Tim Reid

Tim Reid starred as "Venus Flytrap" on the popular CBS television series "WKRP in Cincinnati" from 1978 to 1982. Twice he has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award for "Best Actor in a Comedy" for his popular characters. Reid has had many starring roles over the years in several television series, including "The Richard Pryor Show," "Simon & Simon," "Frank's Place," "Snoops," "Save Our Streets," and the hit WB series "Sister, Sister."

Reid has written for several of the shows that he acted in, including "WKRP in Cincinnati," "Simon & Simon," "Frank's Place," and "Snoops," which he co-starred in with his wife, Daphne Maxwell Reid. Reid has also produced several of his popular television series such as "Frank's Place," "Snoops," and "The Tim & Daphne Show," in which the Reids co-starred and co-created. He received producing nods as a nominee for the Cable Ace Awards and the Producer's Guild Awards for the Family Channel/BET movie "Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad."

In 1988, Reid received two Emmy nominations for "Best Actor in a Comedy" and "Best Producer of a Comedy Series" for his role in CBS' "Frank's Place." He also received both the NAACP Image Award and the Viewers for Quality Television Award for "Best Actor in a Comedy." Reid founded Tim Reid Productions, Inc. in 1989, and through its association with Proctor & Gamble, executive produced the critically acclaimed 1998 CBS movie "About Sarah," starring Mary Steenburgen, Kellie Martin, and Diane Baker for which he received a Christopher Award. In 1990, he co-founded United Image Entertainment through which he produced four independent films. For his critically acclaimed feature film, "Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored," he received producing recognition as "Best in Show" by the Houston International Film Festival and he also won the "Directorial Award" from the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival. In 1999, he was given the "Oscar Micheaux Award" by the Producer's Guild of America for "Outstanding Lifetime Achievement."

In 1997, Reid took a significant step and brought together investors to build his own film studio. As founder and President of New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, VA. NMS' first feature production, "Asunder," starring Blair Underwood, Debbi Morgan, and Michael Beach, was directed and produced by Reid and released through New Millennium Releasing. His African-American history project, "American Legacy Television" has received numerous awards over the past two years. "American Legacy Collection Vol. 1" is available for rent at select Blockbuster Video stores where Reid has secured Blockbuster's first African-American direct vendor deal. For Real, the latest film directed by Reid was produced by his studio and released by New Millennium Releasing along with the soundtrack for the film, which was produced by Reid's new in-house label, Vigilance Records. To complete the circle, Reid has created Obsidian Home Entertainment, a home video distribution company in connection with Ingram Entertainment with a 4-picture distribution deal for the company's films.

Through the years, Reid has felt a deep responsibility to give back to the community and as a result of his tireless efforts and generosity, has been honored by many organizations. In 1991 he was inducted into the National Black College Hall of Fame. In 1996, he received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Norfolk State University. In 1998 he was named "Virginian of the Year" by the Virginia Press Association and received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Virginia State University. In 2000, he received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Central State University and in 2001, from Medgar Evers College of CUNY. In 2003 he received a Doctor of Humane Letters from St. Augustine College and a Doctor of Laws from Bethune Cookman College. Reid has also raised scholarship funds annually through the "Tim Reid Celebrity Weekend" of golf & tennis for The Tim Reid Scholarship Foundation, now in its 13th year.

Reid, born in Norfolk, VA, graduated from Norfolk State University with a BS in Business/Marketing.