Kimberly Hébert Gregory Explained

Birth Name:Kimberly Hébert
Birth Date:7 December 1972
Birth Place:Houston, Texas, U.S.
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:2007–present
Alma Mater:Mount Holyoke College
University of Chicago
DePaul University
Spouse:Chester Gregory (divorced)[1]
Children:1

Kimberly Hébert Gregory (née Hébert; born December 7, 1972) is an American actress. She began her career in theatre before her breakthrough role as Dr. Belinda Brown in the HBO comedy series Vice Principals in 2016.[2]

Life and career

Kimberly Hébert was born on December 7, 1972, in Houston, the youngest of three. She graduated from The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in her native Houston. She was educated at Mount Holyoke College where she received a BA in Psychology, and at the University of Chicago where she was awarded her Master's degree in Social Work. She also spent a quarter at DePaul University in the school's MFA program. She was married to Chester Gregory with whom she has a son, but the couple since divorced.

She appeared in a number of Chicago Theatre Company productions as of late 1990s. She received a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for performance in Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery.[3] [4] In 2012, Hébert Gregory was nominated for Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for performance in By The Way, Meet Vera Stark.[5]

Hébert Gregory appeared in films I Think I Love My Wife (2007), Red Hook Summer (2012), White Alligator (2012), and The Genesis of Lincoln (2014). She guest-starred on Gossip Girl, Law & Order, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Two and a Half Men, and The Big Bang Theory.[6] In 2014 she had a recurring role as Lucinda Miller in the Lifetime comedy-drama series, Devious Maids.[7] In 2016, she starred as series regular Dr. Belinda Brown in the HBO comedy series Vice Principals opposite Danny McBride.[8] In September 2016, trade publication The Wrap described Hébert Gregory as the show's "breakout star".[2]

In early 2017, she was cast opposite Toni Collette in the ABC action comedy-drama pilot Unit Zero produced by Kenya Barris.[9] The pilot was not picked up to series. She had recurring roles in Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Better Call Saul. Later in 2017, Hébert Gregory was cast in a female leading role in the ABC comedy-drama Kevin (Probably) Saves the World.[10] [11] The series was canceled after one season. She later has appeared on The Act, The Chi and All Rise. In 2019, she co-starred in the romantic drama film Five Feet Apart.

In 2020, Hébert Gregory was cast as Ruth Jean Baskerville Bowen in the National Geographic anthology series Genius: Aretha starring Cynthia Erivo.[12] In 2023 she was cast in the Netflix original animated limited series Carol and the End of the World.[13]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007I Think I Love My WifeBabysitter
2012Red Hook SummerSister Sweet
White AlligatorLauren Hamilton
2018ArizonaDebt Collector
2019Five Feet ApartNurse Barbara
Miss VirginiaTasha White
2020John HenryTasha

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007The Black DonnellysHead NurseEpisode: "All of Us Are in the Gutter"
Gossip GirlNurseEpisode: "Pilot"
2008New AmsterdamNurseEpisode: "Golden Boy"
2010Law & OrderGrand Juror #4Episode: "Rubber Room"
2013Private PracticeKaye RamseyEpisode: "Good Fries Are Hard to Come By"
Two and a Half MenLisaEpisode: "This Unblessed Biscuit"
Continuing FredAbigail FranklinTV movie
2014ShamelessNurseEpisode: "My Oldest Daughter"
I Didn't Do It Mail LadyEpisode: "Dear High School Self"
Do It YourselfDeniseTV movie
The Big Bang TheoryMs. DavoraEpisode: "The Anything Can Happen Recurrence"
Devious MaidsLucinda MillerRecurring cast: Season 2
Grey's AnatomyDeborah CurzonEpisode: "Risk"
2015StanistanCynthia StoweTV movie
The Soul ManReginaEpisode: "Home Boyce"
2016Baby DaddyMiss AbigailEpisode: "The Return of the Mommy"
2016–17Vice PrincipalsDr. Belinda BrownMain cast: season 1, recurring cast: season 2
2017Brooklyn Nine-NineVeronica HopkinsEpisodes: "The Audit" & "Serve & Protect"
Better Call SaulKyra HayEpisodes: "Sunk Costs" & "Sabrosito"
Unit ZeroBrieTV movie
The Guest BookTrinaEpisode: "Story Six"
2017–18Kevin (Probably) Saves the WorldYvetteMain cast
2018Every Other WeekendKimberlyMain cast
2018–Craig of the CreekNicole Williams (voice)Main cast
2019Splitting Up TogetherSunshineEpisode: "Annie, Are You Okay?"
The ActJudgeEpisode: "A Whole New World"
The ChiKimberlyEpisodes: "Every Day I'm Hustlin'" & "Past Due"
DollfaceProsecutorEpisode: "Fun Friend"
StumptownCarolEpisode: "November Surprise"
All RiseDDA Tanya GrayEpisode: "Dripsy"
2020Medical PoliceSenator BarneyRecurring cast
Future ManMathersRecurring cast: season 3
2021Genius: ArethaRuth Jean Baskerville BowenMain cast: season 3
2023–2024Jessica's Big Little WorldNicole Williams (voice)Main cast
2023Carol & The End of The WorldDonnaMain cast
Craig Before the CreekNicole Williams (voice)TV movie

Notes and References

  1. News: Jones . Chris . Chester, Jackie & 'Jackie' . June 21, 2019 . . January 17, 2010.
  2. Meriah Doty,"Vice Principals’ Breakout Star Reveals Real-Life Inspiration Behind Dr Belinda Brown'" The Wrap, September 7, 2016.
  3. Web site: Kimberly Hébert-Gregory. Goodman Theatre. 2011-11-30. 2014-04-30.
  4. Web site: Kimberly Hebert Gregory Stars In The Public Theatre's THE BROTHER/SISTER PLAYS, Previews 10/21. Broadwayworld.com. 2014-04-30.
  5. Web site: The Broadway League. Kimberly Hebert Gregory profile. IBDB. 2014-04-30.
  6. Web site: New Big Bang Theory Season 7,Episode 21 Official Spoilers,Plotline Revealed By CBS. OnTheFlix. 2014-04-10. 2014-04-30. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140502004745/http://ontheflix.com/2014/04/10/new-big-bang-theory-season-7episode-21-official-spoilersplotline-revealed-by-cbs. 2014-05-02.
  7. Web site: TV Casting News: An African American Family Joins 'Devious Maids' + New Gigs For Larenz Tate, Omar J. Dorsey, Afton Williamson, Michael Che|Shadow and Act. Blogs.indiewire.com. 2014-04-30. 2014-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20140502001904/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/tv-casting-news-an-african-american-family-joins-devious-maids-new-gigs-for-larenz-tate-db-woodside-omar-j-dorsey-afton-williamson-michael-che. dead.
  8. Web site: HBO's 'Vice Principals' Adds 'Devious Maids' Alum (Exclusive). Lesley. Goldberg. May 29, 2015. The Hollywood Reporter. January 26, 2016.
  9. Web site: 'Unit Zero' ABC Pilot Casts Kimberly Hébert Gregory; Saidah Ekulona Joins Marc Cherry Pilot. Denise. Petski. 18 February 2017 . June 18, 2017.
  10. Web site: 'The Gospel Of Kevin': Kimberly Hébert Gregory To Co-Star On ABC Series, Replacing Cristela Alonzo. Nellie. Andreeva. June 16, 2017. June 18, 2017.
  11. Web site: 'Vice Principals' Grad Joins 'Kevin (Probably) Saves the World' in Recasting. . 16 June 2017 . June 18, 2017.
  12. https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/tv-news-roundup-genius-aretha-casting-1203386181/ TV News Roundup: ‘Genius: Aretha’ Adds Malcolm Barrett, Kimberly Hebert Gregory, Three More
  13. Web site: Hailu . Selome . 2023-12-04 . ‘Carol & the End of the World’ Sets Guest Cast Including Stephen Colbert, Alison Brie, LeVar Burton, Plus Trailer (EXCLUSIVE) . 2023-12-16 . Variety . en-US.