Unveiling the stories behind Vanessa Bell Calloway’s iconic career and personal achievements.
Vanessa Bell Calloway is a force to be reckoned with. A gifted stage, screen, and television actress, as well as an accomplished director and producer, Calloway’s career has spanned over three decades. With more than 150 film and television credits to her name and nine NAACP Image Award nominations, she remains one of Hollywood’s most respected and admired talents.
Early Life and Transition into Acting
Born in Toledo, Ohio, and raised in Cleveland, Calloway’s passion for the arts started early. She pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Dance, laying the foundation for what would become an extraordinary career. When asked about her transition from dancing to acting, Calloway explained, “It was very easy because dancing is basically acting without the voice.”
Breaking into Hollywood
Calloway’s journey into Hollywood is nothing short of inspiring. One of her most iconic roles came in the 1988 classic Coming to America. Originally auditioning for the role of Lisa, she was later asked to read for Princess Imani Izzi and landed the part. “I auditioned for the role of Lisa, that was the big role. But when I met the director of the movie, he told me to read for the role of Princess Imani Izzi, and I got the role.”
Her career continued to soar, and in What’s Love Got to Do with It, she played Jackie, a character that was initially underdeveloped. Calloway hesitated to accept the part but was reassured by the producers that the role would be expanded. She agreed, and the film became a pivotal moment in her career. In an exclusive story about the film, Calloway shared that Laurence Fishburne accidentally slapped her during their iconic scene. Though unintended, she stayed in character, and that take ultimately made it into the final cut and audiences were amazed with the acting that these two phenoms displayed on camera.
Triumph Over Breast Cancer
At the age of 52, Calloway was diagnosed with breast cancer—a battle she fought and won. Reflecting on how she conquered the illness, she shared, “At first I said why me? But then I said why not me, because we are all the same, none of us are special. So I took charge and I told myself, “I have cancer, but I didn’t let cancer have me.” She emphasized the importance of maintaining control over her life and constantly giving herself something to look forward to.
Recent Successes and Future Endeavors
Calloway continues to shine in the entertainment industry. She can currently be seen in the Sony movie One of Them Days, starring opposite Keke Palmer and SZA. The film, a box office hit since its release on January 17th, features Calloway as ‘Momma Ruth,’ a strong-willed matriarch. Getting the role wasn’t easy, but persistence paid off. “The film had been in development for a few years, and three years ago, the director Lawrence Lamont told my daughter that I would play a great Momma Ruth. My manager submitted my name when they started casting. I didn’t get it at first, I had to work hard to get it, but I was eventually cast.”
Recently, she completed a six-month run on Broadway in the hit Tony Award-nominated production Purlie Victorious, starring Leslie Odom Jr. and Kara Young. Returning to Broadway after 40 years was a full-circle moment for her. “I started my career in theater, so it was great to be back on stage. I was praying to God that something would bring me back to Broadway, and it did.”
In addition to her film and stage work, Calloway is a star and producer of the hit BET+ series Black Hamptons. She is also currently in production for season two of the Netflix comedy series The Vince Staples Show, produced by Kenya Barris. The first season became an instant “water cooler” hit, and excitement is building for the next installment.
A Lasting Love and Legacy
Beyond her career, Calloway has enjoyed a lasting marriage to Dr. Tony Calloway, her husband of 36 years. When asked about the secret to their enduring love, she said, “You have to like each other. You can love people, but you still have to like them. The love you have when you first meet doesn’t remain the same after 30-something years, and that’s okay. Change is good, and if you can change with that person and respect them, then you both can grow.”
As for how she wants to be remembered, Calloway’s response is simple yet profound: “That I was real, nice, and I love hard. And I’m always connecting people. I love people, and I love life.”
Vanessa Bell Calloway’s journey is a nod to resilience, talent, and an undying love for her craft. Whether on stage, in front of the camera, or behind it, she continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
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