Jenifer Lewis: Walking In My Joy - Overcoming Bipolarism
Manage episode 407447605 series 3560369
Listen and be inspired by her love of life, overcoming personal challenges to become a major star in the world of comedy, television, movies, animation and Broadway.
In this episode, Jenifer Lewis (star of ABC-TV's hit series, Blackish) shares with Sonny..
- The moment, as a 5-year-old she knew what she wanted to do for the rest of her life
- How she has overcome the challenge of being bipolar
- Excerpts from her forthcoming book, "Walking in My Joy," the story of "what happened to that woman who said, 'I dong want to be depressed anymore!'"
- Why she believes that money doesn't make life easy
- The call she got from "Blackish" producer, Kenya Barris, to star in her new ABC spin-off series, "Oldish"
- What makes her want to get up every morning
- Her beautiful secret of life
Show page: https://SonnyRadio.com/show
About Jenifer Lewis
Jenifer Lewis considers herself 25 percent show business and 75 percent activist. She has successfully combined her art with her passion for social justice throughout a career spanning more than 500 appearances in film and television, a best-selling memoir, and numerous critically acclaimed one-woman shows.
Dubbed a “national treasure” by TVGuide.com, Jenifer currently stars on the Emmy-nominated hit show “Black-ish” as the outspoken grandmother “Ruby.”
Critics have hailed Jenifer’s memoir, The Mother of Black Hollywood, as “riveting,” “audacious,” and “honest.” The audiobook version, narrated by Jenifer, reached number one on Amazon.
Jenifer is a social media sensation. Her viral hits include a string of political songs, including “All Hands on Deck! Get Your Knee off My Neck!”; “Get Your Ass Out and Vote!”; “Flint Ain’t Fixed”; “Our Children Shouldn’t Have to Run from Bullets”; and “In These Streets” with Brandy and Roz Ryan.
Jenifer delivered legendary performances as Tina Turner's mother in “What’s Love Got to Do With It” and in “The Preacher's Wife” as the mother of Whitney Houston’s character. Jenifer starred opposite Matt Damon in Clint Eastwood's “Hereafter” and for director Tyler Perry, Jenifer created unforgettable characters in “Madea's Family Reunion” and “Meet the Browns.” In the movie “Castaway,” Jenifer portrayed Tom Hanks' boss.
In animated films, Jenifer’s unique voice is adored by Disney fans in roles such as Flo in the “Cars” series and as Mama Odie in “The Princess and the Frog.” In her newest Disney role, Jenifer is the voice of Professor Granville in the “Big Hero 6” television series.
Jenifer's TV roles have ranged from regular appearances as Aunt Helen on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” to guest star roles on “Friends,” “Murphy Brown,” and “Girlfriends.” For six seasons, Jenifer portrayed Lana Hawkins on Lifetime's hit series “Strong Medicine.”
Jenifer has enjoyed a wide-ranging and varied career in music and theater. She has performed in four Broadway shows, including “Hairspray,” in the role of Motormouth Mabel. At Carnegie Hall she received an electrifying standing ovation singing with the New York Pops orchestra. Last year Jenifer took the stage at Lincoln Center for its American Songbook series. All told, Jenifer has presented more than 200 concerts, performing in 48 states and five continents.
Jenifer holds an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Webster University in St. Louis.
--jeniferlewis.com--
98 episodes