Loretta Devine

Loretta Devine (born August 21, 1949 in Houston, Texas) is an American actor. She played teacher Marla Hendricks on the TV show Boston Public.

Related Topics:
August 21 - 1949 - Houston, Texas - American - Actor - TV show - Boston Public

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She can also be seen in I Am Sam as Margaret Calgrove. She played the security guard in Urban Legend and '.

Related Topics:
I Am Sam - Urban Legend

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Devine first captured attention in "Dreamgirls", a Broadway musical loosely based on the history of the Supremes. It premiered on December 20,1981 and ran for over 1500 performances; it eventually won two Tonys. Minor roles for Devine followed in films such as "Little Nikita" and "Stanley and Iris."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1995, however, she landed one of her meatiest parts ever as Gloria Matthews in "Waiting to Exhale", joined by Whitney Houston, Gregory Hines, and Angela Bassett, among others. The role earned her an NAACP Image Award for best supporting actress, as did her next movie, The Preacher's Wife, her second movie with Houston and Hines.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2000, Devine got the role of teacher Marla Hendricks on Fox's TV drama "Boston Public". 2001, 2003, and the following year saw her win three more Image Awards for her work in the series. In 2004, the year the show was canceled, she nailed yet another Image award nomination for "Woman Thou Art Loosed."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She also appeared in the film "Crash" released in 2005.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~