Ajai Sanders (born Angela Marrine Wilson; October 1, 1967)[3][5][better source needed], is an American actress and stand-up comedian, best known for her supporting role as Gina Deveaux in the sitcom A Different World from 1991 until the series original ending in 1993.
Ajai Sanders | |
|---|---|
| Born | Angela Marrine Wilson October 1, 1967[1][2][3][4] Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Other names | Ajai Richards |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Known for | Gina Deveaux – A Different World |
| Spouse |
Michael Brownlee
(m. 2002; div. 2016) |
Biography
editBorn Angela Marie Wilson, Sanders grew up in Dallas, Texas. She attended Hillcrest High School, graduating in 1985.[6] Sanders moved to Los Angeles and began working as a stand-up comic; eventually this work led to what initially was to be a one-time role on A Different World. The guest role was expanded after director Debbie Allen proved impressed by the qualities Sanders brought to the character, whose appearances were expanded to five that season and 18 the following season, after which she was added to the show's opening credits.[7]
Sanders has made guest appearances on the sitcoms Martin, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Parent 'Hood, The Wayans Bros., The Jamie Foxx Show, and Moesha. She also guest-starred in a 2001 episode of the Lifetime show, The Division. Sanders had a major role in the independent urban comedy, High Freakquency, in which she was credited by mistake, as Ajai Richards. She had a smaller role in the Michael Keaton Christmas comedy, Jack Frost, and also appeared in the 2000 urban independent drama, The Playaz Court. She is currently hosting a talk show called Multiple Personalities with Ajai Sanders[8] on Business Bully TV.[9]
Personal
editSanders has been married once and has no children. In May 2002, Sanders married Micheal Brownlee in Denton, Texas. They later divorced in August 2016.[citation needed]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Jack Frost | Interviewer | |
| High Freakquency | LaShanda | ||
| 1999 | A Luv Tale | Ruth | |
| 2000 | The Playaz Court | Yolanda | |
| 2023 | Spaghetti | Iris |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991–93 | A Different World | Gina Deveaux | Recurring Cast: Season 4–5, Main Cast: Season 6 |
| 1992 | Def Comedy Jam | Herself | Episode: "Episode #1.6" & "#2.3" |
| 1993 | Soul Train | Herself/Guest Host | Episode: "Raven-Symone/Aaron Hall/Tag Team" |
| Martin | Thomasina | Episode: "Baby, It's You" | |
| 1995 | Hangin' with Mr. Cooper | Denise | Recurring Cast: Season 3 |
| The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Jana/Candace | Guest: Season 5, Recurring Cast: Season 6 | |
| 1996 | The Parent 'Hood | Kiki | Episode: "Torn Between Two Brothers" |
| 1997 | The Wayans Bros. | Amber | Episode: "Prom Fright" |
| The Jamie Foxx Show | Irene | Episode: "Misery Loves Company" | |
| 2001 | Moesha | Lisa | Episode: "Graduation Day" |
| The Division | Adeen | Episode: "The First Hit's Free, Baby" | |
| 2011 | Way Black When: Primetime | Herself | Episode: "Episode #1.15" |
| Are We There Yet? | Tam | Episode: "The Take Your Kids to Work Day Episode" | |
| 2020 | All the Way Black | Herself | Episode: "It's My House!" |
| Two Degrees | Ajai | Guest: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2 | |
| 2022 | Phat Tuesdays: The Era Of Hip Hop Comedy | Herself | Main Guest |
Music Videos
edit| Year | Artist | Song Title | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 2Pac | "Temptations" | Poker Player |
| 1997 | Chris Rock | "Champagne" | Herself |
Notes
edit- ^ "TVOne: Ajai Sanders". Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
- ^ Sanders, Ajai (October 1, 2017). "All teary-eyed...#50 #bestday". Instagram.com. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
- ^ a b Sanders, Ajai (October 1, 2017). "Birthday breakfast with Mom #50runsaroundthesun #thebestday". Instagram.com. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
- ^ Littleton, Darryl (November 11, 2006). Black Comedians on Black Comedy: How African-Americans Taught Us to Laugh. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781557837301 – via Google Books.
- ^ Sanders, Ajai (October 1, 2017). "Pretty much sums it up!!!..." Instagram.com. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
- ^ "1985 yearbook from Hillcrest High School from Dallas, Texas". Classmates.com.
- ^ Ken Parish Perkins. "Ajai Sanders stands up to any naysayers," The Dallas Morning News, May 19, 1992.
- ^ https://businessbully.tv/watch-video/?video_id=38678&title=S1E1%20-%20MP%20-%20Craig%20Hodges[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Business Bully TV – Business Bully TV". Archived from the original on 2021-04-21.
External links
edit- Ajai Sanders at IMDb