Yvette Nicole Brown

Yvette Nicole Brown (born August 12, 1971) is an American actress, voice actress, writer, and host. Brown has appeared in numerous commercials, television shows, and films throughout her career. She starred as Shirley Bennett on the NBC comedy series Community. She had a recurring role on the Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh as Helen Dubois, and voiced the character Cookie on the American-Canadian animated series Pound Puppies. Brown also starred as Dani in the 2015 version of The Odd Couple on CBS and as Dina Rose on the ABC sitcom The Mayor. In 2018, she assumed the role of Nora, AA sponsor to Christy, the central character on Mom.

Yvette Nicole Brown
Brown in July 2019
Born (1971-08-12) August 12, 1971
Alma materUniversity of Akron
OccupationActress, voice actress, comedian, writer
Years active1992–present
Websiteyvettenicolebrown.com

Brown has also had guest roles in television shows such as That '70s Show, The Office, Boston Legal, Chuck, and The Soul Man. In addition to television, she has had supporting roles in films such as (500) Days of Summer, Tropic Thunder, Repo Men, and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. She also voiced "Harper" from the video game Minecraft: Story Mode in addition to Cookie on Pound Puppies, Luna on Elena of Avalor and Principal Amanda Waller on DC Super Hero Girls She has hosted Syfy cosplay series Cosplay Melee and has been a frequent couch guest on Talking Dead. She has also served as a guest co-host on talk shows including The View, The Talk, The Real and The Jeff Probst Show.

Early life

Yvette Nicole Brown was born on August 12, 1971, in East Cleveland, Ohio.[1] She graduated from Warrensville Heights High School in 1989. Brown studied communication studies at the University of Akron and graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 1994.[2][3]

After graduating, Brown took acting classes in Hollywood, Los Angeles.[4]

Career

Brown appeared as "Yvette" in the music video "1-4-All-4-1" by the East Coast Family, a Michael Bivins project, for Biv10 Records.[5] Brown said of the experience, "It was a great run, but I guess music was just never meant to be for me."[6]

Brown first appeared on commercials before entering television shows and films a few years later.[7] She has since played roles on television shows such as The War at Home, Malcolm in the Middle, That's So Raven, and the American version of The Office. She also had a recurring role as movie theater manager Helen Dubois in the Nickelodeon sitcom Drake & Josh. Brown reprised the role in the season 2 episode of Victorious titled "Helen Back Again".[4] She also provided the voice of Cookie on The Hub's Pound Puppies.

In 2009, Brown began starring as Shirley Bennett on the comedy series Community. On September 30, 2014, Brown announced that she would be leaving the show after five seasons in order to take care of her ailing father. In her announcement she said, "My dad needs daily care and he needs me. The idea of being away 16 hours a day for five months, I couldn't do it. It was a difficult decision for me to make, but I had to choose my dad."[8]

She has appeared in television commercials for Hamburger Helper, Big Lots, Pine-Sol, Comcast, Aquapod, Shout, Fiber One, Yoplait Yogurt, DiGiorno Pizza, Dairy Queen, and Time Warner. She has appeared on episodes of The Thrilling Adventure Hour as "The Troubleshooter" in the Sparks Nevada, Marshall on Mars series.

In 2012, Brown appeared as a celebrity contestant on GSN's The Pyramid with her Community co-star Danny Pudi.

In 2014, it was reported that Brown was set to recur on the USA Network series Benched.[9] Shortly after her exit of Community, Brown's role of Dani on the CBS sitcom The Odd Couple was upgraded to series regular.[10] She has also been a regular guest on AMC's Talking Dead. She currently hosts Syfy cosplay series Cosplay Melee.

In July 2018, Brown temporarily replaced Chris Hardwick as the host of Talking Dead and served as moderator for The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead panels at the San Diego Comic-Con during Hardwick's suspension.[11]

In 2019, Brown wrote the independent feature Always a Bridesmaid, a romantic comedy. Set for a fall release, the film stars Jordan Calloway and Javicia Leslie, and features Marcel Spears, Brandon Micheal Hall, Affion Crockett, Richard Lawson, and Telma Hopkins among the supporting cast.[12]

Personal life

Politics

Brown campaigning with Elizabeth Warren

Brown endorsed and campaigned for Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[13]

SAG-AFTRA

Brown serves on the SAG-AFTRA 2019-2021 National Board.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2000 His Woman, His Wife
2003 180 Miles Away Other woman Short film
2004 Little Black Book Production assistant
2005 The Island Harvest Nurse
The Kid & I Bunny
2006 Dreamgirls Curtis' secretary
2007 The Neighbor Receptionist
2008 Meet Dave Old Navy saleswoman
Tropic Thunder Vivica (Peck's assistant)
2009 N.C.B.S Flashback wife Short film
Hotel for Dogs Ms. Camwell
500 Days of Summer New secretary
The Ugly Truth Dori
2010 Repo Men Rhodesia
2013 Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Gray Sister #2
2014 Yellowbird Ladybug (voice)
2017 Smartass Officer Neesy
2019 Avengers: Endgame Phyllis Jenkins
Always a Bridesmaid Pastor Althea Brody Also writer and executive producer
Lady and the Tramp Aunt Sarah
2020 Broken Diamonds Cookie completed

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2002 For the People Server Episode: "Lonely Hearts"
Do Over Woman Episode: "Investing in the Future"
2003 Girlfriends Sherri Childs 2 episodes
2004 Curb Your Enthusiasm Stewardess Episode: "Opening Night"
The Big House Eartha Cleveland 6 episodes
Two and a Half Men Mandy Episode: "Just Like Buffalo"
7th Heaven Leah Morris Episode: "Gratitude"
2004–07 Drake & Josh Helen Dubois 15 episodes
2005 Fat Actress Woman in restaurant Episode: "Big Butts"
That's So Raven Monica Episode: "Too Much Pressure"
That '70s Show Sgt. Davis Episode: "You're My Best Friend"
Hot Properties Oprah-Head Episode: "Waiting for Oprah"
2006 Malcolm in the Middle Female security agent #2 Episode: "Bride of Ida"
House Ellen Stambler Episode: "Sex Kills"
The War at Home Airport security Episode: "The West Palm Beach Story"
Half & Half Ceci 2 episodes
Pepper Dennis Angela Howell Episode: "Pepper Dennis Behind Bars"
Sleeper Cell Fatima 2 episodes
2007 The Office Paris Episode: "The Return"
The Loop Isabelle Miller Episode: "Yeah, Presents"
American Body Shop Ms. Durant Episode: "Pilot"
Entourage Daily Variety agent Episode: "Gary's Desk"
Boston Legal Doris Thumper 2 episodes
2008 'Til Death Roxie Episode: "Raisinette in the Sun"
Privileged Pam Episode: "All About the Haves and the Have-Nots"
Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh Helen Dubois Television film
2009 Kath & Kim Clerk #1 Episode: "Competition"
True Jackson, VP Coral Barns Episode: "Company Retreat"
Rules of Engagement Mrs. Alberts Episode: "Voluntary Commitment"
Roommates Madam Saphire Episode: "The Tarot"
iCarly Art student Episode: "iMust Have Locker 239"
Sherri Church lady Episode: "There Is No 'I' in Church"
2009–15 Community Shirley Bennett 99 episodes
Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Comedy Series or Special[14]
2010–13 Pound Puppies Cookie / Additional voices 65 episodes
2011–14 Family Guy Various voices 4 episodes
2011 Victorious Helen Dubois Episode: "Helen Back Again"
Chuck Buy More employee Episode: "Chuck Versus the Hack Off"
2012–16 The Soul Man Robyn 4 episodes
2012–present Talking Dead Herself 10 episodes
2013 Shake It Up Madame Tiffany Episode: "Psych It Up"
Once Upon a Time Ursula (voice) Episode: "Ariel"
2014 Psych Hazel Lazarus Episode: "A Touch of Sweevil"
Melissa & Joey Calista Episode: "I'll Cut You"
BoJack Horseman Beyoncé, Pedestrian (voice) Episode: "Our A-Story is a 'D' Story"
2015 Harvey Beaks M.O.M. (voice) Episode: "Randl's Scandl"
2015–17 The Odd Couple Dani 38 episodes
2015 Game Shakers Helen Dubois Episode: "Tiny Pickles"
2015–present DC Super Hero Girls Principal Amanda Waller (voice) 25 episodes[15]
2015 New Looney Tunes Rhoda Roundhouse (voice) 2 episodes
2016 The Young and the Restless Lois Thompson 3 episodes
Bunnicula Mrs. Varney (voice) Episodes: "Walking Fish" & "Lucky Vampire’s Foot"
Rizzoli & Isles Agent CJ Prescott Episode: "Post Mortem"
Star vs. the Forces of Evil Brigid (voice) Episode: "Star vs. Echo Creek"
2016–present Elena of Avalor Luna (voice) 15 episodes
2017 Dr. Ken Amy Episode: "A Day In The Life"
Regular Show Seer (voice) Episode: "Meet The Seer"
SuperMansion Portia Jones/Zenith (voice) 8 episodes
Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Boat Maria (voice) 3 episodes
The Mayor Dina Rose Main role
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo Judge (voice) Episode: "The People vs. Fred Jones"[16]
Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures Lieutenant Valeria, Pilots (voice) 9 episodes
The New Edition Story Shirley Bivins 3 episodes
Puppy Dog Pals Daisy (voice) Episode: "History Mystery"
2018–19 Mom Nora Recurring role
2018 Talking Dead Host Season 7, Episode 9
The Tom and Jerry Show Momma Mockingbird (voice) Episode: "To Kill A Mockingbird"
2019 RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Guest judge Season 4, episode 5
Weird City Glail Episode: "Below"
The Loud House Mayor Davis (voice) 2 episodes
A Black Lady Sketch Show Judge Episode: "Born at Night, But Not Last Night"
What Just Happened??! with Fred Savage Herself Episode: "Family"
2020 It's Pony Mrs. Dunscomb (voice) Supporting role
Will & Grace Ru Episode: "New Crib"
The Chicken Squad Captain Tully (voice) [17]
The Masked Singer (American season 3) Judge Season 3, Episode 11
Gentefied Doctor Macer Episode: "Delfina"
The Big Fib Host
Crossing Swords Sgt. Meghan (voice) 4 episodes

Video game

Year Title Voice role
2011 Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse Additional Voices
2016 Minecraft: Story Mode Harper[18]
2018 Lego DC Super-Villains Amanda Waller

References

  1. "Yvette Nicole Brown". IMDb.
  2. "Community star Yvette Nicole Brown to be honored by UA". The University of Akron. August 31, 2010.
  3. "Yvette Nicole Brown". The University of Akron.
  4. Dawidziak, Mark (November 13, 2009). "Yvette Nicole Brown, an East Cleveland native, enjoys role on TV sitcom Community". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  5. YouTube: East Coast Family 1-4-All-4-1 | Retrieved 11-20-2011 | 2:22 mark
  6. Bierly, Mandi (September 24, 2009). "'Community': Get to know Yvette Nicole Brown (and how she got to know Chevy, Joel, Jude, and Gerard)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  7. Asim, Jabari (August 6, 2006). "The 'Trouble' With Black Actresses". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  8. Schneider, Michael (September 30, 2014). "Exclusive: Yvette Nicole Brown Departs Community". TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
  9. Dawidziak, Mark. "Molly Shannon and Yvette Nicole Brown courted for USA Network's 'Benched'". cleveland.com. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  10. Ausiello, Michael (October 4, 2014). "CBS' Odd Couple Reboot Promotes Yvette Nicole Brown to Series Regular". TV Line. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  11. "Yvette Nicole Brown to Replace Chris Hardwick as 'Walking Dead' Panel Moderator at Comic-Con".
  12. N'Duka, Amanda (2019-04-19). "Yvette Nicole Brown To Make Screenwriting Debut With 'Always A Bridesmaid'". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-06-29.
  13. "Women with Warren: Coffee and Chat with Yvette Nicole Brown". mobilize.us. February 15, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  14. "2011 Gracie Awards Winners". Alliance for Women in Media. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  15. yvette nicole brown [@YNB] (October 23, 2015). ""Just heard that #DCSuperHeroGirls got a pick up for more episodes! And there are DOLLS! I voice #PrincipalWaller! Ỿ t.co/p/gDBKPqacHR"" (Tweet). Retrieved November 11, 2015 via Twitter.
  16. "Yvette Nicole Brown". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  17. Bhatti, Umbher (October 23, 2019). "Disney Junior Greenlights Animated 'Chicken Squad' Inspired by Book Series (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  18. "Minecraft: Story Mode' Episode 7 'Access Denied' Ready For Download On July 26." UniversityHerald.com. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
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