Victoria Rowell

Victoria Lynn Rowell (born May 10, 1959)[1] is an American actress, writer, producer and dancer. Rowell began her career as a ballet dancer and model, before making her acting debut in the 1987 comedy film, Leonard Part 6. In 1990, Rowell joined the cast of the CBS daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless, as Drucilla Winters, her signature and longest role on television, for which she was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards. She departed from the show in 2007. Rowell is also well known for her role as Dr. Amanda Bentley in the CBS medical crime drama Diagnosis: Murder (1993–2001). From 1993 to 2000, she appeared on both series simultaneously.

Victoria Rowell
Rowell in 2012
Born
Victoria Lynn Rowell

(1959-05-10) May 10, 1959
Portland, Maine, U.S.
OccupationActress, producer, writer
Years active1987–present
Spouse(s)
Tom Fahey
​
(
m. 1989; div. 1990)

Radcliffe Bailey
​
(
m. 2009; div. 2014)
Children2

Rowell has had a number of roles in feature films. She starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the 1992 comedy The Distinguished Gentleman, and later had roles in films Dumb and Dumber (1994), Barb Wire (1996), and Eve's Bayou (1997). Rowell is an 11-time NAACP Image Awards winner (for The Young and the Restless).

Early life

Vicki Lynn Rowell was born in Portland, Maine, on May 10, 1959. Her biological mother, Dorothy Rowell, was of English descent and a Mayflower descendant, and her birth father, whose surname was Wilson, was of Jamaican descent.[2][3] Rowell knew very little about her father. Dorothy, who suffered from schizophrenia, took a taxi to a hospital to give birth to Rowell, leaving a son and two small daughters unsupervised. When she was 16 days old, Rowell, along with her two sisters, Sheree and Lori, was surrendered to child services.[4]

While living in Maine with foster parents Agatha C. and Robert Armstead,[3] Rowell, then eight, began ballet lessons. She became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, an African-American Greek-lettered sorority. After dancing with the American Ballet Theater II and the Juilliard School of Music Dance Extension program with Antony Tudor, Rowell accepted guest-artist teaching posts in New England.[5]

Career

In the 1980s, Rowell became an in-demand runway and catalog model.[6] Rowell made her film debut in the 1987 comedy film Leonard Part 6 opposite Bill Cosby and later had a recurring role on The Cosby Show[6] In 1988, she also had the recurring role of Nella Franklin on the CBS daytime soap opera, As the World Turns.

In 1990, Rowell was cast as street urchin-turned-ballet dancer Drucilla Barber on the CBS daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless. Rowell became a fan favorite and was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards in 1996, 1997, and 1998. She won 11 NAACP Image Awards for her portrayal of Drucilla. Rowell's first run as Drucilla was from 1990 to 1998. She briefly returned in 2000, then returned on a regular basis from 2002 until early 2007. In 2007, Rowell became unhappy with the soap opera behind the scenes, labeling daytime television and The Young and the Restless as racist for not having enough African-American cast and crew.[7][8] She also argued the directions of her storylines which were not heard, prompting her to leave. Within the storyline, Drucilla fell off a cliff and was presumed dead as her body was never found. Rowell has openly expressed pleasure in returning,[9] and due to the character's strong appeal and popularity, viewers have begged the series to rehire her. However, CBS has stated that having Drucilla return is not the creative decision they are looking for, which has disappointed fans of the actress.[10] In 2014, Rowell posted a series of tweets criticizing the show for not having enough African-Americans in decision-making positions. "Young & Restless on air for 40 years, loyally watched by their absolute competitive-edge audience (blacks) & not one black Exec producer?" – she tweeted. Her tweets coincided with the series' 41st anniversary.[11]

From 1993 to 2001, Rowell starred as Dr. Amanda Bentley in the CBS primetime series Diagnosis: Murder, opposite Dick Van Dyke, replacing Cynthia Gibb from the original made-for-television movie. For much of Rowell's stint on Diagnosis: Murder, she was working on that show and on The Young and the Restless simultaneously. One episode of Diagnosis Murder centered around murder on the set of The Young and the Restless; Rowell was featured as both Amanda and Drucilla in that episode. The series run from 1993 to 2001, producing 178 episodes and two television movies, aired after the series' cancellation. Diagnosis: Murder has also run in syndication as of 1997.

In 1990s, Rowell co-starred in several films. She had the role of Eddie Murphy's character's love interest in the 1992 comedy film, The Distinguished Gentleman. In 1994, she played FBI agent Beth Jordan in comedy film Dumb and Dumber. She co-starred opposite Mario Van Peebles in the science-fiction crime film Full Eclipse (1993), and had a major role in the box office failure action film Barb Wire (1996) with Pamela Anderson. In 1997 she appeared in the critically acclaimed drama film, Eve's Bayou. In the 2000s, she appeared in the number of small films, such as Motives and A Perfect Fit. In 2006, she co-starred as Samuel L. Jackson's character wife in Home of the Brave. She also had the recurring roles on Single Ladies and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

In spring 2009, Rowell signed a six-figure deal with Atria Books for a book about the world of daytime TV. She released her memoirs called The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir in 2008.[12] She later released Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva: A Novel (2010)[13] The Young and the Ruthless: Back in the Bubbles (2013).[14]

In February 2015, Rowell filed a lawsuit against CBS, Sony Pictures Television, Bell Dramatic Serial Company, and Bell-Phillip Television Production Inc, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation. In the suit, Rowell alleges that since 2010 she had made several attempts to be re-employed at The Young and the Restless or employed at sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful, but was repeatedly denied due to her outspokenness regarding the lack of diversity both in front of and behind the cameras at CBS.[15] The same day the suit was filed, CBS released a statement saying that Rowell left the cast of her own initiative, the suit was without merit, and they would vigorously defend the case.[16] In June 2015, Rowell's legal team filed a declaration in furtherance of the lawsuit. In the declaration, Rowell alleges that she was the target of racially motivated attacks on the set of The Young and the Restless, at the hands of former co-stars, Michelle Stafford, Melody Thomas Scott, and Peter Bergman.[17] In November 2015, the judge presiding over the case dismissed the suit without prejudice.[18] Rowell's legal team resubmitted an amended claim that included an allegation against Corday Productions and Sony Pictures Television. Alleging that she pursued a role on the Sony and Corday produced NBC soap Days of Our Lives, but was removed from the audition list.[19] In June 2016, the judge again dismissed the previous claims against CBS and Bell-Phillip Television Production Inc., allowing Rowell to continue the suit against Corday Productions and Sony Pictures Television.[20] In February 2017, it was reported the case had been settled.[21]

In September 2018, in the wake of Les Moonves' resignation as the chairman and CEO of CBS due to sexual misconduct allegations, Rowell took to her verified Twitter account to directly accuse Moonves of hindering her career. Partially quoting Moonves' statement denying the accusations that he attempted to damage the careers of certain women, she tweeted:

"And I have never used my position to hinder the advancement or careers of women," Moonves responded. #LIAR. Your loafer heel has been on my neck for over 11 years all because I cited a lack of substantive of diversity at CBS behind the camera #MeToo #RetaliationIsIllegal #Bully [22]

Personal life
Rowell (left) with Maj. Gen. Nadja West in Washington, DC in 2013

Rowell's first marriage was to Tom Fahey in 1989. They had a daughter, Maya, and divorced the following year. Rowell had a long-term relationship with musician Wynton Marsalis; and they had a son, Jasper.[23] In May 2008, Rowell announced her engagement to Radcliffe Bailey, an Atlanta artist, at her annual High Tea at Noon fundraiser. Victoria and Radcliffe married on June 27, 2009, in Dublin, New Hampshire. On January 2, 2014, Bailey filed for divorce from Rowell.[24]

Work with foster children

In 1990, Rowell founded the "Rowell Foster Children Positive Plan,"[25] which gives emotional support and financial aid to foster children, especially to those who aspire to become actors and dancers – the road Rowell took. In 2004, she was a special guest on the talk show Dr. Phil, in which she gave an emancipated foster child a chance at a job with Sony, dental care, and a scholarship from her foundation.

In May 2006, Rowell was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Southern Maine in recognition of her work for the benefit of foster children. In 2007, Rowell published a memoir of her life that focused on her time in foster care. Entitled The Women Who Raised Me, Rowell discusses all of the foster mothers who cared for her and for her sisters. She also pays tribute to the women in a documentary film, The Mentor, that she participated in.[4] Rowell says that she began writing the book when Y&R turned down her offer to write for the show. She began a national book tour in April 2007.[26]

In March 2008, Victoria was the first recipient of the Gift of Adoption Celebration of Adoption Award, an award given to individuals or groups who are helping to unite children with adoptive families.

In March 2012, Rowell's book, Tag, Toss & Run: 40 Classic Lawn Games, co-authored with environmental activist Paul Tukey, was released.[27]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1987 Leonard Part 6 Joan Parker
1992 The Distinguished Gentleman Celia Kirby
1993 Full Eclipse Anna Dire Television film
1994 Secret Sins of the Father Yolanda Seeley Television film
1994 Dumb and Dumber Beth Jordan, officer FBI
1995 One Red Rose Rose
1996 Barb Wire Cora D
1996 Dr. Hugo Stevie Hobbs Short film
1997 Eve's Bayou Stevie Hobbs
1998 Secrets Short film
1999 Fraternity Boys
1999 A Wake in Providence Alissa
2001 Feast of All Saints Josette Metoyer
2002 A Town Without Pity Dr. Amanda Bentley Television film
2003 Without Warning Dr. Amanda Bentley Television film
2003 Black Listed Patricia Chambers
2004 Motives Detective Pierce
2005 A Perfect Fit Sheila
2005 Midnight Clear Angela Pressmore Short film
2006 Home of the Brave Penelope Marsh
2007 Polly and Marie Rebecca McCaw
2008 Of Boys and Men Aunt Janay
2011 Death in the Family Vicky Turner Also producer
2013 Marry Me for Christmas Stephanie Television film
2014 I Love You Barbara Mutch Also producer and writer
2014 The Fright Night Files Alexa Television film
2015 What Love Will Make You Do Sheila Boston Also producer
2016 Soul Ties Maybelle
2018 Water in a Broken Glass Aunt Jo
2018 Chandler Christmas Getaway Stephanie Television film
2019 Pride & Prejudice: Atlanta Catherine Television film
2019 Twas the Chaos Before Christmas Hazel Mitchell Television film
2020 Black Kids White Mama Clair LaFree
2020 Birdie Catherine Cooper

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1988 As the World Turns Nella Franklin Recurring role
1989–1990 The Cosby Show Paula Episodes: "Cliff's Wet Adventure" and "Theo's Dirty Laundry"
1990 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Mimi Mumford Episode: "Clubba Hubba"
1991–1993 Herman's Head Susan Bracken Episodes: "Bracken's Daughter" and "I Wanna Go Home"
1995 Deadly Games Courtney Lake Episode: "Divorce Lawyer"
1993–2001 Diagnosis: Murder Amanda Bentley-Livingston Series regular, 163 episodes
2001 Family Law Ms. Wilkes Episode: "Moving On"
2006 Noah's Arc Vonda Episodes: "Desperado" and "Give It Up"
2007 All of Us Dr. Deborah Cooper Episode: "He's Got Game"
1990–2000, 2002–2007 The Young and the Restless Drucilla Barber Winters Series regular
2010 Ghost Whisperer Adrienne Episode: "Living Nightmare"
2012 Let's Stay Together Anita Episode: "Creepers"
2012 Single Ladies Veronica Recurring role, 3 episodes
2013–2014 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Judge Delilah Hawkins Episodes: "Criminal Hatred" and "Comic Perversion"
2017 The Bay Judge Iris Hopkins Recurring
2017 Mann & Wife Mrs. Hobbs Episode: "ressured by the Mann"
2017-present The Rich and the Ruthless Kitty Barringer Also creator, director and executive producer
Indie Series Award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy (2018-19)
Nominated — Indie Series Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy (2018)
Nominated — Indie Series Award for Best Directing - Comedy (2018)
Nominated — Indie Series Award for Best Writing - Comedy (2018)
2019 Jacqueline and Jilly Jacqueline Mitchell Also creator, director and executive producer

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result
1992 8th Soap Opera Digest Awards Outstanding Female Newcomer: Daytime The Young and the Restless Nominated
1994 10th Soap Opera Digest Awards Outstanding Scene Stealer The Young and the Restless Won
1994 26th NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series The Young and the Restless Won
1995 11th Soap Opera Digest Awards Hottest Female Star The Young and the Restless Nominated
1996 27th NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series The Young and the Restless Won
1996 23rd Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Young and the Restless Nominated
1997 24th Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Young and the Restless Nominated
1997 28th NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series The Young and the Restless Won
1998 25th Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Young and the Restless Nominated
1998 29th NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series The Young and the Restless Won
1999 30th NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series Diagnosis Murder Nominated
1999 30th NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series The Young and the Restless Won
2001 31st NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series The Young and the Restless Won
2003 34th NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series The Young and the Restless Won
2003 18th Soap Opera Digest Awards Favorite Return The Young and the Restless Nominated
2004 35th NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series The Young and the Restless Won
2005 19th Soap Opera Digest Awards Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role The Young and the Restless Nominated
2005 36th NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series The Young and the Restless Won
2006 37th NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series The Young and the Restless Won
gollark: Well, then you can use those, I guess.
gollark: And you would be disincentivized to hold stock in things, too.
gollark: Hmm. Did you *know* they were going to do that?
gollark: If limited liability was gone, investment in risky things/startups/new businesses/whatever *would* go down a lot, which I think is bad.
gollark: Not so risky that you could lose an *unknowable* amount of money.

References
  1. "Victoria Rowell". Yahoo Movies. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  2. Her mother was white and her father was black. Archived November 9, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Victoria Rowell Biography (1960?-) Archived May 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Role Models, Boston Globe, May 5, 2007 Archived October 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. DiagnosisMurder.co.uk | Victoria Rowell Archived March 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Victoria Rowell". TV Guide. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  7. "Victoria Rowell: Why I left the Young and the Restless". Black Press Magazine. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  8. "About Y&R: About the Actors – Victoria Rowell". Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  9. "Victoria Rowell Not Ruling Out Return to The Young and the Restless". Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  10. "Ex-Young and Restless Diva Victoria Rowell Says Les Moonves and Steve Kent Don't Want Dru Back!". Daytime Confidential. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  11. "Victoria Rowell Slams 'Young and the Restless' Over Lack of Diversity: Not One Black Exec Producer – TheWrap". TheWrap. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  12. results, search (May 1, 2008). "The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir". William Morrow Paperbacks. Retrieved October 19, 2018 – via Amazon.
  13. "Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva: A Novel". Atria Books. Retrieved October 19, 2018 – via Amazon.
  14. results, search (March 5, 2013). "The Young and the Ruthless: Back in the Bubbles". Atria Books. Retrieved October 19, 2018 – via Amazon.
  15. "Former The Young and the Restless Star Victoria Rowell Files Lawsuit". Deadline.com. February 11, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  16. "CBS Responds to Rowell Lawsuit". Thewrap.com. February 11, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  17. "Victoria Rowell Claims She Suffered Racially Charged Attacks On Set of Young and the Restless". Thewrap.com. June 30, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  18. "Judge Dismisses ex-Young and the Restless star Rowell's Lawsuit". Deadline.com. November 11, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  19. Gradner, Eriq (December 20, 2016). "Days Producer Looks To Beat Retaliation Lawsuit". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  20. Gardner, Eriq (June 24, 2016). "Rowell Allowed to Advance Lawsuit". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  21. Gardner, Eriq (February 13, 2017). "Rowell Ends Lawsuit Against Soap Opera Producers". Hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  22. Rowell, Victoria (September 13, 2018). "Victoria Rowell Accusation Against Les Moonves". Twitter.com. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  23. Victoria Rowell with her two children. Archived March 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  24. "Young and the Restless Star Divorce".. TMZ.com. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  25. Rowell Foster Children Positive Plan Archived February 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  26. "Y&R's Rowell: The Real Reason I Quit". Soap Opera Weekly. February 27, 2007. pp. 2–3.
  27. "Tag, Toss & Run by Paul Tukey & Victoria Rowell". August 27, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
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