Danielle Brooks

Danielle Brooks is a talented Hollywood actress renowned for her compelling roles, particularly as Tasha Taystee Jefferson in “Orange Is the New Black”. With a robust background in theater, she made her Broadway debut in “The Color Purple”, earning critical acclaim and awards. Brooks balances her flourishing career with family life, having married Dennis Gelin in 2022 and welcomed a daughter. Her path is marked by remarkable achievements and versatility, inviting curiosity about her ongoing projects and future endeavors.

Early Life

Danielle Brooks grew up in a religious family that greatly influenced her artistic ambitions. She began her acting path at the young age of six, performing in church plays, which ignited her passion for the craft.

For her education, Brooks graduated from the South Carolina Governors School for the Arts and Humanities before further honing her skills at The Juilliard School. During her time at Juilliard, she formed a close friendship with fellow actress Samira Wiley, which has continued throughout their professional careers.

Family Life

Danielle Brooks is joyfully married to Dennis Gelin, with their wedding taking place on January 13, 2022. Together, they have a daughter named Freeya Carel Gelin.

Raised in a religious household by her parents, Dunnel and Larita Brooks, Danielle’s upbringing played a substantial role in shaping her artistic ambitions.

She maintains a close relationship with her sibling, D.J. Brooks, highlighting her strong family values.

Career

Danielle Brooks gained prominence for her role as Tasha Taystee Jefferson in the acclaimed series “Orange Is the New Black” from 2013 to 2019, appearing in 89 episodes.

She made a remarkable Broadway debut in the 2015 revival of “The Color Purple”, where her performance as Sofia earned her a Tony Award nomination and a Grammy Award. Brooks reprised her celebrated role in the 2023 film adaptation of “The Color Purple”.

Furthermore, she displayed her voice acting skills as Dr. Lillie Carter-Grant in the animated series “Karmas World” from 2021 to 2022.

Currently, she stars as Leota Adebayo in the HBO Max series “Peacemaker”, which has received positive acclaim.

Net Worth

Danielle Brooks’ estimated net worth is approximately $2 million. Her financial success is largely attributed to her role as Tasha Taystee Jefferson in “Orange Is the New Black”, where she earned around $100,000 per episode during the final season.

In addition, she gained recognition and income from her Broadway debut in “The Color Purple”, which contributed notably to her earnings, with her salary reported to be around $40,000 per week.

In voice acting, she also earned approximately $12,000 per episode for her role in Netflix’s “Karmas World”.

Moreover, her producing role in “Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia” added to her financial portfolio, although specific figures for that project are not disclosed.

All in all, Brooks has successfully diversified her income through a variety of avenues in the entertainment industry.