Biography
From an early age, Kimberly Elise exhibited a talent and propensity for the arts; by age seven, she was writing plays and short stories. It seemed inevitable that she would go on to study film and acting at the University of Minnesota. While enrolled, Elise began her professional career, appearing in television commercials and productions at a local black theater company and working behind-the-scenes at the Minneapolis public TV station. Her …
Kimberly Elise SlideShow
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Career Milestones
| At age 10, adapted, directed and acted in a stage version of "Free to Be You and Me" | ||
| Began writing plays and stories at age seven | ||
| Made short film, "The Joy of Mama's Recall" | ||
| Moved to Los Angeles to study directing at the American Film Institute | ||
| Won praise for her portrayal of a Bronx resident in a production staged by a black theater company | ||
| Worked as an associate producer for a local public television station | ||
1995 | Made TV debut in an episode of NBC's "In the House" (billed as Kimberly Elise Oldham) | |
1996 | Feature acting debut, "Set it Off!" (billed as Kimberly Elise Oldham) | |
1997 | Garnered praise for her supporting role in "The Ditchdigger's Daughters" (Family Channel) | |
1998 | Breakthrough screen role as Denver in "Beloved" | |
2001 | Cast as the wife of tap dancer Bill Robinson in the Showtime biopic, "Bojangles" | |
2002 | Hired to star opposite Denzel Washington in "John Q" | |
2004 | Re-teamed with Denzel Washington in "The Manchurian Candidate" | |
2004 | Starred in "Woman Thou Art Loosed," based on the self-help novel by Bishop T.D. Jakes; received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Female Lead | |
2005 | Cast in the feature adaption of Tyler Perry's "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" | |
2005 | Played Maureen Scotfield in the CBS legal drama, "Close to Home" | |
2007 | Again teamed with Denzel Washington in "The Great Debaters"; also directed by Washington | |
2007 | Cast as the female lead opposite Terrence Howard in the inner-city sports drama, "Pride" | |
2009 | Had a recurring role on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" as Izzie's no-nonsense oncologist | |
2010 | Joined an ensemble cast for Tyler Perry's "For Colored Girls" | |
Awards
2005 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead in Woman Thou Art Loosed |