Essence Atkins

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Essence Atkins
Brooklyn, New York
, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1986–present
Spouse
(m. 2009; div. 2016)
Children1

Essence Uhura Atkins (born February 7, 1972)[1] is an American actress. She began her career appearing on television sitcoms, before her regular role on the short-lived first African-American prime-time drama Under One Roof (CBS, 1995).

Atkins is best known for her roles on television comedies. From 1997 to 1999, she starred as Tasha Yvette Henderson in

TBS sitcom Are We There Yet? (2010–2013) and as Ashley Wayne in NBC sitcom Marlon (2017–2018). In film, Atkins has appeared in How High (2001), Deliver Us from Eva (2003), Dance Flick (2009), A Haunted House (2013), A Haunted House 2 (2014), and The Noel Diary
(2022).

Career

Atkins began her career as a teenager guest starring on NBC sitcom The Cosby Show in 1986.[2] The following years she spent playing guest roles on sitcoms include Family Matters, before landing co-leading role opposite James Earl Jones and Vanessa Bell Calloway in the short-lived first African-American prime-time soap opera Under One Roof in 1995.[3][2] The following year, she co-starred with Keri Russell in the short-lived NBC teen soap opera Malibu Shores. One of her television roles was in the Saved by the Bell spin-off, Saved by the Bell: The College Years in 1993. She appeared in the pilot, but when Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, a regular from the original, opted to return, Atkins's character was written out.

From 1997 to 1999, Atkins starred in the WB sitcom Smart Guy as the older sister Tasha Yvette Henderson. From 2002 to 2006 she starred alongside Rachel True in the UPN sitcom Half & Half playing Dee Dee Thorne, her half-sister. She also had supporting roles in films How High (2001), Deliver Us from Eva (2003) opposite Gabrielle Union, and Dance Flick (2009). From 2010 to 2013, she starred in the TBS sitcom series Are We There Yet? opposite Terry Crews.[4] Atkins later starred alongside Marlon Wayans in the parody films A Haunted House (2013) and A Haunted House 2 (2014). In 2016, she was cast opposite Wayans in his NBC sitcom Marlon.[5] it was canceled after two seasons in 2018.

In 2019, Atkins was cast in a leading role in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series Ambitions opposite Robin Givens.[6]

Personal life

In September 2009, Atkins married All-American collegiate football free safety Jaime Mendez. They met Valentine's Day 2008 through the online dating service Match.com. Her Half and Half co-star Valarie Pettiford performed during the reception.[7]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Nikita's Blues Nikita Short
2000 Love Song Toni TV movie
2001 Nikita Blues Nikita
Looking Through Lillian Andrea
XCU: Extreme Close Up Tamikah Jones
How High Jamie
2003 Deliver Us from Eva Kareenah Dandridge
2007 Love... & Other 4 Letter Words Roxanne
2008 Love for Sale Candace
2009 Dance Flick Charity
2010 Preacher's Kid Peaches
N-Secure Robin Joyner
2011 The Bachelor Party Michelle Video
2012 Dysfunctional Friends Alice
From This Day Forward Patrice TV movie
2013 A Haunted House Kisha Davis
Act Like You Love Me Kelly
My Sisters Wedding Tandy
Holiday Road Trip Clara TV movie
2014 A Haunted House 2 Kisha Davis
Girlfriends' Getaway Lauren TV movie
My Other Mother Candy TV movie
2015 Sister Code Corrine Wells
Battle Scars Elsie Ramirez
Girlfriends' Getaway 2 Lauren TV movie
2016 You Can't Hurry Love Camille TV movie
2017 Solstice Ranch Lola Solstice Short
Illicit Nadine
2018 Coins for Christmas Madison Morris TV movie
2019 Same Difference Tonya/Shauna [8]
2020 Open Wren TV movie
The Sin Choice Rebecca Anderson
Coins for Love Madison Morris TV movie
2021 Coins Forever Madison Morris TV movie
2022 The Noel Diary Noel Ellis
2023 Angie's Cure Sheila Hart
2024 One Night Stay April

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1986–89 The Cosby Show Paula Young Guest Cast: Season 3 & 6
1991 Charlie Hoover Amy Episode: "Out of the Frying Pan"
1992 Family Matters Becky Episode: "Brown Bombshell"
Here and Now Khalila Episode: "Love Handles" & "A.J.'s Big Leap"
1993 Saved by the Bell: The College Years Danielle Marks Episode: "Pilot"
1995 Under One Roof Charlotte "Charlie" Langston Main Cast
The Wayans Bros. Nina Episode: "Farmer's Daughter"
1996 The Parent 'Hood Chantel Episode: "One Man and a Baby"
Malibu Shores Julie Tate Main Cast
The John Larroquette Show Jocelyn Episode: "The Blues Traveller" & "Cheeses H. Taste"
1997–99 Smart Guy Yvette Henderson Main Cast
1998 Promised Land Rachel Episode: "Mirror Image"
1999 Moesha Piper Davis Episode: "The Party's Over (Here)" & "Unappreciated Interest"
2000 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Marnie Recurring Cast: Season 4
2002 For Your Love Genesis Episode: "The Missing Link"
2002–06 Half & Half Deirdre Chantal "Dee Dee" Thorne Main Cast
2004
MADtv
Herself Episode: "Episode #10.7"
2005 Love, Inc. Renee Episode: "Mad About You"
2007 The Class Melanie Deacon Episode: "The Class Has to Go to a Stupid Museum"
House Capt. Greta Cooper Episode: "The Right Stuff"
2009
Nite Tales: The Series
Shandra Episode: "Dark Heart"
2010 Tyler Perry's House of Payne Monica Recurring Cast: Season 6
2010–13 Are We There Yet? Suzanne Kingston-Persons Main Cast
2011 Life After Herself Episode: "AJ Johnson"
2012–15 Mr. Box Office Samantha Owens Main Cast
2013 Annual Trumpet Awards Herself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
2016 Celebrity Family Feud Herself Episode: "Episode #3.10"
2017
Face Value
Herself/Team Captain Episode: "Essence Atkins v Affion Crockett"
Kiki Mobile Herself Episode: "Kiki Hits the Trails"
The Great Indoors Denise Episode: "The Heartbreaker"
2017–18 Marlon Ashley Wayne Main Cast
2019 A Black Lady Sketch Show Hannah Episode: "3rd & Bonaparte Is Always in the Shade"
Carol's Second Act Kathleen Episode: "Game Changer"
Ambitions Amara Hughesken Main Cast
2020 Behind Her Faith Herself Episode: "Essence Atkins"
2021–22 First Wives Club Maxine Hart Recurring Cast: Season 2-3
2022 A Black Lady Sketch Show Chef Rayna Episode: "Bounce Them Coochies, Y'all!"
Family Reunion Maureen Episode: "Remember the New Beginning?"
2023 Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50 Herself Main Guest
The Ms. Pat Show Charnelle Episode: "Twenty Seven Side Pieces"
The Company You Keep Shelby Episode: "Pilot" & "The Art of the Steel"
2024 Curb Your Enthusiasm Renee Holcomb Episode: "The Dream Scheme"

Awards and nominations

Year Awards Category Movie/Serie Outcome
2003
NAACP Image Award
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series "Half & Half" Nominated
2011 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series "Are We There Yet?" Nominated
2017 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series "Marlon" Nominated

References

  1. Cengage
    . Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Essence Atkins". Hollywood.com. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  3. ^ O'Connor, John J. (April 11, 1995). "New Black Series Is Hanging On". The New York Times. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  4. ^ LexiB (October 26, 2009). "Essence Atkins Returns To Television In TBS Comedy, Are We There Yet". LexiB.net. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2009.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 8, 2016). "Essence Atkins Set As Female Lead In Marlon Wayans' NBC Comedy Pilot - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (November 13, 2018). "'Ambitions': Robin Givens To Lead Ensemble Cast Of Will Packer's OWN Drama Series". Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  7. ^ Aradillas, Elaine (October 15, 2009). "Half and Half's Essence Atkins Says I Do". People. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
  8. ^ McNary, Dave (April 24, 2018). "Film News Roundup: Demetrius Shipp, Essence Atkins to Star in 'Same Difference'". Retrieved April 7, 2019.

External links