Gloria Reuben
Actress gloria reuben photo by christopher peterson cropped retouched.jpg
Reuben at the 35th International Emmy Awards Gala in 2007
Born
Gloria Elizabeth Reuben[1]

(1964-06-09) June 9, 1964 (age 57)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
OccupationActress, singer, producer
Years active1985–present

Gloria Elizabeth Reuben (born June 9, 1964) is a Canadian-American actress, producer, and singer. She is well-known for her role as Jeanie Boulet on the medical drama ER (1995–1999, 2008), for which she was twice nominated for an Emmy Award, and for portraying Elizabeth Keckley in the 2012 Academy Award–winning, Steven Spielberg–directed film Lincoln.

Additionally, she has been featured in films such as Timecop (1994), Nick of Time (1995), Admission (2013), and Reasonable Doubt (2014). She played Krista Gordon on Mr. Robot (2015–2019), as well as a recurring character on City on a Hill (since 2019). She also played Adina Johnson on Cloak & Dagger from 2018 to 2019.

Early life

Gloria Reuben was born on June 9, 1964, in Toronto, Ontario, to Pearl Avis (Mills), a classical singer, and Cyril George Reuben, an engineer.[2] Her parents are both Jamaican-born. Her father was mostly Jewish (with Ashkenazi and Sephardi roots), though he also had some African ancestry; her mother is of mostly African descent.[1][3] Her father died when she was young.[4][5][6][7] Reuben was the subject of a segment of Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s television genealogy series Finding Your Roots.

Reuben grew up one of six children.[8] Her older half-brother, Denis Simpson, was an actor and children's television host and died in 2010.[5] Her younger brother David died in 1988.[9] Reuben details her relationship and experience with the deaths of her brothers in her 2019 memoir My Brothers' Keeper.[10]

Reuben began learning piano as a child and later studied music technique and theory, ballet and jazz at the Royal Conservatory of Music.[6]

Career

Screen acting

Reuben began her career as an actress after having a few jobs as a model and in television advertisements.

Reuben came to prominence on the American television series ER as Jeanie Boulet, an HIV-positive physician assistant on the hospital's staff. She was a guest star throughout the first season and was promoted to full-time cast member at the beginning of the second. She continued that role until early in the sixth season. In 2008, Reuben returned to ER for one episode during its 14th season. She has stated that this role led to her HIV/AIDS activism.[11] In 1996, she was chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.[12]

Reuben again held a major role in a television series when she starred as FBI agent Brooke Haslett in 1-800-Missing (2003–2004). She later starred as Rosalind Whitman in the TNT series Raising the Bar.

Reuben guest-starred in the season two finale of Drop Dead Diva as Professor Kathy Miller.[13] Reuben guest-starred in season 12 of NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, reprising her role as U.S. Attorney Christine Danielson.[14] In 2012, she appeared in the CBS TV movie Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt. In 2012, Reuben played Elizabeth Keckley in the historical drama film Lincoln and her portrayal of the character received critical praise.[15] In 2013, she guest starred on the sci-fi drama series Falling Skies.

In October 2014, it was announced that Reuben had joined the cast of the USA Network series Mr. Robot.[16] Reuben plays Dr. Krista Gordon, the psychiatrist of the show's unstable main character, Elliott.[17] The show premiered on in June 2015. She acted in all four seasons of the show. At first a recurring role,[16] Reuben's character was upgraded to a season regular for the fourth and final season.

In 2017, Reuben was cast as Adina Johnson, mother of Tyrone Johnson, in the series Cloak & Dagger.

Stage acting

In 1999, Reuben acted in an off-Broadway production of The Vagina Monologues. In 2006, she starred as Condoleezza Rice in the play Stuff Happens at the Public Theater. The following year, she won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress, the preeminent honour for off-Broadway productions, for her portrayal. In 2008, she returned to the Public Theater for Conversations in Tusculum.[18]

Music

In 2000, Reuben sang backup vocals for Tina Turner on her Twenty Four Seven Tour.[18]

Reuben is a regularly performing jazz singer and pianist. She released her first record, Just for You, in December 2007.[19] Her second album, Perchance to Dream, was released in April 2015;[20] it was her first jazz record. Her latest album, For All We Know, was released on February 14th 2020 on the MCG Jazz recording label, where she is accompanied by guitarist and Grammy winning producer Marty Ashby.[21][22] She performed all around New York City in the fourth quarter of 2019 to promote her upcoming record.[21][23][24]

Author

On November 19, 2019, Reuben released a memoir, My Brothers' Keeper, detailing her journey and an exploration of the life she shared with her two brothers, as well as her emotions and experiences after their sudden deaths.[10]

Personal life

Reuben lives in Brooklyn, New York.[18]

Activism

Reuben is a committed social activist. In large part due to her role as an HIV-positive character in ER, she continues to raise awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic, lobbying for increased advocacy and speaking at several major fundraising events.[25] She also takes great interest in global issues, predominantly climate change, nature, and human rights.[26] Gloria Reuben is the president of Waterkeeper Alliance, an organization that strengthens and grows a global network of grassroots leaders protecting everyone’s right to clean water.[27] She is also a special adviser on climate change for The Climate Reality Project, former United States vice president Al Gore's environmental organization. She was formerly on the board for the National Wildlife Federation.[28] Reuben is also on the Leadership Council for the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights.[8]

Filmography

Key
Not yet releasedDenotes works that have not yet been released

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992Wild Orchid II: Two Shades of BlueCeleste
1994TimecopSarah Fielding
1995Nick of TimeKrista Brooks
1998IndiscreetEve Dodd
1999Macbeth in ManhattanClaudia/Lady Macbeth
1999David and LolaGloria
1999Deep in My HeartBarbara Ann Williams
2000PilgrimVicky
2000ShaftSgt. CouncilUncredited
2001The Feast of All SaintsCecile Ste. Marie
2002Happy Here and NowHannah
2003Salem Witch TrialsTituba Indian
2006The SentinelMrs. Merriweather
2007Life SupportSandra
2012LincolnElizabeth KeckleyNominated: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast
Detroit Film Critics Society for Best Ensemble
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble
2013AdmissionCorrinne
2014Reasonable DoubtDetective Blake Kanon
2015The Longest RideAdrienne Francis
2015AnesthesiaMeredith
2016Jean of the JonesesJanet
2017Who We Are NowRebecca
2018Every Day Is ChristmasLydia
2019The Jesus RollsLady Owner
2022Firestarter Not yet releasedCaptain HollisterFilming
TBAI Do Again Not yet releasedBrenda PettyFilming


Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985Polka Dot DoorHost
1990–1991The FlashSabrina5 episodes
1995Homicide: Life on the StreetDet. Theresa Walker3 episodes
1995–1999, 2008ERJeanie BouletSeries regular; 102 episodes
Won: Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (1996–1999)
Viewers for Quality Television for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1997–1998)
Nominated: Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (1998)
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1997–1998)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2000)
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (1996–1999)
2001–2002The AgencyLisa FabrizziRegular: episodes 1–13, 21–22
2002, 2007–2011Law & Order: Special Victims UnitViolet Tremain (2002) / Christine Danielson (2007–2011)4 episodes
2002Little JohnNatalie BritainTV film; Nominated – NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Film
2003–20041-800-MissingBrooke HaslettSeries regular; season 1: 18 episodes
2005Numb3rsErica QuimbyEpisode: "Noisy Edge"
2008–2009Raising the BarRosalind WhitmanSeries regular; 25 episodes
2010Drop Dead DivaProfessor Kathy MillerEpisode: "Freeze the Day"
2011Jesse Stone: Innocents LostThelma GleffeyTV Movie
2012Jesse Stone: Benefit of the DoubtThelma GleffeyTV Movie
2013Betty & CorettaMyrlie Evers-WilliamsTelevision film
2013Falling SkiesMarina Peralta10 episodes
2014Happy Face KillerFBI Agent Melinda GandTV Movie
2015The Music in MeGloriaTV Movie
2015–2017The BlacklistDr. Selma OrchardEpisode: "Luther Braxton Conclusion"
2015–2019Mr. RobotKrista GordonRecurring role
2015Jesse Stone: Lost in ParadiseThelma GleffeyTV Movie
2016–2017Saints & SinnersMayor Pamela ClayborneSeries regular
2017The BreaksMattie TaylorTV Series
2017The LibrariansJade WellsTV Series
2018BlindspotKira Evans5 episodes
2018–2019Cloak & DaggerAdina JohnsonSeries regular
2019–2021City on a HillEloise HastingsRecurring role[29]
2021Blue BloodsATF Agent Rachel Weber2 episodes
2022The First Lady Not yet releasedValerie JarrettFilming[30]

References

  1. ^ a b Stated on Finding Your Roots, PBS, September 23, 2014
  2. ^ Gloria Reuben profile, filmreference.com; accessed November 27, 2014.
  3. ^ Jr, Henry Louis Gates (January 28, 2016). Finding Your Roots, Season 2: The Official Companion to the PBS Series. ISBN 9781469626192.
  4. ^ Profile, interfaithfamily.com; accessed November 27, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Gloria!". Chatelaine. March 1999. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2010. Unfortunately, the interracial Jamaican family – her father was white, her mother black – was a conspicuous addition to the very white, very conservative community. "The realities of being a mulatto kid in London or Scarberia weren't always easy," says Reuben's half-brother Denis Simpson...
  6. ^ a b Williams, Kam (August 28, 2008). "Gloria Reuben: The Raising the Bar Interview with Kam Williams". The Sly Fox Film Reviews. Retrieved September 14, 2008. At 18, she won the Miss Black Ontario beauty pageant, although the crown did not come without controversy, as some people questioned whether she was deserving because one of her parents was white.
  7. ^ Bournea, Chris (April 3, 2007). "Gloria Reuben's Activism Moves from Screen to Real-Life Role". blackaids.org. ThisWeek Newspapers. Archived from the original on June 24, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2008. A Toronto native and daughter of a black mother and a white Canadian father...
  8. ^ a b "Gloria Reuben born". African American Registry. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  9. ^ "Actress Gloria Reuben Opens Up About a Very Personal Journey in New Book". Cheddar. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Reuben, Gloria (November 19, 2019). My Brothers' Keeper. ISBN 978-1-64293-410-6.
  11. ^ KTLA Morning Show interview, October 9, 2008.
  12. ^ Rne, Bridget (May 5, 2002). "Gloria Reuben takes time out from 'The Agency' for Hallmark's 'Little John'". nwi.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  13. ^ "Exclusive: Gloria Reuben to Guest-Star on Drop Dead Diva". TVGuide.com.
  14. ^ "Gloria Reuben Returns to SVU". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
  15. ^ "Oscars 2013: Keep Your Eye On...", ew.com; accessed November 27, 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Karen Pittman Joins The Americans; Gloria Reuben In Mr. Robot". Deadline. October 23, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  17. ^ "Krista Gordon played by Gloria Reuben | Characters & Cast | Mr. Robot". USA Network. August 16, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  18. ^ a b c "Gloria Reuben". iobdb.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  19. ^ "Just For You". www.amazon.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "Perchance to Dream". www.amazon.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  21. ^ a b "Gloria Reuben: From Ballads to Bossa". Feinstein's/54 Below. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  22. ^ "For All We Know". www.amazon.com. Retrieved February 2, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "- The Triad". www.triadnyc.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  24. ^ "Pizza Express Live". www.pizzaexpresslive.com. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  25. ^ "Gloria Reuben | People | Pioneers of Television | PBS". Pioneers of Television. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  26. ^ "Gloria Reuben to Jamie Dimon – Stop Bankrolling MTR and the Coal Industry! – The Understory". Rainforest Action Network. October 26, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  27. ^ "Gloria Reuben". Waterkeeper. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  28. ^ "The National Wildlife Federation Blog". The National Wildlife Federation Blog. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
  29. ^ Hipes, Patrick (February 26, 2019). "'City On A Hill': James Remar & Gloria Reuben To Recur On Showtime Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  30. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 4, 2021). "Gloria Reuben Joins Blumhouse's 'Firestarter' & Showtime Anthology Series 'The First Lady'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 9, 2021.

External links