Editing Robin Givens (section)

==Career==
===1980s–1990s===
In 1985, Givens auditioned for a guest spot on ''[[The Cosby Show]]''. She won the spot and [[Bill Cosby]] became her mentor.<ref name="Arias-1987"/> He persuaded her to drop out of school and promised that if she was not successful in two years, he would get her back into medical school and pay her tuition.<ref name="Collier-1987"/> Soon after Givens appeared in ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'' and the 1986 television film ''[[Beverly Hills Madam]]'', opposite [[Faye Dunaway]].<ref name="Collier-1987"/> That same year, she landed her breakthrough role as rich girl Darlene Merriman on the ABC sitcom ''Head of the Class''.<ref name="Collier-1987"/> The series lasted five seasons, ending in 1991. In 1989, while starring in ''Head of the Class'', she appeared in ''[[The Women of Brewster Place (miniseries)|The Women of Brewster Place]]'' with [[Oprah Winfrey]]. She later starred in the feature films ''[[A Rage in Harlem]]'' (1991) and ''[[Boomerang (1992 film)|Boomerang]]'' (1992).

In 1994, Givens posed nude for ''[[Playboy]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=So How Do You Like Me Now?|last=Givens|first=Robin|author2=Gorman, Greg |date=September 1994|magazine=Playboy|pages=120–130}}</ref> During that period Givens felt she had lost her voice, so one of the reasons why she posed for the magazine was so that she could write her own article.<ref name="E-Online-2019">{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1095409/how-robin-givens-found-her-voice-after-surviving-domestic-violence|title=How Robin Givens Found Her Voice After Surviving Domestic Violence|date=November 20, 2019|website=E! Online|language=en-US}}</ref> Givens was ranked No. 88 on ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine's "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History" list in May 1995.<ref name="askmen">{{Cite web|url=http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/actress_250/255_robin_givens.html|title=Robin Givens: Biography|publisher=askmen.com|access-date=October 22, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101102516/http://www.askmen.com/celebs/women/actress_250/255_robin_givens.html|archive-date=November 1, 2012}}</ref> In 1996, Givens portrayed Claudia in the television movie ''The Face'' (also known as ''[[A Face to Die For]]'') with [[Yasmine Bleeth]]. Later that year, she co-starred in the UPN sitcom ''[[Sparks (TV series)|Sparks]]'', which ended its run in 1998.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=October 27, 1997|title='Sparks' Begins Second Season|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PTsDAAAAMBAJ&q=robin+givens+spark+upn&pg=PA60|journal=Jet|pages=60–63}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Smith|first=Jessie Carney|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=10rEGSIItjgC&q=robin+givens+spark+upn+1998&pg=PA1599|title=Encyclopedia of African American Popular Culture [4 volumes]|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2010|isbn=978-0-313-35797-8|pages=1599|language=en}}</ref> She also played Denise in ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/09/the-complete-history-of-guest-stars-on-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air/robin-givens|title=The Complete History of Guest Stars on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"|website=[[Complex Networks]]|access-date=September 10, 2012}}</ref>

===2000s–2010s===
In January 2000, Givens appeared in a cameo in [[Toni Braxton]]'s music video "[[He Wasn't Man Enough]]", as the wife of a cheating husband.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/soft-sexy-toni-braxton-new-album-new-video-cute-new-man-sad-article-1.876907|title=Soft and Sexy Toni Braxton has a new album, a new video and a 'cute' new man. How sad is that?|last=Farber|first=Jim|date=April 23, 2000 |work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |access-date=September 21, 2015}}</ref> She returned to the entertainment industry later that year as the host of the talk show ''Forgive or Forget'', replacing television personality [[Mother Love (entertainer)|Mother Love]] halfway through the show's second season. Ratings initially increased after Givens took over hosting duties,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_10_97/ai_59587155?tag=rel.res3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422063657/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_10_97/ai_59587155/?tag=rel.res3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 22, 2009 |title=Givens Boosts Ratings Of 'Forgive Or Forget' Show |date=February 14, 2000 |work=Jet |access-date=October 22, 2008}}</ref> but soon fell. The series was canceled after this season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_19_97/ai_61834892?tag=rel.res4 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630022841/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_19_97/ai_61834892?tag=rel.res4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |title='Forgive Or Forget' TV Show Is Cancelled |date=April 17, 2000 |work=Jet |access-date=October 22, 2008}}</ref>

In 2006, Givens attempted a return to television on [[MyNetworkTV]]'s [[telenovela]] ''[[Saints & Sinners (2007 TV series)|Saints and Sinners]]'',<ref>{{cite press release |title=Givens and Harris Join MyNetworkTV |publisher= MyNetworkTV |date=November 29, 2006 |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20061129mynetworktv01 |access-date=November 30, 2006}}</ref> but the show garnered low ratings and was soon canceled. Givens continued acting in made-for-television films while also making appearances on [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]]'s ''[[Praise (TV program)|Praise the Lord]]'' program (July 12, 2007), and ''[[Larry King Live]]''. In June 2007, she released her autobiography ''Grace Will Lead Me Home''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/book-excerpt-grace-will-lead-me-home/ |title=Book Excerpt: 'Grace Will Lead Me Home' |date=June 7, 2007 |publisher=[[CBS News]] |access-date=October 22, 2008}}</ref> Givens returned to feature films in [[Tyler Perry]]'s Southern drama ''[[The Family That Preys]]'' (2008). She also had a recurring role portraying a fictionalized version of herself on the [[The CW|CW]] comedy-drama ''[[The Game (American TV series)|The Game]]''. Additionally, she has had a recurring role on the [[TBS (TV network)|TBS]] show ''[[Tyler Perry's House of Payne]]'', and a guest role on [[USA Network]]'s ''[[Burn Notice]]''. In addition to television and film roles, Givens has performed onstage. In 2001, she appeared in an [[off-Broadway]] production of ''[[The Vagina Monologues]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/arts/theater/documents/01629287.htm |title=State of the Art |work=[[The Phoenix (newspaper)|Boston Phoenix]] |access-date=October 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422050943/http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/arts/theater/documents/01629287.htm |archive-date=April 22, 2009}}</ref> From February to April 16, 2006, she played the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway play ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=7847 |title=Given is 'Roxie Hart' in Chicago |publisher=Broadwayworld.com |access-date=June 7, 2010}}</ref> In 2007, she toured the country playing a part in the I'm Ready Productions play ''Men, Money & Golddiggers''. Givens starred in the 2009 stage play ''A Mother's Prayer'', which also starred [[Johnny Gill]], [[Shirley Murdock]], and [[Jermaine Crawford]].

In 2007, Givens published a memoir entitled ''Grace Will Lead Me Home''. In it, she reflects on the life of her praying grandmother, Grace, her experiences of [[domestic violence]], her strong will to survive, feeling abandoned by her father, and her faith in God.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/Robin_Givens061407.aspx Robin Givens: Truly Knowing God]. The 700 Club.</ref> In 2011, she guest-starred in three episodes of [[NBC]]'s spy-comedy ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]]'': "[[Chuck Versus the Masquerade]]", "[[Chuck Versus the A-Team]]", and "[[Chuck Versus the Muuurder]]", as Jane Bentley. Later that year, she performed as Angel, a struggling blues singer, in the play ''Blues for An Alabama Sky'' at [[Pasadena Playhouse]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 9, 2011|title=For Robin Givens, The Sky's The Limit|url=https://thisstage.la/2011/11/for-robin-givens-the-skys-the-limit/|access-date=February 3, 2021|website=At This Stage|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2015, she starred alongside [[Clifton Powell]], [[Mishon Ratliff]], and Malachi Malik in the segment "Mama's Boy" of [[TV One (American TV channel)|TV One]]'s anthology romance horror film ''Fear Files''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/90408/tv-ones-fright-night-files-renamed-fear-files-given-sequel/|title=TV One's Fright Night Files Renamed Fear Files and Given a Sequel|first=Debi|last=Moore|date=February 19, 2015|website=Dread Central}}</ref>

Givens was the spokesperson for the [[National Domestic Violence Hotline]] for several years.<ref name="Oprah-2009">{{Cite web|url=https://www.oprah.com/relationships/robin-givens-responds-to-mike-tyson/all|title=Robin Givens Responds|date=November 13, 2009|website=Oprah}}</ref><ref name="E-Online-2019"/>

In 2017, Givens hosted the [[San Diego Black Film Festival]] as she had for the several previous years.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wood|first=Beth|date=April 21, 2017|title=San Diego Black Film Festival has new venues|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/movies/sd-et-black-film-fest-20170420-story.html|access-date=September 12, 2021|website=San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en-US}}</ref>

===2020s===
In 2020, Givens made her directorial debut with the Lifetime mystery thriller film, ''A Murder to Remember''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a33634081/robin-givens-a-murder-to-remember/|title=Actress Robin Givens Just Made Her Directorial Debut with a Lifetime Film|date=August 21, 2020|website=Oprah Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/a-murder-to-remember/pages/robin-givens-directorial-debut-a-murder-to-remember|title=Robin Givens on How Past Experiences Helped Her Direct 'A Murder to Remember'|website=Lifetime}}</ref> She later directed films ''Favorite Son'' (2021) and its sequel, ''Favorite Son Christmas'' (2023), ''A Jenkins Family Christmas'' (2021) and ''The Christmas Clapback'' (2022), all for [[BET+]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://extratv.com/2023/12/14/robin-givens-and-son-billy-dish-on-directing-2-new-christmas-movies-exclusive/|title=Robin Givens & Son Billy Dish on Directing 2 New Christmas Movies (Exclusive)|website=Extra}}</ref> In 2021, she directed the horror films ''Haunted Trail'' and ''[[Horror Noire (film)|Horror Noire]]''. In 2023 she directed the comedy film, ''[[The Nana Project]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/robin-givens-mockumentary-the-nana-project-adds-tony-todd-katie-sarife-more-1235022415/|title=Robin Givens Mockumentary 'The Nana Project' Adds Sierra McCormick, Tony Todd, Katie Sarife & More|first=Matt|last=Grobar|date=May 12, 2022}}</ref>

In 2021, Givens was cast in [[Batwoman (season 3)|season three]] of ''[[Batwoman (TV series)|Batwoman]]'' as [[Jada Jet]], the CEO of Jeturian Industries and Ryan Wilder's biological mother who is based on [[Jezebel Jet]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=July 6, 2021 |title='Batwoman': Robin Givens Joins Season 3 Of CW Drama As Series Regular |url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/batwoman-robin-givens-season-3-cast-cw-series-regular-1234786886/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706184611/https://deadline.com/2021/07/batwoman-robin-givens-season-3-cast-cw-series-regular-1234786886/ |archive-date=July 6, 2021 |access-date=July 6, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>

In 2022, Givens appeared in the [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] film ''He's Not Worth Dying For'' as part of its "Ripped from the Headlines" feature films that was inspired by the feud of [[Rachel Wade]] and Sarah Ludemann. She portrayed Cher Heinemann, the mother of Grace Heinemann who was based on Ludemann.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thecinemaholic.com/is-lifetimes-hes-not-worth-dying-a-true-story-where-was-it-filmed-who-is-in-the-cast/|title=Is Lifetime's He's Not Worth Dying a True Story? Where Was it Filmed? Who is in the Cast?|first=Kumari|last=Shreya|website=The Cinemaholic|date=June 25, 2022|access-date=June 26, 2022}}</ref>
 
Givens directed the episodes of television series ''[[Riverdale (American TV series)|Riverdale]]'', ''[[Dynasty (2017 TV series)|Dynasty]]'', ''[[Nancy Drew (2019 TV series)|Nancy Drew]]'', ''[[So Help Me Todd]]'' and ''[[Elsbeth (TV series)|Elsbeth]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/elsbeth-made-major-change-format-recent-episode-i-think-theyre-onto-something|title=Elsbeth Made A Major Change To Its Format On A Recent Episode, And I Think They're Onto Something Here|author1=Mack Rawden|date=November 15, 2024|website=CINEMABLEND}}</ref>