Telma Hopkins

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<p><h2>Early Life and Musical Beginnings</h2></p>

<p>Telma Louise Hopkins was born on October 28, 1948, in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. She was raised in Highland Park, Michigan, where she began her foray into the music world. Hopkins launched her musical career as a backing vocalist in Detroit, contributing vocals to numerous hits for labels such as Golden World and Motown Records. She worked with celebrated artists including The Four Tops, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Gaye">Marvin Gaye</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Hayes">Isaac Hayes</a>—famously providing the iconic line “Shut your mouth!” in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Hayes">Hayes</a>' Oscar-winning song "Theme from Shaft."</p>

<h2>Tony Orlando and Dawn</h2>

<p>In 1971, Tony Orlando recruited Telma Hopkins and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Vincent_Wilson">Joyce Vincent Wilson</a> to form the vocal group Dawn. Prior to Hopkins joining, Orlando had already released chart-topping singles such as "Candida" and "Knock Three Times" under the name Dawn with session singers <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_November">Linda November</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Wine">Toni Wine</a>. As these singles gained popularity, Orlando sought to establish a permanent performing group. With Hopkins onboard, Tony Orlando and Dawn enjoyed widespread success during the 1970s, producing 16 Billboard Hot 100 hits, three of which—“Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” “He Don't Love You (Like I Love You),” and “Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose?”—reached No. 1. Their popularity also earned them a CBS television variety show, Tony Orlando and Dawn, which aired from 1974 to 1976. The group formally retired from music in 1977.</p>

<h2>Transition to Acting</h2>

<p>Hopkins made her acting debut in 1979, playing Daisy in the acclaimed ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations. Following this, she appeared in the short-lived sitcom A New Kind of Family alongside <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_Brennan">Eileen Brennan</a>. In 1980, she co-starred with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Hanks">Tom Hanks</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Scolari">Peter Scolari</a> in the ABC sitcom Bosom Buddies, which ran for two seasons until its cancellation in 1982. During the early 1980s, Hopkins also made guest appearances on popular shows such as The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and The New Odd Couple.</p>

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<h2>Sitcom Success in the 1980s and 1990s</h2>

<p>In 1983, Hopkins joined the cast of NBC’s Gimme a Break!, portraying Adelaide "Addy" Wilson, the childhood friend of lead character Nell Harper played by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nell_Carter">Nell Carter</a>. She remained a key cast member until the series concluded in 1987. Hopkins achieved further recognition in 1989 when she was cast as Rachel Baines-Crawford in the family sitcom Family Matters. Although she stepped away from being a series regular after four seasons, she returned for guest appearances through the show’s run until its finale in 1997. Hopkins left Family Matters to star in the ABC series Getting By, which aired from 1993 to 1994 and featured her in a lead role opposite <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cindy_Williams">Cindy Williams</a>.</p>

<h2>Television and Film Roles</h2>

<p>Hopkins built a steady resume in film and television throughout her career. She played Ruth “Ruthie” Raines, a time-travel specialist, in the science fiction film Trancers (1984) and reprised the role in its sequels, Trancers II (1991) and Trancers III (1992). Her later film appearances include portraying the mother of characters played by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_T._Jones">Richard T. Jones</a> in The Wood (1999) and <a href="/biography/romany-malco">Romany Malco</a> in The Love Guru (2008). Hopkins also took on a significant theatrical role in JD Lawrence’s stage production, The Clean Up Woman, in 2008.</p>

<h2>Half & Half and Other Television Appearances</h2>

<p>From 2002 to 2006, Hopkins played one of the main characters in the UPN sitcom Half & Half, sharing the screen with <a href="/biography/essence-atkins">Essence Atkins</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_True">Rachel True</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valarie_Pettiford">Valarie Pettiford</a>. She also had recurring roles in television series such as The Hughleys and Any Day Now. Between 2010 and 2013, she joined the cast of the TBS sitcom Are We There Yet? starring <a href="/biography/terry-crews">Terry Crews</a> and <a href="/biography/essence-atkins">Essence Atkins</a>. In 2014, Hopkins appeared as <a href="/biography/martin-lawrence">Martin Lawrence</a>’s mother in the FX sitcom Partners. Two years later, she played the mother of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerrika_Hinton">Jerrika Hinton</a>’s character in the 2016 ABC comedy pilot Toast, produced by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shondaland">ShondaLand</a>.</p>

<h2>Personal Life and Philanthropy</h2>

<p>Telma Hopkins has one son from her marriage to Donald B. Allen. She is also known for her dedication to charitable and community work. Hopkins has volunteered with organizations such as Caring for Babies with AIDS and Act on Arthritis, and she remains actively involved with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). She frequently mentors youth and is a notable supporter of inspirational radio. Hopkins authorized the use of her remarks on The Jazz Joy and Roy radio show promos, noting, “I was raised by a grandmother who told me I could do whatever I wanted to do, as long as I was willing to work hard for it.”</p>

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