Monica Calhoun
{{Short description|American film and television actress (born 1971)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Monica Calhoun
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|7|29}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/monica-calhoun-57383839/ |title=Monica Calhoun |author=|website=Hollywood.com |publisher=Hollywood |access-date=December 15, 2017 |quote=}}
| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| occupation = Actress
| nationality =
| yearsactive = 1985–present
| known_for = Mia Morgan – The Best Man, The Best Man Holiday
Ebony – The Players Club
| spouse =
| domesticpartner =
| height = {{convert|5|ft|4.5|in|cm}}{{cite web |url=http://pikastar.com/monica-calhoun-height-weight-measurements/ |title=Monica Calhoun Height Weight Measurements |author= |website=Pikastar|access-date=December 15, 2017 |quote=}}
| children = 1
| parents =
| website =
| awards =
}}
Monica Calhoun (born July 29, 1971)[https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-10182-155916/monica-calhoun-in-biographical-summaries-of-notable-people My Heritage - Monica Calhoun] is an American film and television actress. Calhoun is best known for her roles in the films Bagdad Cafe (1987), The Players Club (1998),{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Q7EvbA2wIoC&q=Monica+Calhoun&pg=PA78 |title=Pimp's Up, Ho's Down: Hip Hop's Hold on Young Black Women |author= |date=2003 |publisher=NYU Press |isbn=9780814741221 |access-date=December 15, 2017 |quote=}} The Salon (2005), The Best Man (1999),{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9MIDAAAAMBAJ&q=Monica+Calhoun&pg=PA36 |title=Friends Reunite For A Wedding And Scandalous Secrets Are Revealed in "The Best Man"|last=Magazine |first=JET |date=October 25, 1999 |website=Google Books |publisher= Johnson Publishing Company |access-date=December 15, 2017 |quote=}} and its sequel The Best Man Holiday (2013). She has also appeared in the films Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) and Love & Basketball (2000). Calhoun has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award and one NAACP Image Award.
Biography
=Early life and education=
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Calhoun is the daughter of Lorine Calhoun.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X7eprnTOFN4C&q=Monica+Calhoun&pg=PT6 |title=L.A. Blues |author= |date=2002 |publisher=Urban Books |isbn=9781599831985 |access-date=December 15, 2017|quote=}} She moved to California in the late 1970s, and began acting while in sixth grade.{{cite news|last=Waldron|first=David Brian|date=January 22, 1995|title=A different world: Special puts a unique shade on teen-age trials|page=7|newspaper=The Boca Raton News}} Calhoun attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-12-me-2670-story.html|title=Different Drummer : Reading, Writing and Rhythm Merge at Arts High School|last=Hamilton|first=Denise|date=May 12, 1991|website=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 11, 2022|author-link=Denise Hamilton}}
=Career=
Calhoun made her acting debut in the 1985 TV film Children of the Night as Wanda.{{cite book|page=78|title=Prostitution in Hollywood Films|last=Parish|first=James Robert|date=1992|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=9780899506777|author-link=James Robert Parish}} She portrayed Phyllis, the daughter of CCH Pounder's character, in Bagdad Cafe (1987).{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kczcgHtgGfYC&dq=%22Monica+Calhoun%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA35|page=35|title=Frame by Frame II: A Filmography of the African American Image, 1978-1994|last1=Rauch Klotman|first1=Phyllis|last2=Gibson|first2=Gloria J.|date=1997|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=9780253211200}} Calhoun was the only actor in Bagdad Cafe to return for the television series,{{cite news|last=Burlingame|first=Jon|date=March 30, 1990|title='Full House' carries a message tonight|page=23|newspaper=Times-News}} albeit the character's name was changed to Debbie.{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4a8DAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Monica+Calhoun%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA58|page=59|title=Whoopi Goldberg And Jean Stapleton: Actresses Star In TV's New 'Bagdad Cafe'|magazine=Jet|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|date=April 23, 1990}} The televised adaptation lasted two seasons before being cancelled.
She portrayed Rebbie Jackson in the 1992 biopic miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EXpIEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Monica+Calhoun%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA103|page=103|title=Encyclopedia of Television Miniseries, 1936-2020|last=Terrace|first=Vincent|date=September 22, 2021|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=9781476687353}} In 1993, she had a minor role in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit{{cite news|last=McArt|first=Nora|date=January 21, 1995|title=Kids Shows: The importance of friendship|newspaper=Lawrence Journal-World}} and acted in the Disney Channel film The Ernest Green Story alongside Morris Chestnut.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wxa7BAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Monica+Calhoun%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA215|page=215|title=Historical Dictionary of African American Television|last1=Fearn-Banks|first1=Kathleen|last2=Burford-Johnson|first2=Anne|date=October 3, 2014|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn= 9780810879171}} Calhoun received an Emmy Award nomination for her performance in the CBS Schoolbreak Special "Different Worlds: A Story of Interracial Love" (1993).{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1993/tv/news/cbs-tops-daytime-emmy-noms-105571/|title=CBS tops Daytime Emmy noms|last=Lowry|first=Brian|date=March 31, 1993|website=Variety|access-date=November 11, 2022}} Calhoun co-starred with actor Flex Alexander in the short-lived series, Where I Live, and appeared in Pacific Station.
Calhoun guest starred in several sitcoms including The Wayans Bros., A Different World and The Jamie Foxx Show, the latter as Jamie Foxx's sister.{{cite news|date=June 6, 1999|title=Highlights|page=41|newspaper=Boca Raton News}} She appeared as Linda, one of the daughters of Donald Thornton in television film The Ditchdigger's Daughters (1997).{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Misti C.|date=December 12, 1996|title=Step back in time this holiday|page=5D|newspaper=Star-News}} Calhoun played the role of Ebony, a stripper,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uKVoDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Monica+Calhoun%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA123|page=123|title=Understanding Comedy Through College Comedies|last=Kagan|first=Norman|date=August 15, 2018|publisher=Hamilton Books|isbn=9780761870630}} in Ice Cube's directorial debut The Players Club (1998).
She appeared in the lead role, Reese Delaware, in Intimate Betrayal (1999).{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z5qmplifVDIC&dq=%22Monica+Calhoun%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA376|page=376|title=Frame by Frame III: A Filmography of the African Diasporan Image, 1994-2004|last=Thomas McClauskey|first=Audrey|date=2007|publisher=Indiana University Press|isbn=9780253348296}} In Love & Basketball (2000), she portrayed Kerry, a girlfriend of the basketball playing protagonist.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3xBVtMpDYaoC&dq=%22Monica+Calhoun%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA298|page=298|title=Encyclopedia of Sports Films|last1=Edgington|first1=K.|last2=Erskine|first2=Thomas|last3=Welsh|first3=James M.|date=December 29, 2010|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=9780810876538}} In 2002, Calhoun appeared in Trois 2: Pandora's Box as psychologist Dr. Mia DuBois{{cite news|url=https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=INR20020621-01.1.19&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-%22Monica+Calhoun%22------|title=Rainforest Films to release 'Pandora's Box' in August|page=C1|newspaper=Indianapolis Recorder}} and portrayed Wet in Civil Brand.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-vJw1PuV1vcC&dq=%22Monica+Calhoun%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA195|page=195|title=Screen World: 2004 Film Annual|last1=Monush|first1=Barry|last2=Willis|first2=John|date=June 2005|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=9781557836397|author-link2=John A. Willis}} Calhoun played Rachel in the Western Gang of Roses (2003).{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xdf8t-Vs3e4C&dq=%22Monica+Calhoun%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA99|page=99|title=The A to Z of Westerns in Cinema|last=Varner|first=Paul|date=September 15, 2009|publisher=Scarecrow Press}}
Calhoun portrayed Mia, the wife of Morris Chestnut's character, in The Best Man (1999).{{cite news|last=Carr|first=Jay|date=October 25, 1999|title=Lee's 'Best Man' is cause to celebrate|page=4D|newspaper=Star-News}} She received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture in 2000 for her performance.{{cite news|date=December 2, 1999|title=NAACP announces Image Award nominees|page=13B|newspaper=The Michigan Daily}} She returned in its sequel The Best Man Holiday (2013).{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/best-man-holiday-film-review-654967/|title=The Best Man Holiday: Film Review|last=Farber|first=Stephen|date=November 13, 2013|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 11, 2022}} In the latter, Mia is terminally ill and dies at the end of the film.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/movies/weighing-elf-love-actually-and-other-holiday-films.html|title=Entries in the Silver Bell Sweepstakes |last=Spitz|first=Marc|date=December 4, 2014|website=The New York Times|access-date=November 11, 2022|author-link=Marc Spitz}}
She played the role of Brenda in 2007's The Salon starring Vivica Fox.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/movies/11salon.html|title=Cutting Hair and Cutting Remarks|last=Catsoulis|first=Jeannette|date=May 10, 2007|website=The New York Times|access-date=November 11, 2022}} In 2009, Robert Townsend directed Calhoun in Diary of a Single Mom, Season I, II and III (2008–10).{{cite news|url=https://www.bet.com/article/xmr3cb/monica-calhoun-i-heard-they-are-doing-a-third-best-man|title=Monica Calhoun: "I Heard They Are Doing a Third Best Man Film"|date=February 10, 2014|publisher=BET|first=Ronke Idowu|last=Reeves}} Calhoun appeared as Patricia Tresvant, Ralph's mother in The New Edition Story miniseries which aired on the BET network in January 2017.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/05/la-la-anthony-yvette-nicole-brown-monica-calhoun-cast-new-edition-the-movie-bet-1201750028/|title=La La Anthony, Yvette Nicole Brown, Monica Calhoun Among Five Cast In 'New Edition: The Movie' On BET|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=May 5, 2016|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=November 11, 2022}}
Personal Life
Calhoun gave birth to a son in 2000. Her son is blind.{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qdUDAAAAMBAJ&q=Monica+Calhoun&pg=PA34 |title= Celebrity Parents |author=Ebony Magazine |date= March 2001 |website= Google Books |publisher= Johnson Publishing Company |access-date=December 15, 2017 |quote=}}[http://liverampup.com/entertainment/film-actress-monica-calhoun-son-brother-illness-married-husband-net-worth.html Live Ramp Up - Film actress Monica Calhoun son and brothers' illness - November 6, 2016]{{cite web |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BtoDAAAAMBAJ&q=monica+calhoun+husband&pg=PA148 |title=The New Motherhood |author=Ebony Magazine|date=May 2001 |website=Google Books |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |access-date= December 15, 2017 |quote=}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1985
| Wanda | TV movie |
| 1987
| Phyllis | |
| 1989
| Heart and Soul | Janet | TV movie |
| 1991
| She Stood Alone | Eliza Hammond | TV movie |
| rowspan=4| 1993
| {{sortname|The|Ernest Green Story}} | TV movie |
| Jack the Bear
| Sondra | |
| Younger and Younger
| Jaime-Lee | |
| Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
| Classroom Kid | |
| 1996
| Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault | Evonne | TV movie |
| rowspan=2| 1997
| {{sortname|The|Ditchdigger's Daughters|nolink=1}} | Linda | TV movie |
| Damn Whitey
| Young Woman | Short |
| rowspan=2| 1998
| {{sortname|The|Players Club}} | Ebony | |
| Park Day
| Tamala Davis | |
| rowspan=2| 1999
| {{sortname|The|Best Man|The Best Man (1999 film)}} | Mia Morgan | |
| Intimate Betrayal
| Reese Delaware | TV movie |
| rowspan=2| 2000
| Kerry | |
| Nature Boy
| Maria Cole | TV movie |
| 2001
| Faux Pas | - | |
| rowspan=3| 2002
| Turnaround | Cammy | |
| Civil Brand
| Wet | |
| Trois 2: Pandora's Box
| Dr. Mia DuBois | |
| rowspan=2| 2003
| Maya | |
| Gang of Roses
| Rachel | |
| 2004
| Justice | Sharice | |
| rowspan=2| 2005
| {{sortname|The|Salon|The Salon (film)}} | Brenda | |
| Friends and Lovers
| Debra | Video |
| 2013
| Mia M. Sullivan | |
| rowspan=2| 2016
| Everything But A Man | Vanessa | |
| No Regrets
| Nina Thomas | |
| 2020
| Leroy | Joey | |
| 2023
| Deadly Entanglement | Deidra | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1989
| Vonette | Episode: "15 and Getting Straight" |
| 1990–91
| Debbie | Main Cast |
| rowspan=2| 1992
| {{sortname|The|Jacksons: An American Dream}} | Episode: "Part 1 & 2" |
| CBS Schoolbreak Special
| Carol | Episode: "Different Worlds: A Story of Interracial Love" |
| rowspan=2| 1993
| {{sortname|A|Different World|A Different World (TV series)}} | Yolanda | Episode: "Homey, Don't Ya Know Me?" |
| Where I Live
| Kaiya | Episode: "Big Mon on Campus" |
| 1994
| Kara | Episode: "Fourth Quarter" |
| 1995
| Temple Baham | Episode: "What About Your Friends" |
| 1996
| {{sortname|The|Wayans Bros.}} | Vanessa | Episode: "Unbrotherly Love" |
| 1997
| Cynthia Porter | Episode: "Try a Little Tenderness" |
| 1998
| {{sortname|The|Jamie Foxx Show}} | Kim | Episode: "Swing Out Sister" |
| 2000
| Helena | Episode: "Moving Violations" |
| rowspan=2| 2003
| Denise Woodson | Episode: "I Kid You Not" |
| Strong Medicine
| Paige Wheeler | Episode: "Coming Clean" |
| rowspan=2| 2006
| Mrs. Wood | Episode: "Break on Through" |
| Everybody Hates Chris
| Charlotte | Episode: "Everybody Hates Funerals" |
| 2007
| Dirt | Chelle | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2008
| Phoebe Curtis (1989) | Episode: "Triple Threat" |
| 2009–11
| Ocean | Main Cast |
| 2017
| Patricia Tresvant | Episode: "Part 1 & 2" |
| 2022
| The Best Man: The Final Chapters | Mia Sullivan | Recurring Cast |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0004793}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Calhoun, Monica}}
Category:American film actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:American child actresses
Category:20th-century American actresses
Category:Actresses from Los Angeles
Category:21st-century African-American actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Actresses from Pennsylvania
Category:Actresses from Philadelphia