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Dondre Whitfield has captivated audiences everywhere with his portrayal of Remy Newell, an irrigation specialist who is close with the Bordelon family patriarch, on OWN’s Queen Sugar. His wife, Salli Richardson, is a fellow TV and film actress, perhaps best known for her roles on A Low Down Dirty Shame, and Eureka.
Read on to learn more about Richardson.
1. She Has Starred Opposite Denzel Washington and Will Smith
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Richardson has an impressive resume, and has starred across both Denzel Washington and Will Smith, plaing their wives in “Antwone Fisher” and “I Am Legend”. For six years, Richardson played the role of Dr. Alison Blake on the Syfy series, Eureka. She also appeared as Angela in the hit film, A Low Down Dirty Shame.
Richardson’s other TV credits include Family Law, CSI: Miami, Rude Awakening, NYPD Blue, House, and Gargoyles.
2. She and Whitfield Have Two Children
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Richardson married Whitfield in 2008, and the couple has two children together– a daughter, Parker, and a son, Dondre Jr.
In an interview with AALBC, Richardson was asked by a fan: are you happy? She responded, “Yes! My husband, Dondre, and my two children make me incredibly, incredibly happy. Plus, I get to go to work doing a job that I love. I’m very happy and grateful.”
In an interview with Mikes Film Talk, Richardson was asked if she and the other Stitchers actors get to spend much time together off set. Richardson said, “Not a lot because, you know, I have children. I think they hang out a lot more than I’m able to. I have two under 12s but we all had dinner the other day and had a great time getting to hang out. We all like each other which is great. I’m sure you heard, on the set, when we’re stuck in the “stitch” area, it’s a long day. It’s better if we can get along.”
3. She Has Dabbled in Directing and Producing
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Richardson directed two episodes of her show, Eureka, and also directed the short film, Grace. It seems Richardson’s efforts paid off, as she was subsequently enlisted to direct the pilot presentation, Four Corners, about a young basketball player and his path to success.
The talented actress has produced the made for TV movie, Teachers, as well as the Lifetime film, Paster Brown.
More recently, Richardson took her directing talents to the set of her husband’s TV show, Queen Sugar. The show’s creator, Ava DuVernay, hired only female directors to direct the show. Actor Timon Kyle Durrett tells the Chicago Sun, “…all of the individual directors are not only women who have a strong connection to the stories we’re telling here, but that they all had never directed television before…” That all-female directing ensemble includes Ava DuVernay (“Selma”), Tina Mabry, Victoria Mahoney, Tanya Hamilton, So Young Kim, Kat Candler, Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Neema Barnette.
1st day directing #undergroundseason2 I think I’ve found my calling.#lovemyjob #womandirectors # t.co/nlBlfyrDHA
4.She Has Appeared in Over 50 Film, TV, and Theater Roles
Since her career began in the ’70s, Richardson has appeared in over 50 TV, film, and theater roles. Her work began in theater, at the Kuumba Workshop, before she explored her talents in film, beginning with small roles in Prelude to a Kiss, Mo’ Money, and Posse.
Recently, it was announced that Stitchers, a show Richardson stars in, will be renewed for a third season. The actress plays the role of Maggie Baptiste, a veteran of covert operations. Whitfield appeared on the second season of the show, as a character named Sam Lewis.
5. She Is a Woman Woman of Mixed African, Caucasian, and Native American Descent
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Richardson is a woman of mixed African, Caucasian, and Native American decent. Her father is Italian, while her mother is African American-Native American. Richardson has three older brothers: Josh, Chad, and Nalin.
#Queen Sugar Directors are currently slaying in some TV shows!! #LoveIt @neemrick @TinaMabry @VictoriaMahoney @katcandler @sallirichardson
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Salli Richardson, Dondre Whitfield’s Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know