Essence Uhura Atkins (born February 7, 1972) is an American actress. She began her career appearing on television sitcoms, before her regular role on the prime-time drama Under One Roof (CBS, 1995).

Atkins is best known for her roles on television comedies. From 1997 to 1999, she starred as Tasha Yvette Henderson in The WB sitcom Smart Guy. She later went to star as Dee Dee Thorne in UPN sitcom Half & Half (2002–2006), Suzanne Kingston-Persons in TBS sitcom Are We There Yet? (2010–2013) and as Ashley Wayne in NBC sitcom Marlon (2017–2018). In film, Atkins has appeared in How High (2001), Deliver Us from Eva (2003), Dance Flick (2009), A Haunted House (2013), A Haunted House 2 (2014), and The Noel Diary (2022).

Career Atkins began her career as a teenager guest starring on NBC sitcom The Cosby Show in 1986. The following years she spent playing guest roles on sitcoms include Family Matters, before landing co-leading role opposite James Earl Jones and Vanessa Bell Calloway in the African-American drama Under One Roof in 1995. The following year, she co-starred with Keri Russell in the NBC teen soap opera Malibu Shores. One of her television roles was in the Saved by the Bell spin-off, Saved by the Bell: The College Years in 1993. She appeared in the pilot, but when Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, a regular from the original, opted to return, Atkins's character was written out.

From 1997 to 1999, Atkins starred in the WB sitcom Smart Guy as the older sister Tasha Yvette Henderson. From 2002 to 2006 she starred alongside Rachel True in the UPN sitcom Half & Half playing Dee Dee Thorne, her half-sister. She also had supporting roles in films How High (2001), Deliver Us from Eva (2003) opposite Gabrielle Union, and Dance Flick (2009). From 2010 to 2013, she starred in the TBS sitcom series Are We There Yet? opposite Terry Crews. Atkins later starred alongside Marlon Wayans in the parody films A Haunted House (2013) and A Haunted House 2 (2014). In 2016, she was cast opposite Wayans in his NBC sitcom Marlon. it was canceled after two seasons in 2018.

In 2019, Atkins was cast in a leading role in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series Ambitions opposite Robin Givens.

Personal life In September 2009, Atkins married All-American collegiate football free safety Jaime Mendez. They met Valentine's Day 2008 through the online dating service Match.com. Her Half and Half co-star Valarie Pettiford performed during the reception.

They divorced in 2016.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1999 Nikita's Blues Nikita Short 2000 Love Song Toni TV movie 2001 Nikita Blues Nikita Looking Through Lillian Andrea XCU: Extreme Close Up Tamikah Jones How High Jamie 2003 Deliver Us from Eva Kareenah Dandridge 2007 Love... & Other 4 Letter Words Roxanne 2008 Love for Sale Candace 2009 Dance Flick Charity 2010 Preacher's Kid Peaches N-Secure Robin Joyner 2011 Michelle Video 2012 Dysfunctional Friends Alice From This Day Forward Patrice TV movie 2013 Kisha Davis Act Like You Love Me Kelly My Sisters Wedding Tandy Holiday Road Trip Clara TV movie 2014 A Haunted House 2 Kisha Davis Girlfriends' Getaway Lauren TV movie My Other Mother Candy TV movie 2015 Sister Code Corrine Wells Battle Scars Elsie Ramirez Girlfriends' Getaway 2 Lauren TV movie 2016 You Can't Hurry Love Camille TV movie 2017 Solstice Ranch Lola Solstice Short Illicit Nadine 2018 Coins for Christmas Madison Morris TV movie 2019 Same Difference Tonya/Shauna 2020 Open Wren TV movie The Sin Choice Rebecca Anderson Coins for Love Madison Morris TV movie 2021 Coins Forever Madison Morris TV movie 2022 The Noel Diary Noel Ellis 2023 Angie's Cure Sheila Hart 2024 One Night Stay April Sea Cloud Park Judy Short 2025 He Wasn't Man Enough Monica TV movie 2026 Breathe Again Evelyn TV movie

Television Year Title Role Notes 1986–1989 The Cosby Show Paula Young Guest Cast: Season 3 & 6 1991 Charlie Hoover Amy Episode: "Out of the Frying Pan" 1992 Family Matters Becky Episode: "Brown Bombshell" Here and Now Khalila 2 episodes 1993 Saved by the Bell: The College Years Danielle Marks Episode: "Pilot" 1995 Under One Roof Main Cast Nina Episode: "Farmer's Daughter" 1996 Chantel Episode: "One Man and a Baby" Malibu Shores Julie Tate Main Cast Jocelyn 2 episodes 1997–1999 Smart Guy Yvette Henderson Main Cast 1998 Promised Land Rachel Episode: "Mirror Image" 1999 Moesha Piper Davis 2 episodes 2000 Sabrina the Teenage Witch Marnie Recurring Cast: Season 4 2002 For Your Love Genesis Episode: "The Missing Link" 2002–2006 Half & Half Deirdre Chantal "Dee Dee" Thorne Main Cast 2004 MADtv Herself Episode: "Episode #10.7" 2005 Love, Inc. Renee Episode: "Mad About You" 2007 Melanie Deacon Episode: "The Class Has to Go to a Stupid Museum" House Captain Greta Cooper Episode: "The Right Stuff" 2009 Nite Tales: The Series Shandra Episode: "Dark Heart" 2010 Tyler Perry's House of Payne Monica Recurring Cast: Season 6 2010–2013 Are We There Yet? Suzanne Kingston-Persons Main Cast 2011 Life After Herself Episode: "AJ Johnson" 2012–2015 Mr. Box Office Samantha Owens Main Cast 2013 Annual Trumpet Awards Herself/Co-Host Main Co-Host 2016 Celebrity Family Feud Herself Episode: "Episode #3.10" 2017 Face Value Herself/Team Captain Episode: "Essence Atkins v Affion Crockett" Kiki Mobile Herself Episode: "Kiki Hits the Trails" The Great Indoors Denise Episode: "The Heartbreaker" 2017–2018 Marlon Ashley Wayne Main Cast 2019 A Black Lady Sketch Show Hannah Episode: "3rd & Bonaparte Is Always in the Shade" Carol's Second Act Kathleen Episode: "Game Changer" Ambitions Amara Hughesken Main Cast 2020 Behind Her Faith Herself Episode: "Essence Atkins" 2021–2022 First Wives Club Maxine Hart Recurring Cast: Season 2–3 2022 A Black Lady Sketch Show Chef Rayna Episode: "Bounce Them Coochies, Y'all!" Family Reunion Maureen 2 episodes 2023 Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50 Herself Main Guest The Ms. Pat Show Charnelle Episode: "Twenty Seven Side Pieces" The Company You Keep Shelby 2 episodes 2024 Curb Your Enthusiasm Renee Holcomb Episode: "The Dream Scheme" Reasonable Doubt Dr. Brandy Michaels 2 episodes 2024–2025 Poppa's House Dr. Ivy Reed Main Cast 2026 Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness Clara Episode: "Buzz"

Awards and nominations Awards Year Category Nominated Work Result American Black Film Festival2019Best Performance by an ActorSame Difference NAACP Image Award 2005 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Half & Half 2011 Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Are We There Yet? 2019 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Marlon

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