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Valarie Pettiford

Valarie Pettiford

Actor · Born July 8, 1960 (66) · Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Valarie Pettiford's career glitters like the lights on Broadway. An award-winning triple-threat, Valarie has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment, but has never let her brushes with fame go to her head. Although some would argue that she is a celebrity in her own right, Valarie is still a humble girl from Queens. On screen, at age 14, Pettiford starred in the chorus of the film The Wiz (1978). She has appeared in such films as The Cotton Club (1984), Glitter (2001), Stomp the Yard (2007), Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010), the short film musical Not Your Time (2010), the award-winning short film Response (2009) and Jumping the Broom (2011) from Sony Pictures. Her role in the acclaimed independent film Why Am I Doing This? (2009) earned her a glowing mention in the L.A. Times. Her role as Big Dee Dee Thorne on the hit sitcom Half & Half (2002) earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations. Valarie plays the recurring role of Sandra Lucas on Tyler Perry's House of Payne (2006). Other notable television appearances include guest-starring roles on Criminal Minds (2005), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000), CSI: Miami (2002), The District (2000), The West Wing (1999), Frasier (1993), One Life to Live (1968), Bones (2005), The Cape (1996) and The Finder (2012). She had a recurring guest star on the hit HBO series Treme (2010). Valarie's theatre credits read like a prestigious shopping list, with numerous accolades for the execution of her craft. Valarie won NAACP Theatre and Garland Awards for Best Actress in "The Wild Party." She was honored with NAACP, Robby and Reader's Choice Awardsfor for her role in "Show Boat." Both performances were nominated for Ovation Awards. Valarie was a member of the original casts of "Sophisticated Ladies", understudying Judith Jamison, and "Fosse", for which she was recognized by the Drama League and nominated for Outer Critics Circle, Dora Mavor Moore and Tony Awards. Valarie performed alongside Chita Rivera in the West End debut of "Chicago", and subsequently performed "All That Jazz" as a tribute to Rivera at the Kennedy Center Honors. However, her self-proclaimed career highlight was the fulfillment of a life-long dream; she recorded her first album, "Hear My Soul". An accomplished stage performer, Valarie has performed her successful one-woman shows to sold-out audiences coast to coast. She has performed with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in New York and Miami in the musical tribute to their father, called "Babalu". Valarie enjoyed stellar reviews in both cities. Proving that her voice ad presence are both Broadway bold, she is a regular guest soloist with the Pasadena Symphony for their annual Pops program. In the traditional sense of the word, Valarie Pettiford is a diva, a master of her craft who has the ability to command attention. Whether she would agree, or try to harness that power, is anyone's guess.

Read more

Biography from IMDb.

Born
July 8, 1960 (66)
From
Queens, New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
51 on MovieCove · 69 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 65 days to Oct 28Up 12% in 30 days

What are Valarie Pettiford's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Family2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Family 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
Bonds
47%
Self
27%
Morality
16%
Society
4%
Ideas
2%
Power
2%
Survival
1%
Family bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 11 · Serious 2 · Dark 2

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

Grounded 12 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 7 · Charged 6 · Intense 2

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

Steady 10 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 11 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 15 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 3 of 5 analyzed roles.

Mentor
3 of 5
Ally
2 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Romantic
8
Warm
7
Tense
6
Hopeful
7
Joyful
7
Other
14

How their films linger

Feel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet6
  • Ambiguous3

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 Valarie Pettiford's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 43 of their 51 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Valarie Pettiford'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

69 credits, 51 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Too Many Christmases (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Regina

  • How to Die Alone(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as Vanessa

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • The Baxters(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Diane

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • A Wesley Christmas Wedding (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Diana Johnson-Benton

  • Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding(2022)

    as Nancy

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Rookie: Feds(2022)

    Show 3 episodes · as Ruth Jackson

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • Six (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Nyman

  • Hip Hop Family Christmas(2021)

    as Nancy

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Love Is Love Is Love(2020)

    as Wendy (segment "Late Lunch")

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Home Economics(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Rachel

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Senior Moment(2021)

    as Judge Alice Miller

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Equalizer(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Carol Dante

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Merry Switchmas(2021)

    as Colleen

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • If Not Now, When?(2019)

    as Lorna

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • #BlackAF(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Grandma

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • Truth Be Told(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Leona Parnell

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • The Mandalorian(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Aristocrat 1

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • First Wives Club(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Nancy

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Fosse/Verdon(2019)

    Show 8 episodes · Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Jingle Belle(2018)

    as Faith Williams

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Family Business(2018)

    Show 62 episodes · as Charlotte Duncan

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • A Discovery of Witches(2018)

    Show 15 episodes · as Emily Mather

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • We Belong Together (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Diane

  • The Choir Director (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Fist Lady Charlene Wilson

  • No More Mr Nice Guy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Lorna Monroe

  • The Preacher's Son(2017)

    as First Lady Charlene WIlson

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Secrets of Emily Blair(2016)

    as Detective Henson

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Welcome to the Family(2015)

    as Angela

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Will To Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Avyon Hawkins

  • My Favorite Five(2015)

    as Pamela Colburn

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Black-ish(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Donna Duckworth

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • The Dempsey Sisters(2013)

    as Elizabeth Dempsey

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Blacklist(2013)

    Show 9 episodes · as Charlene Cooper

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Love Will Keep Us Together (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Paula

  • Golden Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 3 episodes · as Maxine · as Maxine Owen

  • Stars in Shorts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Angel of Death

  • Note to Self(2012)

    as Mildred 'Momma' King

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Finder(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Chatney Dubois

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Hart of Dixie(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Carolyn Hayes

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Jumping the Broom(2011)

    as Aunt Geneva

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Cape(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Preston

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all shows

  • Not Your Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Angel of Death

  • Why Am I Doing This?(2009)

    as Natalie

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • True Blood(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mary Wright

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Stomp the Yard(2007)

    as Jackie

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Sharon Harris

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Ellen Laskow

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sonia Eberhart

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Lana Whitford

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Half & Half(2002)

    Show 91 episodes · as Big Dee Dee Thorne

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Like Mike(2002)

    as Mrs. Boyd

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Men, Women & Dogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Teri Forrester

  • Glitter(2001)

    as Lillian Frank

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Confidences (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • The District (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 5 episodes · as Gayle Noland

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Susan Latham

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Jack & Jill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Gabi

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as White House Security Guard Janice

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • Sabrina the Teenage Witch(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Calliope

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Sentinel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Angie Ferris

  • Sliders(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Grace Venable

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Frasier(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as PR Woman

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Walker, Texas Ranger(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Angel Blake

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Silk Stalkings(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Street Hunter(1990)

    as Denise

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • The Equalizer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Jackie

  • The Cotton Club(1984)

    as Dancer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Another World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1,547 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 89th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 68 titles from 1964 to 2024; peak year 2006.

Biggest box office

Stomp the Yard (2007)

$76M worldwide

Highest rated

A Discovery of Witches (2018)

Midcredits 83rd

Film career

19642024

Peak 2006 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. 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
Acting67 of 68: 67 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score47thOther crew1 of 68: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1980s2 · acting1990s10 · acting2000s14 · acting2010s27 · 26 acting · 1 crew2020s14 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 5 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 Valarie Pettiford's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 38th percentile, the median of all 20; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 35th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Approval · how many liked their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 51 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th17
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 51 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned1
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive7
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Mixed21

Most divisive · actor

Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding (2022)

98th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Blacklist (2013)

Midcredits 87th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 53/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 70, detractors 34. 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 Valarie Pettiford's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 53 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 35 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 48 · moderateMedian of all films: 36

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Valarie Pettiford work with?

People who share at least 2 of Valarie Pettiford's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Trey Haley shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Producers