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 2 (2011)
as Flo (voice)
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
as Mama Odie (voice)
Cars 3 (2017)
as Flo (voice)
Cars (2006)
as Flo (voice)
Cast Away (2000)
as Becca Twig
Shark Tale (2004)
as Motown Turtle (voice)
The Addams Family (2019)
as Great Auntie Sloom (Voice)
Spellbound (2024)
as Nazara (voice)
Sister Act (1992)
as Michelle
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
as Vegas Backup Singer #1
Blast from the Past (1999)
as Dr. Aron
Mystery Men (1999)
as Lucille
The Wedding Ringer (2015)
as Doris Jenkins
Juwanna Mann (2002)
as Aunt Ruby
Zambezia (2012)
as Gogo (voice)
The Mighty (1998)
as Mrs. Addison
Poetic Justice (1993)
as Annie
Hereafter (2010)
as Candace
Dead Presidents (1995)
as Mrs. Curtis
Think Like a Man Too (2014)
as Loretta
Think Like a Man (2012)
as Loretta Hanover
Madea's Family Reunion (2006)
as Milay Jenay Lori
Renaissance Man (1994)
as Mrs. Coleman
Beaches (1988)
as Diva
What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)
as Zelma Bullock
Corrina, Corrina (1994)
as Jevina
This Is Me…Now (2024)
as Gemini
Antwone Fisher (2002)
as Aunt Mary Williams (uncredited)
The Preacher's Wife (1996)
as Margueritte Coleman
Not Easily Broken (2009)
as Mary 'Mama' Clark
Girl 6 (1996)
as Boss #1 - Lil
The Meteor Man (1993)
as Mrs. Williams
Get Bruce! (1999)
as Self
Undercover Blues (1993)
as Cab Driver
The Brothers (2001)
as Louise Smith
Meet the Browns (2008)
as Vera
The Cookout (2004)
as Lady Em
Baggage Claim (2013)
as Catherine Moore
Jackie's Back! (1999)
as Jackie Washington
Who's Your Caddy? (2007)
as C-Note's Mom
Panther (1995)
as Rita
Five (2011)
as Maggie
Forbidden (2018)
Actor
Frozen Assets (1992)
as Jomisha
Geared-Up (2006)
Actor
Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020)
as Margeline
Commitment to Life (2023)
as Self (archive footage)
Prop 8: The Musical (2008)
as Riffing Prop 8'er
The Radiator Springs 500½ (2014)
as Flo (voice)
Earth to America (2005)
as Self
Dirty Laundry (2006)
as Aunt Lettuce
Hiccups (2013)
as Flo (voice)
Deconstructing Sarah (1994)
as Betty
When Harry Met Sally 2 with Billy Crystal & Helen Mirren (2011)
as Retirement Home Waitress (uncredited)
An Unexpected Life (1998)
as Camille
Redrum (2007)
as Therapist
Deadline for Murder: From the Files of Edna Buchanan (1995)
as Denice Cooper
The Greatest Love Story Never Told (2024)
as Self
Nora's Hair Salon (2004)
as Nora
Little Richard (2000)
as Muh Penniman
Partners (2000)
as Detective Lancy
Rituals (1998)
as Carmen
Shake, Rattle and Rock! (1994)
as Amanda
black-ish: A Celebration – An ABC News Special (2022)
as Self
Dancing in September (2001)
as Judge Warner
Secrets of the Magic City (2015)
as Aunt Valerie
Jewel's Catch One (2017)
as Self
Maurice Hines: Bring Them Back (2019)
as Self (archive footage)
Bette Midler: Art or Bust (1984)
as Self - Harlette
Sunday in Paris (1991)
as Taylor Chase
Tiana's Bayou Adventure | Disneyland Resort (2025)
as Mama Odie (Voice)
All Boys Aren't Blue (2021)
Actor
Finding Kendrick Johnson (2021)
as Narrator (voice)
Bette Midler: No Frills (1983)
as Herself
Ado (2025)
as Ms. Hopkins