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Rae Dawn Chong

Rae Dawn Chong

Actor · Born February 28, 1961 (65) · Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Rae Dawn Chong, a Canadian-American actress, has graced screens for decades. Born in Edmonton in 1961, the daughter of comedian Tommy Chong, her heritage reflects a rich mix of African-American, Native American, Asian, and Scottish-Irish ancestry. After her debut in the 1978 film "Stony Island," Chong's breakthrough came in 1981 with "Quest for Fire," which earned her a prestigious Genie Award for Best Actress. Throughout the 80s, she thrived with diverse roles in films like "Beat Street," "The Color Purple," "Commando," and "Soul Man," showcasing her versatility across comedies, dramas, and thrillers. Continuing to act in the 90s and beyond, Chong has also been a philanthropist, supporting charities and even discovering a future star (Chris Pratt) during his early days as a waiter. With her impactful performances, Rae Dawn Chong remains a remarkable figure in the entertainment industry.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 28, 1961 (65)
From
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Works as
Actor
Titles
49 on MovieCove · 82 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 6% in 30 days

What are Rae Dawn Chong's films like?

Across their 39 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Bonds.

Genres

Drama12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 10th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 9th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Fantasy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 10th percentile
: browse their Fantasy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
27%
Bonds
23%
Morality
21%
Self
16%
Power
7%
Ideas
4%
Society
3%
Family bonds11 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival10 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 39 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 14 · Serious 11 · Dark 14

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 24 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 24 · Intense 11

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 16 · Shifting 20 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 26 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 18 · Even-paced 20 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 18 · Engaged 20 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 14 · Affecting 19 · Heavy 6

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 11 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

20 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 9 of 20 analyzed roles.

Ally
9 of 20
Herald
3 of 20
Mentor
3 of 20
Shapeshifter
2 of 20
Hero
2 of 20
Shadow
1 of 20
Show the 20 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
28
Melancholic
14
Dread
7
Absurd
7
Thrilling
8
Other
31

How their films linger

Bittersweet17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet18
  • Ambiguous7
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Rae Dawn Chong's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 35 of their 49 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (22).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Rae Dawn Chong's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

82 credits, 49 with a MovieCove page; 10 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Moodswing Whiskey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Mama Marks

  • Scared to Death(2024)

    as Ruth

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Raven(2026)

    as Nurse Virginia

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Feel(2025)

    as Sitter 5

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Mistress(2022)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Interview with the Vampire(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as Florence de Pointe du Lac

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • We Are Gathered Here Today(2022)

    as Mary Reed

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Sleeping Negro(2021)

    as Black Woman

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Reborn(2018)

    as Dory Ryder

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • 9-1-1(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · as Stacey Mullins

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Five Minutes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Delores

  • Better Things(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • American Crime Story(2016)

    Show 8 episodes · as Betty Currie

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Knock 'em Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Jenny

  • Pegasus Vs. Chimera(2012)

    as Mayda

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Shiver(2012)

    as Detective Burdine

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Jeff, Who Lives at Home(2011)

    as Carol

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Cyrus(2010)

    as Vivian

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Constellation(2005)

    as Jenita

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Greasy Rider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Force of Impact(2006)

    as Madison Taylor

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Max Havoc: Ring of Fire(2006)

    as Sister Caroline

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Wild Card (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 18 episodes · as Sophie Mason

  • That's So Raven(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Lynn Thomas

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Highball (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Rae Dawn Chong

  • The Visit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Felicia

  • Mysterious Ways (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 44 episodes · as Dr. Peggy Fowler

  • The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story(2000)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Dangerous Attraction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Ann Rich

  • Cursed Part 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director

  • Judging Amy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Atty. Westland

  • Things I Forgot to Remember (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Mary

  • Valentine's Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Sally

  • Alibi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as D.A. Linda Garcia

  • Goodbye America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Special Agent Danzig

  • For Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Woman at Bar (uncredited)

  • Small Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as The Woman

  • E! True Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Starlight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Mask of Death(1996)

    as Cassandra Turner

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Break(1995)

    as Jennifer Irons

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Power of Attorney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Joan Armstrong

  • Crying Freeman(1995)

    as Detective Forge

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Karen Heatherton

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Hideaway(1995)

    as Rose Orwetto

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Boca (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as J.J.

  • Boulevard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Ola

  • Father & Son: Dangerous Relations(1993)

    as Yvonne

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Time Runner(1993)

    as Karen Donaldson

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • When the Party's Over(1992)

    as M.J.

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Highlander(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Claudia Jardine

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Melrose Place(1992)

    Show 3 episodes · as Carrie Fellows

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • The Borrower(1991)

    as Diana Pierce

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Chaindance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Ilene Curtis

  • Prison Stories: Women on the Inside(1991)

    as Rhonda

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Amazon(1990)

    as Paola

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Curiosity Kills (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Jane

  • Tales from the Darkside: The Movie(1990)

    as Carola (segment ‘Lover’s Vow’)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Denial(1990)

    as Julie

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Principal(1987)

    as Hilary Orozco

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Squeeze(1987)

    as Rachel Dobs

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Running Out of Luck(1985)

    as Slave Girl

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Zabagabee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Soul Man(1986)

    as Sarah Walker

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Casey at the Bat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Circe Lafemme

  • The Color Purple(1985)

    as Squeak

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Commando(1985)

    as Cindy

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Tall Tales & Legends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Circe Lafemme

  • City Limits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Yogi

  • American Flyers(1985)

    as Sarah

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Badge of the Assassin(1985)

    as Christine Horn

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Choose Me(1984)

    as Pearl Antoine

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Cheech & Chong's: The Corsican Brothers(1984)

    as The Gypsy

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Fear City(1984)

    as Leila

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Beat Street(1984)

    as Tracy Carlson

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Hitchhiker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Leesa White

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 4 episodes · as Hooker

  • Quest for Fire(1981)

    as Ika

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Top of the Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Rita

  • Stony Island(1978)

    as Janetta

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Whiz Kid and the Mystery at Riverton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Greta

  • Relapse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Accountant

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 82 titles, 81 of them dated from 1974 to 2026; peak year 1984.

Biggest box office

The Color Purple (1985)

$98M worldwide

Highest rated

The Color Purple (1985)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Commando (1985)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19742026

Peak 1984 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 11 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting81 of 82: 81 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score29thDirecting1 of 82: 1 only directing, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s2 · acting1980s20 · acting1990s29 · acting2000s12 · 11 acting · 1 crew2010s10 · acting2020s8 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 8% of 24 roles
818606

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Rae Dawn Chong's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 22nd percentile, the median of all 41; across their 39 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 24th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

24thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Approval · how many liked their films

24thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Reach · how many have seen their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 39

Midcredits score across 49 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th22

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 49 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned4
  • Divisive5
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · actor

The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story (2000)

99th percentile spread · 34% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Color Purple (1985)

Midcredits 96th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 54/100 in their films, across 32 reviewed titles; fans 70, detractors 35. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Rae Dawn Chong's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles51–89 · median 73 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles25–69 · median 53 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles31–82 · median 66 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles20–58 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles49–77 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Rae Dawn Chong work with?

People who share at least 2 of Rae Dawn Chong's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Billy Dee Williams shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers