Danielle Brooks
Born: 1989-09-17 in Augusta, Georgia, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
Danielle Brooks is an American actress whose work spans television, film, and Broadway. She first gained widespread recognition as Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson on Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019), a role that became one of the series’ emotional centers and established her as a major presence on television. She later reached a broader mainstream audience starring as Leota Adebayo in James Gunn’s HBO series Peacemaker, where her performance played a central role in the show’s balance of action, satire, and character-driven storytelling. The series marked a high-profile expansion of her work into genre television tied to DC Comics. Brooks made her Broadway debut in 2015 as Sofia in the revival of The Color Purple, earning a Tony Award nomination and winning a Grammy Award with the cast. She reprised the role in the 2023 film adaptation, a performance that brought her nominations from the Academy Awards, BAFTA, and Golden Globes, solidifying her transition into major film roles. Alongside acting, Brooks has taken on producing and hosting work. She portrayed Mahalia Jackson in the television biopic Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (2021), serving as an executive producer and earning a Primetime Emmy nomination. She later hosted Netflix’s Instant Dream Home, receiving a Daytime Emmy nomination for her work as a program host. Brooks has continued to balance screen and stage appearances, returning to Broadway in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson and starring in the fantasy adventure comedy A Minecraft Movie, further expanding her range across genres.
Filmography
2027
- A Minecraft Movie Squared as Dawn
2026
- If I Go Will They Miss Me as Lozita
2025
- A Minecraft Movie as Dawn
- The Bad Guys 2 as Kitty Kat (voice)
- Oh. What. Fun. as Morgan
- Family Recipe Showdown as Guest Judge
2023
- The Color Purple as Sofia
- Oprah & The Color Purple Journey as Self
2022
- The Jennifer Hudson Show as Self
- Peacemaker as Leota Adebayo
- Sherri as Self - Guest
- Top Chef VIP as Self
- Podly: The Peacemaker Podcast as Self
- Instant Dream Home as Self - Host
- Soul of a Nation Presents: Screen Queens Rising as Self
2021
- Karma’s World as Dr. Lillie Carter-Grant (voice)
- All the Little Things We Kill as Claire Soto
- Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia as Mahalia Jackson
2020
- Close Enough as Pearle Watson (voice)
- Bottomless Brunch at Colman's as Self
- Get Organized with The Home Edit
- Social Distance as Imani
- Eat Wheaties! as Wendy
- Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine as Jordana Bachman
2019
- The Kelly Clarkson Show as Self - Guest
- Tamron Hall as Self - Guest
- The Day Shall Come as Venus Al Shabaz
- Clemency as Evette Wilkinson
- The Public's Much Ado About Nothing as Beatrice
2018
- Sadie as Carla
2017
- Steve as Self
- Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure as Ruthless Ruth (voice)
- Straight/Curve: Redefining Body Image as Herself
2016
- The Angry Birds Movie as Olive Blue / Monica the Crossing Guard (voice)
- I Dream Too Much as Abbey
2015
- Lip Sync Battle as Self
- Master of None as Shannon
- Time Out of Mind as Receptionist
- The Same Difference
2014
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Self - Guest
- Late Night with Seth Meyers as Self
- Trailblazer Honors as Self - Honoree
2013
- Orange Is the New Black as Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson
2012
- Finding Your Roots
- Modern Love as Raimy
2009
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen as Self - Guest
2008
- Fireproof as Young Catherine (voice)
2006
- The One Show as Self
2004
- Project Runway as Self
2003
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
1997
- The View as Self - Guest
1996
- The Daily Show as Self
1988
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark as Self - Guest
1953
- The Oscars as Self