Loretta Devine was born in Houston, Texas on August 21, 1949. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Houston and a master's degree from Brandeis University.

After moving to New York City she landed her first professional role in "Coming Uptown." She then appeared in Bob Fosse’s Broadway production "Big Deal." But it was her portrayal and creation of Lorell in the Broadway hit "Dreamgirls" that won her the admiration of critics and audiences.

Loretta made her film debut in "Will" in 1981. She’s also appeared in "Little Nikita," "Amos & Andrew," "Class Act" and "Stanley & Iris." But it was the film "Waiting To Exhale" that brought her to everyone's attention and won her a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Her role in that film would lead to roles in such films as "The Preacher's Wife," "Down In The Delta," "Crash," "Woman Thou Art Loose" and "I Am Sam."

Loretta’s tv guest appearances include "Amen," "Roc," "Picket Fences," "Clueless," "Supernatural," "Girlfriends," "Everybody Hates Chris," "Touched By An Angel" and "Family Law." She was a regular in the FOX series "Boston Public" and the Lifetime series "Wild Card." Loretta has a recurring role in the hit ABC series "Grey's Anatomy."

Loretta's film credits include the following:

• Spring Breakdown (2007)
• Cougar Club (2006)
• Dreamgirls (2006)
• Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story (2006)(Lifetime Movie)
• Dirty Laundry (2006)
• King's Ransom (2005)
• Woman Thou Art Loosed (2004)
• Crash (2004)
• Baby Of The Family (2002)
• First To Die (2002)(Tv Movie)
• The Script (2002)
• Book Of Love (2002)
• I Am Sam (2001)
• Kingdom Come (2001)
• What Women Want (2000)
• Urban Legends: Final Cut (2000)
• Best Actress (2000)(Tv Movie)
• Freedom Song (2000)(Tv Movie)
• Punks (2000)
• Lillie (1999)
• Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)(HBO Movie)
• Jackie's Back (1999)(Tv Movie)
• The Breaks (1999)
• Funny Valentines (1999)(Tv Movie)
• Operation Splitsville (1999)
• Love Kills (1998)
• Urban Legend (1998)
• Down In The Delta (1998)
• The Price Of Kissing (1997)
• Don King: Only In America (1997)(Tv Movie)
• Lover Girl (1997)
• Clover (1997)(Tv Movie)
• Hoodlum (1997)
• The Preacher's Wife (1996)
• Rebound: The Legend Of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault (1996)(Tv Movie)
• Waiting To Exhale (1995)
• The Hard Truth (1994)
• The American Clock (1993)(Tv Movie)
• Amos & Andrew (1993)
• Caged Fear (1992)
• Class Act (1992)
• Livin' Large! (1991)
• The Colored Museum (1991)(Tv Movie)
• Stanley & Iris (1990)
• The Parent Trap III (1989)(Tv Movie)
• Sticky Fingers (1988)
• Little Nikita (1988)
• The Murder of Mary Phagan (1988)(Tv Movie)
• Anna To The Infinite Power (1983)
• Will (1981)

Check out the following sites for additional information about Loretta:

Loretta Devine@Filmbug.com
Loretta Devine@Tv-Now.com
Loretta Devine@Tv.com
Loretta Devine@Internet Movie Database
Loretta Devine@Wikipedia
Loretta Devine Interview@About.com
Loretta Devine@African American Registry

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