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Joy Bryant

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Joy Bryant
Bryant at the Paleyfest 2013
Born (1974-10-18) October 18, 1974 (age 50)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materYale University
Occupation(s)Actress, model
Years active1994–present
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Spouse
Dave Pope
​
(m. 2008)​

Joy Bryant (born October 18, 1974)[1] is an American actress, businesswoman and fashion model. She has appeared in numerous films and television since beginning her acting career in 2001. She has received two NAACP Image Award nominations, and one Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

Bryant began her career as a fashion model, appearing in advertisements for Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, and Victoria's Secret. She made her film debut in 2001's Carmen: A Hip Hopera. Bryant had her breakthrough after being cast by Denzel Washington in his biographical drama film Antwone Fisher (2002), in which she played a U.S. Navy sailor. This was followed by a recurring guest role on the NBC series ER. Her subsequent film credits include Spider-Man 2 (2004), the horror film The Skeleton Key and the drama Get Rich or Die Tryin' (both 2005), and the historical drama Bobby (2006).

In 2010, Bryant was cast in the role of Jasmine Trussell in the NBC family drama series Parenthood, a role she portrayed for the series' entire six seasons before its finale in 2015. Bryant hosted her own action talk show Across the Board with Joy Bryant (2012–2014), which saw her interviewing celebrity guests.[2] She has also appeared on television in guest roles on the series Girls (2017) and Ballers (2018).

Early life

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Bryant was born on October 18, 1974, in the Bronx, New York to Joyce Bryant.[1] She was raised by her grandmother,[3] who helped support her on welfare.[4] She started dancing at age three.[5] Bryant would later reveal that she was conceived from a sexual assault against her mother, who was fifteen years old at the time of her birth, by an older adult male.[1] Bryant stated: "[My mother] gave birth to me, not in love but in shame, after hiding her pregnancy from my grandmother for six months."[1]

She described herself as a "nerd" growing up: "I read encyclopedias all day and watched TV. My grandmother, who raised me, emphasized the importance of education. For me it was about being self-sufficient and using my brain."[4] While living in the Bronx, she graduated from CJHS 145x and was a member of the Fieldston Enrichment Program, an elite high school preparatory program.[6] Bryant is a graduate of Westminster School, a boarding school in Simsbury, Connecticut.[3] She studied Latin for a number of years in high school and was the president of the Latin club.[7]

After graduating from Westminster, Bryant was a gifted student and earned a scholarship to Yale University, where she studied for two years before dropping out to pursue a modeling career.[8] Bryant's grandmother died during her freshman year at Yale, which made her lose interest in studying, saying "I lost my biggest cheerleader, my rock. Being 'smart' didn’t matter to me anymore."[9] She later completed her degree and graduated from Yale.[10][11]

Career

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Bryant in 2009.

Modeling

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While enrolled as a student at Yale, Bryant was discovered by a modeling scout from Next Model Management and was selected to appear in Seventeen magazine's "Back to School" issue soon after.[12] She began working as a fashion model in Paris.[12] She appeared in advertisements for Gap, Victoria's Secret, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Rocawear.[13][14] In 2006, Bryant signed a multi-year contract with CoverGirl.[15] She has walked the runway for Tommy Hilfiger and Givenchy.[14] Bryant hosted BET's 2009 Rip the Runway fashion show with Derek Luke.[16]

She has graced the cover of numerous magazines, including Teen Vogue, Complex, Lonny, Domino and Rolling Out.[17][18] She has appeared in pictorials for InStyle, Harper's Bazaar,[19] Paper, Vanity Fair, Vibe, Playboy, Stuff and Celebrity Skin.[17]

Acting

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Early in her career, Bryant played a small role in Ill Al Skratch's music video for the song "I'll Take Her" (1994). She went on to appear in numerous music videos, including playing the female lead in Santana's "Nothing at All" (2003) and Usher's "Caught Up" (2004). Her acting debut came in 2001 in Robert Townsend's film Carmen: A Hip Hopera, in which she portrayed one of Carmen’s best friends opposite Beyoncé and Mekhi Phifer.[20] After a small role in the action comedy Showtime (2002), she made her big breakthrough in Denzel Washington's directorial debut, Antwone Fisher (2002).[21] In 2003, she co-starred in the Mario Van Peebles drama film Baadasssss!,[22] followed by a recurring guest role on the drama series ER.[23] She portrayed Gina, Jessica Alba's character's best friend in the dance film Honey (2003), which grossed $65.3 million at the box office worldwide.[24]

In 2005, she appeared in several high-profile films, including the horror film The Skeleton Key[25] and the drama films London and Get Rich or Die Tryin', in the latter of which she played the childhood sweetheart of 50 Cent.[26] In 2007, she had a minor part in the thriller film The Hunting Party starring Richard Gere and Terrence Howard,[27] followed by a leading role in the ensemble comedy Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008).[28] She also played the role of Tunde Adebimpe's love interest in "Will Do", a 2011 TV on the Radio music video.

Bryant and Angela Missoni attending 2009 Women's World Awards in Vienna, Austria.

Bryant starred as Jasmine Trussell in NBC's family comedy-drama series Parenthood (2010–2015). BuddyTV ranked her #19 on its TV's 100 Sexiest Women of 2011 list.[29] In 2012, she launched her own web series, Across the Board with Joy Bryant, which featured interviews with celebrity guests.[30] An action talk show hosted by Bryant saw her and the guests doing different activities such as go-karting, climbing and pottery. The series consisted of ten episodes and aired on Reserve's YouTube channel.[2] She had one of the main roles as Debbie Sullivan on the romantic comedy film About Last Night (2014) alongside Kevin Hart, Regina Hall and Michael Ealy. The film grossed $50 million at the box office.[31]

In 2015, she had a recurring role as Erica Kincaid, a doctor, on the police procedural drama series Rosewood.[32] In 2017, she had guest roles on television shows What Would Diplo Do? and Girls.[33] The following year, Bryant was cast in a recurring role on the sports drama series Ballers, playing a successful public defender and mother of a rising football star.[34] In 2019, she portrayed Lori Foster on Netflix's teen drama series Trinkets.[35]

Business ventures

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She co-founded a production company in 2016.[36] On January 13, 2021, Deadline announced that Bryant and producer Samantha Taylor Pickett launched a production company, Hot Sauce, with a three-year deal at Sony Pictures.[37][38]

Fashion design

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In June 2014, Bryant and her husband Dave Pope launched a clothing line, Basic Terrain, a casual sportswear to performance outerwear line.[39][40][41] The collection was inspired by Bryant's love for the outdoors.[42] Basic Terrain's pop-up store was opened in July 2015 at Satine, a clothing boutique in Los Angeles.[43] Ten percent of the company's proceeds are donated to environmental organizations such as Earthjustice.[44] In September 2016, Basic Terrain became available in chain department store Selfridges in the United Kingdom.[45]

Writing

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Bryant has written several personal essays for publications such as Lenny Letter and Refinery29.[1] She has written about various topics, including her childhood, body insecurities and family. In 2016, The Cut announced that she was working on a book proposal for a collection of essays.[36]

Philanthropy

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She is an ambassador of Oxfam's Sisters on the Planet, an organization that helps women fight hunger, poverty and climate change.[46] In 2011, she designed a handbag for Botkier, named "Botkier Joy Satchel" with fifty percent of the proceeds from every bag’s sale went to Oxfam.[47]

Personal life

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In October 2007, OK! magazine reported that Bryant was engaged to stuntman Dave Pope, who she met on the set of Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins.[48] They married on June 28, 2008, in the Hamptons.[49] She owns a ranch house in Glendale, California.[3] As of 2014, Bryant resided with her husband in Glendale.[50]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 Carmen: A Hip Hopera Nikki Also as performer: "The B.L.A.Z.E. Song" and "Girls' Cali Dreams"
2002 Showtime Lexi
Antwone Fisher PO2 Cheryl Smolley, US Navy
Kite Shane's Mother Short film
2003 Baadasssss! Priscilla
Honey Gina
2004 Spider-Man 2 Woman at Web
Three Way Rita Caswell
Haven Sheila
2005 Rhythm City Volume One: Caught Up Asia
The Skeleton Key Jill Dupay
London Mallory
Get Rich or Die Tryin' Charlene
2006 Bobby Patricia
2007 The Hunting Party Duck's Girlfriend
2008 Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins Bianca Kittles
2011 The Chicken Shack Alicia
2012 Hit and Run Neve Tatum
2014 About Last Night Debbie Sullivan

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2003–04 ER Valerie Gallant Supporting cast (season 10); 3 episodes
2008 Entourage Herself Episode: "Play'n with Fire"
The Rachel Zoe Project Supporting cast (season 1); 3 episodes
2009 Virtuality Alice Thibadeau Television film
Rip the Runway Host Television special
2010–15 Parenthood Jasmine Trussell Main cast; 103 episodes
2011 Love Bites Angie Episode: "Keep on Truckin'" and Sky High"
2015–16 Good Girls Revolt Eleanor Holmes Norton Main cast; 10 episodes
2015 The Advocate Dr. Ryan Clarke Television film
2016 FabLife Guest co-hostess Episode: "Knife Be-Gone/Hot Summer Fashions/Joy Bryant/Chef Ted Hopson/Fire Up the Grill/Chef Graham Elliot/Oversized and Undersized Accessories"
Rosewood Dr. Erica Kincaid Recurring cast (season 1); 7 episodes
2017 Girls Marlowe Episode: "Hostage Situation"
What Would Diplo Do? Chandra Episode: "Screwged"
2018 Ballers Jayda Crawford Recurring cast (season 4); 6 episodes
2019–20 Trinkets Lori Foster Recurring cast; 9 episodes
2020–21 For Life Marie Wallace Main cast; 23 episodes
2021–22 Cherish the Day Sunday St. James Main cast; 8 episodes
2024–present The Spiderwick Chronicles Helen Grace Main cast; 8 episodes

Web series

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Year Title Role Notes
2012–2014 Across the Board with Joy Bryant Host 10 episodes[51]

Music videos

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Year Title Artist Role
1994 "I'll Take Her" Ill Al Skratch Woman
2003 "Nothing At All" Santana feat. Musiq Soulchild Female lead
2004 "Caught Up" Usher Love interest
2011 "Will Do" TV on the Radio

As producer

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 An Oversimplification of Her Beauty Executive producer Film
2021 Beba

Awards and nominations

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List of awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result
2003 Young Hollywood Awards Breakthrough Performance - Female Herself Won
Black Reel Awards Best Supporting Actress Antwone Fisher Nominated
2005 Black Reel Awards Best Supporting Actress Baadasssss! Nominated
2006 Hollywood Film Awards Ensemble of the Year Bobby Won
2007 Screen Actors Guild Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated
Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards Best Acting Ensemble Nominated
2011 Bronx Walk of Fame Honoree at the Bronx Walk of Fame[52][53] Herself Won
2013 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Parenthood Nominated[54]

Authored articles

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Petit, Stephanie (November 15, 2017). "Joy Bryant Reveals She Was the Product of an Assault: 'My Mother Was the One Who Was Shamed'". People. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Across The Board w/ Joy Bryant - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  3. ^ a b c Bryant, Joy (June 21, 2011). "Waste Not, Want Not". Elle. Archived from the original on November 25, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Fromm, Emily; Carter, Kelly (November 9, 2005). "5 Things You Gotta Know About Joy Bryant". People. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  5. ^ Fromm, Emily (November 9, 2005). "5 Things You Gotta Know About Joy Bryant". People. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  6. ^ Trangle, Sarina (June 13, 2012). "Four decades of greatness". The Riverdale Press. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  7. ^ Mays, Raqiyah (2014-02-07). "SCREEN TIME: Joy Bryant". The Shadow League. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  8. ^ Bryant, Joy (February 14, 2018). "Joy Bryant". Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard (Interview). Interviewed by Dax Shepard.
  9. ^ Bryant, Joy. "Joy Bryant Reveals Her Body Image Journey". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  10. ^ "Brainiacs: Celebs Who Got Their College Degree". BET. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  11. ^ "Artist & Brand Management". www.artistandbrand.com. Retrieved 2024-06-20.
  12. ^ a b "Hyeeeee-ya!". HuffPost. 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  13. ^ "Joy Bryant". Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Cover GirL : Joy | Of The Minute". MODELS.com. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  15. ^ Nagel, Andrea (2006-03-31). "Bryant Signs With Cover Girl". WWD. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  16. ^ "Tune In to BET on Monday, March 2 for the Fashion Event 'RIP THE RUNWAY' at 9:00 p.m.* and the Series Premiere of 'HARLEM HEIGHTS' at 10:00 p.m.*". www.betpressroom.com. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  17. ^ a b "Joy Bryant". IMDb. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
  18. ^ "Joy Bryant Magazine Cover Photos - List of magazine covers featuring Joy Bryant - FamousFix". FamousFix.com. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
  19. ^ Odell, Amy (2010-04-19). "Kim Kardashian and Joy Bryant Go Naked and Unretouched in Harper's Bazaar". The Cut. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  20. ^ "Carmen: A Hip Hopera". Variety. May 2, 2001. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  21. ^ "Biography for Joy Bryant". Yahoo! Movies. Oath Inc. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  22. ^ "Baadasssss!". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  23. ^ "Joy Bryant: Credits". TV Guide. NTVB Media. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  24. ^ "Honey". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  25. ^ Koehler, Robert (July 22, 2005). "The Skeleton Key". Variety. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  26. ^ Scott, A.O. (November 9, 2005). "Even a Ruthless Thug Can Have a Sensitive Side". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018. Closed access icon
  27. ^ Gonzalez, Ed (August 22, 2007). "The Hunting Party". Slant Magazine. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  28. ^ "Movie Review: Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  29. ^ "TV's 100 Sexiest Women of 2011". BuddyTV. 7 January 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  30. ^ DJ Samantha Ronson & Joy Bryant Hanging in Venice | Across The Board™ Ep. 4 Full | Reserve Channel, 19 February 2013, retrieved 2023-12-30
  31. ^ "About Last Night". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  32. ^ Terrero, Nina (December 1, 2015). "Rosewood: Joy Bryant to guest-star". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  33. ^ Bacle, Ariana (February 19, 2017). "Girls recap: 'Hostage Situation'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  34. ^ Petski, Denise (February 27, 2018). "'Ballers': Joy Bryant Set To Recur In Season 4 Of HBO Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  35. ^ Brockington, Ariana. "Who Those Sirens Could Be After In The "Trinkets" Finale". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
  36. ^ a b Evans, Dayna (2016-09-12). "How Joy Bryant — Actress, Writer, and Clothing Designer — Gets Things Done". The Cut. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  37. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2021-01-13). "Joy Bryant & Samantha Taylor Pickett Launch Hot Sauce Production Company With Deal At Sony Pictures TV". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  38. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2021-04-26). "Inuka Bacote-Capiga Joins Joy Bryant & Samantha Taylor Pickett's Hot Sauce As SVP Development & Production". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  39. ^ "Launch You'll Love: Parenthood's Joy Bryant Debuts Basic Terrain Clothing Line". InStyle. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  40. ^ "Basic Terrain". Basic Terrain. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  41. ^ "Joy Bryant Launches a Summer Pop-Up in L.A. | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  42. ^ Wilson, Julee (2014-04-02). "Joy Bryant Launches Unexpected Clothing Line". HuffPost. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  43. ^ "Joy Bryant's Basic Terrain line pops up at Satine". Los Angeles Times. 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
  44. ^ Wolff, Natasha (2017-04-18). "Inside the Carry-On: Joy Bryant". DuJour. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  45. ^ "Joy Bryant launches fashion range in Selfridges |". 2016-09-16. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  46. ^ "Joy Bryant". Oxfam America. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  47. ^ "Botkier donates 50% of Joy Satchel proceeds to charity". PurseBlog. 2010-05-20. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
  48. ^ "OK! Exclusive: Joy Bryant Engaged!". OK!. October 31, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  49. ^ Orloff, Brian (June 28, 2008). "Joy Bryant Weds Stuntman Fiancé in the Hamptons". People. Archived from the original on October 30, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  50. ^ Alcala, Natalie (November 6, 2014). "Donuts, Kung Fu, Vintage: Joy Bryant Reveals Her LA Hangouts". Racked. Los Angeles: Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  51. ^ "Experience The Joy of 'Board'ing | Entertainment Tonight". www.etonline.com. 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
  52. ^ "The Bronx Walk of Fame | Joy Bryant". www.bronxwalkoffame.com. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  53. ^ "Star Gazing: Joy Bryant Honored in The Bronx". Essence. 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
  54. ^ "The 44th NAACP Image Awards - Nominations" (PDF). Naacpimageawards.net. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 29, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
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