Jasmine Guy

Jasmine Guy is a multifaceted artist whose career spans various artistic disciplines including acting, dancing, singing, choreography, and writing. Over the years, Guy has created memorable characters and contributed significantly to the arts. Most notably, she played Whitley Gilbert on the 1990s television series "A Different World," a role for which she earned six consecutive NAACP Image Awards. On Broadway, she has starred as Velma Kelly in "Chicago" and penned the biography "Evolution of a Revolutionary," about Afeni Shakur, black activist and mother of rapper Tupac Shakur.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 10th, Guy's artistic journey began early. The family later moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she immersed herself in dance, studying at Spelman College Dance School and with the Atlanta Ballet Company. By age 17, she received a scholarship to the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. In 1982, she left the Ailey company to perform in the television series "Fame" and later achieved fame in her iconic role in "A Different World" beginning in 1987.

Guy's recent projects showcase her versatility and commitment to staying active in the entertainment industry. She appears in "Harlem," a comedy series on Amazon Prime, and stars in "The Lady Makers," also on Amazon Prime. She has completed filming for "Not Just Another Church Movie" and "A Wesley Family Christmas," set for release this winter. Additionally, Guy had a multi-episode role in "Grey’s Anatomy" and has been part of various television series including "Dead Like Me," "The Quad," and "Vampire Diaries."

Her film repertoire is equally impressive, featuring roles in "School Daze," "Harlem Nights," "October Baby," and the Oscar-nominated short "My Nephew Emmett." As a director, she has led productions of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf," among others.

In addition to her extensive performing career, Guy is an accomplished singer, with a debut album in the early 1990s and has toured with the show "Raisin’ Cane," about the Harlem Renaissance.

Jasmine Guy resides in Los Angeles, where she is also active in various community and charitable organizations, contributing her time and talent to causes such as Women at Risk and the Jackie Robinson Foundation. She remains a powerful influence in both the entertainment and philanthropic worlds, inspiring others with her dedication and artistic passion.