Watts, Rolonda 1959–

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WATTS, Rolonda 1959–

PERSONAL

Born July 12, 1959, in Winston–Salem, NC; daughter of Roland Smith (an educator, administrator, and woodcutter) and Velma Gibson (an educator and administrator) Watts. Education: Spelman College, B.A., theatre arts and English (magna cum laude), 1980; Columbia University, M.S., journalism, 1981. Avocational Interests: Skiing.

Addresses: Agent —Amsel, Eisenstadt & Frazier Talent Agency, Inc., 5757 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 510, Los Angeles, CA 90036.

Career: Actress, producer, and executive. WFMY–TV, Greensboro, NC, general assignment reporter; WABC–TV, New York City, reporter and anchor. Watts Works Productions, Inc., owner, president, and chief executive officer. Public speaker at various venues, including meetings of the Harlem Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), the Girl Scouts of America, and the Independent/Integrated Physician Associations, also known as the IPA Association of America or TIPAAA. Appeared in television and radio advertisements, including commercials for Court TV, 1999, Alka Seltzer, 2000, Southwest Airlines, 2003, Toyota, 2003, Payne Webber financial advisors, 2003, Tropicana fruit juice, 2003, and WE Energies, 2003. Literacy Volunteers of New York City, member of board of directors; New York University College of Dentistry, member of board of advisors; spokesperson for United Negro College Fund, National Glaucoma Trust Fund, and Stopping AIDS Forever; volunteer for Hollywood Education and Literacy Project (H.E.L.P.) and at prisons and children's centers.

Member: Sigma Delta Chi (former president).

Awards, Honors: Soap Opera Digest Award, scene stealer of the week, 2002, for Days of Our Lives; local Emmy Award nomination, best spot news coverage, for reporting on local Today show, WNBC–TV; Annual Cable ACE Award nomination, National Cable Television Association, best talk show, for Attitudes; named a "person to watch," Jersey Monthly magazine; hero award, for contributions to Mill Blank Children's Center; recognition award, for contributions to Rahway State Penitentiary; honorary D.H.L., Winston–Salem State University.

CREDITS

Television Appearances; Series:

Cohost, Attitudes, Lifetime, c. 1992.

Senior correspondent and weekend anchor, Inside Edition, syndicated, 1992.

Host, Rolonda (also known as The Rolonda Show ), syndicated, c. 1994–1998.

Vivica Shaw, a recurring role, Sister, Sister, The WB, 1997–1999.

Herself in recurring "American Co–Host Search" segment, Live with Regis (also known as Live ), syndicated, c. 2000.

Cameron Reese, Days of Our Lives (also known as Days and DOOL ), NBC, 2001–2003.

Attorney Julie Shoemaker, a recurring role, The Bold and the Beautiful (also known as Belleza y poder ), CBS, 2003.

Anchor and investigative reporter of New Jersey Nightly News, public television stations in New Jersey; moderator of Eyewitness News Conference, WABC–TV, New York City; anchor and reporter of local Today show, WNBC–TV, New York City.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Herself, Best Actress, E! Entertainment Television, 2000.

Mrs. Beale, Maniac Magee, Nickelodeon, 2003.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Herself, "You Get No Respect," New York Undercover, Fox, 1995.

Lydia, "That's My Momma," Smart Guy, The WB, 1998.

Bonita Walters, "Fire and Desire: Part 2," The Jamie Foxx Show, The WB, 1999.

Jane the marriage counselor, "Guess Who's Not Coming to Counseling," The Steve Harvey Show, The WB, 2000.

Melissa, "The White House Pro–Am," The West Wing, NBC, 2000.

Natalie Walters (some sources cite Natalie Waters), "Thursday," The District, CBS, 2001.

Sylvia Carter, "Chances…," 7th Heaven, The WB, 2001.

Sylvia Carter, "Are," 7th Heaven, The WB, 2001.

"Secrets and Lies," The Division, Lifetime, 2001.

Dr. Covington, "The 'What I Done' Show" (some sources cite "The 'What Have I Done' Show"), For Your Love, The WB, 2002.

Herself, "Princess Seeks Prince Charming," Rendez–View, Spike TV, 2002.

Dr. Taylor, "The Test," One on One, UPN, 2003.

Monica Clemens, "Chapter Sixty–Four," Boston Public, Fox, 2003.

Herself, "Election," The Proud Family (animated), The Disney Channel, 2003.

Sylvia, "Dead Aunt, Dead Aunt…," Yes, Dear, CBS, 2004.

Appeared as Marcus's lawyer, Rude Awakening, Showtime; also guest anchor for Extra (also known as Extra—The Entertainment Magazine ), syndicated; and Talk Soup, E! Entertainment Television.