Renee Elise Goldsberry is an American actress, singer, and songwriter who is most known for her performance as Angelica Schuyler Church in the Broadway play Hamilton, for which she received many honors, including a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album. Renee, who was born in San Jose, California, earned a master’s degree in Music & Jazz before entering the entertainment industry with the help of her parents, both of whom were accomplished musicians. She won a Soap Opera Digest Award for her role as attorney Evangeline Williamson on the series ‘One Life to Live’, for which she earned excellent reviews. Her film debut in ‘Palco & Hirsch’ was immediately followed by an outstanding performance in the lead part of ‘All About You’. She also composed the lyrics for the film’s music. She has performed on the soundtracks of many of her films and penned the lyrics to numerous songs, including the hit “Everything except the kitchen sink.” Renee is the wife of Alexis Johnson and the mother to Benjamin and Brielle, an adoptive daughter. She is an encouragement to women who must manage jobs and family responsibilities. Her fans adore her modest and optimistic attitude toward life.
Youth and Early Life
Renee Elise Goldsberry was born in San Jose, California, in the United States on January 2, 1971. Her mother, Betty Sanders, was an industrial psychologist, while her father was a successful automobile industry executive who was also a scientist and physicist. She is of mixed heritage and she was raised in Houston and Detroit.
In 1993, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Carnegie Mellon University, after graduating from Cranbrook Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. In 1997, she received her Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. Throughout her college years, she competed in numerous cultural competitions.
The majority of her family members were great musicians who were passionate enough to appreciate several musical styles. Renee’s parents and brothers introduced her to the best of both old and new musical trends. Her parents encouraged her to follow her childhood ambition of being an actor and gave her every opportunity to break into the entertainment industry.
Renee Elise’s Career
Renee’s theatrical career began when she portrayed Michelle Morris in the musical Dreamgirls. Her performance got her the part of Nala in the 2002 Disney production of ‘The Lion King,’ which was a significant breakthrough in her career.
Her additional Broadway appearances include ‘The Color Purple (2005-2006), ‘Rent’ (2008), ‘Good People’ (2011), and ‘Hamilton’ (2015-2016).
For her performance in “Hamilton” on Broadway, Goldsberry received several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.
Her television career began with a recurring part on ‘Ally McBeal’, a legal comedy-drama. Her performance was well-received by a diverse audience, and consequently, she rose to prominence almost immediately.
In 2005, she won a Soap Opera Digest Award for her portrayal of Evangeline Williamson in ‘One Life to Live,’ which was a big boost to her career. She also appeared in ‘Life on Mars’ (2008), ‘The Good Wife’ (2010-2016), ‘The Following’ (2013), and ‘The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks’ (2017). She has provided her voice to the upcoming animated series ‘The Lion Guard’ for the character Dhahadu, the golden zebra.
In 2001, Goldsberry made her debut on the big screen in the film Palco & Hirsch. She subsequently secured the lead role in the film ‘All About You,’ for which she garnered favorable reviews. She subsequently appeared in the films “Pistol Whipped” (2008), “Every Secret Thing” (2014), and “Sisters” (2015). She is now portraying a key role in the upcoming fantasy horror film ‘The House with a Clock in Its Walls
Renee is a well-known lyricist and vocalist in addition to being an actor. She has contributed to the soundtracks for several of her films. In 1997, she also won the John Lennon Songwriting Competition. In 2015, she was seen rapping at the BET Hip Hop Awards.
She penned the lyrics to the hit song “Everything but the Kitchen Sink” and appeared on the album “The Christmas Song: Holiday Affair.” Renee released her debut EP, Beautiful, in 2006, with moderate success.
Today, Renee Elise Goldsberry is a well-known star who has made numerous guest appearances and has an excellent social media fan base. She is a well-respected figure in the entertainment world, and her professional demeanor has served as an example to many working women.
Renne’s Major Opera
‘All About You’ (2001), ‘Pistol Whipped’ (2008), ‘Every Secret Thing’ (2014), and ‘Sisters’ are some of Renee’s most successful films (2015).
Renee Elise Goldsberry has starred in a number of notable television programs, including ‘Ally McBeal’ (1997–2002), ‘One Life to Live’ (2003–2007), ‘The Good Wife’ (2010–2016), and ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2013–2014). She also portrayed Henrietta Lacks in the television film The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
Her Broadway credits consist of ‘Dreamgirls’ (1997), ‘The Lion King’ (2002), ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ (2005), ‘The Color Purple (2005 – 2006), ‘Rent’ (2008), ‘As You Like It’ (2012), ‘I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road’ (2013), and ‘Hamilton’ (2015 – 2016).
Awards & Achievements
Renee won the Soap Opera Digest Award in the Favorite Triangle category for her performance in the drama serial ‘One Life to Live.’
Her performance in the musical “Hamilton” earned her multiple prizes, including the Lucille Lortel Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Tony Award, the Broadway.com Audience Award, and the Grammy Award.
Personal History and Legacy
Renee married Alexis Johnson, a New York-based attorney, in 2002. Benjamin Johnson and Brielle are their son and adoptive daughter, respectively. The family members have an appreciation for music and the creative arts. Renee’s husband is a devoted father who has supported her job by caring for their children anytime she has been preoccupied.
Renee gave birth to her son at the age of 38, following four unsuccessful pregnancies. She is an excellent example of a working lady who balances job and family responsibilities. According to her, her top priority has always been her family.
Renee has appeared in various television programs, including ‘Star Trek: Enterprise,’ ‘Royal Pains,’ and ‘Masters of Sex.’
The author of “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” Rebecca Skloot, was the first to reveal that Goldsberry will portray Henrietta in the television adaptation of her novel.
Estimated Net Worth
Renee is one of the wealthiest and most popular television actresses. According to our research, Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Renee Elise Goldsberry has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million.