# Cocoa Brown

Farah "Cocoa" Brown (born October 9, 1974) is an American actress, writer and comedian. She is best known for playing Jennifer in For Better or Worse and Lytia in The Single Moms Club.

## Early life, education

Brown was born as Farah Brown in Newport News, Virginia. She attended and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University. She also has a Master of Science degree from The University of Phoenix in Secondary Education.

## Career

Brown has performed in many different comedy stage shows including BET's ComicView and One Mic Stand and Showtime at the Apollo. She later began appearing on television, playing guest starring roles on ER and Breaking Bad.
In 2011, Brown was cast in the Oprah Winfrey Network comedy series Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse playing the role of Jennifer, Tasha Smith's character best friend. The series ran for six seasons. In 2014, she played the leading role alongside Nia Long, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Zulay Henao and Amy Smart in the comedy-drama film The Single Moms Club. She received positive reviews for her performance. The following year, she appeared in an supporting role in a comedy film Ted 2.
In 2016, Brown played juror Jeanette "Queen B" Harris in the FX drama series The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story produced by Ryan Murphy. In 2018, she worked again with Ryan Murphy, playing the recurring role of Carla Price opposite Connie Britton and Mariette Hartley in the Fox drama series 9-1-1.

## Personal life

Brown has a son, Phoenix Zion, who was born in 2012.
On February 18, 2024, Brown's house in Fayetteville, Georgia burned down. Tyler Perry gave her $400,000 to help buy a new home.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2003 | Blue Moon | M.C. | Short film |
| 2006 | Mahoghany Blues | Lawanza | Short film |
| 2008 | Attitude for Destruction | Sexy Reporter | Direct-to-video |
| 2008 | Lakeview Terrace | Bartender | |
| 2008 | An American Carol | Airport Security Guard 1 | |
| 2009 | Robbin' in da Hood | Mae Mae | Direct-to-video |
| 2009 | Dukes and the Dutchess | Raven Dukes | |
| 2010 | Friendship! | Polizistin | |
| 2010 | Dad's Home | Crossing Guard | Television film |
| 2010 | I Want Candy | Chantelle | Short film |
| 2014 | The Single Moms Club | Lytia | |
| 2015 | Ted 2 | Joy | |
| 2017 | Chi Nu Legacy | Professor Stewart | |
| 2018 | The Other Side | Wedding Planner | |
| 2019 | His, Hers & the Truth | Mrs. Smith | |
| 2019 | Happy Thanksgiving | Claudia | |
| 2020 | Lethal Procedures | Beverly Smith | |
| 2020 | Brother's Grim | Grace | |
| 2020 | Fruits of the Heart | Ms. Woods | |
| 2023 | Praise This | Cora | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | The Young and the Restless | Woman #4 | 1 episode |
| 2004 | Las Vegas | Lady Behind The Counter | Episode: "Tainted Love" |
| 2007 | America's Got Talent | Herself (Contestant) | 2 episodes |
| 2007 | ER | Judy | Episode: "From Here to Paternity Esinam" |
| 2009 | Breaking Bad | Mail Lady | Episode: "Peekaboo" |
| 2009 | Secret Girlfriend | Jamilla | Episode: "You Try to Make Some Internet Cash" |
| 2011 | Victorious | Nurse | Episode: "Tori Gets Stuck" |
| 2011 | 2 Broke Girls | Woman | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2012 | Austin & Ally | Security Guard | Episode: "Rockers & Writers" |
| 2011–2017 | Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse | Jennifer | Series regular, 162 episodes |
| 2012 | GCB | Chardonnay | Episode: "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" |
| 2012 | The Soul Man | Sister Williams | Episode: "Lost in the Move" |
| 2013 | Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 | Female Neighbor | Episode: "The Scarlet Neighbor..." |
| 2013 | Mr. Box Office | Midge | Episode: "The Golden Apple" |
| 2013 | Psych | Big Wendy | Episode: "Deez Nups |
| 2015 | K.C. Undercover | Big Ange | Episode: "Operation Other Side Part 1" |
| 2016 | American Crime Story | Jeanette "Queen B" Harris | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 2017 | Marlon | Nurse Patrice | Episode: "Hospital Party" |
| 2018–present | 9-1-1 | Carla Price | Recurring role, 11 episodes |
| 2019 | The Neighborhood | Regina | Episode: "Welcome to Bowling" |
| 2020–2023 | Never Have I Ever | Principal Grubbs | Recurring role; 14 episodes |
| 2023-present | The Big Door Prize | Principal Pat | Recurring role |
| 2024 | Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall | Call Center Manager | TV movie |