progress_activityLoading...
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.
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthday
September 17, 1989
Age
36 years old
Place of Birth
Augusta, Georgia, USA
Popularity Score
3.4
Filmography
A Minecraft Movie Squared
Dawn
2027Movie
If I Go Will They Miss Me
Lozita
2026Movie
If I Go Will They Miss Me
Executive Producer
2026Movie
A Minecraft Movie
Dawn
2025Movie
Oh. What. Fun.
Morgan
2025Movie
The Bad Guys 2
Kitty Kat (voice)
2025Movie
Family Recipe Showdown
Guest Judge
2025TV
The Color Purple
Sofia
2023Movie
Oprah & The Color Purple Journey
Self
2023Movie
Soul of a Nation Presents: Screen Queens Rising
Self
2022Movie
The Jennifer Hudson Show
Self
2022TV
Instant Dream Home
Self - Host
2022TV
Peacemaker
Leota Adebayo
2022TV
Sherri
Self - Guest
2022TV
Top Chef VIP
Self
2022TV
Podly: The Peacemaker Podcast
Self
2022TV
All the Little Things We Kill
Claire Soto
2021Movie
Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia
Mahalia Jackson
2021Movie
Karma’s World
Dr. Lillie Carter-Grant (voice)
2021TV
Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia
Co-Executive Producer
2021Movie
Eat Wheaties!
Wendy
2020Movie
Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine
Jordana Bachman
2020Movie
Get Organized with The Home Edit
2020TV
Close Enough
Pearle Watson (voice)
2020TV
Bottomless Brunch at Colman's
Self
2020TV
Social Distance
Imani
2020TV
The Day Shall Come
Venus Al Shabaz
2019Movie
Clemency
Evette Wilkinson
2019Movie
The Public's Much Ado About Nothing
Beatrice
2019Movie
Tamron Hall
Self - Guest
2019TV
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Self - Guest
2019TV
Sadie
Carla
2018Movie
Straight/Curve: Redefining Body Image
Herself
2017Movie
Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure
Ruthless Ruth (voice)
2017TV
Steve
Self
2017TV
I Dream Too Much
Abbey
2016Movie
The Angry Birds Movie
Olive Blue / Monica the Crossing Guard (voice)
2016Movie
Time Out of Mind
Receptionist
2015Movie
The Same Difference
2015Movie
Lip Sync Battle
Self
2015TV
Master of None
Shannon
2015TV
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self
2014TV
Trailblazer Honors
Self - Honoree
2014TV
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self - Guest
2014TV
Orange Is the New Black
Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson
2013TV
Modern Love
Raimy
2012Movie
Finding Your Roots
2012TV
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest
2009TV
Fireproof
Young Catherine (voice)
2008Movie
The One Show
Self
2006TV
Project Runway
Self
2004TV
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self
2003TV
The View
Self - Guest
1997TV
The Daily Show
Self
1996TV
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self - Guest
1988TV
The Oscars
Self
1953TV
Bad Day
—Movie