Holly Robinson-Peete
2014 ACTivist
Actress, author, talk show host, activist and philanthropist, Holly Robinson Peete has been touched by the entertainment industry all of her life. Her career as an actress dates back more than two decades and has led her to becoming a voice for her father, her son, and her community.Robinson Peete recently joined the cast of the hit comedy series Mike & Molly shortly after successfully launching the CBS daily talk show The Talk as one of the original co-hosts. The Talk came on the heels of the enormous success Robinson Peete had on the third season of NBCʼs Celebrity Apprentice.
In 1997, Robinson Peete and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, formed the HollyRod Foundation, inspired by her fatherʼs courageous battle with Parkinsonʼs disease, with the mission to help improve the quality of life of people with Parkinsonʼs. Then in 2005, inspired by their eldest sonʼs autism diagnosis, HollyRod Foundationʼs mission expanded to provide support and resources to those affected by an autism diagnosis. Through the HollyRod Foundation and her familyʼs personal experiences, Robinson Peete has become an advocate for consistent and reliable education, outreach and support for both Parkinsonʼs and autism. Her autism advocacy also extends to her book with daughter, Ryan Elizabeth Peete. In 2010, Robinson Peete released her second book, an NAACP Image Award winning childrenʼs book about autism from the siblingʼs perspective, co-authored by 12-year old Elizabeth Peete, entitled My Brother Charlie (Scholastic). With her first book Get Your Own Damn Beer, Iʼm Watching the Game: A Womenʼs Guide to Loving Pro Football (2005, Rodale), Robinson Peete won the 2006 Quill Literacy Award. Robinson Peeteʼs first experience in front of the camera was at the age of four when she appeared opposite her father, Matthew Robinson, who served as a producer and portrayed the original character of “Gordon” on Sesame Street. Robinson Peete soon opted to lead a typical childhood. However, upon finishing her college education, Robinson Peeteʼs heart led her back to entertainment. In 1986, she starred in the FOX television drama 21 Jump Street alongside Johnny Depp.
She went on to star in many other successful television series including Hanginʼ With Mr. Cooper, For Your Love, and One on One. Robinson Peeteʼs successful television career places her as one of only a handful of actresses to star in four shows in syndication. Robinson Peeteʼs philanthropic efforts have earned her numerous awards and honors including: Fordʼs Freedom Sisters, American Mentor Award, The Southern California Broadcastersʼ Assoc Community Service Award, Gerald R. Ford People Helping People Award, The March of Dimes Healthy Babies, Healthy Futures Award, USC Woman of Distinction Award, Anheuser Busch John E. Jacob Community Service Award, The Genii Award, The Girls Inc. Mentor Award, A Place Called Home Humanitarian Award and McDonaldʼs 365 Black Award.Robinson Peete and husband of 17 years, Rodney Peete, are the proud parents of four children.