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Lela Rochon

Lela Rochon

Actor, also producer · Born April 17, 1964 (62) · Los Angeles, California, USA

Lela Rochon (born Lela Rochon Staples; April 17, 1964) is an American actress who is best known for her role as Robin Stokes in the movie Waiting to Exhale. In 1996, Lela was chosen by People (USA) magazine as one of the "50 most beautiful people in the world". Description above from the Wikipedia article Lela Rochon, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 17, 1964 (62)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
42 on MovieCove · 51 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 28% in 30 days

What are Lela Rochon's films like?

Across their 19 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 17th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Thriller2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 4th percentile
: browse their Thriller 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
Morality
33%
Bonds
22%
Self
16%
Society
12%
Survival
9%
Power
4%
Ideas
3%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 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 7 · Serious 2 · Dark 8

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

Grounded 13 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 5 · Charged 7 · Intense 5

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

Steady 8 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 1

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

A split, not a type: Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 9 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 2

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

A split, not a type: Easy watch 6 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 6

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

Resolved 15 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 6 of 12 analyzed roles.

Ally
6 of 12
Hero
3 of 12
Mentor
2 of 12
Shapeshifter
1 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Romantic
6
Dread
5
Melancholic
6
Hopeful
6
Other
14

How their films linger

Unsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet9
  • Ambiguous4

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 Lela Rochon's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 29 of their 42 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Lela Rochon'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

51 credits, 42 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story(2026)

    Executive Producer · as Monica White

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love(2026)

    as Deena

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Family Business: New Orleans(2025)

    Show 8 episodes · Associate Producer · as Big Shirley Duncan

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Tempted by Love: A Terry McMillan Presentation(2024)

    as Deena

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • David Makes Man(2019)

    Show 3 episodes · as Alma

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Alone Together(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Rose

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • The Chi(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Wedding Planner

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Training Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Craig

  • Insecure(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Jackie

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Reversion(2015)

    as Maya

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Supremacy(2014)

    as Mother

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Let the Church Say Amen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Brooklyn's Finest(2009)

    as Investigator #1 (as Lela Rochon Fuqua)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Blood Done Sign My Name(2010)

    as Roseanna Allen

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Fatal Secrets(2009)

    Associate Producer · as Sharlene

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • First Daughter(2004)

    as Liz Pappas

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

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

    Show 22 episodes · as Angela Reid

  • Labor Pains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Lulu Brown

  • Any Given Sunday(1999)

    as Vanessa Struthers

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Knock Off(1998)

    as Karen Lee

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Why Do Fools Fall in Love(1998)

    as Emira Eagle

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Big Hit(1998)

    as Chantel

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Ruby Bridges(1998)

    as Lucielle 'Lucy' Bridges

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Legal Deceit(1997)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Gang Related(1997)

    as Cynthia Webb

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Chamber(1996)

    as Nora Stark

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Mr. and Mrs. Loving(1996)

    as Mildred 'Bean' Jeter

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Waiting to Exhale(1995)

    as Robin

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Beth Carter

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Wayans Bros.(1995)

    Show 13 episodes · as Lisa Saunders

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • The Meteor Man(1993)

    as Vanessa

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Hangin' with Mr. Cooper(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Denise, Mark's Old Girl Friend · as Paula

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Out All Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Victoria

  • Boomerang(1992)

    as Christie

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Detective Extralarge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Wendy

  • Roc(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Carol

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Cindy

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Harlem Nights(1989)

    as Sunshine

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Mercedes

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Into the Homeland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Exquisite Woman

  • The Wild Pair(1987)

    as Debby

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • 21 Jump Street(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Denise Price

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Stewardess School(1986)

    as School Instructor

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Foxtrap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Lindy

  • 227(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • A Bunny's Tale(1985)

    as Charlotte

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo(1984)

    as Dancer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Cosby Show(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Veronica

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Breakin'(1984)

    as Extra in First Scene (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Facts of Life(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Shopping Cart Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Monica

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 51 titles, 50 of them dated from 1979 to 2026; peak year 1998.

Biggest box office

Waiting to Exhale (1995)

$81M worldwide

Highest rated

Ruby Bridges (1998)

Midcredits 85th

Most popular right now

The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story (2026)

Film career

19792026

Peak 1998 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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
Acting51 of 51: 48 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score52ndProducing3 of 51: 0 only producing, 3 with another role

51 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s12 · acting1990s19 · acting2000s4 · 4 acting · 1 crew2010s10 · acting2020s4 · 4 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles

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.

How do Lela Rochon's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41st percentile, the median of all 27; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 39th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 42 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 42 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · actor

Terry McMillan Presents: Tempted 2 Love (2026)

93rd percentile spread · 34% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Ruby Bridges (1998)

Midcredits 85th · 74% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 36. 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 Lela Rochon's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 2 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity6 titles23–65 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 68 · intenseMedian of all films: 36

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 Lela Rochon work with?

People who share at least 2 of Lela Rochon's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Terry McMillan shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers