Tyler Perry’s “Meet The Browns” Cast Biographies

David Mann

LeRoy Brown

 

David Mann realized his talent for singing at a young age in Texas and began honing his skills in his grandfather’s church.  The music world soon took notice when Mann tunefully teamed up with three-time Grammy-winning gospel sensation Kirk Franklin and the Family. 

 

Ready to add to his already impressive resume, Mann set his sights on acting.  He joined forces with Tyler Perry, one of America’s funniest actors and a critically acclaimed screenwriter, playwright, producer and director.  Mann’s film performances include Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.  The accomplished stage actor has also been seen in numerous plays, including I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Madea’s Class Reunion and Madea’s Family Reunion.

 

When he is not on tour, Mann enjoys the restful company of his devoted wife of 20 years, Tamela Mann, their four fun-loving children and three adorable grandchildren. 

 

 

Tamela Mann

Cora Brown

 

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Tamela Mann began her entertainment career singing in the church choir.  Such musical preparation was the beginning of what would become an incredible music career.  She was privileged to join up with multi-Grammy-winning and double platinum gospel phenomenon Kirk Franklin and the Family.

 

Mann’s vocal contribution can be heard on various albums, including the soundtracks for Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns and Diary Of A Mad Black Woman and Kirk Franklin’s Rebirth and Christmas.  As if that weren’t enough, her signature voice can also be heard in Coca-Cola and Ashley Stewart commercials.

 

In 1999, Mann began her acting career and made her stage debut in 2000 as Cora Brown in Tyler Perry’s stage play I Can Do Bad All By Myself.  Additional film credits include Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Kingdom Come, in which she appeared alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Jada Pinkett Smith.  She has also starred in some of Tyler Perry’s most successful stage plays, including Madea’s Class Reunion, Madea’s Family Reunion, Meet The Browns and What’s Done In The Dark.

 

Mann’s latest CD, Tamela Mann The Live Experience, recently debuted on the Billboard Top 20 gospel sales chart off the strength of her powerful  radio single, “You Deserve My Praise.”  

 

Lamman Rucker

Will

 

The oldest of three children, Lamman Rucker was born in Pittsburgh, then moved around the world before settling in Washington, D.C.  He graduated from the illustrious Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts in Washington before going on to Carnegie-Mellon University and Duquesne University.

 

Throughout his college years, Rucker developed many different skills but never lost interest or the opportunity to keep his artistic gifts sharp.  He participated in many fashion shows, talent shows, commercials, print ads and independent films, a highlight being his role as Jimmy Ruffin in the television miniseries The Temptations.

 

After earning a master’s degree from Duquesne, Rucker moved to New York to focus on stage and screen aspirations.  After a couple years teaching and performing in the theater, he started working on such television series as As The World Turns, All of Us, All My Children and Half & Half.  Most recently, he was seen in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? 

Denise Boutté

Sasha

 

As a native of the small town of Maurice, La., Denise Boutté fostered the practical dream of becoming a doctor.  After earning a degree in mass communications from Louisiana State University, Boutté’s creative interests led her to the world of advertising, where she quickly became an account executive on the rise.  In that capacity, she worked at a number of leading Dallas-based advertising agencies.  Her clients included Pampers, Fossil and Mary Kay Cosmetics.  While overseeing the production of commercials, Boutté became fascinated by the world of acting.

 

After meeting a local talent agent, Boutté found herself in front of the lens for a variety of print and commercial campaigns.  Boutté auditioned for what she considered a nearly impossible role to obtain but was cast as a supporting character in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married.  

 

In less than three years, Boutté has emerged as one of Hollywood’s freshest and most sought-after new faces, with guest and recurring roles on such popular TV shows as Everybody Hates Chris, the Emmy®-winning drama Boston Legal, Girlfriends and Days of Our Lives.

 

 

Tony Vaughn

Colonel

 

Tony Vaughn is a native of Atlanta who has been acting for more than 25 years.  His film credits include The Gospel and Tyler Perry’s Diary of a Mad Black Woman, while his television credits include Army Wives, One Tree Hill and Somebodies.

 

Among the stage shows in which Vaughn has appeared are Driving Miss Daisy, To Kill a Mockingbird, Waiting To Be Invited, Romeo and Juliet, Pill Hill, Hambone and The Dance On Widow’s Row, to name a few.
 

Juanita Jennings

Miss Edna

 

Juanita Jennings has appeared in numerous films, including Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls, the romantic comedy Love…& Other 4 Letter Words, director Gary Fleder’s Runaway Jury and John Singleton’s Baby Boy.  She made her feature film debut in Paul Verhoeven’s blockbuster Basic Instinct.  She will be seen in the upcoming Vacancy 2, Midnight Son and My Girlfriend’s Back.

 

Jennings was honored with a CableACE for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the HBO miniseries Lauren Avenue.  Her television appearances include recurring roles on Lincoln Heights and The Division.  She has also appeared on Scrubs, Soul Food, Without a Trace, Judging Amy, Frasier, Felicity, The Practice, Touched by an Angel, ER and 7th Heaven. Her television movie credits include On Promised Land, Out of Darkness, Murder of Innocence and Jack Reed: Badge of Honor.

 

Jennings has worked extensively in theater.  She is the recipient of two NAACP Theatre Awards for Best Actress, the first for Sheryl West’s Jar the Floor and the second for August Wilson’s King Hedley at the Mark Taper Forum.  Jennings has also appeared in New York’s legendary Negro Ensemble Company’s Colored People’s Time, as well as the company’s production of Home.  She went on to become a member of the national touring company of Home.  Jennings has appeared at the prestigious New York Shakespeare Festival, The Old Globe and at the Mark Taper Forum in Slide Glide @ Slippery Slope and Whole Hearted.

 

K Callan

Miss Daisy Dupre

 

Recognized internationally for her work as an actress and author, K Callan’s most recent films include Midnight Clear and the romantic comedy Coyote County Loser, which will be released in 2009.  Her most recent television credits include ER and recurring parts on both How I Met Your Mother and Desperate Housewives, though she is probably still most recognizable as Superman’s mother on ABC’s hit series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.

 

Callan has written several books for actors, writers and directors, teaching business skills and strategies for finding work in the business.

 

Born in Dallas, Callan made her first professional appearance in her home town at the famed Margo Jones Theatre.  Her first movie role as Peter Boyle’s wife in the iconic film Joe garnered international attention.

 

A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Callan is a past board member of the Screen Actors Guild.