Thursday Thirteen #22 - Thirteen Films/Television Shows With Jenifer Lewis Portraying the Role of the Mother

I was talking with my uncle about Jenifer Lewis always portraying the same character in every film and he came up with the idea for this this Thursday Thirteen. She has made her stock and trade portraying the mother in various films and television shows. Ms. Lewis has been everyone's mother from Angela Bassett in "What's Love Got To Do With It?" to Omar Gooding's mother in "Hanging With Mr. Cooper". I have compiled a list of memorable performances, including the character she portrayed and the character's name and real name of the actor who portrayed her son or daughter. Side Note: When she portrayed Zelma Bullock (mother of Tina Turner) she was less than two years older than Angela Bassett.

1. Zelma Bullock – Mother of Anna Mae Bullock (Tina Turner) in “What’s Love Got to do With It?” (1993). Tina Turner was portrayed by Angela Bassett.

2. Annie – Mother of Lucky in “Poetic Justice” (1993). Lucky was portrayed by Tupac Shakur.

3. Georgia Rodman – Mother of Earvin Rodman in Hanging With Mr. Cooper (1993). Earvin Rodman portrayed by Omar Gooding.

4. Mrs. Curtis – Mother of Anthony Curtis in “Dead Presidents” (1995). Anthony Curtis portrayed by Larenz Tate.

5. Marguerite Coleman – Mother of Julia Biggs in “The Preacher’s Wife” (1996). Julia Biggs portrayed by Whitney Houston.

6. Mama Rose – Mother of David English (Melvin Franklin) in “The Temptations” (1998). Melvin Franklin was portrayed by D. B. Woodside.

7. Melissa’s Mother – Mother of Melissa in “Grownups” (1999). Melissa portrayed by Tammy Townsend.

8. Joss’s Mother – Mother of Joss House in “The Time of Your Life” (1999). Joss House portrayed by Gina Ravera.

9. Louise Smith – Mother of Jackson and Cherie Smith in “The Brothers” (2001). Jackson Smith portrayed by Morris Chestnut and Cherie Smith portrayed by Tatyana Ali.

10. Veretta Childs – Mother of Toni Childs in “Girlfriends” (2003). Toni Childs portrayed by Jill Jones.

11. Lady Em – Mother of Todd Andersen in “The Cookout” (2004). Todd Andersen portrayed by Quran Pender.

12. C- Note’s Mom – Mother of C-Note in “Who’s Your Caddy” (2007). C-Note portrayed by Big Boi.

13. Mary (Mama) Clark – Mother of Clarice Clark in “Not Easily Broken” (2008). Clarice Clark portrayed by Taraji P. Henson.

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