Baby Boy

Background:

American actress and model Angell Conwell is known for playing roles in several movies such as “Baby Boy” (2001, shared a Locarno International Film Festival Award), “The Wash” (2001), “Soul Plane” (2004), “Show Stoppers” (2008), “Love for Sale” (2008), “There's a Stranger in my House” (2009) and “Frankenhood” (2009) as well as for guest starring in the TV series “Renegade,” “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “NYPD Blue,” “City Guys” and “That's So Raven,” among other shows. The South Carolina native started her career as a model when she was still a child, but did not branch out to acting until after she relocated to Los Angeles in 1994 at age 11.

Student Body President

Childhood and Family:

Angell Conwell was born on August 2, 1983, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. When she was 2 yaers old, her family relocated to Columbia, South Carolina. She attended elementary school at Seven Oaks Elementary School in Columbia, where she became the first African American student body president.

In 1994, the then 11 years old Angell headed to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

Perfect Combination

Career:

Angell Conwell began competing in beauty pageants and conventions when she was a little child. She later signed with Wilhemenia Models children's division, Wee Willys New York, and participated in a number of fashions shows, print ads and commercials. By age 11, the industrious girl had made the move to Los Angeles to chase her ambitions.

Once arriving in L.A., Conwell landed a starring role in the CBS pilot “On Our Own,” with Salt & Pepa. Although the pilot was unsold, she quickly got a two episode arc in the popular CBS comedy series “Dave's World” (1994-1995), playing Carly, and portrayed Jackie in an episode of the syndication action series “Renegade” called “Repo Raines” (1995). She went on to appear in episodes of “Party Girl” (1996), “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” (1998), “NYPD Blue” (2000), “3rd Rock from the Sun” (2000), “The Parkers” (2000) and “Moesha” (2001), but she did not return to series TV as a recurring player until she joined the cast of the comedy series “City Guys” in 2001. There she played Kianna in the episodes “Basket Case,” “Why Y'all Clippin,” “Prose and Cons,” “Prom-Lems” and “Goodbye Manny High.” She also played Natalie in the TV series “Web Girl” (2001).

Still in 2001, Conwell made her feature film acting debut in the comedy/crime “Baby Boy,” directed and written by John Singleton. Playing the supporting role of Kim, the spirited girlfriend of Omar Gooding, she jointly netted Special Mention Award at the 2001 Locarno International Film Festival. Other costars in the film included Tyrese Gibson, Taraji P. Henson, Tamara LaSeon Bass, Candy Ann Brown, A.J. Johnson, Ving Rhames and Snoop Dogg. Later that same year, she played Vanessa in the film “Flossin,” about an African American teenager (Ernest) who lives in Bel Air. The film starred Tyrone Burton as Ernest and jointly directed by Jimmy and Todd Bridges. She rejoined Snoop Dogg for the DJ Pooh-directed hip hop styled film “The Wash,” starring Dogg, Dr. Dre and Eminem. With original budget $4 million, “The Wash” grossed $10,097,538 domestically and $ 131, 793 internationally for a total worldwide gross of $10,229,331.

Conwell costarred as Alex in her TV film debut, “What About Your Friends: Weekend Getaway” (2002, UPN), opposite Keisha Knight Pulliam and Louis Gossett Jr.. The drama/family was directed by Niva Dorell and written by Kim Watson. She then supported Kent King and Gwen McGee in the 42 minute comedy film “BraceFace Brandi” (2002), written and helmed by Brandy Menefee. Back to the small screen, she guested in “One on One” (as Amanda) and “My Wife and Kids” (as Tiffany) (both 2003) and played the recurring role of the straight-laced cousin, Andrea, in the Disney hit “That's So Raven” (2 episodes, 2003-2004).

2004 saw Conwell join the ensemble cast of MGM's comedy “Soul Plane,” directed by Jessy Terrero and starring Kevin Hart, Method Man, Tom Arnold, D.L. Hughley, Mo'Nique, K.D. Aubert, Godfrey, and Snoop Dogg. She was cast as Tamika, one of three piquant stewardess, in the movie. She then appeared in the low key film “Sugar Valentine” (2004), starred as Cathy Johnson in Lawrence Page's Confessions (2006), with Lynn Whitfield and Clifton Powell, and had the supporting role of Cherise Powell in the direct to video sequel “Half Past Dead 2” (2007).

2008 marked a busy year for Conwell with six different film projects under her belt. She teamed up with Chris Conrad, Alexander Martin, Kat Hawks, Brock Kelly and Mary Stein in the horror “Portal,” helmed by Geoffrey Schaaf, costarred as Pam, opposite Faune A. Chambers as Destiny, in the comedy/drama “Show Stoppers” for director/writer Barry Bowles, portrayed Brenda in Greg Young's “Who's Deal?” and starred as Kayla in the thriller “Jury of Our Peers,” along side Chaysen Beacham, Carrie Anne Hunt and Dorian Missick. She also played Sida in the comedy/drama “Love for Sale,” opposite Jackie Long, Jason Weaver, Mya, Melyssa Ford, Essence Atkins and Tanjareen Marti, and Stephanie in the direct to video “Keepin' the Faith: Lookin' for Mr. Right,” directed by Marcello Thedford.

Recently, Conwell starred in the Clifton Powell-helmed musical “There's a Stranger in my House” (2009), playing Chelsea, and played the supporting role of Sabrina in the comedy/horror “Frankenhood” (2009), starring DeRay Davis and directed by Blaxwell Smart. She will work with Melissa De Sousa, Bianca Lawson, Natalie Raitano, Drew Sidora and Rachel True in the comedy film “Killing of Wendy” (2009), directed by David Hickson and written by Jason Conway. She is also set to portray Alex in the upcoming romance/comedy “Perfect Combination,” which is scheduled to be released on December 25, 2010. In the forthcoming comedy “Hollywont” (2010), she will have a featured role as celebrity presenter. Costars in the film include David Faustino, Corin Nemec, Issacson, Dee Wallace, Eddie Griffin and Jason Weaver.

Awards:

• Locarno International Film Festival: Special Mention, “Baby Boy,” 2001