Peete credits her family for instilling a tradition of excellence and a strong work ethic. Her mother, Dolores Robinson, is one of the entertainment industry's most respected and successful personal managers. Her father, Matthew Robinson, was one of the producers of "The Cosby Show" and produced and starred in the original "Sesame Street," playing the part of Gordon. Her great-great-uncle was Matthew Henson, who, as a member of Admiral Peary's expedition in the 1800s, was the first person to set foot on the North Pole.
After her parents divorced, Peete left her native Philadelphia and moved with her mother to Los Angeles. She attended Malibu Park Junior High School, where she and classmate Rob Lowe were voted the students "most likely to succeed."
The award was prophetic. In 1986, Peete landed the role of undercover cop Judy Hoffs on "21 Jump Street." Her performances on the series won her three awards as Best Actress in a Foreign Series in Canada's Viewer's Choice Awards. An accomplished vocalist, she sang "21 Jump Street's" theme song.
She again used her vocal talents when she starred as Diana Ross on ABC's hit miniseries, "The Jacksons: An American Dream." She has also performed in nightclubs, such as New York's Catch a Rising Star. While in Paris, she sang with Lionel Hampton at the Hotel Meridien Jazz Club.
She resides in Los Angeles with her new husband, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Rodney Peete.
VITAL STATISTICS
BIRTHPLACE: Philadelphia, PA
BIRTHDATE: Sept. 18
HEIGHT: 5'6_"
HAIR: Light brown
EYES: Brown