Lorraine Toussaint
{{Short description|Trinidadian actress (born 1960)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Lorraine Toussaint
| image = Lorraine Toussaint at Paley Fest Orange Is The New Black.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Toussaint at the Paley Center for Media's PaleyFest 2014 honoring Orange Is the New Black
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1960|4|4}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/lorraine-toussaint-p71504|title=Lorraine Toussaint | Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos|website=AllMovie}}
| birth_place = Trinidad and Tobago
| education = Juilliard School {{small|(BFA)}}
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 1981–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Michael Tomlinson|2017|2019|end=divorced}}
| children = 1
}}
Lorraine Toussaint ({{IPAc-en|t|uː|ˈ|s|ɑː|n|t}}{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/standards-guidelines/qrst/#t|title=Say How: T|publisher=National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled|access-date=April 21, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvFroq_cey0&t=1m25s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/JvFroq_cey0| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Actress Lorraine Toussaint Endorses COTC Foundation 2012 'Every Child Matters' 5K|publisher=Children of the Caribbean Foundation|date=May 11, 2012|access-date=April 21, 2020}}{{cbignore}} born April 4, 1960) is a Trinidadian–born actress based in the United States. She is the recipient of various accolades, including a Black Reel Award, a Critics' Choice Television Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
Toussaint began her career in theatre, before supporting performances in films such as Breaking In (1989), Hudson Hawk (1991), and Dangerous Minds (1995). As a lead actress, she is best known for her role as Rene Jackson in the critically acclaimed Lifetime television drama series Any Day Now, from 1998 to 2002, and her recurring role as defense attorney Shambala Green in the NBC legal drama Law & Order. She later appeared as a regular cast member in the NBC police procedural Crossing Jordan (2002–03) and the TNT crime drama Saving Grace (2007–10).
Toussaint received critical acclaim and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her performance in the 2012 drama film Middle of Nowhere, written and directed by Ava DuVernay. In 2014, she played the role of Yvonne "Vee" Parker, the main antagonist in the second season of the Netflix comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black, for which she received critical acclaim and a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She also played the role of Amelia Boynton Robinson in the 2014 historical drama film Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay. Toussaint later co-starred in the ABC fantasy-drama series Forever (2014–15), the Fox comedy-drama Rosewood (2015–17), the AMC drama Into the Badlands (2018–19), NBC drama The Village (2019) and CBS crime drama The Equalizer (2021–present). Additionally, she appeared in films Fast Color (2018), Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019), The Glorias (2020) and Concrete Cowboy (2020).
Early life
Toussaint was born in Trinidad and Tobago. In an interview she said:
{{blockquote|I grew up under the British system, which I think is horrific for children — very, very strict — a system that did not recognize children as being individuals. You were small animals earning the right to be human. Childhood for me then felt extraordinarily powerless, and as an artistic child who learned in alternative ways, it was hell. I was beaten regularly... A good child was a fearful child, and I was a very, very, good little girl, which meant I lived in a world of silent, dark terror most of the time.}} Her mother was a teacher, and she brought Toussaint to live in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, in the late 1960s.{{Citation needed |date=July 2021}}
Toussaint graduated from Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts in 1978.{{cite web | url = https://movies.nytimes.com/person/71504/Lorraine-Toussaint/biography | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120711005318/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/71504/Lorraine-Toussaint/biography | url-status = dead | archive-date = July 11, 2012 | department = Movies & TV Dept. | work = The New York Times | title = Lorraine Toussaint biography | access-date = April 2, 2012}} She then attended the Juilliard School's drama division as a member of Group 11 (1978–1982),{{cite web | url = http://www.juilliard.edu/update/alumni/anews.html | title = Alumni News | website = juilliard.edu| publisher = Juilliard School | date = May 2003 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030801172753/http://www.juilliard.edu/update/alumni/anews.html | archive-date=August 1, 2003}} where her classmates in 1982 included Megan Gallagher, Penny Johnson Jerald, Jack Kenny, and Jack Stehlin.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/29/theater/the-stage-juilliard-theater-students-put-on-love-s-labor-s-lost.html | title = Juilliard Theater Students Put On 'Love's Labor's Lost' | work = The New York Times | first = Mel | last = Gussow | date = April 29, 1982|access-date=December 8, 2021}} Toussaint graduated from Juilliard with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Career
= Early career =
After graduating, Toussaint began her career as a Shakespearean actress, before tackling screen acting in television and film.{{cite web | url= https://movies.yahoo.com/person/lorraine-toussaint/ | title=Lorraine Toussaint | publisher=Yahoo! | access-date= July 9, 2014}} Notable stage roles include Hippolyta in Liviu Ciulei's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Guthrie Theater, Tamara in the world premiere of Toni Morrison's Dreaming Emmett at Capital Repertory Theatre, the American premiere of Two Fish in the Sky at the Phoenix Theatre, and an appearance at Tadashi Suzuki's Toga Festival in Japan.{{cite news |last1=Rich |first1=Frank |title=Stage: British 'Two Fish in the Sky' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/11/08/theater/stage-british-two-fish-in-the-sky.html |access-date=18 February 2023 |work= The New York Times |date=November 8, 1982}}{{cite news |title=Profiles: Lorraine Toussaint |work=Playbill 1985–1986 Season |publisher=Capital Repertory Theatre |date=1986}}
Toussaint made her screen debut in 1983. In 1986, she portrayed the widow of a man shot and killed by Boston police in the television film A Case of Deadly Force, based on the book by Lawrence O'Donnell. She later had a recurring role of Vera Williams in the ABC daytime soap opera, One Life to Live. While maintaining her stage career, she appeared in guest starring roles in series such as 227 and Law & Order (in a recurring role as defense lawyer Shambala Green). She also acted in a number of television films in the 1990s.
Toussaint made her film debut in the female lead role opposite Burt Reynolds in the crime comedy Breaking In (1989). The film received positive reviews from critics,{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/breaking_in/ | title=Breaking In (1989) | date=August 2006 | publisher=Rotten Tomatoes | access-date=July 9, 2014}} but flopped in box office.{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=breakingin.htm | title=Breaking In | publisher=Box Office Mojo | access-date=July 9, 2014}} In 1991, she appeared opposite Bruce Willis in Hudson Hawk, and later co-starred alongside Michelle Pfeiffer in Dangerous Minds (1995). She also appeared in films Point of No Return (1993), Mother's Boys (1994), and Black Dog (1998). On television, Toussaint had regular roles in short-lived series Bodies of Evidence (CBS, 1992), Where I Live (ABC, 1993), Amazing Grace (NBC, 1995), and Leaving L.A. (ABC, 1997).{{cite web | url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/lorraine-toussaint/credits/162762 | title=Lorraine Toussaint Credits | work=TV Guide | access-date=July 9, 2014}}
= 1998–2011 =
Toussaint had her biggest and leading role alongside Annie Potts in the Lifetime first original television drama series, Any Day Now, starring as Rene Jackson, a successful African-American lawyer. The series received critical acclaim for both lead actresses' performances as well as the show's script writing{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/reviews/any-day-now-2-1200454664/ | title=Review: 'Any Day Now' | publisher=Variety | date=August 18, 1998 | access-date=July 9, 2014 | first=Ray |last=Richmond}}{{cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/09/29/any-day-now-lifetime-the-cable-station/ | title="Any Day Now": Lifetime, the cable station equivalent to a... | publisher=Chicago Tribune | date=September 29, 1998 | access-date=July 9, 2014 | first=Steve |last=Johnson}}{{cite web | url=https://ew.com/article/1998/09/04/tv-show-reviews-any-day-now-maggie-oh-baby/ | title=TV Show Reviews: 'Any Day Now'; 'Maggie'; 'Oh Baby' | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | date=September 4, 1998 | access-date=July 9, 2014 | first=Ken |last=Tucker | archive-date=July 14, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714144018/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,284646,00.html | url-status=live }} but never attained standout ratings.{{cite web | url=http://old.post-gazette.com/magazine/19990123owen9.asp | title=On the Tube: Lifetime renews 'Any Day Now' | publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=January 23, 1999 | access-date=July 9, 2014 | first=Rob |last=Owen}} In 2001, Toussaint was a promising contender for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category, though she did not receive a nomination.{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-feb-02-ca-20307-story.html| title=A Bold Look at an Ugly Word on Lifetime's 'Any Day Now' | work=Los Angeles Times | date=February 2, 2001 | access-date=December 8, 2021 | first=Howard |last=Rosenberg | author-link=Howard Rosenberg }} She was nominated five times for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her role. Any Day Now ended after four seasons and 88 episodes.
File:Middle of Nowhere cast2.jpg and Sharon Lawrence at a promotional event for Middle of Nowhere in 2012]]
From 2002 to 2004, Toussaint had a regular role playing Dr. Elaine Duchamps in the NBC police procedural, Crossing Jordan. In later years, she guest-starred on Frasier, Judging Amy, The Closer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, ER, and NCIS. She also was a regular, opposite Holly Hunter, in the TNT crime drama Saving Grace as Capt. Kate Perry from 2007 to 2010. She had a recurring role as Amelia 'Yoga' Bluman in the ABC comedy series Ugly Betty in 2006, and as Bird Merriweather in the NBC drama Friday Night Lights (2009–11). Toussaint also appeared as Jamie Foxx's character's mother in the 2009 drama The Soloist.{{cite web | url=http://caribbean-beat.com/issue-91/lorraine-toussaint-acting-has-always-been-breathing#axzz37FeFdlUC | title=Lorraine Toussaint: 'acting has always been like breathing' | publisher=Caribbean Beat | access-date=July 12, 2014 | first=Caroline |last=Taylor| date=May 2008 }}
= 2012–present =
In 2012, Toussaint received critical acclaim and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her performance as a hardworking mother who struggles to support her daughter's (Emayatzy Corinealdi) decision to put her life on hold to support her incarcerated husband (Omari Hardwick), of Middle of Nowhere, a drama film written and directed by Ava DuVernay.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/11/27/moonrise-kingdom-silver-lingingsindependent-spirit-awards/|title='Moonrise Kingdom,' 'Silver Linings Playbook' lead Indie Spirit noms|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=December 8, 2021}}{{cite web | url=http://www.reelsistas.com/tag/lorraine-toussaint/ | title=Seven Sistas of 2012: Film | publisher=Reelsistas | date=December 21, 2012 | access-date=July 12, 2014}} Toussaint was a promising contender for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress category in 2013, but she did not receive a nomination.{{cite web | url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/lorraine-toussaint-on-middle-of-nowhere-scandal-and-the-oscars | title=Lorraine Toussaint on 'Middle of Nowhere,' 'Scandal' & the Oscars | publisher=The Daily Beast | date=December 15, 2012 | access-date=December 8, 2021 | first=Allison |last=Samuels}}{{cite web | url=http://www.awardsdaily.com/blog/best-supporting-actress-hopefuls-on-variety/ | title=Best Supporting Actress Hopefuls on Variety | date=December 5, 2012 | publisher=Awards Daily | access-date=July 12, 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.dailycal.org/2013/01/29/oscar-coverage-best-supporting-actress/ | title=Oscar Coverage: Best Supporting Actress | publisher=The Daily Californian | date=January 29, 2013 | access-date=July 12, 2014 | first=Braulio |last=Ramirez}}
In 2012, she guest-starred in Shonda Rhimes' dramas Grey's Anatomy (as a doctor) and Scandal (as a bereaved and betrayed pastor's wife). In 2013, she had a recurring role in season 3 of Dana Delany's series Body of Proof as villainous police chief Angela Martin.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/body-proof-lorraine-toussaint-389513|title='Body of Proof' Puts Lorraine Toussaint on the Case (Exclusive)|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 12, 2012|access-date=November 13, 2012}} Later in 2013, she joined the cast of ABC Family drama series, The Fosters, as Sherri Saums character's mother.{{cite web |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/04/the-fosters-casting-scoop-lorraine-toussaint-joins-upcoming-abc-family-series.html |title='The Fosters' casting scoop: Lorraine Toussaint joins upcoming ABC Family series – Zap2it |publisher=Zap2it |date=April 24, 2013 |access-date=October 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607100938/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2013/04/the-fosters-casting-scoop-lorraine-toussaint-joins-upcoming-abc-family-series.html |archive-date=June 7, 2013 }} This marked the first time she reunited on-screen with Annie Potts since the finale of Any Day Now in 2002.{{cite web | url=http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2014/06/five-essential-performances-by-orange-is-the-new-black-standout-lorraine-toussaint/372456/ | title=Five Essential Performances by 'Orange Is the New Black' Standout Lorraine Toussaint | publisher=The Wire | access-date=July 9, 2014 | first=Joe |last=Reid | archive-date=July 4, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704214419/http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2014/06/five-essential-performances-by-orange-is-the-new-black-standout-lorraine-toussaint/372456/ | url-status=dead }}
Toussaint starred in the second season of Netflix's original comedy-drama series, Orange Is the New Black in 2014.{{cite web|url= https://shadowandact.com/amp/lorraine-toussaint-joins-cast-of-orange-is-the-new-black-season-2 |title=Lorraine Toussaint Joins Cast Of 'Orange Is The New Black' Season 2|publisher= Shadow and Act |access-date=December 8, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://shadowandact.com/amp/v-is-for-vicious-in-new-poster-for-lorraine-toussaints-orange-is-the-new-black-character|title="V Is For Vicious" In New Poster For Lorraine Toussaint's 'Orange Is The New Black' Character|publisher= Shadow and Act |access-date=December 8, 2021}} She played the role of Yvonne "Vee" Parker, the main antagonist of season two, described as a street-tough inmate who returns to jail after a long stint as a drug dealer. Her performance earned critical acclaim.{{cite web | url=http://www.eonline.com/news/549321/the-five-most-heartbreaking-moments-from-orange-is-the-new-black-season-two | title=The Five Most Heartbreaking Moments From Orange Is the New Black Season Two | publisher=EOnline | date=June 9, 2014 | access-date=July 9, 2014 | first=Chris |last=Harnick}}{{cite web | url=http://mashable.com/2014/06/09/orange-is-the-new-black-finale-recap-netflix-season-2/ | title='Orange Is the New Black' Finale Recap — And Season 2 Awards! | website=Mashable | date=June 9, 2014 | access-date=July 9, 2014}}{{cite news | url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-orange-is-the-new-blacks-terrifying-showdown-between-red-and-vee | title=Inside Orange Is the New Black's Terrifying Showdown Between Red and Vee | website=The Daily Beast | date=June 25, 2014 | access-date=December 8, 2021 | last1=Fallon | first1=Kevin }}{{cite web | url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/06/orange-is-the-new-black-lorraine-toussaint-vee-nudity.html | title=Orange Is the New Black's Lorraine Toussaint on Playing Vee and Doing Nudity in Her 50s | publisher=Vulture | date=June 23, 2014 | access-date=July 9, 2014 | first=Denise |last=Martin}}{{cite web | url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyorley/the-breakout-villain-of-orange-is-the-new-black-season-2 | title=The Breakout Villain of "Orange Is the New Black" Season 2 | publisher=BuzzFeed | date=June 14, 2014 | access-date=July 11, 2014 | first=Emily |last=Orley}} In the series Toussaint, in her 50s, appeared nude on-screen for the first time in her career.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/spotlight/lorraine-toussaint-orange-is-the-new-black-season-2-emmy-1201514486/|title=Lorraine Toussaint Looks Back At 'Orange Is the New Black' Season 2|first=Geoff |last=Berkshire|work=Variety|date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=June 12, 2015}} For her performance, she won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/critics-choice-television-awards-winners-2015-full-list-1201509015/|title=Critics' Choice Television Awards Winners 2015 — Full List – Variety|work=Variety|date=May 31, 2015 |access-date=June 12, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sagawards.org/media-pr/press-releases/sag-aftra-honors-outstanding-film-and-television-performances-21st-annual|title=SAG-AFTRA Honors Outstanding Film and Television Performances at the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®|access-date=June 12, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100937/http://www.sagawards.org/media-pr/press-releases/sag-aftra-honors-outstanding-film-and-television-performances-21st-annual|url-status=dead}} In February 2016, Vee was ranked 28th on Rolling Stone's list of "40 Greatest TV Villains of All Time".{{cite magazine|last1=Collins|first1=Sean T.|title=40 Greatest TV Villains of All Time|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/40-greatest-tv-villains-of-all-time-20160209/vee-orange-is-the-new-black-20160208|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=October 19, 2016}}
In 2014, Toussaint co-starred in Ava DuVernay's historical drama film Selma, playing Amelia Boynton Robinson, a leading civil rights activist who had a key role in efforts that led to passage of the Voting Rights Act, and who was the first African-American woman in Alabama to run for Congress.{{cite web |url=https://shadowandact.com/amp/its-a-middle-of-nowhere-reunion-lorraine-toussaint-will-play-amelia-boynton-in-ava-duvernays-selma |title=It's A 'Middle of Nowhere' Reunion! Lorraine Toussaint Will Play Amelia Boynton In Ava DuVernay's 'Selma'|publisher=Shadow and Act |access-date=December 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605052853/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/its-a-middle-of-nowhere-reunion-lorraine-toussaint-will-play-amelia-boynton-in-ava-duvernays-selma |archive-date=June 5, 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|author=wilsonmorales |url=http://www.blackfilm.com/read/2014/04/lorraine-toussaint-reunites-with-ava-duvernay-in-mlk-drama-selma/ |title=Lorraine Toussaint Reunites With Ava DuVernay In MLK Drama 'Selma' |publisher=Blackfilm.com |date=April 22, 2014 |access-date=June 1, 2014}} That same year, she was cast in the ABC fantasy-drama series Forever opposite Ioan Gruffudd and Alana de la Garza.{{cite web | url=http://tvline.com/2014/07/07/forever-abc-cast-lorraine-toussaint-orange-is-the-new-black-oitnb/ | title=OITNB Star Joins ABC's Forever as Series Regular | publisher=TV Line | date=July 7, 2014 | access-date=July 9, 2014 | first=Michael |last=Slezak}}{{cite web | url=http://www.eonline.com/news/557627/orange-is-the-new-black-star-lorraine-toussaint-joins-forever-cast | title=Orange Is the New Black Star Lorraine Toussaint Joins Forever Cast | publisher=E! Online | date=July 8, 2014 | access-date=July 9, 2014}} The series was canceled after a single season. Toussaint co-starred in the comedy film Xmas, directed and written by Jonathan Levine, which was released on November 25, 2015. Also in 2015, she co-starred in Runaway Island and Sophie and the Rising Sun.{{cite web|url=https://shadowandact.com/lorraine-toussaint-aisha-hinds-thomas-q-jones-headline-tv-one-original-movie-runaway-island|title= Lorraine Toussaint, Aisha Hinds & Thomas Q. Jones Headline TV One Original Movie, 'Runaway Island'|first=Tambay A. |last=Obenson|date=May 6, 2015|work=Shadow and Act|access-date=December 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528231529/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/lorraine-toussaint-aisha-hinds-thomas-q-jones-headline-tv-one-original-movie-runaway-island-20150506|archive-date=May 28, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://shadowandact.com/interview-lorraine-toussaint-on-commitment-to-characters-the-bechdel-test-and-baring-it-all-for-orange-is-the-new-black|title= Interview: Lorraine Toussaint On Commitment To Characters, The Bechdel Test, And Baring It All For 'Orange Is The New Black'|first=Jai |last=Tiggett|date=May 11, 2015|work=Shadow and Act|access-date=December 8, 2021}} Later that year, Toussaint was cast in Coco, a drama produced by Lionsgate, alongside rapper Azealia Banks.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/azealia-banks-rza-coco-lionsgate-code-black-film-debut-1201433055/|title=Rapper Azealia Banks To Star In Lionsgate Feature 'Coco' – Deadline|first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming|work=Deadline|date=May 26, 2015 |access-date=May 28, 2015}} In June 2015, she joined the cast of the Fox comedy-drama Rosewood in the series regular role of the titular character's mother.{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/665830/orange-is-the-new-black-s-lorraine-toussaint-is-already-moving-on-get-details-on-her-new-role|title=Orange Is the New Black's Lorraine Toussaint Is Already Moving on—Get Details on Her New Role!|work=E! Online|date=June 11, 2015 |access-date=December 8, 2021}}
In March 2016, Toussaint was cast in her role as defense attorney Shambala Green, a role she originated on Law & Order in 1990, on the NBC legal drama Chicago Justice, that aired a backdoor pilot in Chicago P.D..{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lorraine-toussaint-set-chicago-justice-876909|title=Lorraine Toussaint Set for 'Chicago Justice' – Hollywood Reporter|first=Kate |last=Stanhope|date=March 21, 2016|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=March 21, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/03/21/chicago-justice-casts-lorraine-toussaint-law-and-order/|title='Chicago Justice' Casts Lorraine Toussaint in 'Law & Order' Role – TVLine|first=Rebecca |last=Iannucci|work=TVLine|date=March 21, 2016 |access-date=March 21, 2016}} On August 14, 2017, it was announced that Toussaint would join as a series regular in the third season of Into the Badlands. She played the role of Cressida, a self-styled Prophetess in season 3.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/into-the-badlands-lorraine-toussaint-cast-new-regular-amc-series-1202148895/|title='Into The Badlands': Lorraine Toussaint Joins As New Regular For Season 3|last = Andreeva |first = Nellie|date = August 14, 2017|work = Deadline|access-date = August 22, 2017}}
In 2019, Toussaint starred in the NBC limited drama series The Village.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/the-village-lorraine-toussaint-dominic-chianese-star-nbc-drama-pilot-1202306247/|title='The Village': Lorraine Toussaint & Dominic Chianese To Star In NBC Drama Pilot|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=March 1, 2018|access-date=March 4, 2018}} The series was canceled after one season. She later starred in the superhero film Fast Color opposite Gugu Mbatha-Raw and played the role of Louise "Lou Lou" Baptiste in the horror film Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark produced by Guillermo del Toro.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lorraine-toussaint-village-scary-stories-tell-dark-watch-1212418|title=Lorraine Toussaint Teases 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Role|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 21, 2019 }} The following year, she played feminist, civil rights advocate and activist Florynce Kennedy in the biographical film The Glorias directed by Julie Taymor.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/lorraine-toussaint-flo-kennedy-gloria-steinem-biopic-1202540294/|title=Lorraine Toussaint To Portray Activist Flo Kennedy In Gloria Steinem Biopic|first1=Amanda|last1=N'Duka|date=January 23, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://theglowup.theroot.com/actor-lorraine-toussaint-tells-the-revolutionary-story-1833615766|title=Actor Lorraine Toussaint Tells the Revolutionary Story of Black Feminist Florynce 'Flo' Kennedy|website=The Glow Up|date=March 28, 2019 }} The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2020. Later, she was cast opposite Idris Elba in the drama film Concrete Cowboy.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/concrete-cowboy-idris-elba-caleb-mclaughlin-stranger-things-ghetto-cowboy-book-jharrel-jerome-1202661808/|title=Idris Elba, 'Stranger Things' Caleb McLaughlin To Star In 'Concrete Cowboys'|first1=Mike Jr. |last1=Fleming|date=August 8, 2019}} Also in 2020, Toussaint was cast as Viola "Aunt Vi" Lascombe in the CBS reboot for The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/queen-latifah-equalizer-cbs-lorraine-toussaint-1203519476/|title=Queen Latifah's 'Equalizer' Reboot Pilot at CBS Casts Lorraine Toussaint|first1=Joe|last1=Otterson|date=February 29, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/lorraine-toussaint-cast-queen-latifah-the-equalizer-reboot-pilot-on-cbs-1202871169/|title=Lorraine Toussaint Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' Reboot Pilot On CBS|first1=Nellie|last1=Andreeva|date=February 29, 2020}}
Personal life
Toussaint has one daughter named Samara.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/selmas-lorraine-toussaint_b_6203986|title=Selma's Lorraine Toussaint on Motherhood, a Childhood of 'Silent, Dark Terror' and Award Season Buzz – Caroline Presno|work=HuffPost|date=November 25, 2014 |access-date=December 8, 2021}} One of Toussaint's grandparents was from Martinique.{{cite web|url=http://rollingout.com/2015/09/13/lorraine-toussaint-talks-rosewood-black-tv-chicago-screening/ |title=Lorraine Toussaint talks 'Rosewood' and Black TV at Chicago screening |editor=Lamarre, Eddy |date= September 13, 2015 |website=Rolling Out |access-date= February 2, 2016}} She had a [http://www.everydaylovelybylorraine.com/ blog].{{cite web|last1=Matthews|first1=Nadine|title=Rosewood's' Lorraine Toussaint on Acting, Living Lovely, and Activism|url=http://www.afro.com/rosewoods-lorraine-toussaint-acting-living-lovely-activism/|website=Baltimore Afro American|access-date=March 9, 2017}} Toussaint married a man named Michael Tomlinson in August 2017 but they divorced almost two years later in 2019.{{Cite web |title=Lorraine Toussaint Files for Divorce |url=https://extratv.com/2019/06/13/lorraine-toussaint-files-for-divorce/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Extra |language=en}}
Toussaint was raised Catholic but has since explored other religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.{{Cite web |date=2020-10-27 |title=Lorraine Toussaint on Faith, Spirituality, and the Best Mistake She's Ever Made |url=http://www.essence.com/celebrity/lorraine-toussaint-faith-spirituality-and-best-mistake-shes-ever-made/ |access-date=2024-01-18 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1989
| Delphine the Hooker | |
| 1991
| Almond Joy | |
| rowspan=2| 1993
| Beth | |
| Mother's Boys
| Robert's Associate | |
| 1994
| Bleeding Hearts | Enid Sheperd | |
| 1995
| Irene Roberts | |
| 1996
| Psalms from the Underground | - | Short |
| 1997
| {{sortname|The|Spittin' Image|nolink=1}} | - | Short |
| rowspan=2| 1998
| Avery | |
| Jaded
| Carol Broker | |
| 2000
| {{sortname|The|Sky Is Falling|The Sky Is Falling (2000 film)}} | Janie | |
| 2007
| Rwanda Rising | Berne Mukaniwisi (voice) | |
| 2008
| {{sortname|The|Gold Lunch|nolink=1}} | Judge | Short |
| 2009
| {{sortname|The|Soloist}} | Flo Ayers | |
| rowspan=2| 2012
| Brenda Davis | |
| Middle of Nowhere
| Ruth | |
| rowspan=2| 2014
| Dr. Sherman | |
| Selma
| |
| rowspan=2| 2015
| Naomi Holloway | |
| The Night Before
| Mrs. Roberts | |
| 2016
| Salome Whitmore | |
| rowspan=2| 2017
| Herself | |
| Love Beats Rhymes
| Nichelle | |
| rowspan=3| 2018
| Bo | |
| Sprinter
| Donna | |
| A Conversation: Anne Frank Meets God
| God (voice) | Short |
| 2019
| Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark | Louise "Lou Lou" Baptiste | |
| rowspan=2| 2020
| |
| Concrete Cowboy
| Nessie | |
| 2023
| Nimona | Queen Valerin (voice) |{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=May 18, 2023 |title='Nimona' Trailer Shapeshifts the Fairy Tale World with a Punk-Rock Antihero |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/05/nimona-trailer-shapeshifts-the-fairy-tale-world-with-a-punk-rock-antihero/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=www.animationmagazine.net}}{{cite web |title=Lorraine Toussaint (visual voices guide) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Lorraine-Toussaint/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. |
| 2024
|Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation |Rashida Remington (voice) | |
| TBA
| | Post-production |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1983
| {{sortname|The|Face of Rage|nolink=1}} | Stendah | Television film |
| 1986
| {{sortname|A|Case of Deadly Force}} | Pat Bowden | Television film |
| 1988
| Vera Williams | Regular Cast |
| 1989
| {{sortname|A|Man Called Hawk}} | Emily Howell | Episode: "Hear No Evil" |
| rowspan=3| 1990
| Common Ground | Alva | Television film |
| 227
| Monica Patton | Episode: "Nightmare on 227" |
| Nasty Boys
| Dr. Chanel Cory | Episode: "Kill or Be Killed: Part 1" |
| {{nowrap|1990–94}}
| Shambala Green | Recurring cast: seasons 1 & 3, guest: season 4 |
| 1991
| Daddy | Judge Lorraine | Television film |
| rowspan=4| 1992
| Big Marie Touissant | Episode: "The Rose Cadillac" |
| Trial: The Price of Passion
| Nancy Goodpaster | Television film |
| Bodies of Evidence
| Dr. Mary Rocket | Episode: "Afternoon Delights" |
| Red Dwarf
| Captain Lorraine Tau | Television film |
| rowspan=5| 1993
| Queen | Joyce | Episode: "Episode #1.3" |
| Lies and Lullabies
| Florence Crawford | Television film |
| Class of '61
| Sarah | Television film |
| {{sortname|The|Sinbad Show}}
| Mrs. Payton | Episode: "Pilot" |
| Where I Live
| Marie St. Martin | Main role |
| rowspan=2| 1994
| {{sortname|A|Time to Heal|A Time to Heal (film)}} | Zelda | Television film |
| M.A.N.T.I.S.
| Denise Copeland | Episode: "Fire in the Heart" |
| rowspan=4| 1995
| Lorraine | Episode: "A Woman's Work Is Never Done" |
| Amazing Grace
| Yvonne Price | Main role |
| Murder One
| Margaret Stratton | 2 episodes |
| It Was Him or Us
| Lt. Lorraine Washington | Television film |
| rowspan=6| 1996
| Philomena Jonz | Television film |
| Nightjohn
| Dealey | Television film |
| If These Walls Could Talk
| Shameeka Webb | Television film |
| Mr. & Mrs. Smith
| Dr. Avery Cotter | Episode: "The Coma Episode" |
| {{sortname|The|Cherokee Kid}}
| Mama Annie Turner | Television film |
| Dark Skies
| Eda Mae Tillman | Episode: "We Shall Overcome" |
| rowspan=2| 1997
| Linda Paxton | Episode: "Running Scared" |
| Leaving L.A.
| Dr. Claudia Chan | Main role |
| rowspan=4| 1998
| Kim Garfield | Television film |
| Nothing Sacred
| Lorraine Hamilton | Episode: "Signs and Words" |
| Cracker
| Tisha Watlington | Episode: "If: Part 1 & 2" |
| C-16: FBI
| Marsha Fontaine | Episode: "My Brother's Keeper" |
| 1998–2002
| Rene Jackson | Main role |
| 2002
| Dr. Franklin (voice) |
| 2002–03
| Dr. Elaine Duchamps | Main cast: season 2 |
| rowspan=2| 2003
| This Far by Faith | Narrator | Episode: "There Is a River" |
| Law & Order
| Shambala Green | Episode: "Identity" |
| 2003–04
| Carina Wright | Recurring role |
| 2004
| Frasier | Nurse Betty Toussaint | Episode: "Boo!" |
| rowspan=4| 2005
| Their Eyes Were Watching God | Pearl Stone | Television film |
| Judging Amy
| Eileen Stayman | Episode: "The New Normal" |
| {{sortname|The|Closer}}
| Deputy D.A. Patrice Powell | 2 episodes |
| Numb3rs
| Medical Examiner | Episode: "Bones of Contention" |
| 2006
| 3 lbs | Della | Episode: "Unaired Pilot" |
| 2006–07
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Cynthia James | Recurring cast: Season 7 |
| 2007
| Amelia 'Yoga' Bluman | Recurring role: season 2 |
| 2007–10
| Capt. Kate Perry | Main role |
| 2008
| ER | Yolanda | Episode: "Believe the Unseen" |
| 2009
| Numb3rs | Agent Terri Green | Episode: "Cover Me" |
| 2009–11
| Birdie "Bird" Merriweather | Recurring role: season 4–5 |
| rowspan=2| 2010
| Yolanda Moss | Episode: "Every Breath You Take" |
| {{sortname|The|Glades|The Glades (TV series)}}
| Carol Watkins | Episode: "A Perfect Storm" |
| rowspan=2| 2011
| NCIS | Deputy Director Donna Wolfson | Episode: "Defiance" |
| Against the Wall
| Officer Edie Marks | Episode: "Obsessed and Unwanted" |
| rowspan=5| 2012
| Dr. Helen Fincher | Episode: "The Girl with No Name" |
| {{sortname|The|Finder|The Finder (American TV series)}}
| La Bruja | Episode: "Voodoo Undo" |
| Drop Dead Diva
| Prof. Ellen Daily | Episode: "Road Trip" |
| {{nowrap|{{sortname|The|Secret Life of the American Teenager}}}}
| Lorraine | Episode: "Holy Rollers" |
| Scandal
| Nancy Drake | Episode: "The Other Woman" |
| 2012–14
| Dr. Watkins | Main role |
| 2013
| Police Chief Angela Martin | Recurring role: Season 3 |
| 2013–17
| Dana Adams | Recurring role |
| rowspan=2| 2014
| Aunt Toni | Episode: "The Huxtables Have Fallen" |
| Orange Is the New Black
| Recurring role: Season 2 |
| 2014–15
| Forever | Lt. Joanna Reece | Main role |
| 2015–17
| Rosewood | Donna Rosewood | Main role |
| rowspan=3| 2016
| The Real Housewives of Atlanta | Herself | Episode: "Shade for Days" |
| Chicago P.D.
| Shambala Green | Episode: "Justice" |
| Black-ish
| Aunt Alma Johnson | Episode: "Auntsgiving" |
| 2017
| Carole Moore | Episode: "Hour Eight: Rock Bottom" |
| 2018
| Rebecca | Episode: "The Death Stick" |
| 2018–19
| Cressida | Main role: season 3 |
| 2018–20
| She-Ra and the Princesses of Power | {{nowrap|Shadow Weaver/Light Spinner (voice)}} | Main role{{cite magazine |last=Gomez |first=Patrick |date=May 18, 2018 |title=She-Ra gets a makeover! A first look at the new Netflix series and meet the cast |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/05/18/she-ra-netflix-cast-photo-reveal/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705141552/https://ew.com/tv/2018/05/18/she-ra-netflix-cast-photo-reveal/ |archive-date=July 5, 2020 |access-date=May 18, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} |
| 2018–present
| Rashida Remington (voice) |
| 2019
| Patricia | Main role |
| 2020
| Nia Rogers | Episode: "The Gang Offends Everyone" |
| 2020–21
| Judge Sarah LeBlanc | Recurring role: season 1 |
| rowspan=3| 2021
| Mother (voice) | Episode: "Kiss, Marry, Kill" |
| Summer Camp Island
| Emily Ghost (voice) | {{nowrap|Episode: "The Emily Ghost Institute for Manners and Magical Etiquette"}} |
| Star Wars: Visions
| Masago (voice) | Episode: "Akakiri"{{Cite web|date=August 17, 2021|title=Stunning New Star Wars: Visions Trailer Debuts|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-visions-trailer-and-cast|access-date=August 17, 2021|website=StarWars.com|language=en-US}} |
| 2021–present
| Viola "Aunt Vi" Lascombe | Main role |
| 2022
| Wolfboy and the Everything Factory | Forest Ancient (voice) | Episode: "We Search for Change" |
| 2023
| Herself/Gertrude | Episode: "Making Shakespeare: The First Folio" |
| 2025
| StuGo | Dr. Lullah (voice) |
= Video games =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role |
|---|
| 2004
| High Sage Viryx |
| 2014
| World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor | High Sage Viryx |
| 2015
| Sphinx |
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|0005501}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Lorraine Toussaint
|list =
{{Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Drama Supporting Actress}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Toussaint, Lorraine}}
Category:Actresses from Brooklyn
Category:American film actresses
Category:American people of Martiniquais descent
Category:American television actresses
Category:American voice actresses
Category:Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School alumni
Category:Juilliard School alumni
Category:Trinidad and Tobago emigrants to the United States
Category:Trinidad and Tobago film actresses
Category:Trinidad and Tobago people of Martiniquais descent
Category:Trinidad and Tobago producers
Category:Trinidad and Tobago television actresses