Lonette McKee

Lonette McKee exploded onto the screen in a stunning feature film debut, playing the beloved character Sista in the now-cult musical "Sparkle." Following were starring roles in the films "Cuba," "Which Way Is Up" and "Brewster’s Millions," opposite legend Richard Pryor. Lonette starred in "The Cotton Club" and "Gardens of Stone" for renowned director Francis Ford Coppola. Her performance in the Sundance Film Festival winner "Lift" earned her a Black Reel Nomination. Other films include "Men of Honor," "Round Midnight" (for legendary French filmmaker Bertrand Tavenier), "Jungle Fever," "Malcolm X," "He Got Game" and "She Hate Me" (for renowned filmmaker and mentor, Spike Lee). Recently, Lonette appeared in the films "A Day in Black and White," "Honey," "ATL," "Paper Mache Chase," "Fast Food Fast Women," "Honey 2," "This Narrow Place" and "Learning Uncle Vincent."

Lonette's television credits include receiving an NAACP nomination for her work in "Women of Brewster Place," with Oprah Winfrey. Other films for TV include "Having Our Say," "Queen," "To Dance with Olivia," "For Love of Olivia" and "Blind Faith." Lonette received another NAACP nomination for her appearances on "As the World Turns," and she has enjoyed a recurring lead role on hit series "Third Watch."

Lonette has also enjoyed numerous solo guest appearances on "The Tonight Show," "Today," "Good Morning America" and "The Late Show with David Letterman" and has been recognized in People's 50 Most Beautiful issue.

Lonette won the coveted Tony nomination for her portrayal of the tragic mulatto Julie in the Houston Grand Opera’s production of "Showboat," for which she received the distinction of becoming the first African-American actress to play the coveted role in the U.S. She later reprised the role on Broadway for great theatrical director Hal Prince. Lonette won critical praise and a Drama Desk Nomination for her heartbreaking portrayal of Billie Holiday in the one-woman drama with music, "Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill."

Lonette has written and produced solo CDs, entitled, "Lonette," "Words and Music," "Natural Love," "Acoustic Tracks" and "Lonette McKee."

She has toured throughout the world in solo concerts, including the prestigious JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall, and she has studied film directing at The New School in NYC and apprenticed in directing under the tutelage of Spike Lee.

Lonette continues to write and produce music and develop scripts for film, along with television concepts for her Lonette McKee Films Company.

"Dream Street," an original screenplay, which will mark Lonette’s directorial debut, was chosen as a Finalist in Sundance Film Lab.

Lonette's music CDs "Acoustic Tracks" and "Lonette McKee," which she wrote and produced herself, are now available at cdbaby.com.

Lonette is looking forward to working on a number of collaborations with The City College of New York, including teaching courses in Continuing and Professional Studies, as well as performing in Aaron Davis Hall in the near future.