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, Marvin Gaye, and Isaac Hayes—famously providing the iconic line “Shut your mouth!” in Hayes' Oscar-winning song "Theme from Shaft."

Tony Orlando and Dawn

In 1971, Tony Orlando recruited Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson 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 Linda November and Toni Wine. 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.

Transition to Acting

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 Eileen Brennan. In 1980, she co-starred with Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari 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.