The roller coaster career of actress and singer Vanessa L. Williams provides an excellent example of fortitude, resilience, and real talent winning out over adversity. In 1983, the dark-skinned, raven-haired, green-eyed Williams made history when she was the first black woman to be chosen Miss America. For a time she was the country's darling as she toured about, attending to her royal duties, but when Penthouse magazine published graphic nude photographs that she had posed for years before, Williams lost her crown, two million dollars in product endorsements, and the lead in a Broadway show; suddenly, America's sweetheart found herself the subject of moral outrage, criticisms, and sniggering jokes. But though her career and reputation were in shambles, Williams kept her dignity and faith, and continued on, first making her name as a successful R&B singer (one of her songs went gold, "Save the Best for Last") and then receiving considerable critical acclaim on Broadway for starring in Kiss of the Spider Woman. Williams made her feature film debut in The Pick-Up Artist (1987) and went on to forge a steady career as an actress. Notable subsequent film roles include one co-starring with Arnold Schwarzenegger in Eraser (1996) and the part of a career-obsessed wife in Soul Food (1997). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Filmography
Johnson Family Vacation (2004) (as Vanessa Williams) .... Dorothy Johnson
Keep the Faith, Baby (2002) (TV) .... Hazel Scott
WW3 (2001) (TV) (as Vanessa Williams)
Our Favorite Things: Christmas in Vienna (2000) (TV) (as Vanessa Williams) .... Performer
A Diva's Christmas Carol (2000) (TV) (as Vanessa Williams) .... Ebony Scrooge
Shaft (2000) (as Vanessa Williams) .... Carmen Vasquez
Don Quixote (2000) (TV) .... Dulcinea/Aldonza
The Courage to Love (2000) (TV) .... Mother Henriette Delille
Light It Up (1999) .... Audrey McDonald
The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999) .... Queen of Trash
Futuresport (1998) (TV) (as Vanessa Williams) .... Alexandra 'Alex' Torres
Dance with Me (1998) .... Ruby Sinclair
Soul Food (1997) .... Teri
Hoodlum (1997) .... Francine Hughes
The Odyssey (1997) (TV) (as Vanessa Williams) .... Calypso
Eraser (1996) (as Vanessa Williams) .... Dr. Lee Cullen
Bye Bye Birdie (1995) (TV) (as Vanessa Williams) .... Rose Alvarez
"Nothing Lasts Forever" (1995) (mini) TV Series .... Dr. Kathy 'Kat' Hunter
Score with Chicks (1994) (V)
The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) (TV) (as Vanessa Williams) .... Suzanne de Passe
Stompin' at the Savoy (1992) (TV) .... Pauline
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man (1991) .... Lulu Daniels
Another You (1991) (as Vanessa Williams) .... Gloria
Perry Mason: The Case of the Silenced Singer (1990) (TV) .... Terri Knight
The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990) (TV) .... Lynette Parks
Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal (1989) (TV) .... Valentine Hayward
Under the Gun (1988) .... Samantha Richards
The Pick-up Artist (1987) .... Rae
Filmography as: Actress, Miscellaneous Crew, Producer, Herself, Archive Footage, Notable TV Guest Appearances
Miscellaneous Crew - filmography
The 68th Annual Academy Awards (1996) (TV) (singer: "Colors of the Wind")
Pocahontas (1995) (vocalist: "Colors of the Wind")
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) (singer: "Save The Best For Last") (as Vanessa Williams)
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