Valarie Pettiford Biography

Valarie Pettiford is a famous American television and stage actress, dancer, and jazz singer. She obtained a Tony Award nomination for her role in the Broadway production Fosse. Also she is known for her role as “Big Dee Dee” Thorne on the UPN television sitcom Half & Half.

10 Quick Facts About Valarie Pettiford

  • Name: Valarie Pettiford
  • Age: 63 Years Old
  • Birthday: July 8
  • Zodiac Sign: Cancer
  • Height: 5 feet 9 inches (1.75m)
  • Nationality: American
  • Occupation: Actress, Dancer, and Jazz singer
  • Marital Status: Married
  • Salary: Under Review
  • Net worth: $1.5 million

Valarie Pettiford Age

Pettiford is 63 years old.She was born on July 8, 1960, in Queens, New York, United States. She celebrates her birthday on July 8 every year and her birth sign is Cancer.

Valarie Pettiford Height

Pettiford stands at a height of 5 feet 9 inches (1.75m) tall.

Valarie Pettiford Weight

Pettiford Weighs 55 kg (121 lbs).

Early Life and Education

Pettiford was born on July 8, 1960, in Queens, New York, United States. She is the daughter of Blanch and Ralph Pettiford. Her mother was a dancer while her father was a jazz bassist. Valarie started dancing at the age of three and studying music at the age of five. She also attended the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, where she graduated in 1978.

After graduating from high school, Valarie began her professional career as a dancer. She appeared in the Broadway productions of “The Wiz” (1978), “Sophisticated Ladies” (1981), and “Fosse” (1998). She also starred in the television series “A Chorus Line” (1983) and “Half & Half” (2002-2006).

Rise to Fame

Pettiford rose to fame when she received a Tony Award nomination for her role in the Broadway production Fosse. She is also known for her role as “Big Dee Dee” Thorne on the UPN television sitcom Half & Half.

Valarie Pettiford Parents

She was born in Queens, New York, United States as the daughter of Blanch(mother) and Ralph(father) Pettiford. Her parents are supportive of her career.

Valarie Pettiford Siblings

Pettiford spent her childhood alongside her one sibling; a sister named  Atonia Pettiford. Attonia is also an actress and dancer. She has appeared in stage productions such as “The Wiz” and “The Tap Dance Kid.”

Valarie Pettiford Husband

Pettiford is currently married to her handsome husband Tony Rader an American actor with rare acting ability. The couple did their wedding in 1991 at the Little Church of the West at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. They have not welcomed any child.

Valarie Pettiford Children

As of now Pettiford together with her husband Tony Rader has not welcomed any child.

Valarie Pettiford Net Worth

Pettiford has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million dollars. This includes her assets, money and income. Her primary source of income is her career as an Actress, Dancer, and Jazz singer. Through her various sources of income, Pettiford has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.

Facts and Body Measurements

Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Valarie Pettiford.

Valarie Pettiford Wiki

  • Full Names: Valarie Pettiford
  • Popular As: Actress
  • Gender: Female
  • Occupation / Profession: Actress, Dancer, and Jazz singer
  • Nationality: American
  • Race / Ethnicity: White
  • Religion: Christianity
  • Sexual Orientation: Straight

Valarie Pettiford Birthday

  • Zodiac Sign: Cancer
  • Age: 63 Years Old
  • Date of Birth: July 8, 1960
  • Place of Birth: Queens, New York, United States
  • Birthday: July 8

Valarie Pettiford Body Measurements

  • Body measurements: 35-29-34 Inches
  • Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 9 inches (1.75m)
  • Weight: 55 kg (121 lbs)
  • Eye Color: Black
  • Hair Color: Black
  • Shoe Size:8 US
  • Dress Size: 4 US
  • Breast Size: 35 Inches
  • Waist Size: 29 Inches
  • Hip Size: 34 Inches

Valarie Pettiford Family and Relationship

  • Father (Dad): Ralph
  • Mother: Blanch
  • Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Atonia Pettiford
  • Marital Status: Married
  • Spouse/Husband: Married to Tony Rader
  • Dating / Boyfriend: Not applicable
  • Children: None

Valarie Pettiford Net Worth and Salary

  • Net Worth: $1.5 million
  • Salary: Under Review
  • Source of Income: Actress, Dancer, and Jazz singer

Career

Pettiford is an American stage and television actress, dancer, and jazz singer. She has had a successful career in all three areas, with Tony Award nominations for her work on Broadway and starring roles in television shows such as Half & Half and House of Payne.

Pettiford began her career as a dancer in Bob Fosse productions on Broadway. She was a member of the original casts of Sophisticated Ladies (1981) and Fosse (1999), for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. She has also appeared in Broadway productions of The Wild Party (2000), Show Boat (2001), and The Color Purple (2005).

In television, Pettiford is best known for her role as Big Dee Dee Thorne on the UPN sitcom Half & Half (2002-2006). She has also had recurring roles in Tyler Perry’s House of Payne (2006-2012) and Treme (2010-2013). Pettiford is also a talented singer. She has released two albums, Valarie Pettiford (2002) and Valerie Pettiford Sings the Blues (2005). She has also toured with her own jazz band.

Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences

In 1981, she made her Broadway debut as a dancer in the musical Sophisticated Ladies. The show was a critical and commercial success, and Pettiford was praised for her performance.

In 2000, she starred in the off-Broadway production of The Wild Party. The show was a dark and sexy musical, and Pettiford’s performance was praised for its energy and charisma.

In 2001, she starred in the Broadway revival of Show Boat. The show was a critical and commercial success, and Pettiford was praised for her performance as Queenie.

Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable, and Community Involvement

The Actors Fund: The Actors Fund is a non-profit organization that provides social services to actors and other performing artists. Pettiford is a member of the Actors Fund’s National Board of Directors.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a non-profit dance company that promotes the art of dance and celebrates the African American cultural experience. Pettiford is a longtime supporter of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and has performed with the company on several occasions.

The National Black Theatre: The National Black Theatre is a non-profit theater company that produces plays and musicals that explore the African American experience. Pettiford is a member of the National Black Theatre’s Board of Directors.

Valarie Pettiford Bottom Teeth

Pettiford’s teeth diverted some viewers while watching The Family Business. Her bottom teeth were crooked but are now fixed. Also in the second season of the series, some viewers expressed their opinion concerning her bottom teeth in the comment section of Lipstick Alley, saying, “It seemed like she had some weird-looking gum in her bottom teeth”?

Regardless, there is no problem with her teeth anymore and in most of her pictures over the years, her bottom teeth are hardly seen. She smiles cheerfully and speaks about her virtual Fosse class in 2020.

Valarie Pettiford Jumping the Broom

Pettiford starred as Aunt Geneva in Jumping the Broom. Jumping the Broom was a 2011 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Salim Akil and produced by Tracey E. Edmonds, Elizabeth Hunter, T. D. Jakes, Glendon Palmer, and Curtis Wallace

Valarie Pettiford A Discovery of Witches

Pettiford starred as Emily Mather in the Discovery of Witches. A Discovery of Witches was a British fantasy television series based on the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness, named after the first book in the trilogy. Produced by Bad Wolf and Sky Studios, it stars Teresa Palmer and Matthew Goode as a witch and a vampire who must learn about and fend off magical creatures. Edward Bluemel, Louise Brealey, Malin Buska, Aiysha Hart, Owen Teale, Alex Kingston, and Valarie Pettiford are also featured.

Valarie Pettiford Awards Accomplishments and Achievements

  • In 1998, Valarie Pettiford received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as “Jasmine” in the Broadway musical “Fosse.”
  • Valarie Pettiford is known for her versatility as an actress, having performed on stage, television, and in film. She has showcased her talents across various genres, including musical theater, drama, and comedy.
  • Pettiford gained significant recognition for her performance in the Broadway musical “Fosse,” where she showcased her dancing and singing skills in a variety of numbers inspired by the choreography of Bob Fosse.

Quotes

“Dance is so important. It’s storytelling through your body.”

“When you can just let go of your inhibitions, your fears, and you just trust, that’s when you can really soar.”

“I think a lot of the craft of being an actor is observation.”

“If you don’t risk, you’ll never know what your capacity is.”

Final Thought

Pettiford is a role model for aspiring artists and a powerful advocate for social justice.

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