Dawnn Lewis

Dawnn Lewis (born August 13, 1961) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Jaleesa Vinson–Taylor on the NBC television sitcom A Different World (1987–92), for which she co–wrote the theme song; as Robin Dumars on the ABC sitcom Hangin' With Mr. Cooper for its first season (1992–93); and as Cheryl Spade in the 1988 film I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. Since then, Lewis has appeared in numerous TV series, including other sitcoms, and has also performed on stage and done voice-over work. 2Early life Born in Brooklyn, New York to Carl and Joyce Lewis, who are of African-American and Guyanese descent, Lewis began singing at the age of 4 and acting at 11. She graduated from the High School of Music and Art (now known as Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School) at age 16. After high school, she studied at the University of Miami, graduating cum laude with a major in Musical Theatre and a minor in Journalism in 1982. 2Career 3A Different World She co-wrote the theme song to A Different World, with Bill Cosby and Stu Gardner, and co-performed the song for the first season. In A Different World, Lewis appeared for the first five of the six-season run as Jaleesa Vinson (later Vinson-Taylor) from 1987 to 1992. Although her character was married to another of the main characters on the show, her character disappeared from A Different World without explanation, like Chuck Cunningham of Happy Day