Anne-Marie Johnson (born July 18, 1960) is an American actress and impressionist.[2] She is perhaps best known for her roles as Nadine Hudson–Thomas in What's Happening Now!! (1985–1988), Althea Tibbs in In the Heat of the Night (1988–1993), or her recurring role as fashion designer Donna Cabonna on That's So Raven (2006) during its final season. Johnson is known as a cast member of the FOX sketch comedy television series In Living Color (1993–1994) during its final season, and has had recurring or regular roles in Melrose Place, JAG, Girlfriends and The InBetween.
Biography
Early life and education
Anne-Marie Johnson was born in Los Angeles, California. For high school, she attended John Marshall High School, graduating in 1978.[3] Johnson graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in Acting and Theater.[4]
Career
Johnson's first US television appearance was as a contestant on the game show Card Sharks, which originally aired on June 5, 1979, and her name was listed as Anne Johnson. She appeared on the game show Child's Play under her full name as well as a pilot episode for the game show Body Language as Anne Marie Johnson, where she described herself as a "struggling actress".[5] Johnson began her career appearing in episodes of the Australian dramas Homicide and Matlock Police in the 1970s. In 1984, she played the role of Aileen Lewis on the short-lived NBC comedy series Double Trouble, and at the same time had a recurring role on the NBC police drama Hill Street Blues.
She played Raj's wife Nadine Hudson Thomas in the syndicated sitcom What's Happening Now!! from 1985 to 1988.[6] In 1988, Johnson began starring as Althea Tibbs in the NBC/CBS police drama series In the Heat of the Night, playing the role through 1993.[6] While appearing on In the Heat of the Night, Johnson recorded the song "Little Drummer Boy" for the 1991 cast Christmas CD Christmas Time's A Comin'. Providing vocals behind her were the country gospel group The Marksmen Quartet. The song was produced by co-stars Randall Franks and Alan Autry. She also appeared in a number of films, including Hollywood Shuffle (1987), I’m Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), Robot Jox (1989), which featured her only career nude scene, The Five Heartbeats (1991), True Identity (1991), and Strictly Business (1991).[6] On television, she played a leading role in the 1989 film Dream Date and starred as Carrie Jones/Carolyn Dimes in the 1990 miniseries Lucky Chances.
Johnson was elected first national vice president of the Screen Actors Guild in 2008.[10] She ran for president of the actors' union in 2009 on the Membership First ticket, but she lost to eventual winner Ken Howard.[11]
Personal life
Johnson has been married once and has no children. Since January 1, 1996, she has been married to Martin Grey.[citation needed]