Ballet, Jazz and Acting: Is there anything Valarie Pettiford can't do?
Big Dee Dee showed her daughter that no matter what, a luxurious lifestyle is what she was born to have. Her father owned a business and the building she and her half-sister lived in, and whenever she needed money or luxury items, Big Dee Dee made sure her daughter was set.
Valarie Pettiford played the character, who also had a hilarious beef with Mona's Mom, Phyllis (who happened to be her husband's ex-wife). Viewers who grew up watching Half & Half mainly identify Pettiford as Big Dee Dee, but the veteran actress has such a versatile resume that it would be insane not to acknowledge it.
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Born on July 8, 1960, Valarie began her career on Broadway as a dancer and choreographer. Her talent and dedication were evident from the start, as she garnered rave reviews from New York Times critics and industry insiders. At just 17, she gained film experience in The Wiz, and in 1987, she wowed audiences in West Side Story, where critics hailed her as an exciting actress with a unique talent for captivating audiences.
Pettiford received a Tony nomination as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in the Broadway production Fosse. Soap Opera roles were her calling in the 1990s, but in 2002, fans saw her in a more comedic role as Big Dee Dee in Half & Half. She would often showcase her vocals on the show and eventually released a Jazz album called Hear My Soul in 2005.
To this day, Valarie often talks about the show, what it's like being a former ballerina, and Jazz music.
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