Kimberly Russell is an American actress best known for her role as Sarah Nevins on the 1986–1991 sitcom ''

Head of the Class ''Head of the Class'' is an American sitcom television series that ran from 1986 to 1991 on the ABC television network. The series follows a group of gifted students in the Individualized Honors Program (IHP) at the fictional Millard Fillm ...

'' and in the 1990 comedy film ''

Ghost Dad ''Ghost Dad'' is a 1990 American fantasy comedy film directed by Sidney Poitier (in his final directorial effort) and starring Bill Cosby, in which a widower's spirit is able to communicate with his children after his death. The film was relea ...

'' alongside

Bill Cosby William Henry Cosby Jr. ( ; born July 12, 1937) is an American retired comedian, actor, and media personality. Often cited as a trailblazer for African Americans in the entertainment industry, Cosby was a film, television, and stand-up comedy ...

Early life

Russell was born in

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

. She graduated from the New York High School of Performing Arts.

Career

Russell began acting at age 11, with a part in the movie '' Fame'', and starred in an Off-Broadway production opposite

Angela Bassett Angela Evelyn Bassett (born August 16, 1958) is an American actress. Known for her work in film and television since the 1980s, she has received List of awards and nominations received by Angela Bassett, various accolades, including a Primetime ...

called ''Black Girl''. She has appeared in numerous television shows including ''

Family Matters ''Family Matters'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on ABC for eight seasons from September 22, 1989, to May 9, 1997, then moved to CBS for its ninth and final season from September 19, 1997, to July 17, 1998. A spin-of ...

'', ''

New York Undercover ''New York Undercover'' is an American police drama that aired on the Fox television network from September 8, 1994, to February 11, 1999. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torre ...

'' (which also starred

Michael DeLorenzo Michael DeLorenzo is an American actor, director, writer, producer, dancer, and musician. He is known for his work in television and film. Early life and education DeLorenzo was raised in The Bronx, New York. His late father, Arthur DeLorenzo, w ...

, whom Russell co-starred with on ''Fame'' and ''Head of the Class''), ''

The John Larroquette Show ''The John Larroquette Show'' is an American sitcom television series that was created by Don Reo for NBC. ''The John Larroquette Show'' was a star vehicle for John Larroquette following his run as Dan Fielding on ''Night Court''. The series t ...

'', ''

Ellen Ellen is a female given name, a diminutive of Elizabeth (given name), Elizabeth, Eleanor, Elena, and Helen (given name), Helen. Ellen was the 609th most popular name in the U.S. and the 17th in Sweden in 2004. People named Ellen include: * Elle ...

'', '' ER'', ''

Strong Medicine ''Strong Medicine'' is an American medical drama with a focus on feminist politics, health issues and class conflict that aired on the Lifetime network from 2000 to 2006. It was created and produced in part by Whoopi Goldberg, who made cam ...

'', and ''

The Steve Harvey Show ''The Steve Harvey Show'' is an American television sitcom created by Winifred Hervey and directed by Stan Lathan that aired on The WB from August 25, 1996 to February 17, 2002, with a total of 122 half-hour episodes spanning six seasons. Syn ...

''. She also starred in films such as ''

Hangin' with the Homeboys ''Hangin' with the Homeboys'' is a 1991 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Joseph Vasquez. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1991, where it won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. It was released by New Line Cine ...

'', '' The Game'', ''

Precious Precious may refer to: Music * Precious (group), a British female pop group Albums * ''Precious'' (Chanté Moore album), 1992 * ''Precious'' (Conrad Sewell album), 2023 * ''Precious'' (Cubic U album), 1998 * ''Precious'' (Ours album), 200 ...

'', ''The Sins'', and ''The Demon House'' starring

Glenn Close Glenda Veronica Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress. In a career spanning over five decades on Glenn Close on screen and stage, screen and stage, she has received List of awards and nominations received by Glenn Close, numerous ac ...

and directed by

Lee Daniels Lee Daniels (born December 24, 1959) is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He made his directorial film debut with ''Shadowboxer'' (2005), followed by ''Precious (film), Precious'' (2009) which earned him Academy Award nomin ...

Filmography

Film

Television

References

Actresses from Brooklyn American stage actresses American television actresses American film actresses Living people 21st-century African-American actresses 21st-century American actresses 20th-century African-American actresses 20th-century American actresses Year of birth missing (living people) {{US-screen-actor-1960s-stub