Lorraine Toussaint
Trinidadian-American actress and producer Lorraine Toussaint initially started acting in theatre before trying her luck in Hollywood. She made her movie debut in Breaking In in 1989 and there is no looking back for her since then. She made appearances in several popular series and movies, however, Lorraine is best known for her role Rene Jackson in the critically acclaimed television drama series, Any Day Now, from 1998 to 2002 and in Orange is the New Black as the brutally seductive patient Vee. Her other popular works include Black Dog (1998), Selma (2014), Middle of Nowhere (2012), The Night Before (2015), Fast Color (2018), Law & Order, and Friday Nights Lights.
Early Life Of Lorraine Toussaint
Lorraine Toussaint was born on 4 April 1960 in Trinidad and Tobago. She was born during the British rule and had a difficult childhood. Her mother was a teacher, she pa s sed away in 1999 due to multiple sclerosis In the late 1960s.
She graduated from Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts in 1978. She later joined Julliard School’s drama division where her cla s smates were Penny Johnson Jerald, Jack Kenny, Megan Gallagher and Jack Stehlin.
Lorraine Toussaint's Career
After completing her graduation Lorraine began her career as playing the role of Lady Macbeth with Shakespeare and Company. Then in 1986, she played the role of a widow of a man shot and killed by Boston cops in the TV series named, A Case of Deadly Force which is based on the book by Lawrence O'Donnell.
Later Lorraine was featured in the recurring role of Vera Williams in ABC daytime soap opera, One Life to Live as well as appeared in a guest role in the series like Law & Order and 227. In 1989 she made her film debut opposite Burt Reynolds in Breaking In.
She then appeared in various movies which include Hudson Hawak (1991), Point of No Return (1993) Mother's Boys (1994) and Black Dog (1998). She had regular roles in the short-lived series like Bodies of Evidence (1992), Amazing Grace (1995) and more.
Toussaint got her biggest role as Rene Jackson alongside Annie Potts in the Lifetime first original television drama series, Any Day Now. The series ended after four-season and 88 episodes. Her performance was highly appreciated and she was nominated five times for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her role in the series Any Day Now.
Between 2002 to 2010, Toussaint appeared on the several television series like Crossing Jordan, Judging Amy, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Ugly Betty, Friday Night Lights and many more. In the year 2012 she was nominated on Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for a performance in Middle of Nowhere, a drama film written and directed by Ava DuVernay.
In 2014, Toussaint played as Amelia Boynton Robinson, leading civil rights and was the first African American woman in Alabama to run for Congress in the Ava DuVernay's historical drama film Selma. Her upcoming project is The Village in which she will be portraying the role of Patricia in the main role in the year 2019.
Throughout her career, her acting has been highly appreciated and she won various prestigious awards including Wiley A. Branton Award, Visionary Award, Vanguard Award and among others.
Lorraine Toussaint's Net Worth
Toussaint has earned an impressive amount of money from her career and her net worth is estimated to be $2 million. Her acting career is the source of income. Lorraine was a part of many successful films which made an impressive box office collection. Some of them are listed below.
| Year | Movie | Role | Box Office collection | Cast Members |
| 1993 | Point of No Return | Beth | $30 million | Bridget Fonda, Gabriel Byrne, Anne Bancroft, Harvey Keitel |
| 1995 | Dangerous Minds | Irene Roberts | $179 million | Wade Dominguez, George Dzundza, Renoly Santiago |
| 2012 | Middle of Nowhere | Ruth | $ 236, 806 | David Oyelowo, Sharon Lawrence |
| 2014 | Selma | Amelia Boynton Robinson | $66.8 million | Tom Wilkinson, Carmen Ejogo |
Lorraine Toussaint's Personal Life
Talking about her personal life, according to the IMDb, she is married to Curtis Peek, an actor who is best known for Timecop (1997), The Young and The Restless (1973) and ER (1994). The couple also has a daughter named Samara Grace. However, as per the Wikipedia, she is married to Micah Zane. Since she lives a low-key life nothing much is known about her personal life.
As of 2018, she is living with her daughter, splitting her time between New York and Los Angeles. She has a dog named Kaia. Similarly, Toussaint is an expert gardener and landscaper.
She stands at the height of 5 feet 9 (1.75 m) inch tall.
Check out Lorraine Toussaint video talking about her role in the tv series, Orange Is The New Black.