Lark Voorhies
Encyclopedia
Lark Voorhies is an American actress who rose to fame playing Lisa Turtle in Saved by the Bell
, for which she was nominated for the Young Artist Award four times, winning in 1990 and 1993. She also portrayed the role as a regular on Good Morning, Miss Bliss
.
and appeared in thirteen episodes from 1988 to 1989. She remained as the same character, as did Zack
, Screech, and Mr. Belding, after Disney dropped the series and it was picked-up and re-tooled by NBC and renamed Saved by the Bell
. The characters Miss Bliss, Mylo, Mikey, and Nicky were dropped. During its first season on NBC 1989-1990, the characters Kelly Kapowski, A.C. Slater, and Jessie Spano were added. The setting was also changed from John F. Kennedy Junior High in Indianapolis
to Bayside High School in Los Angeles
.
Voorhies has since appeared in several television sitcoms and soap operas. She played the role of single mom Wendy Reardon on Days of Our Lives
from 1993 to 1994. On The Bold and the Beautiful
Voorhies played the role of amiable intern fashion-designer, Jasmine Malone beginning in January 1995. She was released from her contract in November 1996 when her role required her to act in sex scenes, which the actress refused to do citing her religious beliefs as a member of Jehovah's Witnesses
. She returned in April 2004 when Jasmine Malone returns to L.A when Eric and Stephiane hire her to work as a designer in the basement at Forrester Creations. She decided to renew her contract when the show offered to sign her to a one-year deal and departed the show again in July 2004 when her character Jasmine takes a job at Forrester International in Europe, coutersey of Eric Forrester.
In 1995, Voorhies guest-starred in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
episode "Life Support
". During the same year, Voorhies guest-starred in the season 6 episode of Family Matters, entitled "Home Sweet Home," as Eddie's upstairs dream girl. She has continued to act in various roles since then, such as In the House
, in which she played the girlfriend-turned-wife of Alfonso Ribeiro
’s character, Dr. Max Stanton. Previously, she played Ribeiro's love interest twice on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
. Besides sitcoms, Voorhies also appeared in movies and direct-to-video films.
Voorhies has not restricted her acting to television sitcoms and movies alone. She has appeared in a number of music videos, including Kenny Lattimore
's "Never Too Busy," Boyz II Men
's "On Bended Knee," Montell Jordan's "Somethin' for the Honeyz," and Dru Hill
's "These Are the Times." Voorhies, as a model, endorsed Head and Shoulders shampoo and "Oxy10."
In 2001 Voorhies played a major role in the film "How High
" as Lauren, a Harvard student.
Her latest film project is a movie adaptation of the book The Black Man's Guide to Understanding Black Women, and she is also involved in a movie entitled The Next Hit
, which was released in August, 2008.
She has been rumoured to play Whitney Houston
in the Grammy Winning Singer's upcoming biopic.
). She is the niece of Jermaine Jackson
through extended family.
band named Third Degree. She was the founder and lead singer of the group. Due to the band splitting, Voorhies decided to further her music career as a soloist.
' song "Coming 2 America" off his "Word of Mouf" album.
for libel over an article that included claims she had a drug problem.
co-star Mark-Paul Gosselaar
, whom she dated for three years. Voorhies had a brief romance with and was engaged to American comedy actor Martin Lawrence
in 1993. On March 9, 1996, she married actor/producer Miguel Coleman. The marriage lasted for eight years, from 1996 to 2004, at which point the couple divorced. On 8 May 2007 she married Andy Prince; they have one child.
Saved by the Bell
Saved by the Bell is an American television sitcom that aired between 1989 and 1993. The series is a retooled version of the 1988 series Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which was itself later folded into the history of Saved by the Bell...
, for which she was nominated for the Young Artist Award four times, winning in 1990 and 1993. She also portrayed the role as a regular on Good Morning, Miss Bliss
Good Morning, Miss Bliss
Good Morning, Miss Bliss is an American teen sitcom that aired on the Disney Channel from 1988 to 1989 , starring Hayley Mills as a teacher at John F...
.
Acting career
Voorhies made her acting debut at the age of two. She postponed her acting career until the age of 11. The reason for this was her shyness. Her mother put Voorhies' acting career on hold until she was more comfortable in front of the cameras. Later, at the age of fourteen, Voorhies reappeared on an episode of Small Wonder in 1988. That same year, she landed the recurring role of Lisa Turtle in Good Morning, Miss BlissGood Morning, Miss Bliss
Good Morning, Miss Bliss is an American teen sitcom that aired on the Disney Channel from 1988 to 1989 , starring Hayley Mills as a teacher at John F...
and appeared in thirteen episodes from 1988 to 1989. She remained as the same character, as did Zack
Zack Morris
Zachary "Zack" Morris is a fictional character from the sitcoms Good Morning, Miss Bliss; Saved by the Bell; and Saved by the Bell: The College Years. He was portrayed by Mark-Paul Gosselaar...
, Screech, and Mr. Belding, after Disney dropped the series and it was picked-up and re-tooled by NBC and renamed Saved by the Bell
Saved by the Bell
Saved by the Bell is an American television sitcom that aired between 1989 and 1993. The series is a retooled version of the 1988 series Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which was itself later folded into the history of Saved by the Bell...
. The characters Miss Bliss, Mylo, Mikey, and Nicky were dropped. During its first season on NBC 1989-1990, the characters Kelly Kapowski, A.C. Slater, and Jessie Spano were added. The setting was also changed from John F. Kennedy Junior High in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
to Bayside High School in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Voorhies has since appeared in several television sitcoms and soap operas. She played the role of single mom Wendy Reardon on Days of Our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
from 1993 to 1994. On The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS Daytime. It premiered on March 23, 1987....
Voorhies played the role of amiable intern fashion-designer, Jasmine Malone beginning in January 1995. She was released from her contract in November 1996 when her role required her to act in sex scenes, which the actress refused to do citing her religious beliefs as a member of Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism, convention attendance of over 12 million, and annual...
. She returned in April 2004 when Jasmine Malone returns to L.A when Eric and Stephiane hire her to work as a designer in the basement at Forrester Creations. She decided to renew her contract when the show offered to sign her to a one-year deal and departed the show again in July 2004 when her character Jasmine takes a job at Forrester International in Europe, coutersey of Eric Forrester.
In 1995, Voorhies guest-starred in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
episode "Life Support
Life Support (DS9 episode)
"Life Support " is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 13th episode of the third season.Quick Overview: During pivotal negotiations with the Cardassians, Vedek Bareil Antos is fatally injured.-Plot:...
". During the same year, Voorhies guest-starred in the season 6 episode of Family Matters, entitled "Home Sweet Home," as Eddie's upstairs dream girl. She has continued to act in various roles since then, such as In the House
In the House (TV series)
In the House is an American sitcom that premiered on April 10, 1995 on NBC. The series moved to UPN after its second season where it remained for an additional three seasons until it was canceled on August 11, 1999. In the House starred LL Cool J and Maia Campbell.-Synopsis:Marion Hill is a former...
, in which she played the girlfriend-turned-wife of Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro is an American actor, director, dancer, game show host, and comedian. While he received attention for his performance in the title role of the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid and his appearance as a dancer in a Pepsi commercial featuring Michael Jackson, Ribeiro is best...
’s character, Dr. Max Stanton. Previously, she played Ribeiro's love interest twice on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his aunt and uncle in their...
. Besides sitcoms, Voorhies also appeared in movies and direct-to-video films.
Voorhies has not restricted her acting to television sitcoms and movies alone. She has appeared in a number of music videos, including Kenny Lattimore
Kenny Lattimore
Kenny Lattimore is an American R&B singer. Among his most popular hits were "Never Too Busy" and "For You".- Early career :...
's "Never Too Busy," Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
's "On Bended Knee," Montell Jordan's "Somethin' for the Honeyz," and Dru Hill
Dru Hill
Dru Hill is an American singing group, most popular during the late 1990s, whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and gospel music. Founded in Baltimore, Maryland, and active since 1992, Dru Hill recorded seven Top 40 hits, and is best known for the R&B #1 hits "In My Bed", "Never Make a Promise", ...
's "These Are the Times." Voorhies, as a model, endorsed Head and Shoulders shampoo and "Oxy10."
In 2001 Voorhies played a major role in the film "How High
How High
How High is a 2001 stoner comedy starring Method Man and Redman, written by Dustin Lee Abraham, and director Jesse Dylan's debut feature film. Entertainment Weekly rated it third in their "Best Stoner Movie" top ten list...
" as Lauren, a Harvard student.
Her latest film project is a movie adaptation of the book The Black Man's Guide to Understanding Black Women, and she is also involved in a movie entitled The Next Hit
The Next Hit
The Next Hit is a 2008 mystery-suspense thriller written by David Garvin and directed by Antwan Smith. It had a limited release on August 28, 2008 and given an R rating by the Motion Picture Association of America for language and violence...
, which was released in August, 2008.
She has been rumoured to play Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
in the Grammy Winning Singer's upcoming biopic.
Music
In 1994 Voorhies was in a group originally called the X-Girls (now known as Geneva) with Stacee and Yashi Brown (the daughters of singer and oldest Jackson family member Rebbie JacksonRebbie Jackson
Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Brown is an American singer professionally known as Rebbie Jackson . Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she is the eldest child of the Jackson family of musicians...
). She is the niece of Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
through extended family.
Third Degree
Voorhies was formerly in an alternativeAlternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band named Third Degree. She was the founder and lead singer of the group. Due to the band splitting, Voorhies decided to further her music career as a soloist.
Solo artist
Voorhies is currently preparing to release her new single, entitled "Backyard" under her own management/production company by January 2010. The album title is currently unknown.Ludacris
Voorhies is mentioned in LudacrisLudacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
' song "Coming 2 America" off his "Word of Mouf" album.
Kenny Lattimore
Voorhies played Lattimore's love interest on his debut video "Never Too Busy" from his 1996 self titled debut album.Business
Voorhies owns Lark Voorhies Productions and Voorhies Management, Inc, which she co-founded with her brother and some of her business partners.Legal dispute
On May 30, 2006, Voorhies filed a lawsuit against The National EnquirerThe National Enquirer
The National Enquirer is an American supermarket tabloid now published by American Media Inc . Founded in 1926, the tabloid has gone through a variety of changes over the years....
for libel over an article that included claims she had a drug problem.
Personal life
Voorhies has had several romances with several Hollywood actors and co-stars, including Saved by the BellSaved by the Bell
Saved by the Bell is an American television sitcom that aired between 1989 and 1993. The series is a retooled version of the 1988 series Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which was itself later folded into the history of Saved by the Bell...
co-star Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Mark-Paul Harry Gosselaar is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Zack Morris in NBC's Saved by the Bell, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, and Saved by the Bell: The College Years, Detective John Clark in NYPD Blue, Jerry Kellerman in TNT's Raising the Bar, and more recently Peter...
, whom she dated for three years. Voorhies had a brief romance with and was engaged to American comedy actor Martin Lawrence
Martin Lawrence
Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an American actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and stand up comedian. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor, most notably the films Bad Boys, Blue Streak, and Big Momma's House...
in 1993. On March 9, 1996, she married actor/producer Miguel Coleman. The marriage lasted for eight years, from 1996 to 2004, at which point the couple divorced. On 8 May 2007 she married Andy Prince; they have one child.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
| 1997 | Def Jam's How to Be a Player | Lisa | |
| 2000 | Longshot Longshot (film) Longshot: The Movie , originally titled Jack Of All Trades is a teen film directed by Lionel C. Martin. It opened briefly in select theaters in Germany. The film was not shown in theaters in North America, but rather was released as a video and DVD only available through the film's web site... |
Woman at Bar | Alternative title: Jack of All Trades |
| 2001 | How High How High How High is a 2001 stoner comedy starring Method Man and Redman, written by Dustin Lee Abraham, and director Jesse Dylan's debut feature film. Entertainment Weekly rated it third in their "Best Stoner Movie" top ten list... |
Lauren | |
| 2002 | Civil Brand Civil Brand Civil Brand is a 2002 film written by Joyce Lewis and Preston A. Whitmore II and directed by Neema Barnette. It features N'Bushe Wright, Da Brat, Mos Def, LisaRaye McCoy, and Monica Calhoun. The film is about a group of female inmates fighting back against their abusers and taking over Whitehead... |
Lil' Momma | |
| 2008 | The Next Hit The Next Hit The Next Hit is a 2008 mystery-suspense thriller written by David Garvin and directed by Antwan Smith. It had a limited release on August 28, 2008 and given an R rating by the Motion Picture Association of America for language and violence... |
Ana Smith | |
| 2009 | Mimi's Place | Sydney | Short film |
| 2010 | Redemption | Sister Mary | pre-production |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1988–1989 | Good Morning, Miss Bliss Good Morning, Miss Bliss Good Morning, Miss Bliss is an American teen sitcom that aired on the Disney Channel from 1988 to 1989 , starring Hayley Mills as a teacher at John F... |
Lisa Turtle | 13 episodes |
| 1988, 1989 | Small Wonder | Brandie Ross Binky |
Episode: When You Hear the Beep Episode: The Tattletale |
| 1989 | The Robert Guillaume Show The Robert Guillaume Show The Robert Guillaume Show is a short-lived sitcom vehicle for Robert Guillaume, the former star of the ABC hit series Benson and of the popular Soap... |
Danica | Episode: Educating Ann |
| 1989–1993 | Saved by the Bell Saved by the Bell Saved by the Bell is an American television sitcom that aired between 1989 and 1993. The series is a retooled version of the 1988 series Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which was itself later folded into the history of Saved by the Bell... |
Lisa Turtle | 86 episodes |
| 1992 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his aunt and uncle in their... |
Cindy | Episode: Mama's Baby, Carlton's Maybe |
| Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style is a 1992 made-for-TV movie based on the television series Saved by the Bell and featured the regular cast of that series.-Synopsis:... |
Lisa Turtle | TV-Movie | |
| 1993 | Martin Martin (TV series) Martin is an American sitcom produced by HBO Independent Productions that aired for five seasons, from August 27, 1992 to May 1, 1997 on Fox... |
Nicole | Episode: The Break Up (2) Episode: The Break Up (3) |
| Getting By Getting By Getting By is an American sitcom produced by Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett, with the format created by William Bickley and Michael Warren. The show debuted on ABC's TGIF block, running its first twelve-episode season from March 5, 1993 through May 21, 1993. Shortly after the spring season... |
Tasha | Episode: Men Don't Dance Episode: Turnabout Dance |
|
| 1993–1994 | Days of our Lives Days of our Lives Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around... |
Wendy Reardon | |
| 1994 | Saved by the Bell: The College Years Saved by the Bell: The College Years Saved by the Bell: The College Years is a sequel to the Saved by the Bell series which ran from September 14, 1993 to February 8, 1994, lasting one season... |
Lisa Turtle | Episode: Wedding Plans |
| Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas is the series finale for the original Saved by the Bell series. It was presented as a two hour television movie that originally aired on NBC in 1994. When aired in syndication, it is commonly split into two double length episodes... |
Lisa Turtle | TV-Movie | |
| Me and the Boys | Denise | Episode: Talent Show | |
| Saved by the Bell: The New Class Saved by the Bell: The New Class Saved by the Bell: The New Class is a spin-off of the Saved by the Bell series which ran from September 11, 1993 to January 8, 2000. The series lasted for seven seasons on NBC as a part of the network's TNBC Saturday morning line-up. It was the fourth incarnation of the franchise... |
Lisa Turtle | Episode: Goodbye Bayside (2) | |
| 1995 | CBS Schoolbreak Special CBS Schoolbreak Special CBS Schoolbreak Special is an American anthology series for teenagers that aired on CBS from April 1980 to January 1996. The series originally premiered under the title CBS Afternoon Playhouse, and was later changed during the 1984 - 85 season... |
Breena Black | Episode: What About Your Friends |
| Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe... |
Leanne | Episode: Life Support | |
| Family Matters | Dream Girl | Episode: Home Sweet Home | |
| 1995–1996; 2004 | The Bold and the Beautiful The Bold and the Beautiful The Bold and the Beautiful is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS Daytime. It premiered on March 23, 1987.... |
Jasmine Malone | Originated the role from January 1995 to November 1996. Reprised the role in April 2004. Again departed the role in June 2004 and last appeared on-screen in Mid-July 2004. |
| 1997 | Malcolm & Eddie Malcolm & Eddie Malcolm & Eddie is an American television sitcom that premiered August 26, 1996 on the UPN Network, and ran for four seasons. This series starred Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Eddie Griffin in the lead roles. This show was canceled after its fourth season, and aired its final episode on May 22, 2000... |
Lydia | Episode: Club Story |
| The Last Don | Tiffany | Miniseries | |
| 1997–1999 | In the House In the House (TV series) In the House is an American sitcom that premiered on April 10, 1995 on NBC. The series moved to UPN after its second season where it remained for an additional three seasons until it was canceled on August 11, 1999. In the House starred LL Cool J and Maia Campbell.-Synopsis:Marion Hill is a former... |
Mercedes Langford | 18 episodes |
| 1998 | The Love Boat: The Next Wave The Love Boat: The Next Wave The Love Boat: The Next Wave is an American television series which was based on the ABC sitcom The Love Boat. The series aired on UPN from 1998 to 1999.-Plot:... |
Johari Mayfield | Episode: I Can't Get No Satisfaction |
| 1999 | Mutiny | TV-Movie | |
| The Parkers The Parkers The Parkers is an American sitcom . A spin-off of UPN's Moesha, The Parkers featured the mother-daughter team of Nikki and Kim Parker . The Parkers' signature "Heeyyy" greeting made its way into popular vernacular in the early 2000s.-Premise:The series centered around a mother and daughter who... |
Chandra | Episode: Grape Nuts Episode: Scammed Straight |
|
| 2000 | Grown Ups | Stacy | Episode: J's Pet Peeve |
| 2001 | Fire & Ice | Holly Aimes | TV-Movie |
| 2002 | Widows | Miniseries | |
| 2008 | Robot Chicken Robot Chicken Robot Chicken is an American stop motion animated television series created and executive produced by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich along with co-head writers Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root. Green provides many voices for the show... |
Lisa Turtle/Betty Childs/Borg Queen | Voice Role Episode: Boo Cocky |
Awards and nominations
Young Artist AwardYoung Artist Award
The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...
- 1989: Nominated, "Best Young Actress in a Cable Family Series" - Good Morning, Miss Bliss
- 1990: Nominated, "Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast" - Saved by the Bell
- 1990: Won, "Best Young Actress Starring in an Off-Primetime Series" - Saved by the Bell
- 1991: Nominated, "Best Young Actress Starring in an Off-Primetime Series" - Saved by the Bell
- 1992: Nominated, "Best Young Actress Starring in an Off-Primetime Series" - Saved by the Bell
- 1993: Won, "Best Young Actress Starring in an Off-Primetime Series" - Saved by the Bell