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Loretta Devine

Birth Place: Houston, TX, USA

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BIO

Loretta Devine (born August 21, 1949) is an American actress. She is known for numerous roles across stage and screen. Her most high profile roles include Lorrell Robinson in the original (1981) Broadway production of Dreamgirls, the long-suffering Gloria Matthews in the film Waiting to Exhale (1995), and her recurring role as Adele Webber on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy, for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 2011.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Pal Joey Pal Joey
[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert Revival Production, 2023
Lucille Wallace
Purlie
[Regional (US)]
West Coast Revival, 2005
Missy Judson
East Texas Hot Links
[Off-Broadway]
1994
Charlesetta
The Colored Museum
[Off-Broadway]
1986
Model/La Wanda/Lady in Plaid/LaLa
Big Deal
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1986
Lilly
Dreamgirls
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
Lorrell Robinson [Replacement]
Lorrell Robinson
Lorrell Robinson [Replacement]
Lorrell Robinson
Comin' Uptown
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Mary (Younger)
Young Mary
A Broadway Musical
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1978
Ensemble
Smoke & Fire Back-Up Singer
Theatre Party Associate
Smoke & Fire Back-Up Singers
A Broadway Musical
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1978
Stan's Lady
Ensemble
Stan's Lady/ Ensemble
Hair
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1977
Member of the Tribe

Movies

Sticky Fingers
[ 1988 ] Diane
Little Nikita
[ 1988 ] Verna McLaughlin
Stanley & Iris
[ 1990 ] Bertha
Caged Fear
[ 1991 ] Judy
Livin' Large!
[ 1991 ] Nadine Biggs
Class Act
[ 1992 ] Blade's Mom
Amos & Andrew
[ 1993 ] Ula
The Hard Truth
[ 1994 ] NicholsSecretary
Waiting to Exhale
[ 1995 ] Gloria
The Preacher's Wife
[ 1996 ] Beverly
The Price of Kissing
[ 1997 ] Jackee
Lover Girl
[ 1997 ] Leticia /Coco
Hoodlum
[ 1997 ] Pigfoot Mary
Operation Splitsville
[ 1998 ] Principal
Urban Legend
[ 1998 ] Reese Wilson
Love Kills
[ 1998 ] Sylvia Finkelstein
Down in the Delta
[ 1998 ] Zenia
Funny Valentines
[ 1999 ] Dearie B.
The Breaks
[ 1999 ] Floria
Lillie
[ 1999 ] Michelle
What Women Want
[ 2000 ] Flo the Doorwoman
Punks
[ 2000 ] Health Counselor
Urban Legends: Final Cut
[ 2000 ] Reese
I Am Sam
[ 2001 ] Margaret Calgrove
Kingdom Come
[ 2001 ] Marguerite Slocumb
Baby of the Family
[ 2002 ] Delores
Woman Thou Art Loosed
[ 2004 ] Csey Jordan
Crash
[ 2004 ] Shaniqua
King's Ransom
[ 2005 ] Miss Gladys
Dirty Laundry
[ 2006 ] Evelyn
Dreamgirls
[ 2006 ] Jazz Singer
Cougar Club
[ 2007 ] Dolly
This Christmas
[ 2007 ] Ma Dere Whitfield
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
[ 2008 ] Delta
First Sunday
[ 2008 ] Sister Doris
Spring Breakdown
[ 2009 ] Dr. Marguerite
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done
[ 2009 ] Ms Roberts
Death at a Funeral
[ 2010 ] Cynthia
Lottery Ticket
[ 2010 ] Grandma
For Colored Girls
[ 2010 ] Juanita, Green
Jumping the Broom
[ 2011 ] Mrs. Taylor
Politics of Love
[ 2011 ] Shirlee Gupta
Madea's Big Happy Family
[ 2011 ] Shirley
In the Hive
[ 2012 ] Mrs. Inez
Khumba
[ 2013 ] Mama V
A Very Larry Christmas
[ 2013 ] Mrs. Claus
Welcome to Me
[ 2014 ] Barb Vaughn
The Sound and the Fury
[ 2014 ] Dilsey
Comeback Dad
[ 2014 ] Malinda
You're Not You
[ 2014 ] Marilyn
Back to School Mom
[ 2015 ] Meghan Graham
For the Love of Ruth
[ 2015 ] Naomi
Caged No More
[ 2016 ] Aggie
Grandma's House
[ 2016 ] Margie
Chapter & Verse
[ 2016 ] Miss Maddy
No Regrets
[ 2016 ] Ms Carey
Norm of the North
[ 2016 ] Tamecia
Naked
[ 2017 ] Carol
Another Shot
[ 2017 ] Mabel Marbury
Sierra Burgess Is a Loser
[ 2018 ] Ms. Thomson
The Trap
[ 2019 ] Mama Jay
Always and Forever
[ 2020 ] Elda
Spell
[ 2020 ] Eloise
Queen Bees
[ 2021 ] Sally Hanson
The Starling
[ 2021 ] Velma
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
[ 2022 ] Irene
A Snowy Day in Oakland
[ 2022 ] Jeanette
Bull Street
[ 2022 ] Mrs. Big-Gal
Mack & Rita
[ 2022 ] Sharon

TV Shows

A Different World
Stevie Rallen
Boston Legal
Judge Victoria Thomson, Annabelle Carruthers
Boston Public
Marla Hendricks
Doc McStuffins
Hallie
Eli Stone
Patti Dellacroix
Everybody Hates Chris
Maxine
Girlfriends
Judge Vashti Jackson
Grey's Anatomy
Adele Webber
P-Valley
Ernestine, Ernestine Sayles
Roc
Cynthia
Sirens
Hank's Mother
Supernatural
Missouri Moseley
The Carmichael Show
Cynthia Carmichael
The Client List
Georgia Cummings
The PJs
Muriel Stubbs
Wild Card
M. Pearl McGuire

Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical

Loretta DevineHot Mikado

Videos

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News


Video: Go Behind The Scenes For The Set Construction of THE PREACHER'S WIFE at Allian Photo
Video: Go Behind The Scenes For The Set Construction of THE PREACHER'S WIFE at Alliance Theatre

Go inside the set construction process for The Preacher's Wife at Alliance Theatre in this all-new video.
Tituss Burgess Didn't Think He'd Be The One to Turn THE PREACHER'S WIFE Into A Musica Photo
Tituss Burgess Didn't Think He'd Be The One to Turn THE PREACHER'S WIFE Into A Musical

Tituss Burgess spoke to People about his new musical based on the film The Preacher's Wife, which is currently running at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.
Review: Alliance Theatre Present's The Hit World Premiere of THE PREACHER'S WIFE Photo
Review: Alliance Theatre Present's The Hit World Premiere of THE PREACHER'S WIFE

Every detail of design and it's execution is the epitome of Broadway bold and gold. The Alliance's fly space seems to have reached a new level and the lights pour like honey onto every soloist descending the into floor. From the heavenly choir lofts to the devilish boiler room, each characters' personalities flow effortlessly through the complicated beauty and ugly that it is to be human. There's a lot to take in and worth teasing out into another intermission and third act with Sunday dinner.
Review Roundup: Tituss Burgess' THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere Photo
Review Roundup: Tituss Burgess' THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere

The reviews are starting to roll in for The Alliance Theatre's world premiere musical, THE PREACHER’S WIFE, inspired by the 1996 film of the same name
Video: Go Inside Opening Night Of THE PREACHER'S WIFE in Atlanta Photo
Video: Go Inside Opening Night Of THE PREACHER'S WIFE in Atlanta

On Friday, May 24, 2024, THE PREACHER’S WIFE celebrated opening night at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.  Inspired by the beloved blockbuster film, this world premiere musical was celebrated by stars and audiences alike as it debuted on the Coca-Cola Stage.  Watch as the creative team walks the red carpet in this all-new video!
Video: Watch Footage from THE PREACHER'S WIFE Starring Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, a Photo
Video: Watch Footage from THE PREACHER'S WIFE Starring Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, and More

Watch Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, and more in a new trailer for The Preacher's Wife, running at the Alliance Theatre through June 16th!
Photos: First Look at Amber Riley & More in THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere Photo
Photos: First Look at Amber Riley & More in THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere

Get a first look at photos of The Preacher's Wife at Alliance Theatre! Learn how to purchase tickets.
Video: Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, and More Talk THE PREACHER'S WIFE at Alliance The Photo
Video: Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, and More Talk THE PREACHER'S WIFE at Alliance Theatre

Watch Amber Riley, Loretta Devine, and more discuss The Preacher's Wife, running at the Alliance Theatre through June 16th!
Video: Amber Riley and Akron Lanier Watson Perform 'It Ain't That Serious' From THE P Photo
Video: Amber Riley and Akron Lanier Watson Perform 'It Ain't That Serious' From THE PREACHER'S WIFE

Get a first look at Amber Riley and Akron Lanier Watson performing the song 'It Ain't That Serious' from the new musical THE PREACHER'S WIFE during the sneak-peek, preview event 'Behind the Musical' that took place on April 17. Check out the video here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 3, 2024 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 3, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 3, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Video: Loretta Devine Sings 'That's What She Said' from THE PREACHER'S WIFE Photo
Video: Loretta Devine Sings 'That's What She Said' from THE PREACHER'S WIFE

Get a first listen to That's What She Said' from the new musical The Preacher's Wife performed by Loretta Devine in an all-new video from Alliance Theatre. Inspired by the 1996 film, The Preacher's Wife is a celebration of community, family, and the power of faith.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 7, 2024 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 7, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 7, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Loretta Devine, Amber Riley & More to Star in THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere Photo
Loretta Devine, Amber Riley & More to Star in THE PREACHER'S WIFE World Premiere

The Alliance Theatre has revealed the cast and creative team of its world premiere musical, THE PREACHER’S WIFE. See who is starring and on the creative team along with ticketing information and more.
Q. Smith, Eric Jordan Young, Sally Shaw, & Dexter Conlin Star In SOMETHING TO SING A Photo
Q. Smith, Eric Jordan Young, Sally Shaw, & Dexter Conlin Star In SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT - THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL VALENTI At 54 Below

Join Q. Smith, Eric Jordan Young, Sally Shaw, and Dexter Conlin for an unforgettable night of music in 'Something to Sing About: The Music of Michael Valenti' at 54 Below on Thursday, February 29th.
Photos: Sutton Foster, LaChanze & More Attend PAL JOEY Gala Performance at New York C Photo
Photos: Sutton Foster, LaChanze & More Attend PAL JOEY Gala Performance at New York City Center

New York City Center's Pal Joey opened with a benefit performance last week and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out photos from inside the big night.
Review Roundup: PAL JOEY at New York City Center Photo
Review Roundup: PAL JOEY at New York City Center

NEW YORK CITY CENTER is presenting Pal Joey! which just opened with a benefit performance and runs through November 5. Let's see what the critics had to say...
Photos: New York City Center Opens PAL JOEY With Benefit Performance Photo
Photos: New York City Center Opens PAL JOEY With Benefit Performance

New York City Center's Pal Joey opened with a benefit performance last night, November 1, and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out photos here!
Video: See Highlights From PAL JOEY at New York City Center Photo
Video: See Highlights From PAL JOEY at New York City Center

NEW YORK CITY CENTER is presenting Pal Joey! The production opens with a benefit performance on November 1 (through 5), celebrating 80 years at the center or the arts, followed by a gala dinner at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. See video from the show!
Photos: Get a First Look at PAL JOEY at New York City Center Photo
Photos: Get a First Look at PAL JOEY at New York City Center

Check out photos of Loretta Devine and the cast of Encores! Pal Joey at New York City Center. Get a sneak peek at the talented performers bringing this classic show to life.
Sheryl Lee Ralph Sets Partial Lineup for ¿DIVAS Simply Singing! With Wayne Brady, C Photo
Sheryl Lee Ralph Sets Partial Lineup for ¿DIVAS Simply Singing! With Wayne Brady, Cynthia Erivo & More

Emmy® award-winning and Tony award-nominated actor, singer, producer, philanthropist, and community activist Sheryl Lee Ralph, along with her non-profit charitable organization, The DIVA Foundation, set a star-studded partial lineup of performers and presenters to take the stage at this year’s DIVAS Simply Singing! Raising Health Awareness.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Loretta Devine been in?

Loretta Devine has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Loretta Devine been in?

Loretta Devine has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Loretta Devine been nominated for?

and Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Hot Mikado.

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