Biography
Best-known for her roles in "The Players Club" (1998) and "The Best Man" (1999), Daytime Emmy nominee Monica Calhoun became a regular presence in Hollywood's African-American community starting in the late 1980s. Born in Philadelphia in 1971, Calhoun's potential was first spotted as a teenager by a talent scout at a theater summer camp, and after making her on-screen debut in the Dr. Lois Lee biopic "Children Of The Night" (1985), she was cast as truck stop owner Brenda's (Whoopi Goldberg) rebellious daughter in both the big-screen version of the comedy-drama "Bagdad Cafe" (1987) and its short-lived TV adaptation (CBS 1990-91). Having previously appeared in two earlier "ABC Afterschool Specials" (ABC 1980-1996), Calhoun then received a Daytime Emmy nomination for her performance in her third, "Different Worlds: A Story Of Interracial Love," before going on to play eldest sister Rebbie Jackson in "The Jacksons: An American Dream" (1992) and civil rights activist Minnijean Brown in "The Ernest Green Story" (1993). Following small parts in "Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit" (1993) and "Jack The Bear" (1993) and guest slots on the television sitcoms "A Different World" (NBC 1987-1993) and "The Wayans Bros" (The WB 1995-99), Calhoun made further notable appearances in TV movies "Rebound: The Legend Of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault" (1996) and "The Ditchdigger's Daughters" (1997). Calhoun then landed two of her most memorable roles in quick succession, tragic stripper Ebony in Ice Cube's directorial debut, "The Players Club" (1998) and Mia Morgan, the bride-to-be who has an affair with Taye Diggs's title character in Malcolm D. Lee's sleeper hit "The Best Man" (1999). After appearing in the well-reviewed romantic drama "Love & Basketball" (2000), Calhoun spent several years appearing in small, often low-budget indie films such as the erotic thriller "Trois 2: Pandora's Box" (2002). Returning to TV, she guested on acclaimed shows such as hospital drama "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC 2005-), family sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" (UPN 2005-09) and procedural drama "Cold Case" (CBS 2003-2010). After taking the lead role of Ocean, a single parent who attempts to reinvent her life, in web series "Diary Of A Single Mom," Calhoun then provided several tear-jerking moments when she reprised her role of Mia in the hit sequel "The Best Man Holiday" (2013).
