Kimberly Elise

**Kimberly Elise Trammel**, known professionally as Kimberly Elise is an **American actress** with a prolific career spanning over two decades. She earned recognition with her debut *Set It Off* (1996) and later gained acclaim for *Beloved* (1998). Elise has also starred in various other blockbusters including *John Q.*, *The Manchurian Candidate*, and *The Great Debaters* all alongside Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry's *Diary of a Mad Black Woman* and *For Colored Girls*. She was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead for her performance in *Woman Thou Art Loosed* (2004) and had leading roles in numerous made-for-television movies. Besides films, Elise has also excelled on Television, exemplified by her work in the CBS crime drama series *Close to Home* (2005–07) and the VH1 comedy-drama series *Hit the Floor* (2013-2016). A four-time NAACP Image Awards winner, she displayed her talent across multiple genres and platforms. Elise was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Erma Jean, an elementary school teacher, and Marvin Trammel, who owns an executive search firm. She pursued a BA in Mass Communications at the University of Minnesota and attended The American Film Institute as a Directing Fellow. In her personal life, Elise, a committed vegan, has been married twice, first to Maurice Oldham and later to George McCrary. She is a mother of two and a noted advocate for a vegan lifestyle, working with PETA to spread awareness.