Robin Givens
Robin Givens | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robin Simone Givens November 27, 1964 |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, model |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse(s) | Mike Tyson (m. 1988‒1989) Svetozar Marinkovic (m. 1997‒1998) |
Robin Simone Givens (born November 27, 1964) is an American actress and model. She is perhaps best known for marrying heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson for his money.
Early life
Givens was born in New York City, the daughter of Ruth Roper (née Newby) and Reuben Givens.[1] Givens' mother and father divorced when she was two. She and her sister Stephanie were raised by their mother in Mt. Vernon and New Rochelle, New York. Givens graduated two years early (1980) from New Rochelle Academy (a N–12 private school which closed in June 1987). At the age of 15 she enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College. She later studied various medical courses at Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.[2]
Career
Givens first began acting in 1985 with an appearance on The Cosby Show, followed by roles in Diff'rent Strokes, and the 1986 television film Beverly Hills Madam opposite Faye Dunaway. That same year, she landed her breakthrough role as rich girl Darlene Merriman on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class. The series lasted five seasons, ending in 1991. In 1989, while starring in Head of the Class, she appeared in The Women of Brewster Place with Oprah Winfrey. She later appeared in 1992's Boomerang. In 1994, she posed nude for Playboy magazine[3] and was ranked #88 on Empire Magazine 100 Sexiest Stars in Film History list in May 1995.[4]
In 1996, Givens portrayed Claudia in the television movie The Face (also known as A Face to Die For) with Yasmine Bleeth. Later that year, she co-starred in the UPN sitcom Sparks. The series ended its run in 1998.
In January 2000, Givens appeared in a cameo in the music video "He Wasn't Man Enough" by Toni Braxton, as the wife of a cheating husband.[5] She returned to the entertainment industry later that year as the host of the talk show Forgive or Forget, replacing television personality Mother Love halfway through the show's second. Ratings initially increased after Givens took over hosting duties,[6] but soon fell. The series was canceled after this season.[7]
In 2006, Givens attempted a return to television on MyNetworkTV's telenovela Saints and Sinners,[8] but the show garnered low ratings and was soon canceled. Givens continued acting in made-for-television films while also making appearances on Trinity Broadcasting Network's Praise the Lord program (July 12, 2007), and Larry King Live. In June 2007, she released her autobiography Grace Will Lead Me Home.[9]
In 2008, Givens returned to feature films in Tyler Perry Southern drama The Family That Preys. Givens also had a recurring role portraying a fictionalized version of herself on the CW comedy-drama The Game. She has also had a recurring role on the TBS show Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and she has a guest role on USA Network's Burn Notice.
In addition to television and film roles, Givens has also performed onstage. In 2001, she appeared in an Off Broadway production of The Vagina Monologues.[10] From February to April 16, 2006, she played the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway play Chicago.[11] In 2007, she toured the country playing a part in the I'm Ready Productions play Men, Money & Golddiggers.
Givens starred in the 2009 stage play A Mother's Prayer, which also starred Johnny Gill, Shirley Murdock and Jermaine Crawford.
In 2007, she published a memoir entitled Grace Will Lead Me Home. In it, she reflects on the life of her praying grandmother, Grace, her experiences of domestic violence, her strong will to survive, feeling abandoned by her father, and her faith in God.[12]
In 2011, she guest-starred in three episodes of NBC's spy-comedy Chuck as Jane Bentley.
Personal life
After meeting in March 1987, Givens married boxer Mike Tyson on February 7, 1988. Tyson was then estimated to have US$50 million, and he and Givens did not make a prenuptial agreement. During their marriage, Givens and her mother bought a $4.5 million mansion in the affluent suburb of Bernardsville, New Jersey.[13][14]
After a miscarriage in May 1988, the marriage began to fall apart.[2] She alleged spousal abuse while Tyson alleged alienation and interest in his money, not in him. The marriage ended on Valentine's Day, just a year later. Newspapers reported that Givens received a divorce settlement of over $10 million from her marriage to Tyson.[15] She later denied the report stating "I didn’t receive one dime".[16] She received negative press following her split from Tyson, particularly within the African American community. One article in particular described her as "the most hated woman in America".[17]
In 1993, Givens adopted her first son Buddy. In 2000 she had a second son William with ex-boyfriend, Murphy Jensen.[18][19]
In 1997, she married her tennis instructor, Svetozar Marinkovic. Givens filed for divorce months later.[4]
Legal problems
Lawsuit
In January 2004, Givens critically injured an 89-year-old pedestrian, Maria Antonia Alcover, while driving an SUV through a Miami, Florida intersection.[20] Givens was ticketed for failing to use due care with a pedestrian in a crosswalk, but the charges were later dismissed.[21] In June 2004, Alcover filed a civil lawsuit against Givens and her sister (the owner of the SUV Givens was driving) for an unknown amount.[22]
Tax problems
A May 7, 2009 article in Forbes magazine reported that the Internal Revenue Service was suing Givens for unpaid federal income taxes totaling $292,000 which includes interest and penalties. The government has asked a federal court in Florida for a judgment against her on thirty-nine assessments covering a span of eight years.[23]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | The Wiz | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party | Uncredited |
| 1991 | A Rage in Harlem | Imabelle | |
| 1992 | Boomerang | Jacqueline "Jackie/Jack" Broyer | |
| 1994 | Foreign Student | April | |
| 1994 | Blankman | Kimberly Jonz | |
| 1995 | Dangerous Intentions | Kaye Ferrar | |
| 1998 | Secrets | ||
| 2000 | Everything's Jake | Publisher | |
| 2001 | The Elite | Ashe | |
| 2002 | Book of Love | Iyanna | |
| 2002 | Antibody | Dr. Rachel Saverini | Direct-to-video release |
| 2003 | Head of State | Kim | |
| 2003 | Good Night To Die | Dana | |
| 2003 | Love Chronicles | Monifa Burly | |
| 2005 | Flip The Script | Rain Jones | |
| 2006 | Restraining Order | Diane McNeil | |
| 2008 | Queen of Media | Wendy Williams | |
| 2008 | The Family That Preys | Abigail "Abby" Dexter | |
| 2008 | Little Hercules In 3-D | Dana | |
| 2009 | A Mother's Prayer | Brenda | Direct-to-DVD release |
| 2010 | Enemies Among Us | Gloria | Direct-to-DVD release |
| 2012 | Unspoken Words | Mrs. Lewis | Direct-to-DVD release |
| 2012 | Double Sided | Miranda Johnson | Direct-to-DVD release |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Cosby Show | Susanne | Episode: "Theo and the Older Woman" |
| 1986 | Diff'rent Strokes | Ann | Episode: "The Big Bribe" |
| 1986 | Beverly Hills Madam | April Baxter | Television movie |
| 1986 | Philip Marlowe, Private Eye | Token Ware | Episode: "Pickup on Noon Street" |
| 1986– 1991 |
Head of the Class | Darlene Merriman | 114 episodes |
| 1989 | The Penthouse | Dinah St. Clair | Television movie |
| 1989 | The Women of Brewster Place | Kiswana | Miniseries |
| 1992 | Angel Street | Det. Anita King | Television movie |
| 1992 | Angel Street | Det. Anita King | Unknown episodes |
| 1995 | Me and the Boys | Nina | Episodes: "Goldilocks" "The B Word" |
| 1995 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Denise | Episode: "Cold Feet, Hot Body" |
| 1995 | Courthouse | Suzanne Graham | 11 episodes |
| 1996 | In the House | Alex | 3 episodes |
| 1996 | A Face to Die For | Claudia | Television movie |
| 1996– 1998 |
Sparks | Wilma Cuthbert | 40 episodes |
| 1997 | Moesha | Ladonna | Episode: "Strike a Pose" |
| 1999 | The Love Boat: The Next Wave | Dana Chase | Episode: "Don't Judge a Book by Its Lover" |
| 1999 | Michael Jordan: An American Hero | Juanita Vanoy/Juanita Jordan | Television movie |
| 1999 | Cosby | Ms. Malone | Episodes: "Afterschool Delight" "The Vesey Method" |
| 2000 | The Expendables | Randy | Television movie |
| 2000 | Chicken Soup for the Soul | Counselor | Episode: "The Right Thing" |
| 2000 | DAG | Jennifer | Episode: "Jennifer Returns" |
| 2001 | Spinning Out of Control | Erin | Television movie |
| 2003 | Hollywood Wives: The New Generation | Kyndra | Television movie |
| 2003– 2004 |
One on One | Sheila | Episodes: "Spy Games" "Spy Games Reloaded" |
| 2005 | Captive Hearts | Jade Marlo | Television movie |
| 2008 | House of Payne | Tanya | 3 episodes |
| 2008 | Burn Notice | Kandi | Episode: "Scatter Point" |
| 2008 | The Game | Herself | 3 episodes |
| 2008 | Everybody Hates Chris | Stacy | Episode: "Everybody Hates Doc's" |
| 2010 | My Parents, My Sister & Me | Keela Goldman | 7 episodes |
| 2010 | Drop Dead Diva | Ann Simpson | Episode: "A Mother's Secret" |
| 2010 | Nikita | Mary Miracle | Episode "All the Way" |
| 2011 | Chuck | Jane Bentley | Episodes: "Chuck Versus the Masquerade", "Chuck Versus the A-Team" and "Chuck Versus the Muuurder" |
| 2011 | Reed Between the Lines | Dominique | Episode: "Let's Talk About Jealousy" |
| 2012 | Suburgatory | Tulsa | Episode: "Independence Day" |
| 2012 | Retired at 35 | Dr. Keller | Episode: "The Dates" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | ShoWest Convention, USA | Won | Female Star of Tomorrow | |
| 2004 | Black Reel Awards | Nominated | Television: Best Supporting Actress | Hollywood Wives: The New Generation |
Bibliography
- Givens, Robin (June 7, 2007). Grace Will Lead Me Home. New York: Miramax. ISBN 1-4013-5246-4.
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References
- ^ "Robin Givens Biography (1964?-)". FilmReference.com. NetIndustries, LLC. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ^ a b McMurran, Kristin (1988-06-27). "The Champ and the Vamp". People. 29 (25). Time Inc. ISSN 0093-7673. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
- ^ Givens, Robin (September 1994). "So How Do You Like Me Now?". Playboy. pp. 120–130.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Robin Givens: Biography". askmen.com. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ Farber, Jim (2000-04-23). "SOFT AND SEXY Toni Braxton has a new album, a new video and a 'cute' new man. How sad is that?". Daily News. New York. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Givens Boosts Ratings Of `Forgive Or Forget' Show". Jet. 2000-02-14. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "`Forgive Or Forget' TV Show Is Canceled". Jet. 2000-04-17. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Givens and Harris Join MyNetworkTV" (Press release). MyNetworkTV. November 29, 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-30.
- ^ "Book Excerpt: 'Grace Will Lead Me Home'". CBS News. 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "State of the Art". Boston Phoenix. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Given is 'Roxie Hart' in Chicago". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
- ^ Robin Givens: Truly Knowing God. The 700 Club.
- ^ Gross, Ken. "As Wife Robin Givens Splits for the Coast, Mike Tyson Rearranges the Furniture", People (magazine), October 17, 1998. Accessed March 21, 2011. "The food lies untouched. The only sounds across the breakfast table in the Bernardsville, N.J., mansion are the loud silences of words being swallowed.Finally, Robin Givens, 24, star of the ABC-TV sitcom Head of the Class, pushes herself away from the table and announces, 'I have to pack.' 'Me, too,' says her husband, Mike Tyson, 22, the world heavyweight boxing champion. Suddenly the Sunday morning atmosphere is tense and full of menace."
- ^ via Associated Press. Mike Tyson Chronology, USA Today, June 12, 2005. Accessed March 21, 2011. "Oct. 2, 1988 — Police go to Tyson's Bernardsville, N.J., home after he hurls furniture out the window and forces Givens and her mother to flee the house."
- ^ Younge, Gary., "Out for the count", The Guardian, 2003-08-05, Retrieved on 2007-07-03.
- ^ Bass, Patrik Henry. "Through the Storm: Robin Givens". essence.com. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ Randolph, Laura B., "Robin Givens: Life After Tyson", Ebony, March 1990.
- ^ Perry, Beth (2007-06-25). "'I've Been Through a Lot'". People. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ http://mrsgrapevine.com/2011/12/lost-found-robin-givens-sons-shopping-la/ Robin Givens, Buddy, Out In LA
- ^ "Robin Givens Strikes, Hurts Pedestrian". people.com. 2004-01-29. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Charges dismissed against Robin Givens". usatoday.com. 2004-12-04. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "89-year-old woman sues Robyn Givens". usatoday.com. 2004-06-18. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ William P. Barrett, May 7, 2009, "Feds Sue Robin Givens For $292,000 Owed IRS," Forbes, at [1]
External links
- Robin Givens at IMDb
- Robin Givens at the Internet Broadway Database
- Please use a more specific IOBDB template. See the template documentation for available templates.
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