← Back to explore

Robin Givens

Acting

Born November 27, 1964 · New York City, New York, USA

Also known as Robin Simone Givens

Biography

Robin Simone Givens (November 27, 1964) is an American actress and model. She's best known for her roles as Jada Jet in CW's Batwoman, Stephanie Carlisle in OWN's drama Ambitions, Sierra McCoy in CW's Riverdale, Abby in Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys, Kim in Head of State, Wilma Cuthbert on UPN's sitcom Sparks, Jacqueline Broyer in Boomerang, Imabelle in A Rage in Harlem, Kiswana on the miniseries The Women of Brewster Place, and Darlene Merriman on ABC's sitcom Head of the Class. She first began acting in 1985 with an appearance on The Cosby Show, followed by roles in Diff'rent Strokes and the 1986 television film Beverly Hills Madam, opposite Faye Dunaway. That same year, she landed her breakthrough role as rich girl Darlene Merriman on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class - she reprised her role in the 2021 HBO remake. In 1989, while starring in Head of the Class, she appeared in The Women of Brewster Place with Oprah Winfrey. She later starred in the feature films A Rage in Harlem (1991) and Boomerang (1992). In 1994, she posed nude for Playboy magazine. She was ranked No. 88 on Empire magazine's "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History" list in May 1995. From February to April 16, 2006, she played the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway play Chicago. From February to April 16, 2006, she played the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway play Chicago. In 2007, she toured the country playing a part in the I'm Ready Productions play Men, Money & Golddiggers. She starred in the 2009 stage play A Mother's Prayer. After meeting in March 1986, she married boxer Mike Tyson on February 7, 1988. Tyson was then estimated to have $50 million, and they did not have a prenuptial agreement. In October 1988, Givens filed for divorce, citing spousal abuse and was granted a temporary restraining order. Tyson sought an annulment, accusing her of stealing millions of dollars and manipulating the public. She responded by filing a $125 million libel suit for defamation. Their divorce was finalized on Valentine's Day in 1989. She was the spokesperson for the National Domestic Violence Hotline for several years. In 1993 she adopted her first son, Michael "Buddy" Givens. In 1997, she married her tennis instructor, Svetozar Marinković; she filed for divorce months later. In 1999, she had a biological son, William "Billy" Jensen, with tennis player Murphy Jensen. They dated from 1999 until 2002. In June 2007, she released her autobiography Grace Will Lead Me Home. ​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Filmography50+ titles

The First Family

as Melanie

Riverdale

2017as Sierra McCoy

Lucifer

2016as Leila Simms

Dynasty

2017Director

Favorite Son

2021Director

Church Girl

2012as Cat

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

1990as Denise

Nancy Drew

2019Director

Drop Dead Diva

2009as Anne Simpson

Chuck

2007as Jane Bentley

In the House

1995

Never Heard

2018as Shala Davis

The Game

2006

Hollywood Squares

1998as Self - Panelist

He's Not Worth Dying For

2022as Cher

Burn Notice

2007as Kandi

Once Upon a Time

2011as Eudora

Ambitions

as Stephanie Carlisle

So Help Me Todd

2022Director

Nikita

2010as Mary Miracle

Dangerous Intentions

1995as Kaye Ferrar

God Bless the Broken Road

2018as Karena Williams

Moesha

1996as Ladonna

Diff'rent Strokes

1978

Man Seeking Woman

2015as Vicki Claus

Should've Put a Ring On It

2011as Sherri

Everything's Jake

2000as Publisher

The Cosby Show

1984as Susanne

Batwoman

2019as Jada Jet

The Fix

2019as Julianne Johnson

Tyson

2008as Self - Ex-Wife

The Family That Preys

2008as Abby

The Women of Brewster Place

1989as Kiswana / Melanie Browne

Elsbeth

2024Director

Suburgatory

2011as Tulsa

Love Chronicles

2003as Monifa Burly

JK's House

2013as Dr. Amber Jenkins

Worst Cooks in America

2010as Self - Contestant

Dear Christmas

2020as Penny

Head of the Class

1986as Darlene Merriman

A New Diva's Christmas Carol

2022as Sahra

Kimi

2022as Angela's Mother

God's Not Dead 2

2016as Principal Kinney

Perfect Match

2015as Wedding Coordinator

90210

2008as Cheryl Harwood

Last Looks

2021as Fontella Davis

Boomerang

1992as Jacqueline 'Jackie / Jack' Broyer

The Penthouse

1989as Dinah St. Clair

Head of State

2003as Kim

The Perfect Match

2016as Geneva