DeWanda Wise
Birthdate: May 30, 1984
Birthplace: Jessup, Maryland
DeWanda Wise is a diversified actor who has worked extensively in feature films, episodic and streaming television, and in theater. Wise’s feature debut was a supporting role in the Mark Brokaw-directed drama, Spinning Into Butter (2007), starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Mykelti Williamson, Miranda Richardson, and Beau Bridges.
Wise then joined the cast of director-writer Kyle Schickner’s indie, Steam (2007), co-starring Ally Sheedy, Kate Siegel, Ruby Dee, Alan Ritchson, and Chelsea Handler, followed by an uncredited role in producer-director Lee Daniels’ drama, Precious (2009), starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, and Lenny Kravitz, and winning two Oscars (supporting actress for Mo’Nique and best adapted screenplay), and grossing an excellent $63.6 million.
DeWanda Wise acted in several short films and then appeared in a supporting role in director/co-writer/producer Ben Bowman’s New York drama, Knucklehead (2015), with Gbenga Akinnagbe, Alfre Woodard, and Amari Cheatom, premiering at BAMCinématek New Voices in Black Cinema festival. Wise’s first big-screen starring role was in writer-director Tahir Jetter’s rom-com, How to Tell You’re a Douchebag (2016), with Charles Brice and William Jackson Harper, premiering at the Sundance film festival. Wise co-starred in The Weekend (2018), written and directed by Stella Meghie and featuring the ensemble of Sasheer Zamata, Tone Bell, Y’lan Noel, and Kym Whitley, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival and was released by Lionsgate.
After appearing in a few streaming movies on Netflix, Wise was part of the ensemble of filmmaker Jeymes Samuel’s revisionist Western, The Harder They Fall (2021), with Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Lakeith Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, and Deon Cole, and which premiered at the London film festival before being released theatrically and streaming via Netflix.
DeWanda Wise was cast in (and placed on the poster of) Universal Pictures’ $265 million sequel, Jurassic World Dominion (2022), co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow, and co-starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, Mamoudou Athie, BD Wong, and Omar Sy, grossing a potent $1 billion global return. Wise played support opposite Chris Pine, Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ray Wise, Juliet Mills, and Stephen Tobolowsky in the comedy mystery, Poolman (2023), Chris Pine’s debut as director/co-writer/producer, and picked up for distribution by Vertical Entertainment after its Toronto film festival premiere.
Wise then starred in the Blumhouse Productions/Lionsgate horror movie, Imaginary (2024), directed, co-written, and co-produced (with Jason Blum) by Jeff Wadlow, and with Pyper Braun and Betty Buckley. DeWanda Wise then co-starred with Guy Pearce and Tim Roth in the 1859 slave-era drama, Killing Faith (date to be announced), written and directed by Ned Crowley.
Personal Details
DeWanda Wise was born and raised in Jessup, Maryland, by her parents. After deciding against a career as a therapist, Wise discovered acting while attending Atholton High School. Wise earned a double major in drama and urban studies at New York University, where she studied theater at the Tisch School of the Arts and graduated in 2006. Wise has been married to actor Alano Miller since 2009. Wise’s height is 5’ 6”.
Filmography
actor
Previous (5)
- 2024 |
- 2024 |
- 2022 | Jurassic World DominionasKayla Watts
Jurassic World Dominion
Four years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, Biosyn operatives attempt to track down Maisie Lockwood, while Dr Ellie Sattler investigates a genetically engineered swarm of giant insects.
- 2021 | The Harder They Fall
The Harder They Fall
When an outlaw discovers his enemy is being released from prison, he reunites his gang to seek revenge in this Western. Drama Western.
- 2021 | Fatherhood
Fatherhood
A father brings up his baby girl as a single dad after the unexpected death of his wife who died a day after their daughter's birth.
Some Facts About DeWanda Wise
Fork in the Road: Instead of detention for infractions at her high school, DeWanda Wise was offered a part in one of the school’s theater productions by director Nathan Rosen.
Theater Artist: Wise’s numerous theater credits include major roles in Danai Gurura’s In the Continuum (Playmakers), Flight (City Theatre), David Mamet’s Race (Center Theater Group/Los Angeles Music Center), Dominique Morisseau’s Sunset Baby, and Donja R. Love’s Fireflies (Atlantic Theater Company).
