Karimah Westbrook Explained

Karimah Westbrook
Birth Date:6 October 1978
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:2000–present

Karimah Westbrook (born October 6, 1978) is an American actress best known for her role as Grace James in The CW drama series, All American.

Life and career

Westbrook was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and later began performing on screen and stage.[1] She made her television debut in 2000, appearing in an episode of CBS medical drama City of Angels and later was cast in the teen dance drama film Save the Last Dance.[1] Later she starred in the biographical drama film Baadasssss! opposite Mario Van Peebles.[2] Westbrook also guest starred in a number of television shows, include Girlfriends, Mad Men and Shameless.

Westbrook has appeared in a number of independent films, include American Violet (2008) opposite Nicole Beharie and Alfre Woodard. She played supporting roles in films The Rum Diary (2011), Suburbicon (2017), and After We Collided (2020).[3] In 2018, she was cast as Grace James, the mother of the leading character in the CW drama series, All American.[4] [5]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001Save the Last DanceAlyssa
2002Random Acts of ViolenceMonique
2003Baadasssss!Ginnie
2004Knuckle SandwichNora
2005The TenantsFemale Partygoer
2005American FusionLayla
2006Best Kept SecretCassandraShort film, also writer and producer
2007StudioJasmine Jackson
2008Truth HallLashon
2008American VioletClaudia Johnson
2010LouisAlice Bolden
2011The Rum DiaryPapa Nebo
2012C'mon ManAngel
2013Baby GirlYayaShort film
2016CagedKarrisa KlineShort film
Chandler International Film Festival for Best Actress
Connect Film Festival Best Ensemble Acting Award
Nominated — IIFC Award for Best Ensemble Cast Featurette
2017SuburbiconMrs. Mayers
2019BoldenAlice Bolden
2020After We CollidedKaren Scott
2023AbigailDonna

TV

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000City of AngelsJoleigha BassEpisode: "Nathan's Hot Dog"
2001ERSara MorrisEpisode: "April Showers"
2001MoeshaShania LevyEpisodes: "Graduation Day" and "All Grown Up"
2001That's LifeRunnerEpisode: "Larva"
2001The DistrictKaraEpisode: "Foreign Affair"
2003Strong MedicineSandyEpisode: "PMS, Lies and Red Tape"
2003GirlfriendsMelanie ChildsEpisodes: "The Wedding" and "Blood Is Thicker Than Liquor"
2003SheilaEpisode: "Lucy in the Sky"
2006In JusticeKendra SmithEpisode: "Another Country"
2006Without a TraceMissyEpisode: "White Balance"
2010Mad MenSharonEpisode: "The Rejected"
2010PaigeRecurring role, 3 episodes
2014The FostersLayla's MotherEpisode: "Mother"
2014Masters of Sex DelilaEpisode: "Below the Belt"
2015AquariusAquariusEpisode: "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game"
2017ShamelessSylvieEpisode: "Icarus Fell and Rusty Ate Him"
2018Truth HallLaShonUnsold TV pilot
2018—present All AmericanGrace JamesSeries regular
Nominated — Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama Series (2019)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Karimah Westbrook. Dana. Hanson-Firestone. November 17, 2019. TVOvermind.
  2. Web site: Baadasssss! (2003). www.rottentomatoes.com.
  3. Web site: 'After We Collided' Rounds Out Cast With Charlie Weber, Louise Lombard, Candice King & More. Anthony. D'Alessandro. August 15, 2019.
  4. Web site: Karimah Westbrook Joins CW's April Blair/Spencer Paysinger Pilot; Justina Adorno Books ABC's 'Grand Hotel'. Denise. Petski. March 19, 2018.
  5. Web site: Karimah Westbrook Says The CW's "All American" Is an All-Important Show. Steve. Gidlow. October 7, 2019. MediaVillage.