Essence Atkins

Essence Atkins
Born	February 7, 1972 (age 39) New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1986-present
Role	Suzanne Kingston-Persons

Essence Uhura Atkins (born February 7, 1972) is an American actress. She portrays Suzanne Kingston-Persons. She is best known for the roles of Dee Dee Thorne on the UPN sitcom Half & Half and as Yvette Henderson on the The WB sitcom Smart Guy.

Career

She has appeared in a variety of films and television series, including How High, Deliver Us from Eva, Family Matters, Sister Sister, and The Cosby Show. One of her television roles was in the Saved by the Bell spin-off, the Saved by the Bell: The College Years. She appeared in the pilot, but when Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, a regular from the original, opted to return, Atkins' character was written out. She also had a main role in Smart Guy as the older sister Tasha Yevette Henderson.

Atkins is currently starring in the TBS sitcom series Are We There Yet?

Personal life

In September 2009, Atkins married Jaime Mendez, whom she met through the online dating service Match.com. Her Half and Half co-star Valarie Pettiford performed during the reception.

Filmography

• Nikita's Blues (short film) (1999): Nikita
• Nikita Blues (2000): Nikita
• Love Song (2000): Toni
• XCU: Extreme Close Up (2001): Tamikah Jones
• How High (2001): Jamie
• Looking Through Lillian (2002): Andrea
• Deliver Us from Eva (2003): Kareenah Dandridge
• Love...& Other 4 Letter Words (2007): Roxanne
• Love for Sale (2008): Candace
• N-Secure (2009): Robin Joyner
• Dance Flick (2009): Charity
• Preacher's Kid (2010): Peaches
• Dysfunctional Friends (2011): Alice (in post production)
• The Bachelor Party (2011): Michelle (in post production)

Television Work

• The Cosby Show (1986–1989): Paula
• Sunday in Paris (1991): Alison Chase
• Charlie Hoover (1991): Amy
• Family Matters (1992): Becky
• Here and Now (1992): Kahlila / Khalilia
• Saved by the Bell: The College Years (1993): Danielle Marks
• Under One Roof (1995): Charlotte "Charlie" Langston
• The Wayans Bros (1995): Nina
• The Parent Hood (1996): Chantel
• Malibu Shores (1996): Julie Tate
• The John Larroquette Show (1996): Jocelyn
• Promised Land (1998): Rachel
• Smart Guy (1997–1999): Tasha Yvette Henderson
• Moesha (1999): Piper Davis
• Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (2000): Marnie
• Love, Inc (2005): Renee
• Half & Half (2002–2006): Dee Dee Thorne
• Football Wives (2007)
• The Class (2007): Melanie Deacon
• House (2007): Captain Greta Cooper
• Nite Tales: The Series (2009): Shandra
• Are We There Yet? (2010–present): Suzanne Kingston-Persons
• Tyler Perry's House of Payne (2011): Monica

Awards and nominations

• Image Awards
  • 2005, Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series: Half & Half (nominated)