Actress, author, 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 will co-host the new CBS daily talk show called The Talk along side Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Leah Remini and Marissa Jaret Winokur that premiered in October. The Talk comes on the heels of the enormous success Robinson Peete had on the third season of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. Making it all the way to the final episode, Robinson Peete was the runner up and won the most money for her charity in Celebrity Apprentice history. Also, through her appearance on the show, she shed a national light on a cause very personal to the Peete Family: autism.
In 1996, Robinson Peete and her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, formed the HollyRod Foundation, inspired by her father’s courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease, with the mission to help improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s. Then in 2005, inspired by their oldest son’s autism diagnosis, HollyRod Foundation’s mission expanded to provide access to treatment, support and other resources to disenfranchised families affected by autism. Through HollyRod Foundation and her family’s personal experiences, Robinson Peete has become an advocate for consistent and reliable education, outreach and support on both Parkinson’s and autism.
Her autism advocacy also extends to her book with daughter, Ryan Elizabeth Peete. On March 16th, 2010, Robinson Peete released her second book, a children’s picture book about autism from the sibling’s perspective, co-authored by 12-year old Elizabeth Peete, entitled My Brother Charlie (Scholastic). With her first book Get Your Own Damn Beer, I’m Watching the Game: A Women’s Guide to Loving Pro Football (2005, Rodale), Robinson Peete won the 2006 Quill Literacy Award. A third book, another Scholastic children’s title is due out in 2011.
Her longevity and visibility in the entertainment community has led Robinson Peete to a successful career as a spokesperson for some of the country’s biggest brands. This year, she has partnered with Hass Avocado to support the First Lady’s initiative to fight childhood obesity as well as hosting Yahoo’s “Real Life Makeover” segments. Robinson Peete is also the new face of the Toys R Us “Differently-Abled Toy Guide” campaign and continues her work as the multicultural spokesperson for Colgate toothpaste. Additionally, she and her family have been featured in Target’s “Dream In Color” campaign as well as Skecher’s Nothing Compares to Family campaign- both highlighting her HollyRod Foundation.
Robinson Peete had her acting debut at the age of four when she appeared on television opposite her father, Matthew Robinson who served as a producer and portrayed the original beloved character of “Gordon,” on the award-winning children’s program “Sesame Street.” Upon finishing her college education, Robinson Peete’s heart led her back to entertainment. In 1986, she landed a starring role on the FOX television drama “21 Jump Street” opposite unknown cast members including Johnny Depp. She went on to star in many other successful television series including “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper,” “For Your Love,” and “One on One.” Robinson Peete’s successful television career places her as one of only a handful of actresses to star in four shows in syndication. In addition, she also recently starred in the original Lifetime movie “Matters of Life & Dating” for which she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
Robinson Peete’s singing talents have been displayed on theme songs for both “21 Jump Street” and “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper,” and she also did her own signing as Diana Ross in the miniseries “The Jacksons: An American Dream.” Robinson Peete says fondly that singing is her “first love and passion.”
In late 2008, Robinson Peete wrapped a successful run as an on-air personality alongside her husband Rodney on their daily radio program “Meet the Peetes.” Airing on the Oprah & Friends network on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, “Meet the Peetes” captured the reality of two working parents raising their four children, balancing their careers and being activists and advocates on issues which affect their lives. The Peetes were able to effectively balance issues, fun and family in a way only two people who have been married for 15 years can.
In addition to her philanthropic work through the HollyRod Foundation, Robinson Peete has become involved in other organizations as well. She currently serves as a member of the board on several highly reputable organizations including Autism Speaks, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (LA Zoo) and the Keck School of Medicine.
Robinson Peete’s philanthropic efforts have earned her numerous awards and honors including: Ford’s Freedom Sisters, American Mentor Award, The Buddy Award presented by NOW Legal Defense & Education Fund, The Southern California Broadcasters’ 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 Huntington Disease Society Distinguished Achievement Award, The Girls Inc Mentor Award, The A Place Called Home Humanitarian Award and McDonald’s 365 Black Award.
Born in Philadelphia and raised in Los Angeles from the age of nine, Robinson Peete was voted “most talented” in junior high school alongside fellow classmate and future actor Rob Lowe. She did her undergraduate studies at the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College where she majored in Psychology and French. She spent her junior year studying abroad at Sorbonne University in France and became fluent in the language.
Robinson Peete and husband of 15 years Rodney Peete are the proud parents of four children. They currently reside in Los Angeles.
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