Alfre Woodard

Alfre Ette Woodard (born November 8, 1952) is an American film, stage, and television actress. She has been nominated for an Academy Award and Grammy Award, 12 times for Emmy Awards (winning four), and has also won a Golden Globe and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. She is known for her role in films such as Cross Creek, Miss Firecracker, Grand Canyon, Passion Fish, Primal Fear, Star Trek: First Contact, Miss Evers' Boys, K-PAX, Radio, Take the Lead and The Family That Preys.

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Known For

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009 • as Self - Guest

The Daily Show

1996 • as Self

Grey's Anatomy

2005 • as Justine Campbell

Frasier

1993 • as Edna (voice)

Desperate Housewives

2004 • as Betty Applewhite

L.A. Law

1986 • as Adrianne Moore

Filmography

2025

Movie

The Inquisitor

as Self

Movie - Released: 6/8/2025

Number One on the Call Sheet

as Self

TV - Released: 3/27/2025

2024

Summer Camp

as Mary

Movie - Released: 5/31/2024

The Book of Clarence

as Mother Mary

Movie - Released: 1/11/2024

Salem's Lot

as Dr. Cody

Movie - Released: 10/3/2024

Monsieur Spade

as Virginia Dell

TV - Released: 1/14/2024

2023

Weathering

as Mum

Movie - Released: 4/7/2023

Space Oddity

as Dr. Olsen

Movie - Released: 3/31/2023

Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

as Mimi (voice)

TV - Released: 2/10/2023

2022

The Gray Man

as Margaret Cahill

Movie - Released: 7/13/2022

2021

Fatherhood

as Marian

Movie - Released: 6/18/2021

Miss Alma Thomas: A Life in Color

as Alma Thomas (voice)

Movie - Released: 7/15/2021

Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street

as Mary Parrish (voice)

Movie - Released: 5/31/2021

2020

Movie

The Making of Clemency

as Herself

Movie - Released: 3/24/2020

Star Trek: Lower Decks

as Lilly Sloane (voice)

TV - Released: 8/6/2020

2019

The Lion King

as Sarabi (voice)

Movie - Released: 7/12/2019

Saint Judy

as Judge Benton

Movie - Released: 3/1/2019

Clemency

as Warden Bernadine Williams

Movie - Released: 12/27/2019

Juanita

as Juanita

Movie - Released: 3/8/2019

The Lion King: Can You Feel The Love Tonight with Robin Roberts

Movie - Released: 6/2/2019

No Small Matter

as Narrator (voice)

Movie - Released: 6/21/2019

See

as Paris

TV - Released: 11/1/2019

2017

Burning Sands

as Professor Hughes

Movie - Released: 1/24/2017

A Series of Unfortunate Events

as Aunt Josephine

TV - Released: 1/13/2017

2016

So B. It

as Bernadette

Movie - Released: 6/7/2016

Captain America: Civil War

as Miriam

Movie - Released: 4/27/2016

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

as Self

Movie - Released: 10/14/2016

Marvel's Luke Cage

as Mariah Dillard

TV - Released: 9/30/2016

2015

Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band

as Mary Lou Williams (voice)

Movie - Released: 4/1/2015

Mississippi Grind

as Sam

Movie - Released: 7/4/2015

Knucklehead

as Sheila

Movie - Released: 2/1/2015

A Path Appears

as Self

Movie - Released: 1/26/2015

Empire

as Renee

TV - Released: 1/7/2015

2014

Annabelle

as Evelyn

Movie - Released: 10/2/2014

Nelson Mandela Redrawn

as Self

Movie - Released: 7/18/2014

And the Oscar Goes To...

as Self (archive footage)

Movie - Released: 2/1/2014

State of Affairs

as President Constance Payton

TV - Released: 11/17/2014

The Last Ship

as Amy Granderson

TV - Released: 6/22/2014

Variety Studio: Actors on Actors

as Self

TV - Released: 12/21/2014

2013

12 Years a Slave

as Mistress Shaw

Movie - Released: 10/18/2013

Movie

The Door

as E

Movie - Released: 7/2/2013

2012

Steel Magnolias

as Ouiser

Movie - Released: 10/7/2012

2011

Women, War & Peace

as Narrator (voice)

TV - Released: 10/11/2011

2010

Black Panther

as Dondi Reece

Movie - Released: 1/18/2010

Black Panther

as Dondi Reece (voice)

TV - Released: 1/16/2010

Memphis Beat

as Lieutenant Tanya Rice

TV - Released: 6/22/2010

Who Do You Think You Are?

as Self

TV - Released: 3/5/2010

2009

Three Rivers

as Dr. Sophia Jordan

TV - Released: 10/4/2009

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

as Self - Guest

TV - Released: 7/16/2009

2008

Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys

as Alice Pratt

Movie - Released: 9/12/2008

Reach for Me

as Evelyn

Movie - Released: 10/1/2008

Medal of Honor

as Narrator

Movie - Released: 11/5/2008

American Violet

as Alma Roberts

Movie - Released: 8/28/2008

Henry Box Brown

Movie - Released: 2/1/2008

My Own Worst Enemy

as Mavis Heller

TV - Released: 10/13/2008

True Blood

as Ruby Jean Reynolds

TV - Released: 9/7/2008

2007

Pictures of Hollis Woods

as Edna Reilly

Movie - Released: 12/2/2007

Nefertiti and the Lost Dynasty

as Self - Narrator

Movie - Released: 7/16/2007

Private Practice

as Dee Bennett

TV - Released: 9/26/2007

2006

Take the Lead

as Augustine James

Movie - Released: 3/17/2006

The Water Is Wide

as Mrs. Brown

Movie - Released: 1/29/2006

King Leopold's Ghost

as Ilanga (voice)

Movie - Released: 5/28/2006

Something New

as Joyce McQueen

Movie - Released: 1/29/2006

Class of 3000

TV - Released: 11/3/2006

Rachael Ray

as Self

TV - Released: 9/18/2006

The Megan Mullally Show

as Self - Guest

TV - Released: 9/18/2006

2005

Beauty Shop

as Ms. Josephine

Movie - Released: 4/22/2005

Grey's Anatomy

as Justine Campbell

TV - Released: 3/27/2005

2004

The Forgotten

as Det. Anne Pope

Movie - Released: 9/24/2004

Desperate Housewives

as Betty Applewhite

TV - Released: 10/3/2004

2003

The Core

as Stickley

Movie - Released: 3/28/2003

A Wrinkle in Time

as Mrs. Whatsit

Movie - Released: 4/25/2003

Radio

as Principal Daniels

Movie - Released: 10/24/2003

The Singing Detective

as Chief of Staff

Movie - Released: 10/24/2003

Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property

as Narrator

Movie - Released: 2/16/2003

Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives

Movie - Released: 2/10/2003

2002

The Wild Thornberrys Movie

as Akela (Cheetah Mother) (voice)

Movie - Released: 12/20/2002

Searching for Debra Winger

as Self

Movie - Released: 7/13/2002

2001

K-PAX

as Claudia Villars

Movie - Released: 10/26/2001

Disney's American Legends

Movie - Released: 2/12/2001

The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie

as Medicine Woman (voice)

Movie - Released: 8/18/2001

2000

Dinosaur

as Plio (voice)

Movie - Released: 5/19/2000

Love & Basketball

as Camille Wright

Movie - Released: 4/21/2000

Holiday Heart

as Wanda Dean

Movie - Released: 12/10/2000

Lost Souls

as Dr. Allen

Movie - Released: 10/13/2000

What's Cooking?

as Audrey Williams

Movie - Released: 1/20/2000

John Henry

as Polly / Narrator (voice)

Movie - Released: 5/27/2000

The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story

as Mary Parrish (voice)

Movie - Released: 5/31/2000

Eleanor Roosevelt

as Narrator (voice)

Movie - Released: 1/10/2000

Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks

as Narrator

Movie - Released: 11/30/2000

Static Shock

as Jean Hawkins (voice)

TV - Released: 9/23/2000

1999

Mumford

as Lily

Movie - Released: 9/24/1999

Funny Valentines

as Joyce May

Movie - Released: 2/14/1999

The Wishing Tree

as Clara

Movie - Released: 1/1/1999

The Underground Railroad

Movie - Released: 1/1/1999

1998

Down in the Delta

as Loretta Sinclair

Movie - Released: 12/25/1998

The Wild Thornberrys

as Medicine Woman (voice)

TV - Released: 9/1/1998

1997

Follow Me Home

as Evey

Movie - Released: 2/28/1997

Miss Evers' Boys

as Eunice Evers, R.N.

Movie - Released: 2/22/1997

Movie

The Member of the Wedding

as Berenice Sadie Brown

Movie - Released: 1/29/1997

Cadillac Desert: Water and the Transformation of Nature

as Narrator (voice)

Movie - Released: 6/24/1997

The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue

as Maisie (voice)

Movie - Released: 11/1/1997

The Practice

as Denise Freeman

TV - Released: 3/4/1997

1996

Star Trek: First Contact

as Lily Sloane

Movie - Released: 11/22/1996

Primal Fear

as Shoat

Movie - Released: 3/6/1996

A Step Toward Tomorrow

as Dr. Sadlin

Movie - Released: 11/10/1996

Special Report: Journey to Mars

as Tamara O'Neil

Movie - Released: 3/25/1996

Gulliver's Travels

as Queen of Brobdingnag

TV - Released: 2/4/1996

The Daily Show

as Self

TV - Released: 7/22/1996

1995

How to Make an American Quilt

as Marianna

Movie - Released: 10/6/1995

The Piano Lesson

as Berniece Charles

Movie - Released: 2/5/1995

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

as Winsome (voice)

TV - Released: 3/12/1995

1994

Crooklyn

as Carolyn Carmichael

Movie - Released: 5/13/1994

Blue Chips

as Lavada McRae

Movie - Released: 2/18/1994

Malcolm X: Make It Plain

as Narrator

Movie - Released: 1/26/1994

Aliens for Breakfast

as Mrs. Marks

Movie - Released: 4/2/1994

1993

Bopha!

as Rosie Mangena

Movie - Released: 9/16/1993

Heart and Souls

as Penny Washington

Movie - Released: 8/13/1993

Frasier

as Edna (voice)

TV - Released: 9/16/1993

Homicide: Life on the Street

as Dr. Roxanne Turner

TV - Released: 1/31/1993

Homicide: Life on the Street

TV - Released: 1/31/1993

1992

Passion Fish

as Chantelle

Movie - Released: 12/11/1992

The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag

as Ann

Movie - Released: 8/21/1992

Rich in Love

as Rhody Poole

Movie - Released: 9/4/1992

HBO First Look

as Self

TV - Released: 6/12/1992

1991

Grand Canyon

as Jane

Movie - Released: 12/25/1991

1990

Blue Bayou

as Jessica Filley

Movie - Released: 1/15/1990

1989

A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story

as Mary Thomas

Movie - Released: 12/3/1989

Miss Firecracker

as Popeye Jackson

Movie - Released: 4/28/1989

1988

Scrooged

as Grace Cooley

Movie - Released: 11/22/1988

The Child Saver

as Andrea Crawford

Movie - Released: 1/18/1988

American Experience

as Narrator (voice)

TV - Released: 10/4/1988

1987

Mandela

as Winnie Mandela

Movie - Released: 9/20/1987

1986

Unnatural Causes

as Maude DeVictor

Movie - Released: 11/10/1986

Extremities

as Patricia

Movie - Released: 8/22/1986

L.A. Law: Pilot

as Adrianne Moore

Movie - Released: 9/15/1986

L.A. Law

as Adrianne Moore

TV - Released: 9/15/1986

1985

Words by Heart

as Claudie Sills

Movie - Released: 1/1/1985

Go Tell It on the Mountain

as Esther

Movie - Released: 1/14/1985

Puss in Boots

as Princess Lovinia

Movie - Released: 9/9/1985

Sara

as Rozalyn Dupree

TV - Released: 1/23/1985

1984

Sweet Revenge

as Vicki Teague

Movie - Released: 10/31/1984

The Killing Floor

as Mattie

Movie - Released: 4/10/1984

Black Hollywood

as Self

Movie - Released: 11/28/1984

WonderWorks

TV - Released: 10/1/1984

1983

Cross Creek

as Geechee

Movie - Released: 9/21/1983

Reading Rainbow

as Herself - Narrator (voice)

TV - Released: 6/6/1983

1982

The Ambush Murders

as Karisha Ellsworth

Movie - Released: 1/5/1982

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf

as Woman who lost her stuff

Movie - Released: 2/23/1982

Precious Blood

as Narrator

Movie - Released: 3/9/1982

Tucker's Witch

as Marcia Fulbright

TV - Released: 10/6/1982

Faerie Tale Theatre

as Self - Guest

TV - Released: 9/11/1982

Faerie Tale Theatre

as Princess Lovinia

TV - Released: 9/11/1982

1981

Hill Street Blues

TV - Released: 1/15/1981

The Sophisticated Gents

as Evelyn Evers

TV - Released: 9/29/1981

1980

HealtH

as Sally Benbow

Movie - Released: 9/12/1980

Palmerstown, U.S.A.

TV - Released: 3/20/1980

1979

Freedom Road

as Katie

Movie - Released: 10/29/1979

1978

Remember My Name

as Rita

Movie - Released: 2/10/1978

The Trial of the Moke

as Lucy Smith

Movie - Released: 5/3/1978

The White Shadow

as Sandra Wilcox

TV - Released: 11/27/1978

1977

What Really Happened to the Class of '65?

TV - Released: 12/8/1977

1953

The Oscars

as Self

TV - Released: 3/19/1953

1951

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as Mrs. Brown

TV - Released: 12/24/1951

Unknown

Movie

Hate to See You Go

Movie

Playing for Your Heart: The Making of “Love & Basketball”

as Herself

Movie

The Last Frontier

as Bradford

The Boroughs

as Judy