Angela Robinson
Robinson in 2018
Born (1963-09-07) September 7, 1963 (age 60)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active1989–present
Spouse
Scott Whitehurst
​
(m. 1996)​
Children1

Angela Robinson is an American actress and singer. Best known for playing the role of Veronica Harrington in the OWN primetime soap opera The Haves and the Have Nots, winning the Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actress.[1] During her career she acted on Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, working under the direction of Sheldon Epps, Tina Landau, Kathleen Marshall, Gary Griffin.

Notable Robinson stage roles were as Shug Avery on The Color Purple's U.S. National Tour and as Deena Jones on Dreamgirls' U.S. National Tour.

Life and career

Robinson was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida.[2] She graduated from William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville and Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.[2] While in college, she won the crown of Miss Florida A&M University.[2]

She moved to New York City in 1992 and began acting career on the stages.[3][4] In 1995 she appeared on Dreamgirls as Deena Jones at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey.[5] In 1997 she was cast in the original Broadway production of Play On! directed by Sheldon Epps.[6] Between 1998 and 1999 Robinson was cast in the The Wizard of Oz U.S. National Tour acting with Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt. During the same years, she performed at TheatreFest at Montclair State University with Ruth Brown and Carol Woods.[7]

In 2001 Robinson starred as Gwynne on Bells Are Ringing Broadway revival, with the direction of Tina Landau and choreographed by Jeff Calhoun.[8] The same year she also made her film acting debout on Another Bed. In 2002 she performed in Golden Boy at the New York City Center's musical concert series Encores!.[9] Between 2003 and 2004 she starred as member of the cast on The Public Theater's Off-Broadway production of Radiant Baby,[10] on Ain't Misbehavin' at the Paper Mill Playhouse,[11] and on Kathleen Marshall's Wonderful Town Broadway revival.[12] In 2024 Robinson reprised her role of Deena Jones on Dreamgirls's U.S. National Tour, starring with Frenchie Davis.[13]

In 2005 she appeared on television in the episode "Contagious" of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Between 2005 and 2008 Robinson was selected as cast member of Gary Griffin's The Color Purple original production at the Broadway Theatre. She continued to be a cast member on the first U.S. National Tour, in which she also served as understudy actress for the role of Shug Avery, played by former Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams.[2] During the final part of the tour Robinson played as Shug Avery, acting with Fantasia Barrino, Felicia P. Fields and LaToya London.[14]

From May 2013 to July 2021, Robinson starred as Veronica Harrington, with albeit a high-end and classy presentation, a no-holds-barred prominent villainess on the Oprah Winfrey Network primetime soap opera, The Haves and the Have Nots, produced by Tyler Perry.[15] For her performance on The Haves and the Have Nots, Robinson received a Gracie Award for "Outstanding Female Actor - One to Watch," in 2015.[16]

In 2021, Robinson starred as Billie Holiday in the North Carolina Theatre production of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.[17] In 2024 she acted on Tyler Perry's Netflix film Mea Culpa alongside Kelly Rowland and Trevante Rhodes,[18] and return to television with the miniseries Lady in the Lake for Apple TV+.[19]

Personal life

In 1996, Robinson married stage actor Scott Whitehurst.[20] In June 2018, they adopted a son named Robinson Scott.[21]

Acting credits

Film and television

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Another Bed Alma Short film
2005 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mrs. Wheeler Episode: "Contagious"
2013—2021 The Haves and the Have Nots Veronica Harrington Series regular
Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor- One to Watch (2015)
2024 Mea Culpa Renee
2024 Lady in the Lake Myrtle Summer Miniseries

Stage

Year Title Role Venue Notes
1995 Dreamgirls Deena Jones Paper Mill Playhouse
1997 Play On! Lady Liv; Miss Mary; Vy Brooks Atkinson Theatre Original Broadway Production
1998—1999 The Wizard of Oz Apple Tree Voice; Ensemble U.S. National Tour
2000 Lucky Duck Serena Mountain View Center
2001 Bells Are Ringing Gwynne Plymouth Theatre Broadway revival
2002 Golden Boy Ensemble Encores!
2003 Radiant Baby The Public Theater Original Off-Broadway Production
Ain't Misbehavin' Paper Mill Playhouse
2004 Wonderful Town Al Hirschfeld Theatre Broadway revival
Bye Bye Birdie Encores!
Dreamgirls Deena Jones U.S. National Tour
2009—2010 The Color Purple Shug Avery U.S. National Tour
2021 Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill Billie Holiday North Carolina Theatre

References

  1. ^ F. Daniels, Karu (August 4, 2015). "Angela Robinson: Broadway Powerhouse and Tyler Perry's Big Star". NBC News. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Crumpler, David. "Two actresses with Jacksonville ties star in new Oprah Winfrey Network show".
  3. ^ Angela Robinson
  4. ^ "Bronze Magazine » Celebrate. Empower. Inspire. » The Haves and The Have Nots' "Ice Queen" warms up for Bronze Magazine". Bronze Magazine. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  5. ^ Klein, Alvin (November 5, 1995). "Theater Review;Broken Hearts Left Backstage". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  6. ^ "Play On!". Playbill. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  7. ^ Lefkowitz, David (June 24, 1998). "Ruth Brown, Carol Woods & Angela Robinson To Play NJ Triplets, June 24". Playbill. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  8. ^ Isherwood, Charles (April 12, 2001). "Bells Are Ringing". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Gans, Andrew (March 21, 2002). "Encores! Golden Boy Begin to Shine March 21". Playbill. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  10. ^ Simonson, Robert (February 1, 2003). "Radiant Baby Starts Shining at Public Theater Off-Broadway, Feb. 1". Playbill. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  11. ^ Gsns, Andrew (July 3, 2003). "Casting Announced for Paper Mill's Ain't Misbehavin'". Playbill. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  12. ^ Simonson, Robert (September 22, 2003). "Full Cast of Broadway's Wonderful Town Announced". Playbill. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  13. ^ Harvey, Dennis (January 25, 2004). "Dreamgirls: "American Idol" outcast Frenchie Davis, in the role that made Jennifer Holliday a star, provides the marquee value -- but not the only reason to see this sturdy revival". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Hetrick, Adam (July 20, 2009). "Greensboro to See Barrino in The Color Purple; Additional Tour Dates Announced". Playbill. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Campbell, Deena (October 27, 2020). "Angela Robinson of 'The Haves and The Have Nots' Explains Her Love For Wigs". Essence. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  16. ^ Gregg Kilday (March 4, 2015). "Julie Roberts and Cicely Tyson Among Recipients of Gracies Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  17. ^ Brethauer-Hamling, Taylor. "Angela Robinson to Star in North Carolina Theatre's LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL". BroadwayWorld.com.
  18. ^ Abraham, Mya (January 24, 2024). "Kelly Rowland And Trevante Rhodes Star In Tyler Perry's New Thriller, 'Mea Culpa'". Vibe. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Krystaf, Lauren (June 16, 2023). "'Lady in the Lake': Cast, Plot, Filming, and Everything We Know So Far About the Natalie Portman series". Collider. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  20. ^ Thomas, Michael. "A Look at The Haves and the Have Nots' Angela Robinson's Real-Life Romance!".
  21. ^ Thomas, Michael. "CONGRATS: HAHN's Angela Robinson & Husband Welcome First Baby Addition on Father's Day!".

External links

Categories