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Crystal R. Fox

Crystal R. Fox

Crystal R. Fox is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Luann Corbin in the NBC/CBS police drama series In the Heat of the Night (1989-1995), and as Hanna Young in the Oprah Winfrey Network prime time soap opera, The Haves and the Have Nots (2013–present).

Crystal R. Fox
Born
Tryon, North Carolina,[1] U.S.
OccupationActress, singer
Years active1989–present

Life and career

Fox was born in Tryon, North Carolina. She made her big screen debut playing Katie Bell in the Academy Award-winning comedy-drama film Driving Miss Daisy (1989) starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy. She later joined the cast of NBC police drama series In the Heat of the Night in its third season, playing Luann Corbin. She was a regular cast member through the series finale in 1995, appearing in more than 100 episodes.[2] In the 1990s, Fox had supporting roles in films Drop Squad (1994) and Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored (1995) opposite Phylicia Rashad and Al Freeman, Jr.. On television, she guest-starred on Law & Order, The Sopranos, and Third Watch. Fox also co-starred opposite Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen in the 2001 PBS production of The Old Settler.[3]

Fox has appeared in many stage productions during her career.[4] She has worked in New York City, Alexandria, Silver Spring, and Atlanta, where she lives.[5] She received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for her performance in the 2002 play Home.[5] Her other stage credits include For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf, Antony and Cleopatra, The Comedy of Errors, A Raisin in the Sun, The Colored Museum, The Amen Corner, The Boys from Syracuse, Bessie's Blues, Little Shop of Horrors and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.[5] The was a member of the Alliance Theatre for many years.[6] During 2014-15, she acted as lead in the play Blues for an Alabama Sky.[7]

In 2013, Fox was cast in the Oprah Winfrey Network prime time soap opera The Haves and the Have Nots, produced by Tyler Perry.[8] She plays the leading role of Hanna Young, the single mother who works as the rich family's maid and also serves as the best friend and confidante of the lady of the house, Katheryn Cryer (played by Renee Lawless). The series also stars Tika Sumpter, Angela Robinson, and John Schneider. Fox has received positive reviews for her performance in the show.[9][10]

In 2018, Fox was cast in a series regular role for the second season of HBO drama series Big Little Lies as Zoë Kravitz’s character's mother Elizabeth Howard.[11][12][13]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989Driving Miss DaisyKatie Bell
1991Separate but EqualNAACP telephone receptionistTelevision film
1994Drop SquadZora
1995Once Upon a Time...When We Were ColoredMiss Doll
2001The Old SettlerLou BessieSegment "Charmaine"
2014Ir/ReconcilablePamShort film
2016Coffee KlatchCindy Mercer
2018BurdenJanice Kennedy

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989-1995In the Heat of the NightLuann CorbinSeries regular, 102 episodes
1996SavannahDA Laine ThompkinsEpisodes: "From Here to Paternity" and "Creep Throat"
2001Law & OrderMancelliEpisode: "White Lie"
2001The SopranosNurseEpisode: "Pine Barrens"
2001Third WatchNunezEpisode: "And Zeus Wept"
2010Tyler Perry's House of PayneCJ & Janine's nanny/housekeeper, Ms. WillaminaRecurring role, 5 episodes
2013–presentThe Haves and the Have NotsHanna YoungSeries regular
2019Big Little LiesElizabeth HowardRecurring role

References

[1]
Citation Linkwww.filmreference.com"Crystal R. Fox Biography". film reference. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[2]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.orgEncyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television. McFarland. 2009. ISBN 978-0786437900.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[3]
Citation Linkwww.rottentomatoes.com"The Old Settler". 25 April 2001. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[4]
Citation Linkwww.oprah.com"Crystal Fox as 'Hanna Young'". OWN. Retrieved 2013-04-08.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[5]
Citation Linkwww.encyclopedia.com"Fox, Crystal R." Retrieved 15 February 2016.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[6]
Citation Linkalliancetheatre.org"Crystal Fox". Alliance Theatre. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[7]
Citation Linkatlantajewishtimes.comJewish Times. "Crystal Fox". Atlanta Jewish Times. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[8]
Citation Linkvariety.comBrian Lowry. "Tyler Perry's "The Haves and Have Nots" Premieres on OWN - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[9]
Citation Linktvline.comTeam TVLine. "Keegan-Michael Key's 'Playing House' Performance — Season 2, Episode 4 - TVLine". TVLine. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[10]
Citation Linkrollingout.com"Crystal Fox spills 'The Haves and the Have Nots' secrets before season finale - Rolling Out". Rolling Out. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[11]
Citation Linkdeadline.comPetski, Denise (3 April 2018). "'Big Little Lies' Closes Deals For 4 To Return; Adds Two New Season 2 Cast Members". Retrieved 4 April 2018.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[12]
Citation Linktvline.comNemetz, Dave (3 April 2018). "Big Little Lies: Merrin Dungey to Return, Plus Robin Weigert and 2 Others". Retrieved 4 April 2018.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[13]
Citation Linkvariety.comOtterson, Joe (3 April 2018). "'Big Little Lies' Season 2 Brings Back Four Cast Members, Adds Two More". Retrieved 4 April 2018.
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[14]
Citation Linkwww.imdb.comCrystal R. Fox
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[15]
Citation Linkwww.filmreference.com"Crystal R. Fox Biography"
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[16]
Citation Linkwww.rottentomatoes.com"The Old Settler"
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[17]
Citation Linkwww.oprah.com"Crystal Fox as 'Hanna Young'"
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[18]
Citation Linkwww.encyclopedia.com"Fox, Crystal R."
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[19]
Citation Linkalliancetheatre.org"Crystal Fox"
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM
[20]
Citation Linkatlantajewishtimes.com"Crystal Fox"
Sep 28, 2019, 9:45 PM