'Black-ish' Star Jenifer Lewis Gets Candid In New Book: 'The Mother Of Black Hollywood'
Jenifer Lewis has played a mom in just about every movie or show she's starred in. By doing so, she has aptly been named "The Mother of Black Hollywood." Seeing as that's the title of her latest memoir, it's safe to say she agrees with the nickname as well.
Jenifer Lewis gets real in her newest book, where she speaks on her acting career that began in the late '80s, dealing with her bipolar disorder for seventeen years, and a one-night stand with fellow actor Jon Voight.
Before Lewis was seen on the big screen, she starred in a few Broadway shows and was a backup singer for actress Bette Midler.
"Bette has always been there for me. In my younger years, they were calling me the black Bette Midler. The quote was I was a combination of Bette Midler, Whoopi Goldberg and Mahalia [Jackson]," Lewis wrote.
She relocated to Los Angeles, California, where she nabbed roles in Murphy Brown, Friends, and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. She is most notably recognized for her recurring role as Aunt Helen in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
In 1993, she played the role of Tina Turner's mother in the biopic drama What's Love Got to Do with It. She again played another maternal role in Dead Presidents and Panther.
In her memoir, the 60-year-old actress recalls meeting Voight at Studio 54, where she was performing. Voight and Lewis then took a romantic walk through Central Park and rode a carriage.
"We talked about being from families of hard workers. We stared into each other's eyes and kissed. We went to his room on the 35th floor of the Essex House. I was spellbound by his sensitivity and kindness ... Let's just say he was a real 'Midnight Cowboy.'"
She also speaks about her bipolar disorder, which was undiagnosed for many years. By 1989, she was self-medicating with alcohol and a developed sex addiction.
Though she has overcome her darkest days, she hopes to help others by being vocal about her story.
"I saw the show as an opportunity to perhaps help someone with bipolar disorder find their way out of the darkness. I felt it was my responsibility. Stigma, fear, and just plain ignorance about mental illness, particularly among African Americans, has taken a terrible toll on our families and communities."
Lewis is now playing the role of Ruby Johnson on the hit ABC comedy series, Black-ish. Ironically, her character is married to Laurence Fishburne's character, Earl 'Pops' Johnson. The two costars appeared in What' s Love Got to Do with It, Fishburne portrayed Ike Turner, her character's daughter's husband.
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