Da'Vine Joy Randolph (/dˈvn/;[1][2] born May 21, 1986)[3] is an American actress. She gained recognition for her portrayal of psychic Oda Mae Brown in the Broadway production of Ghost (2012), for which she received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Randolph went on to appear in the films The Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014) and Office Christmas Party (2016) prior to receiving praise for her roles in Dolemite Is My Name (2019) and The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2020). Randolph received critical acclaim for her performance in The Holdovers (2023), which earned her several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph
Randolph in 2024
Born (1986-05-21) May 21, 1986 (age 38)
EducationTemple University (BFA)
Yale University (MFA)
OccupationActress
Years active2011–present

Her television credits include Selfie (2014), This Is Us (2016), People of Earth (2016–2017), Empire (2017–2018), High Fidelity (2020), and The Idol (2023). In 2024, Randolph earned a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, for her appearances on the Hulu mystery series Only Murders in the Building (2021–present).

Early life and education

Da'Vine Joy Randolph's first name is pronounced as "Day Vine Joy" with two names and has no middle name.[4][5] It took her parents seven years to have children and they said that she was a divine joy. Randolph grew up in the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia.[6] As a youth, she attended Interlochen Arts Camp, studying theatre.[7] She went to Temple University to focus on classical vocal performance and opera,[8][6] but in her junior year, she switched concentrations to musical theatre.[9] After graduating from Temple in 2008,[10] she went to the Yale School of Drama. She graduated from Yale in 2011 with her master's degree.[11] She is an alumna of the British American Drama Academy (BADA)[12] after spending a summer studying Shakespeare at the University of Oxford.[13][14][15]

Career

Randolph auditioned for an understudy role in the Broadway transfer of Ghost: the Musical (which was playing in London's West End), but the producers decided to cast her in the principal role of Oda Mae Brown.[16] Before the casting of the Broadway transfer was announced, Sharon D. Clarke, who played Oda Mae in the London run of Ghost the Musical, suffered a minor knee injury. Randolph was quickly flown to London to cover the role in Clarke's absence.[17] Her debut performance took place on Friday December 16, 2011, and she continued to share the role with understudy Lisa Davina Phillip until early January 2012, when Clarke returned.

After a preview period that began in March 2012, the Broadway production opened Monday April 23, 2012, with Randolph playing opposite Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy in the leading roles. She was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. In 2013 she acted in her feature film debut in a supporting role, in Mother of George directed by Andrew Dosunmu. The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews. The following year she played a nurse in the comedy-drama The Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014) starring Robin Williams. Randolph rose to prominence acting in one of the main roles as Charmonique Whitaker in Selfie, which premiered on September 30, 2014. The show starred Karen Gillan and John Cho. It received mixed reviews and was canceled after one season, but the show continued to have a cult fan base.[18] When asked about a Selfie revival in May 2022, Randolph responded that she would return in a movie or limited series if given the opportunity. She mentioned that it meant a lot to her and the cast, and that fans still talk about the series years after it aired.[19] Randolph commented that she loved working on the show and that her character was one of her favorite roles.[20]

From 2015 to 2017 Randolph performed a voice role as Christine in the series The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show. She also had guest roles on The Good Wife (2013), See Dad Run (2014), Life in Pieces (2015), and Veep (2017). She had a recurring role as Tanya in the drama series This Is Us (2016). The same year, she had a part in Office Christmas Party (2016). She starred in one of the main roles as Yvonne Watson, a postal worker in the sitcom People of Earth for two seasons from 2016 to 2017. She had recurring roles in the series Empire from 2017 to 2018 and in the series On Becoming a God in Central Florida in 2019.

She had her breakout role as Lady Reed in Dolemite Is My Name (2019) starring Eddie Murphy. For her performance she received nominations for the African-American Film Critics Association, Black Reel Awards, and NAACP Image Awards for Best Supporting Actress. The following year, she acted in Kajillionaire (2020), and she was a main cast member in High Fidelity (2020). During this time, she took voice roles as Ranger Woolf in Madagascar: A Little Wild from 2020 to 2022, Tamarind Toucan in Tuca & Bertie (2021), Detective Gail Johnson in Ultra City Smiths (2021), Tina in Chicago Party Aunt from 2021 to 2022, and various roles in Birdgirl (2022). She also voiced roles in the animated films Trolls World Tour (2020) and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022).

 
Randolph in 2024

She took roles in the drama film The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021) and the comedy The Lost City (2022). In 2021. she took a main role in the sitcom The Last O.G. (2021). Since 2021, she has taken a recurring role as Detective Williams in the series Only Murders in the Building starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. She played a manager to a pop star in the controversial series The Idol (2023).

In 2023, she starred in Alexander Payne's coming-of-age film The Holdovers as Mary Lamb, a cook and bereaved mother. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival. She earned praise for the role, with Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood writing "Randolph is simply wonderful, saying more with a look than any words could ever do. She is enormously touching and earns our tears along the way."[21] Randolph received numerous nominations and awards for the role, including winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress, the BAFTA, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.[22] The same year, she played gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in the political drama film Rustin. Randolph also filmed an upcoming action comedy film with Rebel Wilson called Bride Hard.[23]

Filmography

Film

List of films and roles
Year Title Role Notes
2013 Mother of George Marsea
The Purge: The Morning After De'Shondranique short[24]
A Long Walk Mom short[25]
2014 The Angriest Man in Brooklyn Nurse Rowan
2016 The Secrets of Emily Blair Fran
Office Christmas Party Carla
2019 Dolemite Is My Name Lady Reed
2020 Kajillionaire Jenny
The Last Shift Shazz
Trolls World Tour Bliss Marina / Shelia B voice[26]
Mama Got A Cough Yolanda video short[27]
2021 The United States vs. Billie Holiday Roslyn
The Guilty CHP Dispatcher voice[26]
2022 The Lost City Beth Hatten
A Little White Lie Delta Jones
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Mama Luna voice[26]
On the Come Up Pooh
2023 Rustin Mahalia Jackson
The Holdovers Mary Lamb
2025 Golden TBA Post-production
TBD Shadow Force TBA Post-production[28]
TBD Bride Hard TBA Post-production[29]
TBD Eternity Anna Post-production[30]
Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

List of television appearances and roles
Year Title Role Notes
2013 The Good Wife Margie episode: "A More Perfect Union"
Brenda Forever Pearl television film
2014 See Dad Run Mrs. Rothschild episode: "See Dad Become Room Mom"
Selfie Charmonique Whitaker Main cast
2015 Life in Pieces Janice episode: "Babe Secret Phone Germs"
2015–2017 The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show Christine / Abby Fisher voice, main cast[26]
2016 This Is Us Tanya recurring cast (season 1)
2016–2017 People of Earth Yvonne Watson main cast
2017 Veep Roberta Winston episode: "Qatar"
2017–2018 Empire Poundcake recurring cast (season 4)
2018 Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh Crushtina voice, episode: "Like Mother, Like Pit of Fire"[26]
2019 On Becoming a God in Central Florida Rhonda recurring cast
2020 High Fidelity Cherise main cast
2020–2022 Madagascar: A Little Wild Ranger Hoof voice, recurring cast
2021 Cinema Toast Vivian voice, episode: "Kiss, Marry, Kill"
Tuca & Bertie Tamarind Toucan voice, 2 episodes
Ultra City Smiths Detective Gail Johnson voice, main cast
The Last O.G. Veesy main cast (season 4)
2021–present Only Murders in the Building Detective Williams recurring cast
2021–2022 Chicago Party Aunt Tina voice, main cast
2022 Birdgirl Various voices recurring cast[31]
2023 The Idol Destiny recurring cast[32]

Theatre

List of stage performances
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Hair Tribe Prince Music Theater
May 26, 2007 - June 17, 2007
2010 The Servant of Two Masters Clarice Yale Repertory Theatre
March 12, 2010 - April 3, 2010
2012 Ghost: The Musical Oda Mae Brown Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
April 23, 2012 – August 18, 2012
2013 The Cradle Will Rock Performer New York City Center
July 10, 2013 - July 13, 2013

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result
AACTA International Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress The Holdovers Nominated
Academy Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress Won
AAFCA Awards 2020 Best Supporting Actress Dolemite Is My Name Won
Astra Film Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress The Holdovers Won
Atlanta Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
Austin Film Critics Association 2020 Breakthrough Artist Award Dolemite Is My Name Nominated
Black Film Critics Circle 2019 Best Supporting Actress Won
Black Reel Awards 2020 Outstanding Supporting Actress Won
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance Won
2022 Outstanding Guest Actress, Comedy Series Only Murders in the Building Nominated
2024 Outstanding Supporting Performance The Holdovers Nominated
Boston Society of Film Critics 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
British Academy Film Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress Won
Celebration of Cinema & Television 2023 Supporting Actress Award (Film) Won
Chicago Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
Columbus Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Performance Nominated
Critics' Choice Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress Won
Best Acting Ensemble Nominated
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
DiscussingFilm Critic Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Drama League Awards 2012 Distinguished Performance Ghost: The Musical Nominated
Florida Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Supporting Actress The Holdovers Nominated
Georgia Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Actress Won
Best Ensemble Runner-up
Golden Globe Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Won
Gotham Awards 2023 Outstanding Supporting Performance Nominated
Greater Western New York Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
Independent Spirit Awards 2024 Best Supporting Performance Won[33]
Indiana Film Journalists Association 2023 Best Supporting Performance Nominated
Best Ensemble Nominated
International Online Cinema Awards 2022 Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Only Murders in the Building Nominated
Iowa Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actress The Holdovers Won
Kansas City Film Critics Circle 2019 Best Supporting Actress Dolemite Is My Name Won
Las Vegas Film Critics Society 2023 Best Supporting Actress The Holdovers Won
London Film Critics' Circle 2024 Supporting Actress of the Year Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Performer Won[a]
Michigan Movie Critics Guild 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
NAACP Image Awards 2020 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Dolemite Is My Name Nominated
2024 The Holdovers Nominated
National Board of Review 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
New York Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
New York Film Critics Online 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
North Carolina Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Actress Won
North Texas Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
Online Association of Female Film Critics 2023 Best Supporting Female Won
Online Film & Television Association 2020 Best Female Breakthrough Dolemite Is My Name Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards 2012 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Ghost: The Musical Nominated
Palm Springs International Film Festival 2024 Breakthrough Performance Award The Holdovers Won
Philadelphia Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
Phoenix Critics Circle 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
Phoenix Film Critics Society 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
Primetime Emmy Awards 2024 Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Only Murders in the Building Nominated
San Diego Film Critics Society 2023 Best Supporting Actress The Holdovers Runner-up
Best Ensemble Won
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2024 Virtuoso Award Won
Satellite Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2024 Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Won
Southern Eastern Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
St. Louis Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
Best Ensemble Won[b]
Tony Awards 2012 Best Featured Actress in a Musical Ghost: The Musical Nominated
Toronto Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Performance The Holdovers Won[c]
UK Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Utah Film Critics Association 2024 Best Supporting Performance, Female Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won
Best Acting Ensemble Nominated[b]
Women Film Critics Circle 2023 Best Supporting Actress Won

See also

Notes

  1. ^ shared with Rachel McAdams for Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
  2. ^ a b Shared with the cast of The Holdovers
  3. ^ shared with Ryan Gosling for Barbie.

References

  1. ^ "Get Ready with Da'Vine Joy Randolph At Cannes | The Idol". Max. June 5, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  2. ^ "The Lost City's' Da'Vine Joy Randolph Trusts Manifestation | On The Rise". Harper's Bazaar. April 22, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "Da'Vine Joy Randolph". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  4. ^ Fiorillo, Victor (2024-03-06). "Da'Vine Joy Randolph's Wild Ride from Mt. Airy to the Oscars". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  5. ^ "NUNN ON ONE TELEVISION Actress brings Da'Vine performances to various roles - Windy City Times News". Windy City Times. 2020-02-19. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  6. ^ a b Cartagena, Rosa (2023-12-20). "Oscar front-runner Da'Vine Joy Randolph has never had a bad meal in Philly". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  7. ^ "Halloween in Hollywood". Interlochen Center for the Arts. Archived from the original on 2020-07-26. Retrieved 2019-05-24.
  8. ^ Simon, Alexandra (2024-01-08). "Temple grad Da'Vine Joy Randolph wins Golden Globe for role in "The Holdovers" - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  9. ^ "Da'Vine Joy Randolph is the Oscar-worthy heart of 'Holdovers': 'I'm just getting started'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  10. ^ "Temple stars shine bright at film and television awards". 24 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Da'Vine Joy Randolph on 'The Lost City' and Learning from Sandra Bullock". W Magazine. 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  12. ^ "Da'Vine Joy Randolph (MIO '09) wins Supporting Actress BAFTA – BADA". www.bada.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  13. ^ PennLive, Monica Von Dobeneck | Special to (2012-04-16). "Hershey woman lands a leading role in 'Ghost the Musical' on Broadway". pennlive. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  14. ^ Hammond, Pete (2024-02-15). "Oscar Nominee Da'Vine Joy Randolph On Sweeping Up Awards Season, How 'Dolemite' Led To 'Holdovers' & Opera Led To Acting – The Actor's Side". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  15. ^ Letterboxd (2024-02-20). "At the 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards, The Holdovers star Da'Vine Joy Randolph opens up about returning to London and winning the award for Best Supporting Actress".
  16. ^ "Yale Grad Da'Vine Joy Randolph Gets 'Whoopi' Role In Broadway's Musical 'Ghost'". Hartford Courant. 2012-04-09. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  17. ^ Williams, Brennan (2012-04-27). "'Ghost The Musical:' Da'Vine Joy Randolph Tells How She Landed Starring Role". HuffPost. Retrieved 2019-11-04.
  18. ^ Israeli, Tal. "WOMEN WE LOVE: Da'Vine Joy Randolph | Young Hollywood". younghollywood.com. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  19. ^ GoldDerby (2022-05-27). 'Only Murders in the Building' guest star Da'Vine Joy Randolph on episode from Det. Williams' POV. Event occurs at 16:11.
  20. ^ Indiewire (2024-01-04). ""The Holdovers" star Da'Vine Joy Randolph talks to us about some of her favorite roles and her goal of being as "authentic as possible" when she faces new roles". Twitter.
  21. ^ "'The Holdovers' Review: Alexander Payne & Paul Giamatti Make Movie Magic Again In Wry And Funny Comedy About Finding Family – Telluride Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. September 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  22. ^ "Da'vine Joy Randolph picks up Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress". inquirer. 23 January 2024.
  23. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2023-08-30). "Rebel Wilson Pic 'Bride Hard', Cleared For Interim Agreement, Adds Anna Camp, Justin Hartley, Anna Chlumsky, Stephen Dorff & More". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  24. ^ Schillaci, Sophie (2013-09-13). "The Morning After The Purge: Comedian Spoofs Universal's Horror Flick (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  25. ^ "A Long Walk". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  26. ^ a b c d e "Da'Vine Joy Randolph (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 22, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  27. ^ "Mama Got a Cough - Zoom Shot Short Film". Meeting of Minds UK. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  28. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (2022-10-04). "Da'Vine Joy Randolph Doesn't Want Anyone Finishing Her Sentences". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  29. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 30, 2023). "Rebel Wilson Pic 'Bride Hard', Cleared for Interim Agreement, Adds Anna Camp, Justin Hartley, Anna Chlumsky, Stephen Dorff & More".
  30. ^ Davis, Clayton (May 28, 2024). "Da'Vine Joy Randolph Joins A24's Rom-Com 'Eternity' With Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen (Exclusive)". Variety.
  31. ^ "Birdgirl Returns for a New Season of Corporate Fails". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  32. ^ Piña, Christy (2022-08-21). "'The Idol' Teaser Reveals Ensemble Cast, New Footage". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  33. ^ Kimberly Nordyke (February 25, 2024). "Spirit Awards: Full List of Winners". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 27, 2024.