Jenifer Lewis
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Jenifer Jeanette Lewis (born January 25, 1957) is an American film and television actress and singer. She is one of Hollywood's most familiar faces, with more than 300 appearances in film and television and was dubbed a "national treasure" by TV Guide.com. She began her career appearing in Broadway musicals and worked as a back-up singer for Bette Midler before appearing in the films Beaches and Sister Act. She delivered legendary performances as Tina Turner's mother in What's Love Got to Do With It and in The Preacher's Wife as the mother of Whitney Houston's character. She starred opposite Matt Damon in Clint Eastwood's Hereafter. For director Tyler Perry, she created unforgettable characters in Madea's Family Reunion and Meet the Browns. In the movie Cast Away, she portrayed Tom Hanks' boss. In animated films, Jenifer's uniquely recognizable voice is adored by Disney fans worldwide in roles such as "Flo" in Cars and Cars 2, and as "Mama Odie" in The Princess and the Frog. For six seasons, Jenifer portrayed "Lana Hawkins" on Lifetime's hit series Strong Medicine. She starred on the hit show Black-ish (ABC), where her hilarious portrayal of "Ruby Johnson" earned her a nomination for the 2016 Critics Choice Award. She has also written two books: The Mother of Black Hollywood and Walking in My Joy: In These Streets.
Known for
Credits
GOAT (2026)
as Flo Everson (voice)
Cars 3 (2017)
as Flo (voice)
Cars 2 (2011)
as Flo (voice)
Cars (2006)
as Flo (voice)
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
as Mama Odie (voice)
Cast Away (2000)
as Becca Twig
Shark Tale (2004)
as Motown Turtle (voice)
The Wedding Ringer (2015)
as Doris Jenkins
The Addams Family (2019)
as Great Auntie Sloom (Voice)
Sister Act (1992)
as Michelle
Spellbound (2024)
as Nazara (voice)
Blast from the Past (1999)
as Dr. Aron
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
as Vegas Backup Singer #1
Hereafter (2010)
as Candace
Mystery Men (1999)
as Lucille
Madea's Family Reunion (2006)
as Milay Jenay Lori
Dead Presidents (1995)
as Mrs. Curtis
What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)
as Zelma Bullock
Think Like a Man (2012)
as Loretta Hanover
Jackie's Back! (1999)
as Jackie Washington
Poetic Justice (1993)
as Annie
Think Like a Man Too (2014)
as Loretta
Zambezia (2012)
as Gogo (voice)
The Preacher's Wife (1996)
as Margueritte Coleman
Renaissance Man (1994)
as Mrs. Coleman
Not Easily Broken (2009)
as Mary 'Mama' Clark
Antwone Fisher (2002)
as Aunt Mary Williams (uncredited)
Beaches (1988)
as Diva
Corrina, Corrina (1994)
as Jevina
Undercover Blues (1993)
as Cab Driver
This Is Me…Now (2024)
as Gemini
The Meteor Man (1993)
as Mrs. Williams
Panther (1995)
as Rita
Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020)
as Margeline
The Radiator Springs 500½ (2014)
as Flo (voice)
The Mighty (1998)
as Mrs. Addison
The Cookout (2004)
as Lady Em
Who's Your Caddy? (2007)
as C-Note's Mom
Juwanna Mann (2002)
as Aunt Ruby
Commitment to Life (2023)
as Self (archive footage)
Baggage Claim (2013)
as Catherine Moore
Meet the Browns (2008)
as Vera
Girl 6 (1996)
as Boss #1 - Lil
Hiccups (2013)
as Flo (voice)
The Brothers (2001)
as Louise Smith
Get Bruce! (1999)
as Self
Geared-Up (2006)
Actor
The Greatest Love Story Never Told (2024)
as Self
Earth to America (2005)
as Self
black-ish: A Celebration – An ABC News Special (2022)
as Self
Frozen Assets (1992)
as Jomisha
Five (2011)
as Maggie
Deconstructing Sarah (1994)
as Betty
Redrum (2007)
as Therapist
Prop 8: The Musical (2008)
as Riffing Prop 8'er
Shake, Rattle and Rock! (1994)
as Amanda
Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan (1995)
as Denice Cooper
Jewel's Catch One (2017)
as Self
Women Like Us (—)
Actor
Ado (2025)
as Ms. Hopkins
Nora's Hair Salon (2004)
as Nora
Dirty Laundry (2006)
as Aunt Lettuce
Little Richard (2000)
as Muh Penniman
Forbidden (2018)
Actor
Dancing in September (2001)
as Judge Warner
An Unexpected Life (1998)
as Camille
Partners (2000)
as Detective Lancy
Bette Midler: Art or Bust (1984)
as Self - Harlette
When Harry Met Sally 2 with Billy Crystal & Helen Mirren (2011)
as Retirement Home Waitress (uncredited)
Rituals (1998)
as Carmen
Finding Kendrick Johnson (2021)
as Narrator (voice)
Sunday in Paris (1991)
as Taylor Chase
All Boys Aren't Blue (2021)
Actor
Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back (2019)
as Self (archive footage)
Secrets of the Magic City (2015)
as Aunt Valerie
Bette Midler: No Frills (1983)
as Herself