Vanessa Bell Calloway

Biography

Vanessa Bell Calloway is an American actress and dancer. She is known for her film roles as Princess Imani Izzi in the 1988 comedy Coming to America, as well as for her roles in What's Love Got to Do with It, The Inkwell, Crimson Tide, and Daylight. She is a nine-time NAACP Image Award nominee. She began her acting career in the ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children in 1985. After moving to Los Angeles in 1986, she began appearing in episodes of prime time shows such as The Colbys, Falcon Crest, 227, China Beach, A Different World, and L.A. Law. She made her film debut on Number One with a Bullet (1987), before supporting role of Eddie Murphy's character's arranged wife in the 1988 comedy Coming to America. In 1990, she co-starred alongside Joe Morton in the ABC drama series, Equal Justice. During the 1990s, she had a number of supporting roles in films, including What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) opposite Angela Bassett, The Inkwell (1994), and Crimson Tide (1995) as Denzel Washington's character wife. She also voiced main role in the 1992 animated comedy, Bébé's Kids. She had a number of leading and supporting roles in made for television movies. In 1995, she co-starred o…

Movies & TV Shows

1. Grey's Anatomy (2005) — Lucinda Gamble
2. Dexter (2006) — Crisis Counselor
3. Coming to America (1988) — Imani Izzi
4. Shameless (2011) — Carol Fisher
5. Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) — Diana Philips
6. NCIS (2003) — Sally Hammond
7. Coming 2 America (2021) — Imani Izzi
8. Castle (2009) — Beryl Wickfield
9. Crimson Tide (1995) — Julia Hunter
10. CSI: Miami (2002) — Tonya Washington
11. Daylight (1996) — Grace Calloway
12. This Is Us (2016) — Edie
13. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) — Judge Himmel
14. Lakeview Terrace (2008) — Aunt Dorrie
15. Dragged Across Concrete (2019) — Jennifer Johns
16. Harriet (2019) — Rit Ross
17. Unbelievable (2019) — Sarah
18. Love Don't Co$t a Thing (2003) — Vivian Johnson
19. Rizzoli & Isles (2010) — Assistant District Attorney
20. Cold Case (2003) — Geraldine Watkins (1970)
21. Biker Boyz (2003) — Anita
22. What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) — Jackie
23. The Closer (2005) — Lynn Talmadge
24. One of Them Days (2025) — Mama Ruth
25. Southside with You (2016) — Marian Robinson
26. Touched by an Angel (1994) — Debra Willis
27. Unbroken: Path to Redemption (2018) — Lila Burkholder
28. Under the Boardwalk (2023) — Val (voice)
29. The Conners (2018) — Carrie Langham
30. Ringer (2011) — Royce Wiegler
31. Diagnosis: Murder (1993) — Mrs. Calender
32. Go On (2012) — Joyce
33. The View (1997) — Self
34. Good Hair (2009) — Self
35. Death Spa (1988) — Marci Hewitt
36. American Skin (2019) — Bernice
37. Simon & Simon (1981)
38. Black Monday (2019) — Ruth
39. Joan of Arcadia (2003) — Corey Phillips
40. L.A. Law (1986) — Robyn Edwards

Directed

1. Someday At Christmas (2021) — Director
2. Black Girl, Erupted (2023) — Director