Raven Goodwin
{{short description|American actress}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Raven Goodwin
| birth_name =
| image =
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| nationality = American
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 2001–present
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| children = 2
}}
Raven Goodwin is an American actress. She made her debut with the comedy film Lovely & Amazing (2001), which earned her an Independent Spirit Award nomination, and next received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for her role in the drama film The Station Agent. She made her shift to television roles starring in the Nickelodeon comedy series Just Jordan (2007–2008).
In 2010, Goodwin transitioned to mature roles with the series Huge (2010), and subsequently came to mainstream recognition with a recurring role on the sitcom Good Luck Charlie (2010–2014). Her widespread breakthrough came with a leading role on the BET series Being Mary Jane (2013–2019), for which her performance received praise. She has since appeared as Eliza on the comedy series SMILF (2017–2019) and as Denise Clark-Bradford in the television film The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel (2020), the latter of which earned her a Black Reel Award nomination. She made her return to film with a cameo in the action film Snatched (2017).
Early and personal life
Goodwin announced her engagement to finance executive Wiley Battle{{Cite web |title='Being Mary Jane' Actress Raven Goodwin Is Engaged! |url=https://www.essence.com/celebrity/being-mary-jane-actress-raven-goodwin-is-engaged/ |access-date=October 28, 2019 |website=Essence |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527120039/https://www.essence.com/celebrity/being-mary-jane-actress-raven-goodwin-is-engaged/ |archive-date=May 27, 2019}} through Instagram,{{Cite web |title=Raven Goodwin (@ravengoodwin) • Instagram photos and videos |url=https://www.instagram.com/ravengoodwin/ |access-date=October 28, 2019 |website=instagram.com |language=en}}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}} which was picked up across various media outlets.{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2019 |title=Fans Just Realized This Good Luck Charlie Actor Is Engaged |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/raven-goodwin-engaged |access-date=November 22, 2019 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en}} She has two children; both of them were confirmed via Instagram.
Acting career
= 2001–2008: Child acting =
Goodwin began acting in 2001, making her debut with the comedy drama film Lovely & Amazing, starring as Annie Marks. Goodwin's performance was praised, leading her to receive a number of award nominations for the role, of which includes a Black Reel Award nomination and an Independent Spirit Award.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tvovermind.com/five-things-didnt-know-raven-goodwin/ |title=Five Things You Didn't Know About Raven Goodwin |last=Nat |date=March 12, 2018 |website=TVOvermind |language=en-US |access-date=October 28, 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2001/film/awards/lovely-amazing-1200470084/ |title=Lovely & Amazing |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |date=September 6, 2001 |website=Variety |language=en |access-date=October 28, 2019}} The New York Times wrote on her performance that "Of the three daughters, Annie (Goodwin) seems the most grounded",{{Cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=June 28, 2002 |title=FILM REVIEW; Outward Appearances Fuel Inner Neuroses |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/28/movies/film-review-outward-appearances-fuel-inner-neuroses.html |access-date=August 26, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}} and Empire magazine named Goodwin a "stand-out" of the film.{{Cite web |title=Lovely and Amazing |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/lovely-amazing-review/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Empire}}
In 2003, Goodwin was cast in Tom McCarthy's independent comedy-drama The Station Agent as Cleo. Filmed over a strain of time in the same year, The Station Agent and the performances of the ensemble were acclaimed upon release.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-station-agent-2003 |title=The Station Agent movie review (2003) {{!}} Roger Ebert |last=Ebert |first=Roger |website=www.rogerebert.com |language=en |access-date=April 7, 2020}} She earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for the role,{{Cite web |date=May 18, 2017 |title=SCREEN ACTORS GUILD HONORS OUTSTANDING FILM AND TELEVISION PERFORMANCES IN 13 CATEGORIES AT THE 10TH ANNUAL SAG AWARDS® {{!}} Screen Actors Guild Awards |url=http://www.sagawards.org/media-pr/press-releases/screen-actors-guild-honors-outstanding-film-and-television-performances-13-c |access-date=August 26, 2021 |archive-date=May 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518124211/http://www.sagawards.org/media-pr/press-releases/screen-actors-guild-honors-outstanding-film-and-television-performances-13-c |url-status=bot: unknown}} which ranks her among the youngest actresses to be nominated. On Goodwin's acting, Roger Ebert, who previously reviewed Lovely & Amazing, said that she "like (Peter) Dinklage, has a particular and unshakable presence on the screen, and I hope the movies do not misplace her, as they do so many child actors."
In 2004, Goodwin began working on television, making guest appearances on various shows, of which include the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, and the television series Strong Medicine and Everybody Hates Chris. In 2006, Goodwin appeared in the critically-panned{{Cite web |last=Leydon |first=Joe |date=April 9, 2006 |title=Phat Girlz |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/phat-girlz-1200517098/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} comedy film Phat Girlz as Young Jazmin Biltmore. Goodwin landed the main role of Tangie Cunningham on Nickelodeon sitcom Just Jordan, which began airing in 2007, running for two seasons.{{Cite web |last=Girl |first=GangStarr |date=September 15, 2011 |title=V Premiere: H Wood City & New 'Glee' Actress Raven Goodwin Debut 'No Good For Me' (Video) |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/v-premiere-h-wood-city-new-glee-actress-raven-goodwin-debut-no-good-me-video-68489/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Vibe (magazine) |language=en-US}}
= 2009–present: Mainstream breakthrough =
In 2010, Goodwin was cast in the main role of Becca in the sitcom Huge,{{Cite web |title=Breaking News - ABC Family Premieres Its New Original Scripted Drama Series, "Huge" {{!}} TheFutonCritic.com |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/05/13/abc-family-premieres-its-new-original-scripted-drama-series-huge/20100513abcfamily01/ |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=www.thefutoncritic.com}} which ran for a season. The show averaged roughly a million viewers per episode.{{Cite web |title=TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com |url=https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103220518/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/ |archive-date=November 3, 2010 |access-date=October 28, 2019 |website=TV By The Numbers by zap2it.com |language=en}} Later that year, Goodwin was cast as the recurring role of Ivy Wentz in Disney Channel sitcom Good Luck Charlie.{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2017 |title='Being Mary Jane' Star Raven Goodwin Talks Being Black, Self Esteem, & More |url=https://globalgrind.com/4213479/being-mary-jane-star-raven-goodwin-talks-being-black-self-esteem-more/ |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=Global Grind |language=en}} Following this, Goodwin played the role of Sheila on Fox's comedy drama Glee for three episodes, and appeared as Desiree in American sitcom New Girl. Her role on Good Luck Charlie earned particular praise.
In 2013, Goodwin was cast in the main role of Niecy Patterson, the niece of Gabrielle Union's character, in the American drama series Being Mary Jane,{{Cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/10/24/bet-networks-first-original-scripted-series-being-mary-jane-starring-gabrielle-union-premieres-on-tuesday-january-7-2014-at-10-pm-et-pt-664210/20131024bet01/ |title=Breaking News - BET Networks' First Original Scripted Series "Being Mary Jane" Starring Gabrielle Union Premieres on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 10 P.M. ET/PT {{!}} TheFutonCritic.com |website=www.thefutoncritic.com |access-date=April 7, 2020}} which she played until the show ended in 2019. Being Mary Jane polarized critics and audiences,{{Cite web |title='Being Mary Jane' premiere postmortem: Gabrielle Union on the aftermath of Mary Jane's crash |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/10/21/being-mary-jane-season-3-premiere-postmortem-gabrielle-union/ |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}} and broke records for the BET network, and gave Goodwin recognition in mature roles.{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2013 |title=Solid Ratings Debut For BET's 'Being Mary Jane' - 4 Millions Viewers, Highest-Rating On Cable {{!}} Shadow and Act |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/solid-ratings-debut-for-bets-being-mary-jane-4-millions-viewers-highest-rating-on-cable |access-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921093059/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/solid-ratings-debut-for-bets-being-mary-jane-4-millions-viewers-highest-rating-on-cable |archive-date=September 21, 2013}} On the transition from Disney, she said that "it was very necessary. At one point I was doing Disney and Being Mary Jane at the same time. But it still felt natural. It still felt organic."{{Cite web |last=Rosario |first=Richy |date=February 2, 2015 |title=Raven Goodwin Made A Smooth Transition From Disney To 'Niecy' On 'Being Mary Jane' |url=https://www.vibe.com/features/editorial/raven-goodwin-being-mary-jane-interview-251318/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Vibe (magazine) |language=en-US}} She played the role until 2019, a period of time in which she sporadically took television and film roles.
In 2017, she was cast in the role of Eliza in the American television program SMILF; she was initially set to portray a recurring role, though she was promoted to a series regular for the show's second season.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=March 7, 2018 |title='SMILF': Raven Goodwin Promoted To Regular For Season 2 Of Showtime Series |url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/smilf-raven-goodwin-promoted-regular-season-2-showtime-comedy-series-1202314528/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309195100/http://deadline.com/2018/03/smilf-raven-goodwin-promoted-regular-season-2-showtime-comedy-series-1202314528/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 9, 2018 |access-date=June 24, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} The series ran for 2 years, and was cancelled following several misconduct allegations made by SMILF
In 2019, Goodwin starred in the BET television film Christmas Belles. In the same year, she was cast as Denise Clark-Bradford in the Lifetime television film The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel. Released in 2020, the feature was Lifetime's most-watched in four years,{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=April 13, 2020 |title='The Clark Sisters: First Ladies Of Gospel' Biopic Marks Highest-Rated Lifetime Movie In Four Years |url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/the-clark-sisters-first-ladies-of-gospel-biopic-lifetime-tv-ratings-1202907356/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} and Goodwin's acting was lauded by critics; she received a nomination for another Black Reel Award.{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2020 |title=Meet the Nominees |url=http://blackreelawards.com/meet-the-nominees/ |access-date=September 3, 2020 |website=Black Reel Awards |language=en-US |archive-date=June 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626143522/http://blackreelawards.com/meet-the-nominees/ |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2020 |title=Watchmen & Insecure Pace the Black Reel Awards for TV Nominations |url=http://blackreelawards.com/watchmen-insecure-pace-the-black-reel-awards-for-tv-nominations/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=The Black Reel Awards |language=en-US |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704021011/http://blackreelawards.com/watchmen-insecure-pace-the-black-reel-awards-for-tv-nominations/ |url-status=dead}}
In January 2021, Goodwin portrayed actress Hattie McDaniel in the independent biographical film Behind the Smile.{{Cite web |last=N'Duka |first=Amanda |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Raven Goodwin To Play Hattie McDaniel In Indie Biopic 'Behind the Smile' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/raven-goodwin-hattie-mcdaniel-biopic-behind-the-smile-1234665927/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Raven Goodwin Cast in Indie Biopic 'Behind the Smile' as Legendary Actress Hattie McDaniel - |url=https://movies.mxdwn.com/news/raven-goodwin-cast-in-indie-biopic-behind-the-smile-as-legendary-actress-hattie-mcdaniel/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=mxdwn Movies |language=en-US}} On being cast in the role, Goodwin stated that "I am forever honored. I look forward to bringing this important historical and relevant life story to the screen." In August of that same year, Goodwin began playing the recurring character of Josephine on the drama series Our Kind of People.{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=August 18, 2021 |title='Our Kind Of People': Raven Goodwin & Nicole Chanel Williams Join Fox Drama Series As Recurring |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/our-kind-of-people-raven-goodwin-nicole-chanel-williams-join-fox-drama-series-as-recurring-1234817259/ |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
Filmography
= Film =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2001
| Annie Marks | |
| 2003
| Cleo | |
| 2006
| Young Jazmin Biltmore | |
| 2007
| All About Us | DJ | |
| 2008
| My Genie | Princene "Princess" Gingi | |
| 2017
| Lew | |
| 2024
| Lola | Babina | |
| 2024
|Style Me for Christmas |Tiffany | |
| TBA
| Behind the Smile |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2004
| Special Kid # 2 | Episode: "Dewey's Special Class" |
| 2005
| Tara | Episode: "Infectious Love" |
| 2006
| Tangee | Episode: "Everybody Hates Valentine's Day" |
| 2006
| Courtney | 2 episodes |
| 2006
| Just a Phase | Crystal | Unsold television film |
| 2007–2008
| Tangie Cunningham | Main role |
| 2008
| 30 Rock | Pam | Episode: "Believe in the Stars" |
| 2010
| Huge | Rebecca "Becca" Huffstatter | Main role |
| 2010–2014
| Ivy Wentz | Recurring role |
| 2010
| Rose Watkins | Episode: "Meet the Trainer" |
| 2011
| Glee | Sheila | 3 episodes |
| 2011
| New Girl | Desiree | Episode: "Bells" |
| 2011
| Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! | Ivy Wentz | Television film |
| 2013–2019
| Niecy Patterson | Main role |
| 2017–2019
| SMILF | Eliza | Recurring (season 1), main role (season 2) |
| 2019
| Christmas Belles | Delia | Television film |
| 2020
| The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel |Lifetime movie{{cite magazine |last1=LEGASPI |first1=ALTHEA |title=Salt–N-Pepa Miniseries, the Clark Sisters Biopic In Works |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/salt-n-pepa-miniseries-the-clark-sisters-biopic-lifetime-814347/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 15, 2019 |date=March 28, 2019}} |
| 2021
| Josephine |
| 2022
| Monica Harris | Television film |
| 2022-present
| Krystal | 3 Episodes |
| 2024
| Single Black Female 2: Simone's Revenge | Monica Harris | Television film |
| 2024
| Merritt Tryon | Main role |
| 2025
| Single Black Female 3: The Final Chapter | Monica Harris | Television film |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result ! Ref. |
|---|
| rowspan="3" | 2003
| Outstanding Breakthrough Performance | rowspan="3" | Lovely & Amazing | {{nom}} | rowspan="5" | {{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} |
| Independent Spirit Awards
| Best Breakthrough Performance |{{nom}} |
| OTA Film Awards
| Best Film Performance | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards | Best Ensemble Acting (shared with cast) | rowspan="2" |The Station Agent | {{nom}} |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards
| Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (shared with cast) | {{nom}} |
| 2020
|Black Reel Awards |Outstanding Supporting Actress in a TV Movie or Limited Series |The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel | {{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name |0329538}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goodwin, Raven}}
Category:21st-century African-American actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Actresses from Washington, D.C.
Category:African-American child actresses
Category:American child actresses
Category:American film actresses