Guy, Jasmine (1964–)

GUY, JASMINE (1964–). Actress, dancer, singer. The daughter of a Baptist minister, Guy was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She moved to New York City at age 16 to study dance with famed choreographer Alvin Ailey. Her dance training led to work in revival and road company tours of the Broadway shows The Wiz and Leader of the Pack . She was a dancer on several episodes of the television series Fame , which brought her to the attention of show’s director and choreographer Debbie Allen. Allen cast Guy in the role of a spoiled Southern belle named Whitley Gilbert, in the black college-based sitcom, A Different World . As a spin-off from the mega hit series The Cosby Show , it too was a big hit, and ran for six seasons on NBC. Her television guest-starring appearances include Touched by an Angel, Living Single , and The Parkers . She had a recurring role on Melrose Place , and stars in the Showtime cable series Dead Like Me . Guy made her feature film debut in Spike Lee’s School Daze , 1988, and played opposite Eddie Murphy in Harlem Nights , 1989. Her made for TV movies include Stompin’ at the Savoy , 1992, Queen , 1993, The Feast of All Saints , 2001, and Carrie , 2002. Her recent stage work includes Grease , and Chicago: The Musical .

Filmography: School Daze , 1988; Harlem Nights , 1989; Queen , 1993; America’s Dream , 1995; Perfect Crime , 1997; Cats Don’t Dance , 1997; Guinevere , 1999; Diamond Men , 2001.