# Olivia Brown

Olivia Brown (born c. 1956 or 1957) is an American actress, best known for her role as detective Trudy Joplin in the NBC crime drama series Miami Vice (1984–1989).

## Life and career

Brown was born in Frankfurt, West Germany, and raised in Sacramento, California. After graduating from C.K. McClatchy High School, she got a scholarship to Parsons School of Design in New York. However she didn't want to leave her family on the opposite side of the country, so she enrolled at Sacramento City College followed by Sacramento State College.
Brown made her big screen debut appearing in an supporting role in the 1982 action comedy film 48 Hrs. She later appeared in Streets of Fire (1984), Throw Momma from the Train (1987), Identity Crisis (1989), Man's Best Friend (1993) and All Tied Up (1994). From 1984 to 1989, she starred as Detective Trudy Joplin in the NBC crime drama series Miami Vice.
Brown guest-starred on T.J. Hooker, The Love Boat, Family Matters, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Sister, Sister. She had recurring roles on Hill Street Blues, Designing Women, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Beverly Hills, 90210, Moesha and 7th Heaven. Brown also was regular in the NBC sitcom Dear John from 1990 to 1991.

## Personal life

Brown was married to Mykelti Williamson for two years, from 1983 until their divorce in 1985. She is currently married to James Okonkwo, with whom she has two children.
Brown and actor Bruce Willis dined at a restaurant on June 16, 1987.
Her brother is Steve Brown, who played for the Houston Oilers of the NFL during the late 1980s.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | 48 Hrs. | Candy | |
| 1984 | Streets of Fire | Addie | |
| 1989 | Throw Momma from the Train | Ms. Gladstone | |
| 1989 | Identity Crisis | Domino | |
| 1990 | Memories of Murder | Brenda | TV movie |
| 1993 | Man's Best Friend | Lab Assistant | |
| 1994 | All Tied Up | Tara | Video |
| 1998 | Mr. P's Dancing Sushi Bar | Natalie | |
| 2009 | Not Easily Broken | Mrs. Reid | |
| 2010 | Fast Lane | Mama | |
| 2012 | House Arrest | Rachel Willows | |
| 2017 | Our Dream Christmas | Stephanie Carter | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1983 | T.J. Hooker | Rhoda | Episode: "Sweet Sixteen and Dead" |
| 1983 | For Love and Honor | Sammy | Episode: "For Love and Honor (Pilot)" |
| 1983 | Hill Street Blues | Vicki | Recurring cast: season 4 |
| 1986 | The Love Boat | Lois Hendrix | Episode: "Spain Cruise: The Matadors: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 1984-89 | Miami Vice | Detective Trudy Joplin | Main cast |
| 1989 | Paradise | Belle | Episode: "All the Pretty Little Horses" |
| 1989 | Monsters | Jewel | Episode: "Love Hurts" |
| 1989 | Family Matters | Vanessa | Episode: "Stake-Out" |
| 1990 | Designing Women | Vanessa Hargraves | Recurring cast: Season 4 |
| 1990-91 | Dear John | Denise | Recurring cast: season 3 |
| 1991 | Roc | Nadine | Episode: "He's Gotta Have It" |
| 1993 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Lola | Episode: "You Bet Your Life" |
| 1993 | Out All Night | - | Episode: "Under My Thumb" |
| 1994 | The Sinbad Show | - | Episode: "David Goes Skiing" |
| 1994 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Ms. Jackson | Episode: "Kids Killing Kids" |
| 1995 | Sister, Sister | Lucy | Episode: "Dream Lover" |
| 1995-96 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Star | Recurring cast: Season 3 |
| 1996-03 | 7th Heaven | Patricia Hamilton | Recurring cast: season 1 & 3, guest: season 2 & 5 & 7 |
| 1997 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | Professor Langely | Recurring cast: season 3 |
| 1997 | The Gregory Hines Show | Cheri | Episode: "Sofa So Good" |
| 1998 | Murder Call | Mrs. Bisley | Episode: "Skin Deep" |
| 2001 | Moesha | Barbara Lee | Recurring cast: season 6 |