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Known for Acting
Born 1963-03-18 in Tarrytown, New York, USA
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American singer, actress, producer, dancer, and model. She was the first Black woman to win Miss America in 1984, but resigned after nude photos of her were published in Penthouse magazine. Williams has since had a successful career in music and acting, selling millions of albums and earning critical acclaim.
The Claudia Winkleman Show (2026) — Self · 1 episode
Happy Clothes: A Film About Patricia Field (2024) — Self
The Little Pageant That Could (2024) — Self (archive footage)
Elsbeth (2024) — Roslyn Bridwell · 1 episode
Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming a Space (2023) — Narrator (voice)
Celebrating 50 Years of Broadway's Best (2023) — Self
Tripped Up (2023) — Patricia Chamberlain
Velma (2023) — Dr. Perdue (voice) · 6 episodes
Los lunes a las 9 (2022) — Self (Archive Footage)
The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022) · 1 episode
Sherri (2022) — Self - Guest · 1 episode
Bad Hair (2021) — Zora
Show of Titles (2021) — "Dear World" Performer
Queen of the Universe (2021) — Self - Judge · 14 episodes
Girls5eva (2021) — Nance Trace · 3 episodes
Name That Tune (2021) — Self - Contestant · 1 episode
Blankety Blank (2021) — Self - Panellist · 1 episode
Singleholic (2020) — Jackie Chisolm
Vanessa Williams: Live From the West Side (2020)
There She Is (2020)
Stars in the House (2020) — Self · 1 episode
Stars in the House (2020) — Self - Special Guest · 1 episode
RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race (2020) — Vanquisha Da House - Contestant · 1 episode
Calling All T.O.T.S. (2020) — Captain Beakman (voice) · 10 episodes
Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams (2020) — Self - Host · 1 episode
Miss Virginia (2019) — Sally Rae
Batman: Hush (2019) — Amanda Waller (voice)
The Tamron Hall Show (2019) — Self - Guest · 1 episode
A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019) — Delilah · 1 episode
American Style (2019) — Self · 4 episodes
T.O.T.S. (2019) — Captain Beakman (voice) · 150 episodes
The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) — Self · 1 episode
First Wives Club (2019) — Nancy · 1 episode
The Legend of Hallowaiian (2018) — Fire Goddess (voice)
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018) — Amanda Waller (voice)
Celebrity Catchphrase (2018) — Self - Contestant · 1 episode
The Man from Earth: Holocene (2017) — Carolyn
Not Black Enough (2017) — Self
Daytime Divas (2017) — Maxine Robinson · 10 episodes
The Secret She Kept (2016) — Beverly
VH1 Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night (2016) — Self
The $100,000 Pyramid (2016) — Self · 1 episode
Match Game (2016) — Self - Panelist · 1 episode
Show Boat (2015) — Julie LaVerne
Difficult People (2015) — Trish · 1 episode
The Trip to Bountiful (2014) — Jessie Mae Watts
Broad City (2014) — Elizabeth Carlton · 1 episode
The Librarians (2014) — Cynthia Rockwell · 4 episodes
Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013) — Janice
He's Way More Famous Than You (2013) — Vanessa Williams
666 Park Avenue (2012) — Olivia Doran · 13 episodes
The Mindy Project (2012) — Dr. Phillips · 1 episode
Bethenny (2012) — Self - Guest · 1 episode
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2012) — Self - Guest Judge · 1 episode
Doc McStuffins (2012) — Delilah the Nesting Doll (voice) · 1 episode
A Mother's Love (2011) — Rochelle Richardson
The Jonathan Ross Show (2011) — Self - Guest · 1 episode
Who Do You Think You Are? (2010) — Self · 1 episode
The Talk (2010) — Self · 1 episode
Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009) — Vita
RuPaul's Drag Race (2009) — Self - Special Guest · 1 episode
RuPaul's Drag Race (2009) · 1 episode
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) — Self - Guest · 4 episodes
RuPaul's Drag Race (2009) — Self - Guest Judge · 1 episode
RuPaul's Drag Race (2009) — Self - Judge (archive footage) · 1 episode
Modern Family (2009) — Rhonda · 1 episode
The Good Wife (2009) — Courtney Paige · 4 episodes
Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade (2008) — Self
The Wendy Williams Show (2008) · 1 episode
And Then Came Love (2007) — Julie
Shear Genius (2007) · 1 episode
Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies (2007) — Mama Mirabelle (voice) · 26 episodes
The Graham Norton Show (2007) — Self · 1 episode
My Brother (2006) — L'Tisha Morton
Rehearsing a Dream (2006) — Self
Desperate Housewives: Les Secrets de la Série (2006) — Renee Perry
South Beach (2006) — Elizabeth Bauer · 8 episodes
Ugly Betty (2006) — Wilhelmina Slater · 85 episodes
Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards (2005) — Witch (segment "Into the Woods") (archive footage)
Gift for the Living (2005) — Narrator
Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade (2005) — Self
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005) — Self · 1 episode
The Reichen Show (2005) — Self · 1 episode
Johnson Family Vacation (2004) — Dorothy Johnson
The 7th Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest (2004) — Self
Christmas in Washington (2004)
Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song? (2004) — Self (archive footage)
The Tony Danza Show (2004) — Self - Guest · 5 episodes
Desperate Housewives (2004) — Renee Perry · 44 episodes
On Air with Ryan Seacrest (2004) — Self · 1 episode
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives (2003)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) — Self · 3 episodes
The Bachelorette (2003) — Self · 1 episode
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) — Self · 1 episode
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) — Self - Guest · 1 episode
Keep the Faith, Baby (2002) — Hazel Scott
It's Black Entertainment (2002) — Self - Host
Miss America (2002) — Self (archival footage)
Boomtown (2002) — Detective Katherine Pierce · 6 episodes
WW3 (2001) — M.J. Blake (as Vanessa L. Williams)
Santa, Baby! (2001) — Alicia (voice)
Good Day Live (2001) — Self · 1 episode
The Proud Family (2001) — Debra (voice) · 1 episode
Shaft (2000) — Carmen Vasquez
A Diva's Christmas Carol (2000) — Ebony Scrooge
The Courage to Love (2000) — Mother Henriette Delille
Shaft: Still the Man (2000) — Self
Don Quixote (2000) — Dulcinea / Aldonza
Afrocentricity (2000) — Self
Christmas is Coming: Rob Mathes & Very Special Friends (2000) — Herself
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999) — Queen of Trash
Futuresport (1999) — Alexandra 'Alex' Torres
Light It Up (1999) — Audrey McDonald
Dance with Me (1998) — Ruby Sinclair
Pavarotti & Friends - For the Children of Liberia (1998) — Self
L.A. Doctors (1998) — Leanne Barrows · 3 episodes
VH1 Divas (1998) · 1 episode
Hoodlum (1997) — Francine Hughes
Soul Food (1997) — Teri
The View (1997) — Self · 6 episodes
The Odyssey (1997) — Calypso · 2 episodes
The View (1997) — Self - Guest · 1 episode
Ally McBeal (1997) — Sheila Hunt · 1 episode
Eraser (1996) — Lee
Jungle Cubs (1996) · 1 episode
The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) — Self - Guest · 1 episode
Bye Bye Birdie (1995) — Rose Alvarez
Nothing Lasts Forever (1995) — Dr. Kathy 'Kat' Hunter
Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II (1995) — Self
MADtv (1995) — Self · 1 episode
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995) — Beauty (voice) · 1 episode
Nothing Lasts Forever (1995) — Dr. Kathy 'Kat' Hunter · 2 episodes
Score with Chicks (1994)
David Foster's Christmas Album (1993) — Self
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) — Arandis · 1 episode
Intimate Portrait (1993) — Self (archive footage) · 1 episode
Stompin' at the Savoy (1992) — Pauline
The Jaleel White Special (1992) — Self
The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) — Suzanne de Passe · 2 episodes
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991) — Lulu Daniels
Another You (1991) — Gloria
Seriously... Phil Collins (1990) — Rachel - TV Executive
Perry Mason: The Case of the Silenced Singer (1990) — Terri Knight
The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990) — Lynette Parks
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) — Danny Mitchell · 1 episode
Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal (1989) — Valentine Hayward
Under the Gun (1988) — Samantha Richards
LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) — Self - Guest · 4 episodes
American Experience (1988) — Narrator (voice) · 1 episode
The Pick-up Artist (1987) — Rae, Girl with Dog
Motown Returns to the Apollo (1985)
Partners in Crime (1984) · 1 episode
T. J. Hooker (1982) — Officer Pat Williamson · 1 episode
A Capitol Fourth (1980) — Self · 46 episodes
Saturday Night Live (1975) — Self - Musical Guest · 2 episodes
Days of Our Lives (1965) — Valerie Grant · 3 episodes
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) — Self · 1 episode
Tony Awards (1956) — Self - Performer · 1 episode
Miss America (1954) — Miss New York 1983 · 1 episode
The Oscars (1953) — Self · 1 episode
Women Like Us
Baby of the Family — Gloria