JoNell Kennedy

Kennedy's father, Joe Nathan Kennedy was a government employee, and mother is Joan Marie Johnson, was a member of the '60s girl group The Dixie Cups. She began her career in Chicago appearing in productions on the Steppenwolf Theatre, The Goodman Theatre and Victory Gardens Theatre. In 1992, Kennedy received Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Revue Actress for her role in the Spunk: Three Tales by Zora Neale Hurston. Since then, Kennedy appeared in Intimate Apparel, Eden, Cry the Beloved Country, Puddin' and Pete, Marvin's Room and Midsummer Night's Dream. In 2002, Kennedy recorded album with a soul band The Soul of John Black.

Kennedy made her screen debut in 1992, appearing in an supporting role in the romantic comedy film How U Like Me Now starring Salli Richardson. She later appeared in films Goodbye Lover (1998), Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005), Guess Who (2005), Dreamgirls (2006) and Fertile Ground (2011). On television, Kennedy guest-starred on more than 60 shows, including Living Single, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Seinfeld, The X Files, Touched by an Angel, Friends, The Mentalist, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Chicago Fire, NCIS: Los Angeles and Grey's Anatomy.