Denise Dowse
Denise Yvonne Dowse (born February 21, 1958) is an American actress and director. She is best known for her roles as Mrs. Yvonne Teasley in the Fox teen drama television series "Beverly Hills, 90210" (1991–2000), Judge Rebecca Damsen in the CBS drama series "The Guardian" (2001–2004), and Dr. Rhonda Pine in the HBO comedy-drama television series "Insecure". Her film roles include Olivia Biggs in the comedy film "Bio-Dome" (1996), Sky Marshal Meru in the science-fiction action film "Starship Troopers" (1997), Judge Constance Mullen in the drama film "A Civil Action" (1998), Marlene Andre in the  autobiographical drama film "Ray", Principal Garrison in the drama film "Coach Carter" (2005) and Flora in the thriller film "The Call" (2013). Early life. Denise Yvonne Dowse was born on February 21, 1958 in Honolulu, Hawaii, the daughter of a naval officer. She graduated with a B.A. degree from Norfolk State University. Career. She started acting in 1989 in one episode of the television series "Almost There", in which she played Angela Quartermane. From 1989, she appeared in numerous TV series, such as "ALF", "Full House", "Murphy Brown", "Seinfeld", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "ER", "Charmed", "Shark", "The Mentalist", "Monk" and  House. In these series, she usually only played in one episode. She appeared in the 2005 comedy film "Guess Who", featuring Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher. She became most well known for her role of Yvonne Teasley in 23 episodes of "Beverly Hills, 90210" (1991 through 2000) after portraying a minor character in 1990, and as Judge Rebecca Damsen in 32 episodes of "The Guardian" from 2001 through 2004. From 1993 to 1994, she appeared as a recurring character known as Vice Principal McBride in the television series "California Dreams". In 1997, she appeared as Sky Marshal Meru in the  science-fiction action film "Starship Troopers", featuring Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Neil Patrick Harris, Michael Ironside and Clancy Brown. She appeared in films such as "Pleasantville", "Dr. Dolittle 2", "Requiem for a Dream", "Eulogy" and "Reign Over Me". From 2000 to 2004, she has provided the voice of Officer Shirley in the Nickelodeon animated series "Rocket Power" for the remaining three seasons, replacing CCH Pounder, who voiced the latter in the first season. In 2004, she played Marlene, the manager of Jamie Foxx's character during the late 1940s in the autobiographical drama film "Ray", directed by  Taylor Hackford. In 2020, she appeared as Valeria in the thriller film "Fatale", featuring Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy and Mike Colter. Dowse is set to direct the upcoming drama film "Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story", featuring Ledisi, Corbin Bleu, Keith David, Vanessa Williams and Columbus Short.