Karimah Westbrook (born October 6, 1978)[1] is an American actress best known for her role as Grace James in The CW drama series, All American.

Karimah Westbrook
Westbrook in 2017
Born (1978-10-06) October 6, 1978 (age 46)
OccupationActress
Years active2000–present

Life and career

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Westbrook was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and later began performing on screen and stage.[1] She made her television debut in 2000, appearing in an episode of CBS medical drama City of Angels and later was cast in the teen dance drama film Save the Last Dance.[1] Later she starred in the biographical drama film Baadasssss! opposite Mario Van Peebles.[2] Westbrook also guest starred in a number of television shows, include Girlfriends, Mad Men and Shameless.

Westbrook has appeared in a number of independent films, include American Violet (2008) opposite Nicole Beharie and Alfre Woodard. She played supporting roles in films The Rum Diary (2011), Suburbicon (2017), and After We Collided (2020).[3] In 2018, she was cast as Grace James, the mother of the leading character in the CW drama series, All American.[4][5]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 Save the Last Dance Alyssa
2002 Random Acts of Violence Monique
2003 Baadasssss! Ginnie
2004 Knuckle Sandwich Nora
2005 The Tenants Female Partygoer
2005 American Fusion Layla
2006 Best Kept Secret Cassandra Short film, also writer and producer
2007 Studio Jasmine Jackson
2008 Truth Hall Lashon
2008 American Violet Claudia Johnson
2010 Louis Alice Bolden
2011 The Rum Diary Papa Nebo
2012 C'mon Man Angel
2013 Baby Girl Yaya Short film
2016 Caged Karrisa Kline Short film
Chandler International Film Festival for Best Actress
Connect Film Festival Best Ensemble Acting Award
Nominated — IIFC Award for Best Ensemble Cast Featurette
2017 Suburbicon Mrs. Mayers
2019 Bolden Alice Bolden
2020 After We Collided Karen Scott
2023 Abigail Donna
Year Title Role Notes
2000 City of Angels Joleigha Bass Episode: "Nathan's Hot Dog"
2001 ER Sara Morris Episode: "April Showers"
2001 Moesha Shania Levy Episodes: "Graduation Day" and "All Grown Up"
2001 That's Life Runner Episode: "Larva"
2001 The District Kara Episode: "Foreign Affair"
2003 Strong Medicine Sandy Episode: "PMS, Lies and Red Tape"
2003 Girlfriends Melanie Childs Episodes: "The Wedding" and "Blood Is Thicker Than Liquor"
2003 10-8: Officers on Duty Sheila Episode: "Lucy in the Sky"
2006 In Justice Kendra Smith Episode: "Another Country"
2006 Without a Trace Missy Episode: "White Balance"
2010 Mad Men Sharon Episode: "The Rejected"
2010 Look: The Series Paige Recurring role, 3 episodes
2014 The Fosters Layla's Mother Episode: "Mother"
2014 Masters of Sex Delila Episode: "Below the Belt"
2015 Aquarius Aquarius Episode: "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game"
2017 Shameless Sylvie Episode: "Icarus Fell and Rusty Ate Him"
2018 Truth Hall LaShon Unsold TV pilot
2018—present All American Grace James Series regular
Nominated — Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama Series (2019)

References

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  1. ^ a b c Hanson-Firestone, Dana (November 17, 2019). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Karimah Westbrook". TVOvermind.
  2. ^ "Baadasssss! (2003)" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
  3. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 15, 2019). "'After We Collided' Rounds Out Cast With Charlie Weber, Louise Lombard, Candice King & More".
  4. ^ Petski, Denise (March 19, 2018). "Karimah Westbrook Joins CW's April Blair/Spencer Paysinger Pilot; Justina Adorno Books ABC's 'Grand Hotel'".
  5. ^ Gidlow, Steve (October 7, 2019). "Karimah Westbrook Says The CW's "All American" Is an All-Important Show". MediaVillage.
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