Danielle Brooks
Known For
Acting
Born
1989-09-17 in Augusta, Georgia, USA
Biography
Danielle Brooks is an American actress whose work spans television, film, and Broadway. She first gained widespread recognition as Tasha “Taystee” Jefferson on Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019), a role that became one of the series’ emotional centers and established her as a major presence on television. She later reached a broader mainstream audience starring as Leota Adebayo in James Gunn’s HBO series Peacemaker, where her performance played a central role in the show’s balance of action, satire, and character-driven storytelling. The series marked a high-profile expansion of her work into genre television tied to DC Comics. Brooks made her Broadway debut in 2015 as Sofia in the revival of The Color Purple, earning a Tony Award nomination and winning a Grammy Award with the cast. She reprised the role in the 2023 film adaptation, a performance that brought her nominations from the Academy Awards, BAFTA, and Golden Globes, solidifying her transition into major film roles. Alongside acting, Brooks has taken on producing and hosting work. She portrayed Mahalia Jackson in the television biopic Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (2021), serving as an executive producer and earning a Primetime Emmy nomination. She later hosted Netflix’s Instant Dream Home, receiving a Daytime Emmy nomination for her work as a program host. Brooks has continued to balance screen and stage appearances, returning to Broadway in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson and starring in the fantasy adventure comedy A Minecraft Movie, further expanding her range across genres.
Most Known For
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
as Self - Guest
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
as Self - Guest
The Daily Show
as Self
Late Night with Seth Meyers
as Self
Late Night with Seth Meyers
as Self - Guest
The Kelly Clarkson Show
as Self - Guest
Orange Is the New Black
as Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson
The View
as Self - Guest
Project Runway
as Self
Project Runway
as Self - Guest Judge
The One Show
as Self
The Jennifer Hudson Show
as Self
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
as Self
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
as Self - Guest
Peacemaker
as Leota Adebayo
A Minecraft Movie
as Dawn
Sherri
as Self - Guest
Tamron Hall
as Self - Guest
The Bad Guys 2
as Kitty Kat (voice)
The Oscars
as Self