Acting
Sep 23, 1976
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Joyful Drake
Acting
Biography
Joyful Drake, the much-loved Tasha on the iconic BET comedy series “Let’s Stay Together” is on the scene in a big way. In addition to a recurring role in Starz’s “P-Valley,” she also leads the eight-episode upcoming drama series “HUSH” for streamer ALLBLK. Creator Angela Burd Murray describes the series as, “a sexy drama about four dynamic women who will stop at nothing to get what they want.” Drake starred opposite DJ Qualls in November Rule, opposite Ryan Phillippe in Catch Hell and was Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ girlfriend in Judd Apatow’s Get Him to the Greek. Other notable film roles include Beauty Shop with Queen Latifah, Phat Girlz with Mo’Nique and she starred as a woman trying to escape an abusive relationship in the independent drama feature Bad Ass opposite Danny Trejo and Ving Rhames. Drake has also guest starred in television episodes of “Jane the Virgin,” “One on One,” “Cuts,” “The Game,” “The Exes” and “The Quads.” Born and raised in Milwaukee and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Drake is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. While in college, she experienced her first brush with the entertainment industry. For two and-a-half years she had an exciting time as a dancer for the NBA Milwaukee Bucks. She remains an avid fan and also loves the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. After graduation, she moved to New York to pursue an acting career. Her first job was a recurring role on the hit Showtime series “Soul Food.” Drake makes her home in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter Beau.
Feature Films (12)
Two large women struggle to find love and acceptance in a culture where thin is in. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they meet the men of their dreams in completely unexpected ways.
Phat Girlz
Decorated Vietnam hero, Frank Vega returns home only to get shunned by society leaving him without a job or his high school sweetheart. It's not until forty years later when an incident on a commuter bus makes him a local hero where he's suddenly celebrated once again. But his good fortune suddenly turns for the worse when his best friend is murdered and the police aren't doing anything about it.
Bad Ass
Follows Allison at a crossroads in her career and love life, in need of the love and support of her two friends. After visiting her in Tuscany, each woman will reexamine the state of her own life and relationships.
Unthinkably Good Things
Former Hollywood star Reagan Pearce is kidnapped by two men connected to his past while on location in Louisiana. When he wakes up bound and chained in a rundown shack, he soon discovers the real motives of his captors and finds himself in the middle of a twisted scheme with little chance to survive. With no rescue in sight, Reagan must use every ounce of strength he has left to break free and get his revenge.
Catch Hell
The Lady Cavaliers high school girls' basketball team is on the verge of extinction because of school budget cuts. The school's principal is just about consign the Cavs to oblivion when the team and certain faculty members fight back alongside a new coach who could take the team to new heights and prove that they belong. In addition to winning games, the girls face other obstacles such as love, loss and divorce.
Tournament of Dreams
Television & Series (12)
Cuts is an American sitcom that aired on the UPN network from February 14, 2005, to May 11, 2006, and is a spin-off of another UPN series, One on One. The show was canceled along with many other shows when the UPN and WB networks merged to form The CW.
Cuts
Soul Food: The Series is a television drama that aired Wednesday nights on Showtime from June 28, 2000 to May 26, 2004. Created by filmmaker George Tillman, Jr. and developed for television by Felicia D. Henderson, Soul Food is based upon Tillman's childhood experiences growing up in Wisconsin, and is a continuation of his successful 1997 film of the same name. Having aired for 74 episodes, it is the longest running drama with a predominantly black cast in the history of North American prime-time television.
Soul Food
Let's Stay Together is an American romantic comedy television series created by Jacque Edmonds Cofer. It premiered on BET on January 11, 2011. The title of the series refers to the Al Green landmark 1972 song of the same name. The series premiere drew 4.4 million viewers. Initially, Soul Food star Malinda Williams was cast in the lead role of Stacy. For undisclosed reasons, she was recast with Nadine Ellis. On April 20, 2013, BET announced that the series was renewed for a second season which aired 22 episodes starting in January 2012. For its second season, Erica Hubbard appeared infrequently due to her pregnancy. New cast member Kyla Pratt joined the cast portraying Crystal, Charles and Kita's cousin. At the 2012 BET Upfront on April 13, 2012, it was revealed that the show has been renewed for a third season. The third season premiered on March 26, 2013. In April 2013, BET Networks announced the show had been renewed for a fourth season that will premiere in early 2014.
Let's Stay Together
A comedy-drama following a chaste young woman who is accidentally impregnated via artificial insemination as she struggles to inform her devoutly religious family and make the right choices concerning the child. Based on the telenovela "Juana la virgen."
