Valarie Pettiford's career glitters like the lights on Broadway. An award-winning triple-threat, Valarie has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment, but has never let her brushes with fame go to her head. Although some would argue that she is a celebrity in her own right, Valarie is still a humble girl from Queens.

On screen, at age 14, Pettiford starred in the chorus of the film The Wiz (1978). She has appeared in such films as The Cotton Club (1984), Glitter (2001), Stomp the Yard (2007), Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010), the short film musical Not Your Time (2010), the award-winning short film Response (2009) and Jumping the Broom (2011) from Sony Pictures. Her role in the acclaimed independent film Why Am I Doing This? (2009) earned her a glowing mention in the L.A. Times. Her role as Big Dee Dee Thorne on the hit sitcom Half & Half (2002) earned her three NAACP Image Award nominations. Valarie plays the recurring role of Sandra Lucas on Tyler Perry's House of Payne (2006). Other notable television appearances include guest-starring roles on Criminal Minds (2005), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000), CSI: Miami (2002), The District (2000), The West Wing (1999), Frasier (1993), One Life to Live (1968), Bones (2005), The Cape (1996) and The Finder (2012). She had a recurring guest star on the hit HBO series Treme (2010).

Valarie's theatre credits read like a prestigious shopping list, with numerous accolades for the execution of her craft. Valarie won NAACP Theatre and Garland Awards for Best Actress in "The Wild Party." She was honored with NAACP, Robby and Reader's Choice Awardsfor for her role in "Show Boat." Both performances were nominated for Ovation Awards. Valarie was a member of the original casts of "Sophisticated Ladies", understudying Judith Jamison, and "Fosse", for which she was recognized by the Drama League and nominated for Outer Critics Circle, Dora Mavor Moore and Tony Awards.

Valarie performed alongside Chita Rivera in the West End debut of "Chicago", and subsequently performed "All That Jazz" as a tribute to Rivera at the Kennedy Center Honors. However, her self-proclaimed career highlight was the fulfillment of a life-long dream; she recorded her first album, "Hear My Soul". An accomplished stage performer, Valarie has performed her successful one-woman shows to sold-out audiences coast to coast. She has performed with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in New York and Miami in the musical tribute to their father, called "Babalu". Valarie enjoyed stellar reviews in both cities. Proving that her voice ad presence are both Broadway bold, she is a regular guest soloist with the Pasadena Symphony for their annual Pops program.

In the traditional sense of the word, Valarie Pettiford is a diva, a master of her craft who has the ability to command attention. Whether she would agree, or try to harness that power, is anyone's guess.

Valarie Pettiford at an event for Stomp the Yard (2007)

Upgrade membership to get access to client roster details.

Upgrade to see how you're connected to other professionals through your credits.

Upgrade membership to unlock contact and representation information.

Upgrade membership to unlock box office data.

Upgrade membership to add and manage your images.

Select your profession and Known For titles

Access full contact and representation details

Find the right people with Discover advanced search

View contact info and get hired with IMDbPro

Add your primary image and get discovered

Find contact info for agents and management

View connections to industry professionals

See who's working on in-development titles

Upgrade your membership to view client lists.

Upgrade membership to access historical STARmeter charts for yourself and other professionals.

Get insights on who this person is frequently credited with.

Upgrade membership to add and manage demo reels.

Valarie Pettiford and Keshia Knight Pulliam in Jingle Belle (2018)

Valarie Pettiford in Being Mary Jane (2013)

Gabrielle Union, Valarie Pettiford, and Paul Rolfes in Being Mary Jane (2013)

Valarie Pettiford, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Tammy Townsend, and Shondrella Avery in Boy Bye (2016)

Harry Lennix and Valarie Pettiford in The Blacklist (2013)

Kari Wuhrer, Charlie O'Connell, and Valarie Pettiford in Sliders (1995)

Robin Givens, Dorian Harewood, Allen Payne, Essence Atkins, Cassi Davis, Marlene Forte, Janet Hubert, Denitra Isler, Anne-Marie Johnson, Penny Johnson Jerald, Robinne Lee, Valarie Pettiford, Wendell Pierce, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Mattilyn Rochester Kravitz, Mel Rodriguez, Renee Victor, Aloma Wright, Susie Castillo, Keke Palmer, LaVan Davis, Halle Bailey, Veronica Sixtos, Kaira Akita, Lance Gross, Demetria McKinney, Larramie Doc Shaw, and J.R. Ramirez in House of Payne (2006)

Essence Atkins, Telma Hopkins, Valarie Pettiford, Rachel True, and Chico Benymon in Half & Half (2002)

Eileen Davidson, Bryton James, Joshua Morrow, Gina Tognoni, Justin Hartley, Melissa Claire Egan, and Peter Bergman in The Young and the Restless (1973)

Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny in The X-Files (1993)

Melissa Joan Hart in Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996)

Valarie Pettiford

Valarie Pettiford

Known for

Credits summary

Photos29

Videos21

STARmeter

Contacts