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Olivia Brown

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Olivia Brown
Brown in 2007
Born1956 or 1957 (age 67–68)
OccupationActress
Years active1979–present
Spouses
(m. 1983; div. 1985)
  • James Okonkwo
Children2
RelativesSteve Brown (brother)

Olivia Brown (born c. 1956 or 1957)[1] is an American actress, best known for her role as detective Trudy Joplin in the NBC crime drama series Miami Vice (1984–1989).

Life and career

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Brown was born in Frankfurt, West Germany, and raised in Sacramento, California. After graduating from C.K. McClatchy High School[citation needed], she got a scholarship to Parsons School of Design in New York. However she didn't want to leave her family on the opposite side of the country, so she enrolled at Sacramento City College followed by Sacramento State College.[2]

Brown made her big screen debut appearing in an supporting role in the 1982 action comedy film 48 Hrs.[3] She later appeared in Streets of Fire (1984), Throw Momma from the Train (1987), Identity Crisis (1989), Man's Best Friend (1993) and All Tied Up (1994). From 1984 to 1989, she starred as Detective Trudy Joplin in the NBC crime drama series Miami Vice.[4]

Brown guest-starred on T.J. Hooker, The Love Boat, Family Matters, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Sister, Sister. She had recurring roles on Hill Street Blues, Designing Women,[5] Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Beverly Hills, 90210, Moesha and 7th Heaven. Brown also was regular in the NBC sitcom Dear John from 1990 to 1991.[6][7]

Personal life

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Brown was married to Mykelti Williamson for two years, from 1983 until their divorce in 1985.[8] She is currently married to James Okonkwo, with whom she has two children.[citation needed]

Brown and actor Bruce Willis dined at a restaurant on June 16, 1987.[9]

Her brother is Steve Brown, who played for the Houston Oilers of the NFL during the late 1980s.[10]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1982 48 Hrs. Candy
1984 Streets of Fire Addie
1989 Throw Momma from the Train Ms. Gladstone
Identity Crisis Domino
1990 Memories of Murder Brenda TV movie
1993 Man's Best Friend Lab Assistant
1994 All Tied Up Tara Video
1998 Mr. P's Dancing Sushi Bar Natalie
2009 Not Easily Broken Mrs. Reid
2010 Fast Lane Mama
2012 House Arrest Rachel Willows
2017 Our Dream Christmas Stephanie Carter

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1983 T.J. Hooker Rhoda Episode: "Sweet Sixteen and Dead"
For Love and Honor Sammy Episode: "For Love and Honor (Pilot)"
Hill Street Blues Vicki Recurring cast: season 4
1986 The Love Boat Lois Hendrix Episode: "Spain Cruise: The Matadors: Parts 1 & 2"
1984-89 Miami Vice Detective Trudy Joplin Main cast
1989 Paradise Belle Episode: "All the Pretty Little Horses"
Monsters Jewel Episode: "Love Hurts"
Family Matters Vanessa Episode: "Stake-Out"
1990 Designing Women Vanessa Hargraves Recurring cast: Season 4
1990-91 Dear John Denise Recurring cast: season 3
1991 Roc Nadine Episode: "He's Gotta Have It"
1993 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Lola Episode: "You Bet Your Life"
Out All Night - Episode: "Under My Thumb"
1994 The Sinbad Show - Episode: "David Goes Skiing"
CBS Schoolbreak Special Ms. Jackson Episode: "Kids Killing Kids"
1995 Sister, Sister Lucy Episode: "Dream Lover"
1995-96 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Star Recurring cast: Season 3
1996-03 7th Heaven Patricia Hamilton Recurring cast: season 1 & 3, guest: season 2 & 5 & 7
1997 Beverly Hills, 90210 Professor Langely Recurring cast: season 3
The Gregory Hines Show Cheri Episode: "Sofa So Good"
1998 Murder Call Mrs. Bisley Episode: "Skin Deep"
2001 Moesha Barbara Lee Recurring cast: season 6

References

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  1. ^ Reid, Dixie (July 15, 1990). "A hot night, but no stars". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  2. ^ "Olivia Brown's Biography". www.oliviabrown.net. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  3. ^ Maslin, Janet (December 8, 1982). "NICK NOLTE AND EDDIE MURPHY IN '48 HOURS'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  4. ^ Aitchison, Diana (March 12, 1986). "'MIAMI VICE' STAR OLIVIA BROWN HELPS RAISE $1,000 FOR CHARITY". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  5. ^ O'Connor, John J. (January 1, 1990). "Review/Television; The Birth Rate Is Rising Sharply As Networks Court Baby Boomers". The New York Times. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  6. ^ "'VICE' COP JOINS 'DEAR JOHN'". Chicago Tribune. October 21, 1990. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  7. ^ "Olivia Brown Gets Spot on 'Dear John' Series". Jet. February 11, 1991 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ Day, Carol (January 26, 1998). "Bubba Busted". People. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  9. ^ "Actress Olivia Brown and actor Bruce Willis At La Scala".
  10. ^ "Bears' defensive tackle Steve McMichael noted whimsically..." Chicago Tribune. October 12, 1986. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
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