Victoria Rowell
Genoa City Presence
Drucilla Winters (March 1990 through August 2000; August 15, 2002 to April 6, 2007)
At a Glance
Born in Portland, Maine, Rowell was raised in foster care for eighteen years. Under the auspices of the Ford Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, eight-year-old Rowell received the Ford Foundation scholarship to the Cambridge School of Ballet, where after eight years of training she flourished as a dancer garnering scholarships to both the School of American Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre by age sixteen.
After dancing professionally with the American Ballet Theatre II Company, Ballet Hispanico of New York, Contemporary Ballet, Twyla Tharp Workshop and The Julliard School of Music Dance Extension Program with Anthony Tudor, Rowell decided to accept guest artist teaching posts in New England. After this experience, the opportunity presented itself for Rowell to pursue a career in modeling. Rowell soon began to grace the pages of Seventeen, Mademoiselle and countless other magazines, before auditioning for her first television role on The Cosby Show.
Rowell landed the role of Drucilla Winters on The Young and the Restless in March 1990. During her eight-year run on the daytime drama series, Rowell was honored with a Soap Opera Digest Award in the category of "Outstanding Actress In A Daytime Drama Series," a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for "Hottest Female Star In A Daytime Drama Series," and received seven NAACP Image Awards in the category of "Outstanding Lead Actress In A Daytime Drama Series."
Rowell has also appeared in feature films such as The Distinguished Gentleman alongside Eddie Murphy, Dumb and Dumber with Jim Carrey, and Eve's Bayou with Samuel L. Jackson and Diahann Carroll.
Outside of daytime television, Rowell may be best known for her role as medical examiner Dr. Amanda Bentley on Diagnosis Murder. Rowell co-starred with the legendary Dick Van Dyke for eight seasons.
Having spent eighteen years in foster care, Rowell became a voice for children like herself. In 1990, she founded The Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan, which sponsors foster children to study fine arts and sports.
Rowell is an active contributor and/or supporter of Americans for the Arts, The Ford Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, American Ballet Theatre, School of American Ballet, The Urban League, the NAACP, the Administration of Children's Services, NYV, New Yorkers for Children, the Alliance for Children's Rights, the Children's Defense Fund, Hope Worldwide, and the Department of Children and Family Services in various states.
Acting Portfolio
TELEVISION
All of Us
Deborah Cooper, in "He's Got Game"
2007
Polly and Marie
Rebecca McCaw
2007
Noah's Arc
Vonda
2006
A Town Without Pity
Dr. Amanda Bentley
2002
Without Warning
Dr. Amanda Bentley
2002
Feast of All Saints
Josette Metoyer
2001
Family Law
Ms. Wilkes, in "Moving On"
2001
Diagnosis Murder
Amanda Bentley-Livingston
1993-2001
Deadly Games
Courtney Lake, in "Divorce Lawyer"
1995
Secret Sins of the Father
Yolanda Seeley
1994
Full Eclipse
Anna Dire
1993
Herman's Head
Susan Bracken
1991-1993
The Young and the Restless
Drucilla Winters
March 1990 through August 2000; August 15, 2002 to April 6, 2007
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Mimi Mumford, in "Clubba Hubba"
1990
The Cosby Show
Paula
1988-1999
As the World Turns
Nella Franklin
1988
Acting Portfolio
FILM
Home of the Brave
Penelope Marsh
2006
A Perfect Fit
Sheila
2005
Motives
Detective Pierce
2004
Black Listed
Patricia
2003
Fraternity Boys
1999
A Wake in Providence
Alissa
1999
Eve's Bayou
Stevie Hobbs
1997
Barb Wire
Dr. Corrina 'Cora D' Devonshire
1996
Dumb & Dumber
FBI Special Agent Beth Jordan
1994
The Distinguished Gentleman
Celia Kirby
1992
Leonard Part 6
Joan Parker
1987
Awards & Acclaim
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1996, 1997, 1998)
Image Awards Winner, Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005)
Vital Statistics
PLACE OF BIRTH: Portland, Maine
DATE OF BIRTH: May 10, 1960
MARITAL STATUS: Divorced; Tom Fahey (1989 - 1990)
CHILDREN: Daughter, Maya (with Tom Fahey); Son, Jasper (with Wynton Marsalis)
News Archives
News Archive: CBS, Rowell unable to come to terms on new contract. [Sep 18, 2000]
News Archive: CBS confirms Rowell will return. [Jul 1, 2002]
News Archive: Contract talks still ongoing between CBS, Rowell. [Aug 8, 2005]
News Archive: Rowell, Y&R reach terms on new contract. [Aug 29, 2005]
News Archive: Rowell asks to be released from her contract. [Feb 5, 2007]
News Archive: Rowell says she's open to Y&R return. [Mar 3, 2008]
News Archive: Let's play ball, says Rowell to CBS executives. [Aug 24, 2009]
