Career

Headley made her acting debut appearing in an episode of NBC sitcom The Cosby Show in 1985. Headley later has appeared on Miami Vice, Quantum Leap, and Matlock. In 1988, she was cast in the female leading role opposite Eddie Murphy in the romantic comedy film, Coming to America. The film was a box-office success grossing worldwide total of $288,752,301. The following year, Headley had starring role alongside Louis Gossett, Jr. in the short-lived ABC drama series, Gideon Oliver. Later that year, she co-starred in the Kojak television film series.

In 1991, Headley joined the cast of ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children playing police officer Mimi Reed. At the 25th NAACP Image Awards, she received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series nomination, but lost award to Victoria Rowell. She was regular on All My Children from 1991 to 1994, and returned to series in 1995 and 2005. After leaving the soap, she guest-starred on New York Undercover, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Cosby. In 1996, she had supporting role in the comedy-drama film The Preacher's Wife directed by Penny Marshall. In 1997, Headley has landed a leading role in the short-lived FOX drama series, 413 Hope St. alongside Richard Roundtree. The series was cancelled after only ten episodes, but Headley received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series nomination for her performance.

In early 2000s, Headley returned to daytime television playing the recurring roles on Guiding Light (2001-2002) and The Bold and the Beautiful (2004-2005). In 2004, she played Mack Johnson's (portrayed by Steve Harvey) wife Jacqueline in the comedy film, Johnson Family Vacation. In 2007, she appeared in the comedy-drama film Towelhead. She also had guest starring roles on Veronica Mars, House, Castle, and Switched at Birth. In 2014, she joined the cast of Oprah Winfrey Network primetime soap opera, The Haves and the Have Nots created by Tyler Perry, playing District Attorney Jennifer Sallison. She was promoted to series regular as of fourth season.

Personal life

Headley was born in Queens, New York, the youngest of four children. She was married to rapper/actor Christopher "Play" Martin from May 1993 until they divorced in June 1995. In April 1994, Headley gave birth to their son, Skyler Martin.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1988	Coming to America	Lisa McDowell
1989	Kojak: Ariana	Trish Van Hogan	Television film
1990	Kojak: None So Blind	Trish Van Hogan	Television film
1996	The Preacher's Wife	Arlene Chattan
1997	A Woman Like That	Herself
2004	Johnson Family Vacation	Jacqueline Johnson
2007	Towelhead	Mrs. Bradley
2008	Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club	Alexis	Direct-to-video
2013	Act Like You Love Me	Tianna
2014	The Congregation	Maple
2015	Ex-Free	Wendy

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1985	The Cosby Show	Expectant Mother	Two episodes (NBC)
1986	Miami Vice	Cindy	Season 2 Episode 17, "French Twist" (NBC)
1989	Gideon Oliver	Zina Oliver	Three episodes (ABC)
1990	Quantum Leap	Violet Walters	Season 2 Episode 16, "Pool Hall Blues" (NBC)
1990	Matlock	Carla Royce	Season 5 Episode 9, "The Cover Girl" (NBC)
1991-1994; 1995; 2005	All My Children	Det. Mimi Reed	(ABC)
1995	New York Undercover	Leanne	Season 2 Episode 4, "Brotherhood" (Fox)
1996	Walker, Texas Ranger	Vanessa St. John	Season 4 Episode 20, "Behind the Badge" (CBS)
1996	Cosby	Nude Model	Season 1 Episodes 9, "No Nudes Is Good Nudes" (CBS)
1997-1998	413 Hope St.	Juanita Barnes	Ten episodes (Fox)
1998	Love Boat: The Next Wave	Barbara	Season 1 Episode 1, "Smooth Sailing" (UPN)
1998	Getting Personal	Fake Robyn	Season 1 Episode 9, "Bring in 'Da Milo, Bring in 'Da Robyn" (Fox)
1998	Malcolm & Eddie	Veronica	Season 3 Episode 4, "Twisted Sisters" (UPN)
1998	For Your Love	Maya	Season 2 Episode 6, "The Sister Act" (WB)
1999	The Wayans Bros.	Dawn	Two episodes (WB)
2001-2002	The Guiding Light	Felicia Boudreau	One episode (CBS)
2003	Half & Half	Barbara	Season 2 Episode 10, "The Big Bitter Baby Shower Episode" (UPN)
2004	One on One	Pamela	Season 3 Episode 19, "Sleepless in Baltimore" (UPN)
2004-2005	The Bold and the Beautiful	Heather Engle	Seven episodes, (CBS)
2005	Veronica Mars	Vanessa Hamilton	Season 1 episode 13, "Lord of the Bling" (UPN)
2005	House M.D.	Dr. Arlene Marks	Season 1 Episode 19, "Kids" (Fox)
2009	Castle	Nicole Cameron	Season 2 Episode 9, "Love Me Dead" (ABC)
2010	10 Things I Hate About You	Marcheline	Season 1 Episode 15, "The Winner Takes It All" (ABC Family)
2011	White Collar	Isabel Wilson	Season 3 Episode 8, "As You Were" (USA)
2014	Love That Girl	Maxine	Season 4 Episode 25, "Gullible Is as Gullible Does" (TV One)
2014-present	The Haves and the Have Nots	Jennifer Sallison (D.A.)

Music videos

• Johnny Gill: "Half Crazy" (1985)
• Jonathan Butler: "Sarah Sarah" (1988)
• Blackstreet: "Before I Let You Go" (1994)
• Will Smith: "Wild Wild West" (1999)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]