Anna Maria Horsford 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. ''The Wayans Bros.'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on The WB from January 11, 1995, to May 20, 1999. The series starred real life brothers Shawn and Marlon Wayans. The series also starred John Witherspoon and Anna Maria Hors ...

'' (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 the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series in 2016 and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2017. 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, New York City 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. She grew up in a family of five children. Horsford attended Wadleigh Junior High School and the High School of Performing Arts. After high school, she got into acting through the Harlem Youth for Change program. Her first job out of high school was with the

Joe Papp Joseph Papp (born Joseph Papirofsky; June 22, 1921 – October 31, 1991) was an American theatrical producer and director. He established The Public Theater in what had been the Astor Library Building in Lower Manhattan. There Papp created a y ...

’s Public Theater, a part in Coriolanus at the Delacorte in Central Park. According to a DNA analysis, she has maternal ancestry from the Limba people of Sierra Leone.

Career

Her first major role in television was as a producer for the PBS show '' Soul!'', hosted by

Ellis Haizlip Ellis B. Haizlip (September 21, 1929 – January 25, 1991) was an American television and theatrical producer, broadcaster and promoter of African American culture. Haizlip is best known as the creator, producer and host of the television var ...

, which aired between 1968 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'', ''

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'', ''

Moesha ''Moesha'' () is an American television sitcom that aired on UPN from January 23, 1996, to May 14, 2001. The series stars R&B singer Brandy Norwood as Moesha Denise Mitchell, an African-American teenager living with her upper middle class famil ...

'', '' The Bernie Mac Show'', '' The Shield'', '' Girlfriends'', and '' Everybody Hates Chris''. She had main roles on the sitcoms ''

'' as "Dee Baxter" and "Thelma Frye" on '' Amen''. She appeared on the drama ''

Judging Amy ''Judging Amy'' is an American legal drama television series that was telecast from September 19, 1999, through May 3, 2005, on CBS. This TV series starred Amy Brenneman and Tyne Daly. Its main character (Brenneman) is a judge who serves in a ...

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

Reed Between the Lines ''Reed Between the Lines'' is an American television family sitcom that premiered on October 11, 2011, on BET. The series was renewed for a second season on April 12, 2012. It was later announced in August 2012 that Tracee Ellis Ross would not r ...

''. 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 The 43rd Daytime Emmy Awards, presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), "recognizes outstanding achievement in all fields of daytime television production and are presented to individuals and programs broadcast fro ...

. She began playing a recurring role on '' B Positive'' in the show's second-season premiere. She also has appeared in the TBS sitcom The Last O.G. Featuring Tracy Morgan, as a recurring character (Tray's mother).

Personal life

On October 29, 2011, Horsford was awarded the title of Ambassador of Tourism of

Antigua Antigua ( ), also known as Waladli or Wadadli by the native population, is an island in the Lesser Antilles. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Bar ...

. She is also a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Filmography

Film and TV Movies

Television

Live performances

Theater

Awards and nominations

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''. * ''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”. * ''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." * ''Jet Magazine'', February 5, 1990. Cover photo and article: "Clifton Davis and Anna Maria Horsford Tie Knot on TV's ''Amen''" * ''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.” * ''Solo Magazine'', 2011 Holiday Issue. Cover photograph and article: Anna Maria Horsford: Brings the Laughs and Drama to new BET Show.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Horsford, Anna Maria Living people People from Harlem Actresses from New York City American film actresses American television actresses American soap opera actresses 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American actresses American sketch comedians African-American actresses American people of Sierra Leonean descent American people of Dominican Republic descent American people of Antigua and Barbuda descent 20th-century African-American women 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American women 21st-century African-American people Year of birth missing (living people)