numbers. Archived from the original on 2011-02-10. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  21. ^ "OWN Orders Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete Docuseries". The Hollywood Reporter. 2015-05-06.
  22. ^ "Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete Star in New OWN Docuseries". Oprah.com.
  23. ^ Kaplan, Erin Aubry (February 2007). "Holly's Heart". Essence. Archived from the original on 2008-08-28. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  24. ^ "Ability Magazine: Holly Robinson Peete Interview with Chet Cooper" (2007)". Retrieved 2012-04-03.
  25. ^ "Breakfast Nutrition - Carnation Breakfast Essentials®". Archived from the original on 2013-05-22.
  26. ^ Nestle Health Science (20 September 2012). "Holly Robinson Peete and Carnation® Breakfast Essentials™ Offer Moms Solutions to... -- Florham Park, N.J., Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/".
  27. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2012-11-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links[]

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