Shondrella Avery
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Shondrella Avery | |
|---|---|
 Shondrella Avery, 2007 | |
| Born | Shondrella Avery April 26, 1974 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1999–present |
Shondrella Avery[1] (born April 26, 1974) is an American actress.
Career
Avery began her career as a stand-up comic. She, alongside, with her family produced four different "work out," spots for up and coming and seasoned comics throughout LA County while working a corporate job. Avery felt she had to produce her own spots because the famed clubs only allowed 3 minutes and she was quoted saying "it takes me 3 minutes to say my name." Her first big break came in 2001 on the Island of Martha's Vineyard during a Fourth of July Celebration hosted by local politicians related to her high school friend; where she and good friend Tony Rock (brother to Chris Rock) performed with an overwhelming response.
In 2002, Avery had a recurring role as Candy on the situation comedy One on One and later became a cast member on the spinoff Cuts, playing the same role. Simultaneously, while on One on One, she was a cast member for 5 seasons on the hit all female first ever reality/prank television series Girls Behaving Badly.
In movies, Avery played Internet Girlfriend, LaFawnduh Lucas-Dynamite, in the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite and had roles in Trippin' and Domino Also Déjà vu with Denzel Washington and Directed by Tony Scott for the second time . In 2011, Avery filmed in her native South Central with Training Day writer, David Ayer, who wrote and directed End of Watch starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena. Movie is scheduled for release in 2012. A full circle moment.
In 2007, Avery, appeared in People Magazine comparing her to Beyoncé in an H & M "who wore it best," dress. She has graced the cover of magazines and have been known to bond well with her co-stars. Avery has appeared in US Magazine with Mena Suvari at Carmelo Anthony's Shoe launch in 2008. She also has been seen at many of her movie Domino twin sister Macy Gray's concerts and in 2010 during Oscar time she gave her dear friend, Mo'Nique, also from Domino, a High Tea, at Philipe Chow, for her nomination which the day after Mo'Nique won the Oscar for her acclaimed performance in Precious. Avery made an appearance on the Mo'Nique show in 2010 where they celebrated and Mo'Nique expressed her appreciation for her kindness.
Avery stands in admiration of her peers; but has publicly BETTER TV 2011 interview as saying she is the "black" Meryl Streep whom she reveres for her out of the box projects. She also has been consistent in saying her role model since she was 14 has been, Oscar winner, Forest Whitaker; who is also from South Central.
In 2010, Avery was linked to Africa. She and her husband are producing a TV Series where she is dispelling the misconceptions between Africans and Americans. She believes that there should be a mediator explaining both sides. She references her show as Larry David's Curb your Enthusiasm meets The Office Real-Reality TV. Avery is in search of the right Network to launch it in 2012.
Personal life
Avery was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in South Central Los Angeles as the oldest of 10 children. She has created a one-woman show titled "Ain't I Enough," based on her experiences growing up with her enormous family, which has aired on HBO.
She graduated from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and studied for her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Los Angeles.
Avery has been linked to many causes. She is a children's advocate, mentoring kids at "A Place Called Home" in South Central, WGA Writer's Program for teens, speaking at high schools and Universities spreading her positive messages. She gives time at Penny Lane and is a sitting board member of the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation in Los Angeles and works with Coach Art to name a few. Avery believes that all entertainers should give back, as she has been known to say "we are so blessed without our fans we have no support...so we must give back; it's paying it forward...and giving IS love."
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1999 | Cyberdorm | Lawanda | |
| Trippin' | Amazon Woman | ||
| 2004 | Napoleon Dynamite | LaFawnduh Lucas | |
| 2005 | Domino | Lashindra Davis | |
| 2006 | Déjà Vu | Kathy | |
| 2008 | The Secret Life of Bees | Greta | |
| 2010 | Our Family Wedding | Keisha Boyd | |
| 2012 | End of Watch | Bonita | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2000 | Jamie Foxx Show | Female Security Guard | Episode: "On Bended Knee" |
| 2002 thru 2005 | Girls Behaving Badly | Self/Shondrella | Series regular |
| 2002 thru 2005 | One on One | Candy | Recurring |
| 2003 | Strong Medicine | Etta | Episode: "Prescriptions" |
| 2004–2006 | Cuts | Candy | Series regular |
| 2006 | Community Service | Selma | NBC TV-Pilot |
| 2009 | Eleventh Hour | Louella | Episode: "Madea" |
| 2010 | Gillian in Georgia | Alicia | Series regular |
| 2011 | Disney Prank Stars | Shelly | Episode: "Adventures in Dog Sitting" with Raven-Symoné |