There’s no one who can love you, support you or stay on your case when you’re being stubborn quite like your mom.
Over the course of her 40-year career in Hollywood, actress, activist and songstress Jenifer Lewis has flawlessly portrayed just about every type of Black mom there is on screen.
From the no-nonsense mother in films like Poetic Justice and What’s Love Got To Do With It, to the wise mom who knows best in films like The Cookout and The Preacher’s Wife, to the sometimes-meddling mom on television shows like Girlfriends and Black-ish, Lewis has truly earned her title as “The Mother of Black Hollywood.”
As we prepare to honor her at our 2019 ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Awards, here’s a look back at every time we saw a little of the moms we all know and love in Jenifer Lewis on screen. Which character was your favorite?
01
As Annie in 'Poetic Justice'
As the mother of Tupac Shakur's character Lucky, Annie was a no-nonsense woman who stayed on her sons case and didn't let him avoid his responsibilities as a single father.
02
As Margueritte in 'The Preacher's Wife'
As the mother of Whitney Houston's character Julia, her intuition was spot on about the connection between Julia and Denzel Washington's character, Dudley.
03
As Marguerite in 'The Preacher's Wife'
As the mother of Whitney Houston's character Julia, her intuition was spot on about the connection between Julia and Denzel Washington's character, Dudley.
04
As Mrs. Curtis in 'Dead Presidents'
Mrs. Curtis was a proud but concerned mom who initially expressed disappointment in her son's decision to join the Marine Corps after graduating from high school instead of going to college like his older brother.
05
As Zelma Bullock in 'What's Love Got To Do With It'
Zelma was rightfully skeptical of local neighborhood musician, Ike Turner, wanting to bring her young daughter, Anna Mae, into his band, but ultimately allowed her to join after being charmed by Ike and intrigued by the idea of Anna Mae being able to add an elevated stream of income to their household.
06
As Mary Clark in 'Not Easily Broken'
As the boisterous mother of Taraji P. Henson's character Clarice, mama Clark had trouble not letting her own trust issues with men affect how her daughter functioned as a wife in her marriage.
07
As Loretta in 'Think Like A Man' & 'Think Like A Man Too'
Loretta's dependency on her son as the man in her life was the biggest contributor his "mama's boy" tendencies that almost cost him his relationship with his girlfriend before things ultimately worked out for the best on all fronts.
08
As Louise Smith in 'The Brothers'
Who can forget the hilarious confrontation between Louise Smith and her ex-husband's new young wife at a family gathering that only ended when her son (played by Morris Chestnut) and daughter (played by Tatyana Ali) intervened.
09
As Ruby Johnson on 'Black-ish'
As the unfiltered, sometimes-meddling mother of Dre, Ruby Johnson doesn't hold her tongue for anyone and ultimately always wants the best for her son and his family.
10
As Aunt Helen in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'
So many of us grew up with that one cool aunt who was more like a big sister or second mother and Aunt Helen was exactly that for Will Smith's character.
11
As Catherine in 'Baggage Claim'
As the mother of Paula Patton's character Montana, Catherine stayed on her daughter's case about finding a husband as the family prepared for her younger sister's upcoming wedding.
12
As Lady Emma Anderson in 'The Cookout'
Lady Em's assessment of her son's materialistic girlfriend proved to be spot on when he ultimately left her for his first true love who he grew up with before making it big as a professional basketball player.
13
As Vera Brown in 'Meet The Browns'
Jenifer Lewis was hilarious as the mother of Angela Bassett's character, Brenda.
14
As Veretta Childs on 'Girlfriends'
Lewis appeared on multiple episodes across multiple seasons as the outspoken mother of Jill-Marie Jones character, Toni Childs.
15
As Mary Clark in 'Not Easily Broken'
As the boisterous mother of Taraji P. Henson's character Clarice, mama Clark had trouble not letting her own trust issues with men affect how her daughter functioned in her marriage.
16
As Annie in 'Poetic Justice'
As the mother of Tupac Shakur's character Lucky, Annie was a no-nonsense woman who refused to allow her son to avoid his responsibilities as a single father without staying on his case.
17
As Lady Emma Anderson in 'The Cookout'
Lady Em's assessment of her son's materialistic girlfriend proved to be spot on when he ultimately left her for his first true love who he grew up with before making it big as a professional basketball player.
18
As Loretta in 'Think Like A Man' & 'Think Like A Man Too'
Loretta's dependency on her son as the man in her life was the biggest contributor his "mama's boy" tendencies that almost cost him his relationship with his girlfriend before things ultimately worked out for the best on all fronts.
19
As Zelma Bullock in 'What's Love Got To Do With It?'
Zelma was rightfully skeptical of local neighborhood musician Ike Turner wanting to bring her young daughter Anna Mae into his band, but ultimately allowed her to join after being charmed by Ike and intrigued by the idea of Anna Mae being able to add an elevated stream of income to their household.
20
As Catherine in 'Baggage Claim'
As the mother of Paula Patton's character Montana, Catherine stayed on her daughter's case about finding a man to settle down with as the family prepared for her younger sister's upcoming wedding.
21
As Louise Smith in 'The Brothers'
Who can forget the hilarious confrontation between Louise Smith and her ex-husband's new young wife at a family gathering that only ended when her son (played by Morris Chestnut) and daughter (played by Tatyana Ali) intervened.
22
