Regina Hall
| Regina Hall | |
|---|---|
| Born |
December 12, 1970[1] Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Alma mater |
Fordham University New York University |
| Occupation | Actress, comedian |
| Years active | 1992–present |
Regina Hall (born December 12, 1970) is an American film and television actress and comedian. She is perhaps best known for her lead role as Brenda Meeks in the first four Scary Movie films. Hall, who was an English major in college and studied journalism in graduate school, envisioned a career as a journalist, but ventured into acting in her late twenties.
She has also appeared on television, most prominently in a recurring part on the network series Ally McBeal, between 2001 and 2002. Other significant film roles include in Malibu's Most Wanted (2003), Think Like a Man (2012) and its sequel Think Like a Man Too (2014), and Vacation (2015).
Early life
Hall was born on December 12, 1970 in Washington, D.C.,[1] the daughter of a contractor and electrician father, Odie Hall, and Ruby, a teacher.[2][3] Hall is of African American and Irish descent.[4] After graduating high school, Hall enrolled at Fordham University in the Bronx, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in English in 1992.[5][6] She later enrolled at New York University, where she earned a Master's degree in journalism in 1997.[7] Reflecting on college, Hall said: "I loved being a student. I could've gone to school until I was 75 years old as long as somebody would've paid my rent. I would've been a professional student."[5]
She wanted a career with impact and envisioned a career in writing or journalism, but Hall's first semester of graduate school changed drastically when her father died of a stroke.[8] "It was sudden. And I think when sudden events that are painful happen in your life, you know, they redirect your course," Hall reflected. "When you’re young, you don’t grasp the gravity of life. But when you lose someone and you’re young, you do. And so I think that started me thinking about what I really wanted to do in life. And I know my father would have wanted me to finish school. So I did that."[9] She began a career in the entertainment industry, starting off with a guest appearance on Sadat X's 1996 album Wild Cowboys on the track, "The Interview".
Career
In 1997, Hall appeared in her first television commercial at the age of 26. Her television career initially began with a role on the soap opera Loving, and guest appearances on the Fox police drama New York Undercover. She had a small part in the 1999 film The Best Man. She left a lasting impression on viewers with her portrayal of the character Candace "Candy" Sparks. Hall reflected: "It was my very first movie. I met Sanaa Lathan on it, and we did Love and Basketball together, which was my second film. And then, at that point, I was visiting L.A. to stay and it led to a third film and a fourth film. And it was really a big deal because I'd never been on a set before."[10] It signaled a pivotal point for Hall’s career. As a key member of the all-star cast, she welcomed rising-star status in "black-Hollywood".
Hall gained more recognition with her role in the comedy-horror-spoof Scary Movie (and the sequels Scary Movie 2, Scary Movie 3, and Scary Movie 4) portraying the obnoxious, sex-crazed Brenda Meeks, and the TV movie Disappearing Acts. The Scary Movie films would become some of her best known roles.[11] In 2001, Hall landed the role of Coretta Lipp on the prime-time drama Ally McBeal, which was originally a recurring role over several episodes but was made a main character in the 5th season of the show. A year later, she starred in the action-drama Paid in Full, a film directed by Charles Stone III. Since then, she has appeared in leading roles in films such as Malibu's Most Wanted, King's Ransom and The Honeymooners.[12]
She appeared in the film Law Abiding Citizen in 2009.[13][14] She had a role in the 2010 Danneel Harris and Arielle Kebbel film Mardi Gras. From its fall 2010 debut until a series overhaul in January 2011, Regina Hall portrayed Deputy District Attorney Evelyn Price on Law & Order: LA. In addition to being an actress and advocate, Regina Hall announced in November 2010 that she is now writing for ABILITY Magazine.[15]
In 2012, she portrayed Candace Hall in Steve Harvey's movie Think Like a Man, a romantic comedy based on his book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. Hall reprised her role as Candace Sparks in The Best Man Holiday in 2013. She believed the characters had evolved from the first film. Hall felt The Best Man Holiday was different from any sequel she had ever done before since it was not "immediate" and it had been fourteen years since the release of the original. Hall felt the first film had "the joy of the wedding" and in the sequel "they come together for the holidays, but it's deeper than that. This one's definitely different, but we still laughed. There was so much laughter behind the scenes."[10] Hall joked about how all of the male members of the cast were married while all of the women were not, stating that Morris Chestnut was happily married while walking around "with his shirt off!"[16]
Hall appeared in the 2014 film About Last Night, costarring Kevin Hart.[17][18] She and Hart were seen as the film's highlight as they had a "great dynamic together" and the two were credited with having the funniest lines in the film. All of the cast was seen as having a "perfect mix of charisma and likability".[19] Jessica Herndon of the Associated Press stated "Hart and Hall are the best part of this film. They play the couple you know all too well: fiery, able to press one another's buttons and always caught in the makeup to breakup game." Negative reviews of the film also praised the pairing of Hall with Kevin Hart. Mick LaSalle of The San Francisco Chronicle expressed that Hart was "well paired for Hall, who matches him for comedy."[20] At the time of the film's release, both Hall and Hart expressed interest in working on other projects together.[21] About Last Night was her third ensemble film and Hall reflected that she learned from actors she worked with in ensembles.[22]
Hall reprised her role as Candace Hall in Think Like a Man Too. She revealed what members of the cast partied the most in the film shortly before the movie's release. "Everyone kind of had their fun, I'm not gonna lie. We went out, we gambled. Kevin [Hart] parties. There were parties, and we all went. It was good fun".[23] In July 2014, it was announced Hall would star in Lifetime film, entitled With This Ring, with Eve and Jill Scott.[24][25]
In the 2015 film People Place Things, Hall had a major role as the love interest of a newly divorced man.
In 2016 Hall was in Barbershop: The Next Cut. She had played the role of Angie and she was one of the hair stylist. she worked with Ice Cube, common, and eve.
Personal life
Around 2004, Hall's mother was diagnosed with scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease. When not working in Hollywood, Hall can be found volunteering for the care of senior citizens at a Sherman Oaks, California convalescent home twice a week as well as raising public awareness for the disease. "When my mom was diagnosed, I didn’t know much about the condition. But Dana Delany, who is an actress and now a friend of mine, put me in touch with Bob Saget. Bob had made a television movie about scleroderma years ago because his sister had died from it. That was back when they didn’t even know what it was. Anyway, Bob had a group called the Scleroderma Research Foundation, so I donated to that and my mother even went to the doctor Bob had suggested, who happened to be over at Johns Hopkins."[26]
At age 40, Hall unsuccessfully tried to become a nun after a bad break-up. Hall had previously wanted to become a nun at the age of 14. She was refused for being too old, as the cut off age is 39. [27]
In 2014, she signed as an ambassador for Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds. Hall has also voiced her admiration for Taylor. "I love Elizabeth Taylor. The reason I always was such a fan, I read her New York Times bestseller. She was one of the people who I felt equally possessed the same amount of talent as she did beauty. Her work that she did throughout her entire career–I watched her on General Hospital and what I always loved about her was that she was elegant. Whenever I do red carpet looks one of the things that I like is to always make sure that there’s a sense of elegance and class. And I felt like she always exuded that."[28]
Awards and nominations
2003 NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, for Ally McBeal (nominated)
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | The Best Man | Candace "Candy" Sparks | |
| 2000 | Love & Basketball | Lena Wright | |
| 2000 | Scary Movie | Brenda Meeks | |
| 2001 | Scary Movie 2 | Brenda Meeks | |
| 2002 | The Other Brother | Vicki | |
| 2002 | Paid in Full | Keisha | |
| 2003 | Malibu's Most Wanted | Shondra | |
| 2003 | Scary Movie 3 | Brenda Meeks | |
| 2005 | King's Ransom | Peaches Clarke | |
| 2005 | The Honeymooners | Trixie Norton | |
| 2005 | Six Months Later | Keri | |
| 2006 | Scary Movie 4 | Brenda Meeks | |
| 2006 | Danika | Evelyn | |
| 2006 | The Elder Son | Susan | |
| 2006 | Last Holiday | Jackie | |
| 2008 | First Sunday | Omunique | |
| 2008 | Superhero Movie | Mrs. Xavier | |
| 2009 | Law Abiding Citizen | Kelly Rice | |
| 2010 | Death at a Funeral | Michelle Barnes | |
| 2011 | Mardi Gras: Spring Break | Ann Marie | |
| 2012 | Think Like a Man | Candace Hall | |
| 2013 | The Best Man Holiday | Candace "Candy" Sparks-Murch | |
| 2014 | About Last Night | Joan Derrickson | |
| 2014 | Think Like a Man Too | Candace Hall | |
| 2015 | With This Ring | Trista Miller | |
| 2015 | People Places Things | Diane | |
| 2015 | Vacation | Nancy Peterson | |
| 2016 | Barbershop: The Next Cut | Angie | |
| 2016 | When the Bough Breaks | Laura Taylor | |
| 2016 | The Best Man Wedding | Candace "Candy" Sparks-Murch | Filming |
| 2017 | Girl Trip | Ryan |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Loving | Unknown | Episode: "13 August 1992" |
| 1997 | New York Undercover | Tammy | Episode: "No Place Like Hell" |
| 2000 | Disappearing Acts | Portia | Television movie |
| 2000 | NYPD Blue | Sharice Warner | Episode: "Little Abner" |
| 2001–2002 | Ally McBeal | Corretta Lipp | 25 episodes Nominated—Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series |
| 2010–2011 | Law & Order: Los Angeles | Deputy D.A. Evelyn Price | 7 episodes |
| 2013 | Second Generation Wayans | Regina | 4 episodes |
| 2015 | With This Ring | Trista Miller | Television movie |
| 2016 | Grandfathered | Catherine Sanders | Recurring Role |
| 2016 | Black-ish | Vivian | Episodes: "Black Nanny" & "Super Rich Kids" |
References
- 1 2 Sloboda, Sarah (2009). "Regina Hall:Biography". MSN. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
- ↑ Regina Hall Biography (1971-)
- ↑ "Regina Hall". Ability Magazine. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- ↑ "Regina Hall interview". Live! with Kelly & Michael. April 14, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
- 1 2 "Regina Hall Interview". The Breakfast Club. September 7, 2016. Retrieved September 23, 2016.
- ↑ "'People Places Things' stars Regina Hall and Jemaine Clement talk about the new comedy". Pix 11. August 11, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- ↑ Sloboda, Sarah, and Allmovie (January 10, 2008). "Regina Hall". New York Times.
- ↑ King, Susan (August 12, 2015). "Regina Hall's well-ordered life as an actor, not a nun". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- ↑ Mays, Raqiyah (February 21, 2014). "SCREEN TIME: REGINA HALL". The Shadow League.
- 1 2 Knolle, Sharon (November 12, 2013). "'Best Man Holiday' Star Regina Hall Talks Epic Catfights, Sequels, and Scandalous Videos".
- ↑ "'Think Like A Man Too's' Regina Hall Reenacts 'Scary Movie' Brenda Scene: Kevin Hart Needs to Keep It Down (Video)". The Wrap. June 22, 2014.
- ↑ Scary Movie 4: An Interview with Regina Hall
- ↑ "Regina Hall appears in 'Law Abiding Citizen'". CapeCodOnline.com. October 24, 2009.
- ↑ "Life in Film: All About Regina Hall". BET.
- ↑ Regina Hall on the Mo'Nique Show ABILITY Magazine, November 2010
- ↑ Rogers, Jazmin Denise (November 11, 2013). "'The Best Man Holiday' Actress Regina Hall Talks Dating In Her 40s". MadameNoire.
- ↑ "'About Last Night' stars Kevin Hart, Regina Hall argue about 'big panties'". FoxNews.com. February 14, 2014.
- ↑ Armstrong, Jenice (February 14, 2014). "Kevin Hart, Regina Hall on love, dating and girls who fight". Philly.com.
- ↑ "About Last Night Review". CinemaBlend.com.
- ↑ Gettell, Oliver (February 14, 2014). "Kevin Hart, Regina Hall spice up 'About Last Night,' reviews say". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Hailey, Jonathan (February 11, 2014). "Kevin Hart & Regina Hall Reveal The Trouble With Working Together [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO]". Black America Web.
- ↑ "Regina Hall Talks Spanx, Sexuality, Yoga and Being Uninhibited in About Last Night". EurPublisher. February 13, 2014.
- ↑ Bennett, Anita (June 19, 2014). "'Think Like a Man Too' Star Regina Hall on Shooting in Las Vegas, Strippers and Jail (Video)". The Wrap.
- ↑ Jaffe, Eric (July 13, 2014). "Jill Scott, Eve, Regina Hall To Star In A Lifetime Movie". HotNewHipHop.com.
- ↑ Goldberg, Lesley. "Jill Scott, Eve, Regina Hall to Star in Lifetime Movie (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ Regina Hall Interview "Regina Hall Issue", ABILITY Magazine, April/May 2010
- ↑ "Regina Hall almost became a nun". 790 KGMI. January 23, 2015.
- ↑ Wells, Veroica (May 10, 2014). "Regina Hall Talks Womanhood, White Diamonds & Embracing Singleness". MadameNoire.
External links
- Regina Hall at the Internet Movie Database
- "Regina Hall—Interview", Regina Hall Issue, ABILITY Magazine, April/May 2010