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Loretta Devine Headshot

Loretta Devine

Loretta Devine is an Emmy Award-winning actress whose career spans Broadway, film, television, and voice acting. She made her Broadway debut in the 1977 revival of Hair and went on to appear in A Broadway Musical and Comin’ Uptown opposite Gregory Hines.

Date of Birth: August 21, 1949 (77)

Birth Place: Houston, TX, USA

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BIO

Loretta Devine is an Emmy Award-winning actress whose career spans Broadway, film, television, and voice acting. She made her Broadway debut in the 1977 revival of Hair and went on to appear in A Broadway Musical and Comin’ Uptown opposite Gregory Hines. In 1981, she originated the role of Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls, starring alongside Sheryl Lee Ralph and Jennifer Holliday in the landmark musical. Her stage credits also include Glinda in the Apollo Theater’s 1995 revival of The Wiz and the Alliance Theatre’s 2024 production of The Preacher’s Wife.


On screen, Devine is known for her performances as Gloria Matthews in Waiting to Exhale and Juanita Sims in For Colored Girls. Her extensive television credits include A Different World, Boston Public, and Grey’s Anatomy, for which her portrayal of Adele Webber earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series. She also starred as Amelia “M’Dear” McKellan in Netflix’s Family Reunion and lent her voice to Muriel Stubbs in The PJs and Hallie in Disney’s Doc McStuffins.

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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

Six Degrees of Broadway Beta

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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
Lost & Found in Cleveland
[ 2024 ] Joy Morris
Rock the Boat 2
[ 2024 ]
Will
[ 2025 ] Jean
Finding Faith
[ 2025 ] Helen

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
Holidazed
[ 2024 ] Linda Lewin
Doctor Odyssey
[ 2024 ]
Everybody Still Hates Chris
[ 2024 ]
Tempted by Love: A Terry McMillan Presentation
[ 2024 ] Miss Mimi
The Loud House
[ 2014-2024 ] Nana Gayle
Lil Kev
[ 2025-2025 ] Lunch Lady Gloria (voice)
Red for Revolution
[ 2025-2025 ] Lorraine Giovanni (Present Day)

Awards and Nominations

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

Loretta Devine, Hot Mikado

Videos

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News

P-VALLEY to Return for Final Season on STARZ Photo
P-VALLEY to Return for Final Season on STARZ
by Rachel Stone - Oct 16, 2026

STARZ will release the opening scene from the third and final season of the critically acclaimed drama P-VALLEY, with the season premiere arriving with two episodes.
Photos: Lil Kev to Return for Season Two on Paramount+ Photo
Photos: Lil Kev to Return for Season Two on Paramount+
by Rachel Stone - Oct 16, 2026

The animated comedy series inspired by Kevin Hart's childhood in 1990s Philadelphia returns with ten new episodes. Season two follows twelve-year-old Kev as he navigates the juvenile justice system.
DREAMGIRLS Original Broadway Cast: Where Are They Now? Photo
DREAMGIRLS Original Broadway Cast: Where Are They Now?
by Michael Gioia - Oct 17, 2026

BroadwayWorld looks back on the 1981 Broadway musical 'Dreamgirls,' which ran for more than 1,500 performances, and what members of its cast are up to now.
FOREVER, THIS RING Premieres in Los Angeles with Taye Diggs
by Rachel Stone - Sep 30, 2026

Turnstr+ presented the Los Angeles premiere of its debut film project FOREVER, THIS RING, a psychological thriller starring Taye Diggs, Loretta Devine, La'Myia Good, and Erica Mena at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Watch the Trailer for FOREVER, THIS RING, Starring Taye Diggs
by Rachel Stone - Sep 25, 2026

The trailer for FOREVER, THIS RING is here, starring Taye Diggs, Loretta Devine and La'Myia Good. The psychological thriller streams on Turnstr+ October 2.
Photos: FOREVER, THIS RING to Premiere at TCL Chinese Theater Photo
Photos: FOREVER, THIS RING to Premiere at TCL Chinese Theater
by Rachel Stone - Sep 21, 2026

The Turnstr+ debut film starring Taye Diggs, Loretta Devine and La'Myia Good will premiere at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles before its streaming release on the new platform.
Photos: P-VALLEY to Conclude with Final Season Premiere on STARZ Photo
Photos: P-VALLEY to Conclude with Final Season Premiere on STARZ
by Rachel Stone - Sep 10, 2026

STARZ will premiere the third and final season of P-VALLEY, the critically acclaimed drama from creator Katori Hall. The season will debut with two episodes before subsequent installments stream weekly.
Photos: On the BEACHES Opening Night Red Carpet Photo
Photos: On the BEACHES Opening Night Red Carpet
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 23, 2026

Beaches has made it to Broadway! The new musical just celebrated its opening night at the Majestic Theatre, where it is set to run through Sunday, September 6. Check out photos from the star-studded opening night red carpet here.
AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL Unveils 30th Anniversary Slate Photo
AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL Unveils 30th Anniversary Slate
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 8, 2026

The American Black Film Festival has announced its 30th anniversary lineup. The festival will feature world premieres across film and television. Events will take place in Miami Beach.
THE MS. PAT SHOW Renewed for a Sixth Season at BET Photo
THE MS. PAT SHOW Renewed for a Sixth Season at BET
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 26, 2026

The multi-Emmy-nominated comedy series The Ms. Pat Show, starring Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams, will return for a sixth season at BET and Paramount+. The upcoming season will be among the first BET originals to stream on Paramount+.
Q. Smith Joins MOMS' NIGHT OUT at The Green Room 42 Photo
Q. Smith Joins MOMS' NIGHT OUT at The Green Room 42
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2026

Q. Smith will join the Moms' Night Out concert at The Green Room 42 on April 18th. Moms' Night Out is the ultimate cabaret series where your favorite showbiz mamas gather for an evening of storytelling in song.
Photos: First Look at Peacock Crime Drama Series M.I.A. Photo
Photos: First Look at Peacock Crime Drama Series M.I.A.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 12, 2026

Peacock has revealed the first look and premiere date for the forthcoming crime drama series M.I.A. from Ozark co-creator Bill Dubuque and showrunner Karen Campbell. Take a look at photos here.
2026 Slamdance Film Festival Unveils Full Lineup Photo
2026 Slamdance Film Festival Unveils Full Lineup
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 14, 2026

The 2026 Slamdance Film Festival, the artist-led organization “by filmmakers, for filmmakers,” has unveiled its 2026 lineup. The festival will run in-person from February 19 to 25, 2026, and virtually from February 24 to March 6, 2026.
Video: Watch the Trailer for Season 5 of BET+ Series THE MS. PAT SHOW Photo
Video: Watch the Trailer for Season 5 of BET+ Series THE MS. PAT SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 6, 2026

The Ms. Pat Show will return with its fifth season on BET+ on Wednesday, January 7, with three all-new episodes. Watch the trailer now, which previews the return of Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams-Lee.
The Amours Join WAITING TO EXHALE Concert Program Photo
The Amours Join WAITING TO EXHALE Concert Program
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 8, 2025

The Amours have been added to Waiting To Exhale In Concert Live to Film at Brooklyn's Kings Theatre, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of the iconic film originally released by 20th Century Fox.
Andra Day, Sheléa, & More To Headline WAITING TO EXHALE Concert Program at Kings The Photo
Andra Day, Sheléa, & More To Headline WAITING TO EXHALE Concert Program at Kings Theatre
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 25, 2025

The premiere of Waiting To Exhale In Concert Live to Film at Brooklyn's Kings Theatre will take place in December in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the film, originally released by 20th Century Fox. The lineup includes performances by Andra Day, Sheléa, Deborah Cox and Tamar Braxton.
Photos: Tribeca Film Festival Hosts Special Screening of LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND Photo
Photos: Tribeca Film Festival Hosts Special Screening of LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 5, 2025

The Tribeca Film Festival welcomed members and Broadway favorites for a special screening and Q&A of Lost & Found in Cleveland at Regal Union Square. See photos from the event below!
Video: Jennifer Holliday Reflects on DREAMGIRLS in JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW Interview Photo
Video: Jennifer Holliday Reflects on DREAMGIRLS in JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW Interview
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 24, 2025

Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday recently joined The Jennifer Hudson Show and took a look back at the original 1981 Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Check out her conversation with Hudson here.
Is PAL JOEY Coming Back to Broadway Next Season? Photo
Is PAL JOEY Coming Back to Broadway Next Season?
by Rialto Chatter - Apr 11, 2025

A new version of Pal Joey, co-directed by Tony Goldwyn and Savion Glover, is soon casting for developmental work sessions in NYC. A version of the show was presented at New York City Center in late 2023, and has been circling a Broadway bow since 2021.
WICKED, THE GREAT GATSBY & More Win Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Awards Photo
WICKED, THE GREAT GATSBY & More Win Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 16, 2025

The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild (IATSE Local 706) announced winners of its 12th Annual MUAHS Awards, presented by L’Oréal Groupe and Giovanni Eco Chic Beauty, before a liveaudience at The Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel tonight. The MUAHS Awards recognize excellence in the artistry and creativity of Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists in 23 categories.
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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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