Vanessa Bell Calloway's work on stage, screen, and television clearly demonstrates why she has maintained her staying power. She is a favorite of audiences across the country and her work has garnered her seven NAACP Image Award nominations.

Vanessa was recently seen recurring on All OF Us and in an explosive performance on TNT's The Closer. She also recently completed an independent feature entitled Greek Show starring opposite her long time friend Sinbad. Other guest starring roles include CSI Miami, Strong Medicine and CBS's nightly drama The District, opposite veteran actor Craig T. Nelson, where she earned her seventh NAACP Image Award nomination.

Vanessa is now using her versatility as creator, writer and executive producer for a new reality based television show that she created for TV ONE. Vanessa Bell Calloway: In The Company Of Friends, invites the viewing audience to a private and very intimate dinner party hosted by Vanessa and her husband of eighteen years Dr. Tony Calloway.

Vanessa's life on the big screen has been a very busy one. In Biker Boyz, a DreamWorks production, which features an all-star cast and was directed by Reggie Rock Bythewood, she is reunited with actor Lawrence Fishburn. Vanessa got raved reviews as Anita and was singled out by reviewers across the country as a stand out performance. She is also featured in Cheaper By The Dozen, and Love Don't Cost A Thing directed by Troy Beyer where she is playing opposite Steve Harvey. In the feature film The Brothers, Vanessa plays Morris Chestnut's therapist. As Ikette Jackie, Vanessa garnered critical acclaim in Touchstone's film What's Love Got To Do With It, which also starred Fishburn and Angela Bassett. Vanessa co-starred opposite Sylvester Stallone in Universal Picture's Daylight, a high-energy action packed drama. She played the wife of Denzel Washington in Crimson Tide, and the wife of Glen Turman in Touchstone's The Inkwell. She was also one of the lead voices in Bebe's Kids, an animated feature based on characters created by the late comedian, Robin Harris. Fans still remember Vanessa for her role as the almost bride in Paramount Picture's Coming to America with Eddie Murphy. In Dawg, Vanessa appears with Elizabeth Hurley and Dennis Leary.

Fans of television film know Vanessa's work well. Currently, she is starring in her own film entitled A Private Affair, a BET/Arabesque production that airs regularly on the BET station. She also co-starred in a ShowTime film, Red Sneakers, which was directed by Gregory Hines, Love Song, a film made for MTV starring Monica, and a TNT film, Memphis, with Cybil Shepherd. Vanessa has co-starred in two HBO releases. She played opposite Sinbad in The Cherokee Kid and stared with Wesley Snipes and Jasmine Guy in America's Dream: The Boy Who Painted Christ Black, which was directed by Bill Duke. Her role as Johnnie Mae in The Temptations, a mini series produced by Hallmark and Suzanne DePasse for NBC, earned her a fifth NAACP Image Award nomination.

Vanessa's diversity in performance and presence does not end with film. She was a co-host of the BET talk show Oh Drama! This show also featured Kim Whitley and Julissa Marquez.

The variety of roles Vanessa has played keeps her from being pigeonholed. Because of her ability to bring a unique presence of character to a particular piece, she appears in a different light with each role she plays. Her recurring role on David Kelly's Boston Public, earned her sixth NAACP Image Award nomination. Vanessa has guest starred on the Lifetime show For The People, and on the UPN productions The Parkers and One on One. Other guest stars include The Division (Lifetime), Diagnosis Murder (CBS), Moesha (UPN), The Gregory Hines Show (CBS), Touched By an Angel (CBS), Equal Justice (ABC), LA Law (NBC), and A Different World (NBC) just to name a few. One of her most memorable television roles to date was her portrayal of Maggie in the CBS series Under One Roof with Joe Morton and James Earl Jones. She also starred opposite Larry Hagman in Orleans (CBS) and gained great popularity as the sultry Yvonne Caldwell on daytime television's All My Children (ABC).

Her diversity moves beyond acting. Vanessa is also an accomplished dancer who trained with Alvin Ailey and George Faison. She completed her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree, with concentration in dance, from Ohio University. On stage Vanessa treated audiences to her dancing talent in Michael Bennett's original Broadway production of Dreamgirls. On television, she has danced in the Disney productions Polly, and Polly Coming Home, and the CBS production, Stompin' at the Savoy, which were all directed by Debbie Allen.

Incorporating her head for business with her acting and dancing talents, Vanessa loves live theater and she created a dinner theater, co-producing four plays with her production partner Adleane Hunter. Black Woman's Blues by Gus Edwards played at the new Regency West Dinner Theater in Los Angeles's Leimert Park. Vanessa choreographed and starred in the woman's narrative piece, which also featured Dawnn Lewis, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Aloma Wright. She also co-produced and starred in Louie and Ophelia, also written by Gus Edwards, with Ted Lange.

For several years, Vanessa was a spokeswoman for Essence Magazine, traveling to shopping malls across the United States, hosting the one-hour show, Essence on the Mall. Often recalling that experience, she notes, "I loved interacting with people. It was an experience that I treasure." Vanessa is also known for her humanitarian efforts. She also works very closely with the Jenesse Center, a shelter for victims of domestic violence and Crystal Stairs, program that helps women transition successfully into the workforce. Both programs are in Los Angeles.

Vanessa Bell Calloway, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband, anesthesiologist Dr. Anthony Calloway, and their beautiful daughters, Ashley and Alexandra, is a talent people want to follow. The quiet intensity of her performances always leaves an audience wanting more, and with each performance, she demonstrates the quality of her diversity and presence that separates her from the rest.