Early life

Summer was born in Los Angeles, California on July 7, 1969, and grew up on the Red Pheasant Reserve in Saskatchewan. She is the daughter of Don Francks, a Canadian actor and musician, and Lili Red Eagle, an African American from North Richmond, California, and adopted member of the Plains Cree First Nations. She and her family also traveled and lived around British Columbia during her childhood, and started public school at the age of nine in Toronto. Her brother, Rainbow Sun Francks, is a former MuchMusic VJ.

Acting career

Summer's career began in 1983 when she was cast as niece Penny on the original cartoon version of Inspector Gadget. Her unique, throaty voice was instantly recognizable to viewers, as well as casting agents, who began frequently casting her in animated programs. Many of these were part of cult franchises, like The Care Bears Movie (1985) and Ewoks (1985, part of the Star Wars franchise).

In 1988, Summer was cast as the freespirited Winifred "Freddie" Brooks in The Cosby Show spin-off A Different World. She remained a regular cast member of the show from 1988 through its end in 1993.

During the run of A Different World, Summer continued working in voice acting. She was cast in the short-lived television series Sweet Justice in 1994 until its cancellation in 1995. Apart from guest appearances on other live-action television shows such as Living Single and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Summer's professional work since has been limited to voice acting.

At the start of the third season of "A Different World" in 1988, the cartoon series The Real Ghostbusters episodes were expanded from their original half-hour format to an hour. The show was changed to be more youthful. Episodes had a lighter tone designed to be less serious and frightening. In these lighter episodes, Cree voiced the sweet and helpful Chilly Cooper, the neighborhood ice-cream woman and innocent love interest of Slimer.

Summer voiced over 100 animated characters between 1983 and 2006. These have spanned video games, cartoon television series, animated films and commercials. Among her most famous roles was in Inspector Gadget (Season 1) as Penny (a role she reprised in the Robot Chicken episode "Adoption's an Option"), WB's Tiny Toon Adventures (1990) as Elmyra Duff (which she reprised for Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain) and Mary Melody, Aka Pella in WB's Histeria!, Susie Carmichael in Nickelodeon's Rugrats and its spin-off All Grown Up!, Cleo the Poodle in PBS Kids' Clifford the Big Red Dog, Miranda from Nickelodeon's As Told by Ginger, Foxxy Love in Drawn Together, Dulcy the dragon in Sonic the Hedgehog, Princess 'Kida' Kidagakash for Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Valerie Gray in Nickelodeon's Danny Phantom (2004), Numbuh 5 (Abigail Lincoln) and Cree Lincoln in Cartoon Network's Codename: Kids Next Door, Penelope in Barbie As Rapunzel, octogenerian villain Granny May on WordGirl, Tiff from Nickelodeon's My Life as a Teenage Robot, and Blackarachnia in Transformers Animated (2008).

In the first season DVD commentary of Drawn Together, she stated that she was originally hired to do the voice of Meg Griffin on Fox's animated series Family Guy, but the producers fired her.

Summer is a frequent co-star of Canadian-American actor Tara Strong, the two are childhood friends, both having grown up in Toronto, Ontario.

Video game voice acting

She performed voice over for the games Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and BLACK. She voiced Tandi in Fallout and First Citizen Lynette in Fallout 2, was the voice of Tatjana in Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits; she also voiced Auriel in Diablo 3, as well as Lady Belgemine, Young Tidus and additional voice-overs in Final Fantasy X; Lenne/Calli in Final Fantasy X-2; Storm in Marvel Super Hero Squad; Cynder in The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning and Magma in X-Men Legends, and the voice of Catalina Thorn, the leader of the Cell in Crackdown 2. She also had a small role in Mass Effect. She also voices Medusa in the game Kid Icarus: Uprising for the Nintendo 3DS. She also voiced the Inca Princess Micay in Pitfall: The Lost Expedition. She also did miscellaneous voices in World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria. She also reprised her voice of She-Hulk in Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet. She also voiced Kit Brinny in the MMO introduction video for the Massive Multiplayer Game Wildstar.

Music career

Summer has sung since an early age and joined her first band at 13. In 1985, she recorded the theme song for OWL/TV. In 1990, she sang background vocals on two tracks for fellow A Different World cast member Jasmine Guy's self-titled LP. In 1993 she released an album (as lead singer) with her band Subject to Change. Capitol Records did not officially release the album because of creative differences; the records that were produced were distributed as promotions and are considered a rarity. The band, with an aggressive political message and rock-soul fusion sound, remained popular as a co-headlining act with other performers. In 1999, Summer released her solo album Street Faërie produced by and featuring guest artist (and friend) Lenny Kravitz, with the album a moderate success. Although Summer toured as Kravitz's opening act, her label dropped her and a planned spot with Lilith Fair was canceled. The label continued to promote the album, however, sending out a four-track sampler to radio and issuing remix singles of the track "Revelation Sunshine" in Europe, with a special single specifically for Austria.

Summer recorded a song titled "Savior Self" for which she directed a music video co-starring Zoe Kravitz, daughter of actor Lisa Bonet and rocker Lenny Kravitz. The video was screened online, but the track was never made available commercially, nor was it distributed to radio.

A number of Summer's portrayed characters (animated or otherwise) are singers or sing songs within the soundtrack of a show. The character of Susie in All Grown Up! was portrayed as a singer with real talent, allowing Summer to sing in the role. Summer also sings the opening theme song for All Grown Up!. The character of Foxxy Love in Drawn Together was a singer, with songs like "La-La-La-La-Labia" and "Crashy Smashy", Numbuh 5 from Codename: Kids Next Door sang a lullaby to lull babies to sleep. Elmyra Duff as she sang in many times on Tiny Toon Adventures. She co-performed lead vocals in the song "Cool Kitty" with Tara Strong, which accompanied a cartoon called Class of 3000, directed and written for Cartoon Network by André 3000. Her character Priscilla on Sheriff Callie's Wild West sings many times, as well.

Filmography

Animated film roles List of voice performances in films Year Title Role Notes Source 1984 Strawberry Shortcake and the Baby Without a Name Orange Blossom Television film 1985 The Care Bears Movie Kim Feature film 1986 Care Bears Movie II: A New Generation Christy Feature film 1986 Madballs: Escape from Orb Freakella Direct-to-video 1992 Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation Elmyra Duff, Mary Melody Direct-to-video 1998 The Rugrats Movie Susie Carmichael Feature film 2000 An Extremely Goofy Movie Co-Ed (girl at club) Direct-to-video 2000 Rugrats in Paris: The Movie Susie Carmichael Feature film 2001 Atlantis: The Lost Empire Princess Kida Feature film 2001 All Growed Up Susie Carmichael Television film 2002 The Wild Thornberrys Movie Phaedra (Elephant) Feature film 2002 Barbie as Rapunzel Penelope Direct-to-video 2002 Kermit's Swamp Years Pilgrim, Kermit's Mom, Star 2003 Atlantis: Milo's Return Princess Kida Direct-to-video 2003 Rugrats Go Wild Susie Carmichael Feature film 2003 Blizzard Aphrodite Feature film 2004 Clifford's Really Big Movie Cleo Feature film 2005 The Land Before Time XI: Invasion of the Tinysauruses Bonehead, Lizzie Direct-to-video 2006 Bambi II Mena Feature film (non-USA) 2006 Bratz: Genie Magic Zell Direct-to-video 2006 Operation: Z.E.R.O Numbuh 5 Television film 2006 Bratz Forever Diamondz Mandy Direct-to-video 2007 Hellboy: Blood and Iron Hecate Direct-to-video 2007 Superman: Doomsday Mercy Graves Direct-to-video 2008 Turok: Son of Stone Sepinta Direct-to-video 2010 Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey! Mrs. Fisher, Cargo Pilot, Young Girl Direct-to-video 2010 The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie Foxxy Love, Suck My Taint Girl, Network Head's Wife Direct-to-video 2011 DC Showcase: Catwoman Lily Direct-to-video 2012 Medusa's Revenge Medusa Direct-to-video 2012 Strange Frame: Love & Sax Reesa Abi Kiran Ariana Livingston III Feature film 2013 Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest Ada Television film 2014 Stan Lee's Mighty 7: Beginnings Veronica Television film 2015 Madea's Tough Love Woman in Crowd Direct-to-video 2015 The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water Seagull Feature film 2015 Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom Cheetah Direct-to-video Animated series roles List of voice performances in animation Year Series Role Notes Source 1983 Inspector Gadget Penny Season 1, Gadget's Greatest Gadgets 1986-87 Star Wars: Droids & Star Wars: Ewoks Gerin (Droids), Kneesaa a Jari Kintaka (Ewoks, Season one only) 1987 Hello Kitty's Furry Tale Theater Catnip 1988 Garbage Pail Kids Clogged Duane, Heartless Hal, Trashed Tracy, Squishy, Plain Jane 1990 Kid 'n Play Marika, Downtown 1990 Peter Pan and the Pirates Tiger Lily 3 episodes 1990 Camp Candy Robin 6 episodes 1990-92 Tiny Toon Adventures Elmyra Duff, Mary Melody 1991-94 Captain Planet and the Planeteers Karen 2 episodes 1992 The Little Mermaid Pearl 2 episodes 1992 The Plucky Duck Show Elmyra Duff 1993 Cro Soolie 1993-2006 Rugrats Susie Carmichael 1994 Bonkers Alto, Young Toon Saxophone Episode: "Frame That Toon" 1994 Sonic the Hedgehog Dulcy the Dragon 1994-95 Animaniacs Elmyra Duff 1994-96 Gargoyles Hyena 1995 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Princess Ebony Episode: "The Frog Prince" 1995 Freakazoid! Jill Episode: "Five Day Forecast/Dance of Doom/Hand Man" 1995 The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat Master Cylinder, Sheba Beboporeba 1996 Gargoyles: The Goliath Chronicles Hyena Episode: "Broadway Goes to Hollywood" 1996 Project G.e.e.K.e.R. Lady MacBeth 1996 Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm Princess Kitana 1996-97 The Mask: The Animated Series Jennifer Peenman, Gorgonzola, Cookie BaBoom, Davida Steelmine 1997 Adventures from the Book of Virtues Bessie Episode: "Faith" 1997 The Wacky World of Tex Avery Khanie 2 episodes 1997 The New Batman Adventures Ice Maiden #2 Episode: "Cold Comfort" 1997 Superman: The Animated Series Natasha Irons, Psychic Girl 2 episodes 1997 Men in Black: The Series Vonda 1997 The Incredible Hulk She-Hulk Season 2 1997-98 Jungle Cubs Louie Season 2 1997-98 101 Dalmatians: The Series Princess 1997 Mummies Alive! Nefertina 1998 Oh Yeah! Cartoons Polly, Tilly, Cleo 1998 Pinky and the Brain Bunny, Receptionist 1998 Hercules Anaxerete 1998-2000 Histeria! Aka Pella 1998-2000 Pepper Ann Tessa James, Vanessa James 1998-99 Pinky, Elmyra & the Brain Elmyra Duff 1999 The Wild Thornberrys Feral Girl, Panther, Rosie 2 episodes 1999-2001 Batman Beyond Maxine "Max" Gibson, Tigress, Tayko, Dottie, Marinna Loez 1999-2000 Sabrina, the Animated Series Chloe Flan 2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Savy SL2 Episode: "The Slayer" 2000-03 Clifford the Big Red Dog Cleo 2000-04 As Told by Ginger Miranda Killgallen 2001 The Weekenders Penny DeCartes, Carver's Mom 2001 The Zeta Project Skye Hoaps Episode: "Ro's Reunion" 2001 Johnny Bravo Amy Elephant, Salvador, Puppy Episode: "A Johnny Bravo Christmas" 2001-02 Horrible Histories Mo, additional voices 2002 Totally Spies! Model Episode: "Model Cityzens" 2002 Ozzy & Drix Mayor Santorini 2002-08 Codename: Kids Next Door Numbuh Five, Cree Lincoln, DCFDTL 2002 Kim Possible Additional voices 2002-03 The Proud Family Peabo 3 episodes 2003 Spider-Man: The New Animated Series Professor Williams, Joana 3 episodes 2003-07 My Life as a Teenage Robot Tiff, Vicky, QT2, Stephanie 2003-08 All Grown Up! Susie Carmichael 2004 ChalkZone Sonny Episode: "Let's Twister Again/The Legend of the Golden Worms/Beanie Boys to Men" 2004 Star Wars: Clone Wars Luminara Unduli Episode: "Chapter 14" 2004 Static Shock Candide Episode: "Wet and Wild" 2004 The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy Cave Witch Episode: "House of Pain/Grim Prophecy, A/Mandy Bites Dog" 2004 Dave the Barbarian Various voices 2004-07 Danny Phantom Valerie Gray 2nd voice 2004-08 Drawn Together Foxxy Love, Evil Stepmother, Strawberry Sweetcake, Super Nanny, Ni-Pul, Xandir's Girlfriend, Captain She-Ro, Letta Lame, Foxxy Five members, Queen of Mexico, Georgina 2004 Justice League Unlimited Female Singer, Watchtower Computer Episode: "Fearful Symmetry" 2005 Lilo & Stitch: The Series Lana Episode: "Retro: Experiment #210" 2005-08 My Gym Partner's a Monkey Mrs. Marina Tusk, Kerry, Mrs. Catherine Loon, Latanya Hippo, Eddie Panther 2005 Danger Rangers Alisha, Alisha's Mother Episode: "Kitty's Surprise Party" 2005 Rugrats Pre-School Daze Susie Carmichael 4 episodes 2005 Ben 10 Frightwig 2 episodes 2005 Loonatics Unleashed Little Kid Episode: "The Comet Cometh" 2005 Four Eyes! Miss Doager 2005-06 The Buzz on Maggie Rayna Cartflight 2006 Robot Chicken Penny, Evil Little Girl, Mother Episode: "Adoption's an Option" 2006 W.I.T.C.H. Ember 4 episodes 2006 The Replacements Nature Activist Episode: "Zoo or False?" 2007 Class of 3000 Kaylie, Tanya (singing voice) Episode: "Prank Yankers" 2007 The Land Before Time Tippy Episode: "The Forbidden Friendship" 2007 Friday: The Animated Series Betty "Mom" Jones, Dana Jones 2007-11 Curious George Ada, The Announcer, Sisley 3 episodes 2007 Transformers: Animated Blackarachnia, Elita-1 2007-10 Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures Sarah 2007 Karas Yurine 2007-15 WordGirl Granny May 2008 The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack Diver, Buff Delinquent Episode: "Several Leagues Under the Sea/Eye Sea You" 2008-09 The Spectacular Spider-Man Glory Grant 2009 DJ & the Fro Doreen, Cecilia, Gigi, Skillet Episode: "101" 2009-11 The Super Hero Squad Show Storm 2009 The Goode Family Souki 2010 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Vixen 2011 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Lady Marmalade, Paige Kruller 2 episodes 2011 The Cleveland Show Twin #1, Guest #1 Episode: "Sex and the Biddy" 2011 Good Vibes HJ Kuntz, BJ Kuntz, Tang, Wanda 2011-13 Pound Puppies Cupcake, Izzy, Sumalee, additional voices 2011-12 Young Justice Madame Xanadu, Mary West, Tula/Aquagirl, Mattie Harcourt, Rocket, Highway Patrolman 3 episodes 2011-12 ThunderCats Panthera, Gusto 3 episodes 2011-12 Dan Vs. Becky, Kelly 2 episodes 2012-13 Robot and Monster Spitfire, Globetha 2012 Superman of Tokyo Jemmy 2013 Henry Hugglemonster Denzel Dugglemonster 2013 The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange Old Beef Jerky, Singers, Strawberry Reporter, Grumblala, Banana 2013 Thunder and Lightning Thunder 2013 Beware the Batman Bethanie Ravencroft 3 episodes 2013-14 Xiaolin Chronicles Wuya, Tigress 2014 Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Ho, Chang, Piggy Episode: "Po Picks a Pocket" 2014 Ben 10 Omniverse Frightwig Episode: "Something Zombozo This Way Comes" 2014 TripTank Matilda Episode: "The Director" 2014 Avengers Assemble Darlene Wilson Episode: "One Little Thing" 2014 The Tom and Jerry Show Beatie 2 episodes 2014 The Boondocks Desperate Friend #2 Episode: "Early Bird Special" 2014-15 Breadwinners SwaySway's Mom, Mrs. Furfle 2014-15 Sheriff Callie's Wild West Priscilla Skunk 2015 Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Additional voices 2 episodes 2015 Transformers: Rescue Bots Maura the Magnificent Episode: "More Than Meets the Eye" 2015 Golan the Insatiable Various voices 2015 Dinotrux Ace 2015 Fresh Beat Band of Spies Dakota Koder Episode: "Dance Bots" 2015 Moonbeam City Quasar Daniels, Aiaiaia 3 episodes 2015 Miles from Tomorrowland Maya Kitumba, Tech Bot Episode: "The Pluto Rescue/The Taking of the Solar Express" 2015 Guardians of the Galaxy Nebula 2015 Dawn of the Croods Ugga, Pat, Clip, Pup Howler 2016 Mixels Jamzy,Teacher 2016 The Powerpuff Girls Bianca Bikini Episode: "Bye Bye, Bellum" Live-action film roles List of live-action performances in film Year Title Role Notes Source 1987 Wild Thing Lisa Feature film 1987 Bay Coven Jazz Singer Television film 1987 Hearts of Fire Colt's Band Member Feature film 1991 Perfect Crimes Cheryl Television film 1995 Tuesday Morning Ride Unknown Short film 2002 Kermit's Swamp Years Pilgrim, Kermit's Mom, Star (voice) Direct-to-video 2003 Blizzard Penelope (voice) Feature film 2005 Free Lunch for Brad Whitman Kristi Short film 2007 Callback Student 2013 I Know That Voice Herself Documentary film on voice acting Live-action television series roles List of live-action performances in television Year Title Role Notes Source 1985 Night Heat Karen Simmons Episode: "Crossfire" 1986 Seeing Things Unknown Episode: "Optical Illusion" 1988-93 A Different World Winifred "Freddie" Brooks 97 episodes 1994 Living Single Summer Episode: "Love Thy Neighbor" 1994 The Fresh Prince of Bel Air Lisa Adams Episode: "The Harder They Fall" 1994-95 Sweet Justice Reese Daulkins 1995 Courthouse Danni 4 episodes Video games List of voice performances in video games Year Title Role Notes Source 1996 Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster and the Beanstalk Elmyra Duff 1997 Fallout Tandi 1998 Fallout 2 Lynnette 1999 Tiny Toon Adventures: Toonenstein Elmyra Duff 1999 Rugrats: Studio Tour Susie Carmichael 2000 M&M's The Lost Formulas Green 2001 Atlantis: The Lost Empire Kida, Atlantean Child 2001 Final Fantasy X Belgemine, Young Tidus 2001 Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance Osala 2001 Atlantis The Lost Empire: Search for the Journal Additional voices 2001 Tiny Toon Adventures: Defenders of the Universe Elmyra Duff Cancelled game 2002 Rugrats: Royal Ransom Susie Carmichael 2002 Run Like Hell: Hunt or Be Hunted Samantha 2003 Freelancer Dr. Kendra Sinclair 2003 Final Fantasy X-2 Lenne, Calli 2003 Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits Tatjana 2003 Rugrats Go Wild! Susie Carmichael 2003 Lords of Everquest Solruua 2004 Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II Additional voices 2004 Pitfall: The Lost Expedition Micay 2004 X-Men Legends Magma 2005 Fantastic Four Alicia Masters, additional voices 2005 Codename: Kids Next Door - Operation: V.I.D.E.O.G.A.M.E. Numbuh Five, Delightful Children From Down the Lane, Cree Lincoln 2005 Tony Hawk's American Wasteland Mindy 2006 Black MacCarver 2006 Driver: Parallel Lines Additional voices 2006 Scarface: The World Is Yours Coco 2006 The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning Cynder 2006 Superman Returns The Citizens of Metropolis 2006 Bratz Forever Diamondz Mandy 2007 Mass Effect Macha Doyle, Consort Attendant 2009 Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall Numbuh Five 2009 inFamous Additional voices 2009 Batman: Arkham Asylum Dr. Penelope Young 2009 Brütal Legend Dominatrices 2009 Marvel Super Hero Squad Storm 2009 Dragon Age: Origins Violent Elf Female 2010 Crackdown 2 Catalina Thorn 2010 Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty Executor Selendis 2010 Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet She-Hulk 2011 Knights Contract Straeggele 2012 Unit 13 Command 2012 Kid Icarus: Uprising Medusa 2012 Diablo III Auriel 2012 World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Scout Captain Elsia 2013 Skylanders: Swap Force Roller Brawl 2013 Young Justice: Legacy Aquagirl, Rocket 2014 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Additional voices 2014 Lichdom: Battlemage Witch, Alchemist 2014 Broken Age Morelia, Drumstick Maiden, Teledoor 2014 WildStar Kit Brinny, Chua, Exiled Female 2014 Destiny Guardian (EXO) Female 2014 Skylanders: Trap Team Roller Brawl 2015 Disney Princess: Palace Pets Treasure the Red Kitten 2015 Skylanders: SuperChargers Roller Brawl TBA Kingdom Hearts III Princess Kida Discography Albums Appeared on the Juno Award-nominated album I Lost My Pet Lizard (1979) Appeared as Debbie in the Canadian Sesame Street album Big Bird & Oscar the Grouch: Camping in Canada (1981) Womb Amnesia - (1993) (with her band Subject to Change) Street Faërie - (1999) Singles "Revelation Sunshine" [ Source: Wikipedia ] Report a problem Get in touch with Cree Summer at FanPal • 2024 Terms Privacy Join Contact ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Contact Any Star FanPal • 2024