Danielle Brooks is an American actress and singer best known for her role as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.
Danielle Brooks was born on September 17, 1989, in Augusta, Georgia, and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. She comes from a devout Christian family; her father serves as a deacon, and her mother is a pastor. Brooks began acting at the age of six, performing in a nativity play organized by her church.
She attended the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities for her high school education. Demonstrating an early passion for the performing arts, Brooks went on to study drama at The Juilliard School in New York City, graduating in 2011. While at Juilliard, she formed a friendship with fellow actress Samira Wiley, who would later become her co-star on Orange Is the New Black.
After graduating from Juilliard, Brooks honed her acting skills through various theater productions before securing a breakout television role. In 2013, she was cast as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Initially intended to appear in only two episodes, her portrayal resonated so strongly with viewers and the writers that her role was expanded into a series regular. Her performance brought depth and humor to the character, contributing to the show’s critical and popular success.
That same year, Brooks made a guest appearance in season 3 of the HBO series Girls, becoming the first Black woman to appear on the show. Her television success quickly translated into further roles that showcased her range and presence as a performer.
In 2015, Brooks made her Broadway debut as Sofia in the musical revival of The Color Purple. Her dynamic performance earned widespread acclaim and led to a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. The role affirmed her versatility and cemented her status as a rising star in both television and theater.
She also appeared in the 2015 episode "Indians on TV" of Aziz Ansari’s Netflix series Master of None, playing the character Shanon. Additionally, Brooks lent her voice to pilot episodes of animated series such as Lasso and Comet, further expanding her resume in the voice acting space.
Danielle Brooks announced her pregnancy via Instagram in July 2019 with a cheerful post holding a positive pregnancy test. She captioned it, “So elated to finally share this news with you all. I’m happily pregnant!” The news coincided with the conclusion of Orange Is the New Black, tying the end of one chapter to the beginning of another in her personal life.
Later that year, Brooks welcomed her first child. Though she is known for keeping her personal life relatively private, she has occasionally shared glimpses of her family on social media. In posts hinting at her relationship status, she has referred to her longtime partner and now husband, Dennis Gelin. The couple married in January 2022 in a ceremony that honored their heritage and love story.
Danielle Brooks has seen continued success across stage and screen, and as of recent estimates, her net worth is reported to be approximately $1 million. In addition to her acclaimed acting work, she is recognized for her advocacy for diversity and body positivity in the entertainment industry.
| Birth Date: | 17 Sep, 1989 |
| Age: | 31 yrs |
| Occupations: | Actor Film actor Television actor Stage actor |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Augusta |
| Education: | Juilliard School |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | American actress |
| Net Worth 2021: | 1 million |
