Dawnn Lewis

About

Dawnn Jewel Lewis (born August 13, 1961) is an American actress. She is known for her role as Jaleesa Vinson–Taylor on the NBC television sitcom A Different World from the series beginning in 1987 until the end of its fifth season in 1992 (she also co-wrote the opening theme song for the series), as well as her many roles in other TV series and in film.
Lewis’s other notable roles include portraying Robin Dumars on the ABC sitcom Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper for its first season (1992–93), as Cheryl Spade in the 1988 film I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, and as Captain Carol Freeman on the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks. Since then, Lewis has appeared in numerous TV series, including other sitcoms, and has also performed on stage.

Dawnn Lewis was born on August 13, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Carl and Joyce Lewis, who are of African-American and Guyanese descent. She began singing at the age of four and acting at eleven. At sixteen, Lewis graduated from the High School of Music & Art in New York City. In college, she majored in musical theatre with a minor in journalism, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree, cum laude, from the University of…