Renee Goldsberry created the role of One Life to Live's determined defense attorney Evangeline Williamson in February 2003, originally intended as a recurring role. She was put on contract in April 2003.
Ms. Goldsberry was born in San Jose, CA and raised in both Houston, TX and Detroit, MI. She graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University with a bachelors degree in acting, and went on to attend graduate school at the University of Southern California, where she received her masters in vocal jazz performance.
Along with her OLTL role, Ms. Goldsberry performed the role of Nala in the Broadway production of Disney's The Lion King until July 2003. Her other credits include the national tour of Dreamgirls, the Broadway version of The Color Purple, the movie soundtrack for the feature film Amistad, and a recurring role as a featured, on-camera singer on Ally McBeal.
Ms. Goldsberry starred in the independent film All About You, for which she co-wrote more than half of the soundtrack, including the title song. The film received the 2002 Grand Prize at both the Pan-African Film Festival and the Hollywood Black Film Festival. It was also awarded the top prize at the 2003 Miami Film Festival.
As a singer, Ms. Goldsberry has performed with various well-known artists, including Barry White, Patti Austin, Al Green, Rod Stewart, Yolanda Adams, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Brian McKnight, Jeffrey Osborne, Faith Hill, Barry Manilow and Vonda Shepherd. She has been honored with the grand prize for the John Lennon Songwriting contest. Her first album, entitled Everything But the Kitchen Sink, features three Lennon award-winning songs.
Ms. Goldsberry resides in Manhattan with her husband.
February 17, 2003 to March 2003 [recurring]; April 2003 to May 18, 2007 [contract]
One on One
Paulette, episode: "Fatal Attractions"
May 6 2002
Ally McBeal
Singer
1997 to 2002
All About You
Nicole
2001
Palco & Hirsch
Jessica
2001
The Color Purple
Nettie
On Broadway
The Lion King
Nala
On Broadway
Daytime Emmys: Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2006, 2007)
Daytime Emmys: Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2006, 2007)
Tony Awards: Winner, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical ( 2016, for Hamilton)
DATE OF BIRTH: January 2, 1971
PLACE OF BIRTH: San Jose, California
RAISED IN: Houston, Texas and Detroit, Michigan
