34 Facts About Victoria Rowell

Victoria Lynn Rowell was born on May 10,1959 and is an American actress, screenwriter, director, and producer.

Victoria Rowell began her career as a ballet dancer and model before making her acting debut in the 1987 comedy film Leonard Part 6.

In 1990, Rowell joined the cast of the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless as Drucilla Winters, her signature and longest role on television, for which she was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards.

Victoria Rowell is well known for her role as Dr Amanda Bentley in the CBS medical crime drama Diagnosis: Murder.

Victoria Rowell starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the 1992 comedy The Distinguished Gentleman, and later had roles in the films Dumb and Dumber and Barb Wire.

Victoria Lynn Rowell was born in Portland, Maine, on May 10,1959.

Dorothy, who suffered from schizophrenia, took a taxi to a hospital to give birth to Victoria Rowell, leaving a son and two small daughters unsupervised.

Victoria Rowell became a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, an African-American Greek-lettered sorority.

Victoria Rowell made her film debut in the 1987 comedy film Leonard Part 6 opposite Bill Cosby and later had a recurring role on The Cosby Show In 1988, she had the recurring role of Nella Franklin on the CBS daytime soap opera, As the World Turns.

In 1990, Victoria Rowell was cast as street urchin-turned-ballet dancer Drucilla Barber on the CBS daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless.

Victoria Rowell became a fan favorite and was nominated for three Daytime Emmy Awards in 1996,1997, and 1998.

Victoria Rowell won 11 NAACP Image Awards for her portrayal of Drucilla.

Victoria Rowell's first run as Drucilla was from 1990 to 1998.

Victoria Rowell briefly returned in 2000, then returned on a regular basis from 2002 until early 2007.

In 2007, Victoria Rowell became unhappy with the soap opera behind the scenes, labeling daytime television and The Young and the Restless as racist for not having enough African-American cast and crew.

Victoria Rowell argued the directions of her storylines which were not heard, prompting her to leave.

Victoria Rowell has openly expressed pleasure in returning, and due to the character's strong appeal and popularity, viewers have begged the series to rehire her.

In 2014, Victoria Rowell posted a series of tweets criticizing the show for not having enough African-Americans in decision-making positions.

One episode of Diagnosis Murder centered around murder on the set of The Young and the Restless; Victoria Rowell was featured as both Amanda and Drucilla in that episode.

Victoria Rowell had the role of Eddie Murphy's character's love interest in the 1992 comedy film, The Distinguished Gentleman.

Victoria Rowell co-starred opposite Mario Van Peebles in the science-fiction crime film Full Eclipse, and had a major role in the box office failure action film Barb Wire with Pamela Anderson.

In spring 2009, Victoria Rowell signed a six-figure deal with Atria Books for a book about the world of daytime TV.

Victoria Rowell released her memoirs called The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir in 2008.

Victoria Rowell later released Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva: A Novel The Young and the Ruthless: Back in the Bubbles.

Victoria Rowell created, directed, produced and starred in the comedy series The Rich and the Ruthless.

Victoria Rowell later directed films A Rich Christmas starring Bill Bellamy for BET+, Stranger Next Door starring Vicky Jeudy and Skyh Black for Lifetime, Montross: Blood Rules for TV One, Catfish Christmas, and Blackjack Christmas for BET+.

In February 2015, Victoria Rowell filed a lawsuit against CBS, Sony Pictures Television, Bell Dramatic Serial Company, and Bell-Phillip Television Production Inc, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation.

Victoria Rowell had a long-term relationship with musician Wynton Marsalis; and they had a son, Jasper.

In May 2008, Victoria Rowell announced her engagement to Radcliffe Bailey, an Atlanta artist, at her annual High Tea at Noon fundraiser.

In May 2006, Victoria Rowell was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Southern Maine in recognition of her work for the benefit of foster children.

In 2007, Victoria Rowell published a memoir of her life that focused on her time in foster care.

Victoria Rowell pays tribute to the women in a documentary film, The Mentor, that she participated in.

Victoria Rowell began a national book tour in April 2007.

In March 2008, Victoria Rowell was the first recipient of the Gift of Adoption Celebration of Adoption Award, an award given to individuals or groups who are helping to unite children with adoptive families.