Joyful Drake
Birthday: Born in 1976-09-24 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Deathday: Alive
Joyful Drake, the much-loved Tasha on the iconic BET comedy series “Let’s Stay Together” is on the scene in a big way. In addition to a recurring role in Starz’s “P-Valley,” she also leads the eight-episode upcoming drama series “HUSH” for streamer ALLBLK. Creator Angela Burd Murray describes the series as, “a sexy drama about four dynamic women who will stop at nothing to get what they want.” Drake starred opposite DJ Qualls in November Rule, opposite Ryan Phillippe in Catch Hell and was Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ girlfriend in Judd Apatow’s Get Him to the Greek. Other notable film roles include Beauty Shop with Queen Latifah, Phat Girlz with Mo’Nique and she starred as a woman trying to escape an abusive relationship in the independent drama feature Bad Ass opposite Danny Trejo and Ving Rhames. Drake has also guest starred in television episodes of “Jane the Virgin,” “One on One,” “Cuts,” “The Game,” “The Exes” and “The Quads.” Born and raised in Milwaukee and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Drake is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. While in college, she experienced her first brush with the entertainment industry. For two and-a-half years she had an exciting time as a dancer for the NBA Milwaukee Bucks. She remains an avid fan and also loves the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. After graduation, she moved to New York to pursue an acting career. Her first job was a recurring role on the hit Showtime series “Soul Food.” Drake makes her home in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter Beau.
TV Credits
Cuts
Character: Lani
Cuts is an American sitcom that aired on the UPN network from February 14, 2005, to May 11, 2006, and is a spin-off of another UPN series, One on One. The show was canceled along with many other shows when the UPN and WB networks merged to form The CW....
Soul Food
Character: Tamara
Soul Food: The Series is a television drama that aired Wednesday nights on Showtime from June 28, 2000 to May 26, 2004. Created by filmmaker George Tillman, Jr. and developed for television by Felicia D. Henderson, Soul Food is based upon Tillman's childhood experiences growing up in Wisconsin, and is a continuation of his successful 1997 film of the same name. Having aired for 74 episodes, it is the longest running drama with a predominantly black cast in the history of North American prime-tim...
Let's Stay Together
Character: Tasha Woodson
Let's Stay Together is an American romantic comedy television series created by Jacque Edmonds Cofer. It premiered on BET on January 11, 2011. The title of the series refers to the Al Green landmark 1972 song of the same name. The series premiere drew 4.4 million viewers. Initially, Soul Food star Malinda Williams was cast in the lead role of Stacy. For undisclosed reasons, she was recast with Nadine Ellis. On April 20, 2013, BET announced that the series was renewed for a second season which a...
Jane the Virgin
Character: Dr. Bolton
A comedy-drama following a chaste young woman who is accidentally impregnated via artificial insemination as she struggles to inform her devoutly religious family and make the right choices concerning the child. Based on the telenovela "Juana la virgen."...
Lethal Weapon
Character: Tanya
A slightly unhinged former Navy SEAL lands a job as a police officer in Los Angeles where he's partnered with a veteran detective trying to keep maintain a low stress level in his life....
All American: Homecoming
Character: Pamela Mays
Follow the journeys of Simone Hicks, a tennis hopeful from Beverly Hills, and elite baseball player Damon Sims from Chicago, as they navigate life at the prestigious HBCU Bringston University....
The Quad
Character: Venus Hardwick
Dr. Eva Fletcher is the newly-elected President of the fictional Georgia A&M University. Upon arriving, Eva is charged with saving the prestigious HBCU from bankruptcy and her twenty-year marriage from crumbling while managing a tumultuous relationship with her rebellious only daughter. A diverse group of freshman also promises to keep Eva's hands full....
The Game
Character: Sheila
When her boyfriend Derwin Davis is chosen as the new third-string wide receiver for the San Diego Sabers, Melanie Barnett decides to attend a local college so she can be with him. While Derwin worries about the plays on the field, Melanie adjusts to her new lifestyle. She gets a play-by-play account of the lives and relationships among NFL wives, girlfriends and mom/managers who use their best game to help their men stay on the field and on their arm....
The Exes
Character: Carol
A sitcom about three divorced men sharing an apartment across the hall from their female divorce attorney, who is also their landlord....
Hush
Character: Draya Logan
Dr. Draya Logan, a renowned marriage and sex therapist, finds herself entangled in lies, sex and murder....
P-Valley
Character: Chanisse
Down deep in the Mississippi Delta, Trap music meets film noir in this kaleidoscopic story of a little-strip-club-that-could and the big characters who come through its doors—the hopeful, the lost, the broken, the ballers, the beautiful, and the damned....
One on One
Character: Rhonda
A sportscaster becomes a full-time dad when his ex-wife decides to accept a job out of the country and his teenage daughter, Breanna, moves in with him....
Movie Credits
Phat Girlz
Character: Mia
Two large women struggle to find love and acceptance in a culture where thin is in. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they meet the men of their dreams in completely unexpected ways....
Bad Ass
Character: Amber Lamps
Decorated Vietnam hero, Frank Vega returns home only to get shunned by society leaving him without a job or his high school sweetheart. It's not until forty years later when an incident on a commuter bus makes him a local hero where he's suddenly celebrated once again. But his good fortune suddenly turns for the worse when his best friend is murdered and the police aren't doing anything about it....
Unthinkably Good Things
Character: Melina
Follows Allison at a crossroads in her career and love life, in need of the love and support of her two friends. After visiting her in Tuscany, each woman will reexamine the state of her own life and relationships....
Catch Hell
Character: Diane
Former Hollywood star Reagan Pearce is kidnapped by two men connected to his past while on location in Louisiana. When he wakes up bound and chained in a rundown shack, he soon discovers the real motives of his captors and finds himself in the middle of a twisted scheme with little chance to survive. With no rescue in sight, Reagan must use every ounce of strength he has left to break free and get his revenge....
Tournament of Dreams
Character: Capricorn
The Lady Cavaliers high school girls' basketball team is on the verge of extinction because of school budget cuts. The school's principal is just about consign the Cavs to oblivion when the team and certain faculty members fight back alongside a new coach who could take the team to new heights and prove that they belong. In addition to winning games, the girls face other obstacles such as love, loss and divorce....
Chasing Waterfalls
Character: Doreen
David is transported to the cut-throat world of fashion. Olivia, an up-and-coming fashion designer who gets the opportunity of a lifetime to work for icon Salma Barrie. But things go out of control when Olivia must step up to save the company and fight against a former co-worker who has started a competing company....
November Rule
Character: Jean Worther
Up-and-coming sports shoe entrepreneur Steve, who is still reeling from the death of his dad, has made a "November rule" in order to keep his distance from the women who seem to be getting too serious about their relationship. Every November 1st, Steve makes up a whopping lie in order to break up with his current girlfriend. However, this year, when he gives the beautiful Leah her walking papers, he realizes his immature and arbitrary rule has just lost him the woman of his dreams. But whether h...
Get Him to the Greek
Character: Sergio's Baby Mama
Pinnacle records has the perfect plan to get their sinking company back on track: a comeback concert in LA featuring Aldous Snow, a fading rockstar who has dropped off the radar in recent years. Record company intern Aaron Green is faced with the monumental task of bringing his idol, out of control rock star Aldous Snow, back to LA for his comeback show....
Hair Show
Character: Stephanie Cole
Running from the IRS due to back taxes, Baltimore hairdresser and salon owner Peaches reunites with her more successful sister, Angela, a fellow stylist, in Los Angeles. Angela is burdened by her sister's financial woes, and Peaches' rival, Marcella, threatens to take over the salon back in Baltimore. While Angela helps her sister get back on her feet, Peaches enters a hairstyling competition in hopes of winning a big cash prize and saving her salon....
Beauty Shop
Character: Mercedes
Far from Chicago, hairdresser Gina Norris has relocated to Atlanta with her daughter and has quickly established herself as a rare talent in her profession. But after repeatedly butting heads with her shady, over-the-top boss, Jorge, Norris sets out to create her own salon -- even snagging a few of Jorge's employees and clients. Now, Jorge will do anything to shut her down....
A Dark Way Out
Character: Justine
When a self-centered petty thief gets wind that a lavish home will be vacant for the weekend, he decides to take advantage. After breaking in and filling his bag with loot, he realizes the house he's robbing is already being robbed....