Holly Robinson Peete Explained

Holly Robinson Peete
Birth Name:Holly Elizabeth Robinson
Birth Date:18 September 1964
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma Mater:Sarah Lawrence College
Occupation:Actress, author, television personality
Years Active:1969–present
Children:4
Father:Matt Robinson

Holly Elizabeth Robinson Peete (born September 18, 1964)[1] is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Judy Hoffs on the Fox police drama 21 Jump Street, Vanessa Russell on the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, and Dr. Malena Ellis on the NBC/The WB sitcom For Your Love. She also served as one of the original co-hosts of the CBS Daytime talk show The Talk. She is also known for her portrayal of Diana Ross in the 1992 miniseries , which also aired on ABC.

A children's book by Peete, My Brother Charlie, won her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work in March 2011.[2]

Early life

Peete was born Holly Elizabeth Robinson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Dolores and Matt Robinson (the first Gordon on Sesame Street). Her mother was a school teacher, in public relations, and later a personal talent manager, and her father a producer/writer. She has an older brother named Matthew Thomas Robinson III. She attended Greene Street Friends School in nearby Germantown.[3] In 1974, her family moved to California.[4] Peete graduated from Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, California, where her classmates included Rob Lowe and Yvette Lee Bowser. Peete graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in 1986 with a degree in psychology and French.[5] Peete studied abroad for a year at the Sorbonne, and is fluent in French.[5] While there she sang in Paris nightclubs, including a performance with jazz musician Lionel Hampton at the Hotel Meridian Jazz Club.[6] [7] [8]

Career

She made her first television appearance on Sesame Street. She recalls that when she was six years old, she kept blowing her line, saying "Hi, Daddy", instead of "Hi, Gordon", his character's name. She ended up with just an appearance where she walked down the street with Big Bird.[9] At the age of 11, Holly worked for the children's show Kidsworld as a celebrity correspondent; she interviewed many actors and actresses for the program. As an actress, she has appeared on the TV series 21 Jump Street (1987–1991), Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992–1997), For Your Love (1998–2002), and Like Family (2003–2004). She was featured in the video for the 1990 hit single "Whip Appeal" by Babyface as the sultry radio host at the beginning of the video.[10] While on Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, in 1992, she portrayed Diana Ross in . Robinson most recently starred on the UPN comedy Love, Inc.. The show lasted just one season, and was canceled after the WB/UPN merger.

Robinson has also had a limited career as a singer and recording artist, including the introductory song to 21 Jump Street.[9] She contributed a variety of songs to the soundtrack of the film Howard the Duck. (She appeared as a musician/singer in a minor role in the film.) She recorded the theme song "We Got Our Love" for the 1987 film Three for the Road. She and Dawnn Lewis, along with R&B quartet En Vogue, performed the theme song for the first season of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper.

In 2006, she won, along with fellow writer Daniel Paisner, the Quills Award in Sports for the book Get Your Own Damn Beer, I'm Watching the Game!: A Woman's Guide to Loving Pro Football.[11]

In 2010, she participated in The Celebrity Apprentice 3, playing for her own charity, the HollyRod Foundation,[9] which provides support for families with Parkinson's disease or autism.

Robinson began co-hosting The Talk, a CBS daytime talk show, on October 18, 2010.[12] In this forum, Robinson was known for expressing herself through her ethnicity and being especially vocal about African American issues and, since her son Rodney is affected by it, autism.[13] In April 2011, Robinson hosted a weekly series on The Talk promoting autism awareness.[14]

After serving on The Talk for its first season, Peete along with Leah Remini were released from the show. Failure to ever disclose why the two were let go brought on a great deal of audience criticism of the show, as well as protests from the stars' fans.[15] [16] Sharon Osbourne, Peete's former co-host on The Talk, reasoned why the two former hosts were released from the program in a guest appearance on The Howard Stern Show, criticizing both Peete and Remini. In early 2021, Osbourne was later embroiled in a scandal for her remarks made on The Talk to Sheryl Underwood, leading to Osbourne's termination from the program. During Osbourne's scandal and termination, both Peete and Remini took to social media to reproach Osbourne over her behaviors, additionally pointing out that they were on the receiving end of similar behaviors by Osbourne. Osbourne responded with threats of defamation lawsuits against both women, but ultimately did nothing.[17] [18]

Peete hosted the 42nd NAACP Image Awards, alongside Wayne Brady, on March 4, 2011.[19]

The Peete family starred in a reality TV series on OWN, entitled For Peete's Sake from 2016 to 2017.[20] The series followed the lives of Peete and her husband Rodney as they juggle career choices with their family life.[21] This was followed by a similar Hallmark Channel reality series Meet the Peetes, which also ran for two seasons from 2018 to 2019.[22]

In 2023, Peete competed in season nine of The Masked Singer as "Fairy". After besting Malin Akerman as "Squirrel" and Lele Pons as "Jackalope" on "Sesame Street Night", she was eliminated on "Country Night" alongside Alexa Bliss as "Axolotl". Peete also made some references to her father's work on Sesame Street.

Personal life

On June 10, 1995, Robinson married Rodney Peete, a National Football League quarterback. He proposed by surprising Holly during an episode of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper on October 7, 1994. They have four children: twins, daughter Ryan Elizabeth Peete and son Rodney Peete, Jr. (born October 17, 1997), and sons Robinson Peete (born August 11, 2002), and Roman Peete (born February 25, 2005).

One of their twins, Rodney Jr., was diagnosed with autism at age three in 2001.[23] Robinson played baseball for Sierra Canyon School (2017-2019).

After her father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Robinson and her husband co-founded the HollyRod Foundation, which is dedicated to help find a cure for the disease, as well as for autism, and assist those living with the conditions.[9] [24]

In September 2012, Nestle's Carnation Breakfast Essentials announced they had teamed up with Robinson, featuring her as the spokesperson for the brand.[25] [26] On October 4, 2012, Robinson was inducted as an honorary member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.[27]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979 Dummy Genettia Lang TV movie
1986 Howard the Duck K.C., Cherry Bomb
1998 Killers in the House Jennie Sawyer TV movie
1999 After All Michelle Troussaint TV movie
2004 Earthquake Heaven TV movie
2007 Matters of Life and Dating Nicole Banning TV movie
Football Wives Jackie JamesonTV movie
2010 Speed-Dating Gayle
2012 21 Jump Street Officer Judy Hoffs
2015 Angel of Christmas Yvette Collins TV movie
2017 Raymone BainTV movie
Christmas in Evergreen Michelle Lansing TV movie
2018 Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa Michelle Lansing TV movie
2019 Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy Michelle Lansing TV movie
A Family Christmas Gift Amanda TV movie
2020 The Christmas Doctor Dr. ZoeyTV movie
Christmas in Evergreen: Bells Are Ringing Michelle Lansing TV movie
2021 Our Christmas Journey LenaTV movie
2022The Journey AheadMadelineTV movie
Holiday HeritageMicahTV movie

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1969 Sesame Street HerselfEpisode 47
1987–91 21 Jump Street Officer Judy Hoffs Main Cast
1989–90 Booker Officer Judy Hoffs Episode: "The Pump"
1991Gabriel's Fire Jackie TateEpisode: "Belly of the Beast"
1992 Episode: "Part I & II"
1992–97 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Vanessa Russell Main Cast
1993It's Showtime at the Apollo HerselfEpisode: "Episode #6.14"
1994Soul Train Herself/Guest Host Episode: "Prince/Nona Gaye/For Lovers Only"
An Evening at the Improv Herself/Host Episode: "Episode #15.25"
1997 Pacific Blue Gina Galindo Episode: "Soft Targets"
Touched by an Angel Vanessa Hamilton Episode: "Smokescreen"
1998–2002 Hollywood Squares Herself/PanelistRecurring Guest
For Your Love Malena Ellis Main Cast
1999Jeopardy! Herself/Celebrity ContestantEpisode: "1999-A Celebrity Jeopardy! Game 2"
1999–2001Intimate Portrait HerselfRecurring Guest
2001Strong Medicine Halle EllisEpisode: "Donors"
2001–02 One on One Stacey Recurring Cast: Season 1
2002Fillmore! Joelle Fillmore (voice)Episode: "Cry, the Beloved Mascot"
2003Ripley's Believe It or Not! HerselfEpisode: "Episode #4.17"
2003–04Like Family Tanya Jones Main Cast
2005–06 Love, Inc. Clea Main Cast
2008Who Are You Wearing HerselfEpisode: "Holly Robinson Peete"
2010 The Celebrity Apprentice Herself Main Cast: Season 9
2010–11 The Talk Herself/Co-Host Main Cast: Season 1
2010Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?HerselfEpisode: Season 5, Episode 48
2011–14Mike & Molly Christina Recurring Cast: Season 2-3
2012RuPaul's Drag U Herself/Guest ProfessorEpisode: "Dangerous Curves"
Say Yes to the Dress HerselfEpisode: "NFL Brides"
2013Blue HollyEpisode: "In the Running"
2014 Instant Mom Mrs. Kimberley Phillips Episode: "Distant Mom"
2014-16Celebrity Name Game Herself/Celebrity PlayerRecurring Guest
2015David Tutera's Celebrations HerselfEpisode: "Family Fundraiser for Autism"
Wife Swap HerselfEpisode: "Margaret Cho/Holly Robinson-Peete"
Celebrity Family Feud HerselfEpisode: "Rob Gronkowski vs. Holly Robinson Peete/Bill Engvall vs. Keke Palmer"
Real Husbands of Hollywood HerselfEpisode: "Broad Talk"
2016Kocktails with Khloé HerselfEpisode: "Khloé Kardashian Spills the O.J."
Chicago Fire Tamara Jones Recurring Cast: Season 4-5
2016–17 For Peete's Sake Herself Main Cast
2018–19Meet the Peetes Herself Main Cast
2018–21Morning Show Mysteries Belinda "Billie" Blessings Main Cast
2019Hollywood Medium HerselfEpisode: "Lala Kent, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Holly Robinson Peete"
Uncensored HerselfEpisode: "Tisha Campbell"
2020 Detective Rachel Wilson Episode: "The Longest Night of Rain"
2021 American HousewifeTami Gaines Recurring Cast: Season 5
2022People PuzzlerHerselfEpisode: "Now Ya Tell Me"
A Black Lady Sketch Show HerselfEpisode: "Save My Edges, I'm a Donor!"
2023Name That Tune Herself/ContestantEpisode: "Bring the Funny"
Queens Court Herself/HostMain Host
The Masked SingerHerself/Fairy Season 9 contestant
Dr. Kathleen Lord (voice) Episode: "BeBe"[28]

Music Video

YearTitleArtistRole
1990 Whip Appeal Radio Announcer
2003Dance with My Father Herself

Note: She was credited as Holly Robinson until 1997.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Holly Robinson Peete Biography. TV Guide. September 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150927005529/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/holly-robinson-peete/bio/190038/. dead.
  2. Web site: Holly Robinson Peete's Winning Image . Celebrity Baby Scoop . 2011-03-05. 2011-08-01.
  3. Web site: Hangin' with Mrs. Robinson Peete. philly-archives.
  4. Web site: The Holly Robinson Peete Picture Pages . Superiorpics.com . 2011-08-01 .
  5. Web site: SLC Buzz: 2010–2011 . Slc.edu . 2011-08-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110813073408/http://www.slc.edu/news-events/buzz/index.html#listing819f61667f00000101f92de5f0aa7f00 . 2011-08-13 . dead .
  6. Web site: Holly Robinson & Rodney Peete . Womensconference.org . 2010-03-16 . 2011-08-01 . dead . https://archive.today/20130416075114/http://www.womensconference.org/holly-robinson . 2013-04-16 .
  7. Web site: Holly Robinson . Luxury Awaits . 2011-08-01 . 2011-07-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110718082436/http://luxuryawaits.com/access-granted/holly-robinson.aspx?nav=Other . dead .
  8. Web site: Holly Robinson Peete | Speaker Profile and Speaking Topics . Apbspeakers.com . 2011-08-01.
  9. News: Actress is at Home in TV Role As Busy Mom. Boston.com . Bridget. Byrne . Globe Newspaper Company / The New York Times Company. 2003-12-09 . November 4, 2014.
  10. [Whip Appeal#Music video]
  11. Web site: The 2nd Annual Quill Awards. August 26, 2017.
  12. Web site: CBS The Talk to Premiere Oct. 18. Andrea. Domanick. August 11, 2010. Broadcasting and Cable. December 4, 2019.
  13. Web site: Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete on their son RJ's autism. People . 2007-05-30 . 2019-12-04.
  14. Web site: Peden. Mike. Holly Robinson Peete's Autism "Talk" . 24 April 2011 . The Autistic Journalist. 25 July 2011.
  15. News: 'The Talk' Without Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Peete: What THR Readers Are Saying . The Hollywood Reporter . Jethro . Nede . 2011-09-07. 2022-12-13.
  16. Web site: Holly Robinson Peete Opens Up About Being Fired From The Talk!. 2012-02-09. 2018-11-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122092133/https://perezhilton.com/2011-11-04-holly-robinson-peete-opens-up-about-being-fired-from-the-talk/. dead.
  17. Web site: Del Rosario. Alexandra. Sharon Osbourne Responds After Holly Robinson Peete Claims Her Former 'The Talk' Co-Host Said She Was "Too Ghetto" For CBS Show – Update. Deadline Hollywood. July 25, 2021. March 13, 2021.
  18. Web site: Murphy. Desiree. Leah Remini Claims Sharon Osbourne Used Racist and Homophobic Language Towards 'The Talk' Co-Hosts. Entertainment Tonight. July 25, 2021. March 16, 2021.
  19. Web site: Seidman . Robert . Wayne Brady and Holly Robinson Peete to Host '42nd NAACP Image Awards' Friday, March 4 on Fox. https://web.archive.org/web/20110210044504/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/02/08/wayne-brady-and-holly-robinson-peete-to-host-42nd-naacp-image-awards-friday-march-4-on-fox/81922 . dead . 2011-02-10 . TV By the Numbers . 2011-03-04. 2011-08-01.
  20. News: OWN Orders Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete Docuseries . The Hollywood Reporter . 2015-05-06. 2022-12-13.
  21. Web site: Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete Star in New OWN Docuseries . Oprah.com.
  22. Web site: Meet the Peetes: Season Two Renewal Announced by Hallmark . TV Series Finale . March 21, 2018 . May 23, 2018 . Jessica . Pena .
  23. Web site: Kaplan . Erin Aubry . Holly's Heart. . February 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828024932/http://www.essence.com/essence/lifestyle/voices/0%2C16109%2C1606557%2C00.html . 2008-08-28 . December 4, 2019 .
  24. Web site: Ability Magazine: Holly Robinson Peete Interview with Chet Cooper" (2007). 2012-04-03.
  25. Web site: Breakfast Nutrition - Carnation Breakfast Essentials®. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130522113424/http://www.carnationbreakfastessentials.com/previous-emails/default.aspx . 2013-05-22.
  26. Holly Robinson Peete and Carnation® Breakfast Essentials™ Offer Moms Solutions to... -- Florham Park, N.J., Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ . Nestle Health Science. 20 September 2012.
  27. Web site: Archived copy . 2012-11-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130509024402/http://aka1908.com/pdf/HollyRobinsonPeete.pdf . 2013-05-09 .
  28. theproudfamily. 1602712831832514563. The Proud Family. The family's getting bigger The Proud Family: #LouderAndProuder is back for Season 2, streaming February 1, only on @DisneyPlus.. December 13, 2022. December 13, 2022.