Editing Robin Givens

{{Short description|American stage, television, and film actress (born 1964)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| image              =
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1964|11|27}}
| birth_place        = 
| alma_mater         = [[Sarah Lawrence College]]
| occupation         = {{csv|Actress|model|director}}
| years_active       = 1978–present
| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|[[Mike Tyson]]|1988|1989|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Svetozar Marinković|1997|1998|end=divorced}}}}
| partner            = [[Murphy Jensen]] <br>(1999–2002)
| children           = 2
}}

'''Robin Givens''' (born November 27, 1964)<ref>{{cite news |author=<!-- Not stated --> |date=December 27, 2019 |title=Birthdays |work=[[The Modesto Bee]] |page=2A |agency=[[The Associated Press]] |quote=Actress Robin Givens is 55.}}</ref> is an American actress and director.<ref name="Katz">{{cite news |last=Katz |first=Michael |date=October 9, 1988 |title=Tyson-Givens - A Fairy Tale Turned Sour |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1988-10-09-8802280843-story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220321162316/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1988-10-09-8802280843-story.html |archive-date=March 21, 2022 |access-date=May 19, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Givens played Darlene Merriman in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] sitcom ''[[Head of the Class]]'' in 1986, and remained on the series for its five year duration. Her troubled marriage to boxer [[Mike Tyson]] in 1988 drew considerable media attention, as did their acrimonious divorce.<ref name="Oprah-2004">{{Cite web|url=https://www.oprah.com/relationships/robin-givens-reveals-all/all|title=Robin Givens Reveals All|date=November 5, 2004|website=Oprah.com}}</ref><ref name="McKinney-2018"/> She later went on to become a spokesperson for the [[National Domestic Violence Hotline]] for several years.<ref name="Oprah-2009"/>

Givens continued her career with film and television roles such as ''[[The Women of Brewster Place (miniseries)|The Women of Brewster Place]]'' (1989) and [[Boomerang (1992 film)|''Boomerang'']] (1992). In 1996, Givens co-starred on the sitcom ''[[Sparks (TV series)|Sparks]]'', which aired for two seasons on [[UPN]]. In January 2000, she took over hosting duties on the [[Broadcast syndication|syndicated]] talk show ''[[Forgive or Forget]]''. In 2007, Givens released her autobiography, ''Grace Will Lead Me Home''. She has since had recurring roles on ''[[The Game (American TV series)|The Game]]'', ''[[Tyler Perry's House of Payne]]'', ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]],'' ''[[Riverdale (2017 TV series)|Riverdale]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/riverdale-robin-givens-cast-riverdale-mayor-the-cw-series-1201810705/|title=Riverdale': Robin Givens Cast As Riverdale's Mayor In The CW Series|date=30 August 2016}}</ref> and its spin-off ''[[Katy Keene (TV series)|Katy Keene]]'', and has been part of the main cast of ''[[Batwoman (TV series)|Batwoman]]''. In 2020, Givens began working as a television and film director.

==Early life==
Givens' mother raised Robin and her sister Stephanie in [[Mount Vernon, New York|Mount Vernon]] and [[New Rochelle, New York]].<ref name="Collier-1987">{{Cite journal|last=Collier|first=Aldore|date=June 29, 1987|title=Robin Givens Leaves Harvard Med For Hollywood|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=27EDAAAAMBAJ&q=robin+givens&pg=PA54|journal=Jet|pages=54–55, 57}}</ref> Givens was raised [[Catholic]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Excerpt: Robin Givens' "Grace Will Lead Me Home"|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=3246156&page=1|publisher=ABC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911143731/http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=3246156&page=1|archive-date=September 11, 2016|date=June 6, 2007}}</ref> She occasionally modeled and acted as a teen.<ref name="Arias-1987">{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/if-robin-givens-can-jump-from-harvard-to-head-of-the-class-theres-no-ceiling-on-her-talent-vol-27-no-19/|title=If Robin Givens Can Jump from Harvard to Head of the Class, There's No Ceiling on Her Talent|last=Arias|first=Ron|date=May 11, 1987|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|language=EN}}</ref> As a model, she appeared in magazines such as [[Seventeen (American magazine)|''Seventeen'']] and [[Mademoiselle (magazine)|''Mademoiselle'']]. She made her film debut at age 14 in the film [[The Wiz (film)|''The Wiz'']] (1978) as a guest at Aunt Emma's Party.

Givens graduated from New Rochelle Academy (a private school which closed in June 1987). At the age of 15, she enrolled at [[Sarah Lawrence College]] as a [[pre-medical]] major, becoming one of the youngest to attend the school.<ref name="Collier-1987"/><ref name="Arias-1987"/> While in school she acted in daytime dramas.<ref name="Collier-1987"/> She graduated at the age of 19 in 1984.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=b0AdAAAAIBAJ&pg=1164,1929633&dq=robin+givens+model&hl=en|title=BIG FIGHT: Tyson-Given marriage down for the count|date=1988-10-19|work=Anchorage Daily News|page=F1|access-date=6 December 2012}}</ref> Givens claimed to have dropped out of [[Harvard Medical School]] to focus on her acting career, but the registrar's office stated that she never applied.<ref name="Katz"/>

==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>

==Personal life==
Givens began dating [[Boxing|boxer]] [[Mike Tyson]] in 1987.<ref name="Collier-1987"/> According to Givens, Tyson was physically abusive before they wed on February 7, 1988.<ref name="Oprah-2004"/><ref name="Hasen-1989">{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/02/14/Heavyweight-champion-Mike-Tyson-and-actress-Robin-Givens-chose/5138603435600/|title=Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and actress Robin Givens chose...|last=Hasen|first=Jeff|date=February 14, 1989|website=UPI|language=en}}</ref> Tyson stated that he was "severely traumatized by that relationship."<ref>{{cite book |last=Tyson |first=Mike |author-link=Mike Tyson |year=2013 |title=Undisputed Truth, My Autobiography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9SGKDQAAQBAJ&q=%22severely%20traumatized%20by%20that%20relationship%22&pg=PA188 |publisher= [[Plume (publisher)|Plume]] |page=118 |isbn=978-0-14-218121-8}}</ref> Tyson was then estimated to be worth $50 million; he and Givens did not have a [[prenuptial agreement]].<ref name="Soble-1988"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Klott|first=Gary|date=January 28, 1996|title=A Prenuptial Agreement Is Legal Security For Plain Folks|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-01-28-9601250538-story.html|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=Sun-Sentinel.com|language=en-US}}</ref> During their marriage, Givens bought a $4.3 million mansion in the affluent suburb of [[Bernardsville, New Jersey]] with money withdrawn from Tyson's [[brokerage account]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kurtz|first=Howard|date=October 20, 1988|title=Givens Renounces All Tyson Money|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1988/10/20/givens-renounces-all-tyson-money/a273c729-31eb-44f0-bac2-dde7c24d4fed/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=August 18, 1989|title=Mike Moving Out Of Jersey|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/08/18/MIKE-MOVING-OUT-OF-JERSEY/8149619416000/|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=UPI|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Gross, Ken|date=October 17, 1988|title=As Wife Robin Givens Splits for the Coast, Mike Tyson Rearranges the Furniture|work=[[People (American magazine)|People]]|url=https://people.com/archive/as-wife-robin-givens-splits-for-the-coast-mike-tyson-rearranges-the-furniture-vol-30-no-16/}} "The food lies untouched. The only sounds across the breakfast table in the Bernardsville, N.J., mansion are the loud silences of words being swallowed. Finally, Robin Givens, 24, star of the ABC-TV sitcom ''Head of the Class'', pushes herself away from the table and announces, 'I have to pack.' 'Me, too,' says her husband, Mike Tyson, 22, the world heavyweight boxing champion. Suddenly the Sunday morning atmosphere is tense and full of menace."</ref> They appeared in a [[Diet Pepsi]] commercial together and on the cover of [[Life (magazine)|''Life'']] magazine.<ref name="Jet-1988">{{Cite journal|date=October 24, 1988|title=Tyson-Givens Marriage Is Ending After Eight Months|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=264DAAAAMBAJ&q=robin+givens+tyson+jet&pg=PA16|journal=Jet|pages=16–18, 51}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oldlifemagazine.com/july-01-1988-life-magazine.html|title=Life Magazine, July 1, 1988 - Mike Tyson And Robin Givens|website=oldlifemagazine.com|language=en}}</ref> 

After her [[miscarriage]] in June 1988, their marriage began to fall apart.<ref name="McMurran-1988"/><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Katz|first1=Michael|last2=Marques|first2=Stuart|date=October 13, 1988|title=Doctor Says Givens Had A Miscarriage|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.oprah.com/relationships/robin-givens-reveals-all/all}}</ref> Tyson claims Givens' pregnancy and miscarriage were part of a ruse to rush him into marriage, claiming that in all the time she was supposedly pregnant, Givens never gained a pound.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, accusing actress wife Robin Givens...|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/10/14/Heavyweight-champion-Mike-Tyson-accusing-actress-wife-Robin-Givens/9787592804800/|access-date=June 19, 2021|website=UPI|language=en}}</ref> In a joint interview with Tyson on ''[[20/20 (American TV program)|20/20]]'' in September 1988, Givens told [[Barbara Walters]] that life with him was "torture, pure hell, worse than anything I could possibly imagine," and she went on to describe his volatile temper.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-09-30-sp-3141-story.html|title=Mood Swings : In a TV Interview, Tyson's Wife Says Life Has Been 'Torture ... Pure Hell'|date=September 30, 1988|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> In October 1988, Givens filed for divorce, citing [[Domestic violence|spousal abuse]] and was granted a temporary restraining order.<ref name="Jet-1988"/> Her attorney [[Marvin Mitchelson]] said, "She loves Michael Tyson, but there is continued violence, and she fears for her safety."<ref name="Soble-1988">{{Cite web|last=Soble|first=Ronald L.|date=October 8, 1988|title=Givens, Citing Fear, Files for Divorce From Tyson|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-08-sp-3096-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Tyson sought an [[annulment]], accusing her of stealing millions of dollars and manipulating the public.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=January 9, 1989|title=Mike Tyson: "The Truth About Robin And Me"|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vr0DAAAAMBAJ&q=robin+givens+tyson+jet&pg=PA59|journal=Jet|pages=59–60}}</ref> Givens responded by filing a $125 million libel suit for [[defamation]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kurtz|first=Howard|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1988/11/17/givens-files-125-million-libel-suit-against-tyson/06f4f09e-2fb8-4d8e-84ba-23e4a0e95437/|title=Givens Files $125 Million Libel Suit Against Tyson|date=November 17, 1988|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Their divorce was finalized on [[Valentine's Day]] in 1989.<ref name="Hasen-1989"/>

Givens received negative press following her split from Tyson, particularly within the sports and African-American communities.<ref name="McKinney-2018">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/11/robin-givens-opens-up-mike-tyson-abusive-me-too-wendy-williams-watch|title=Robin Givens Opens Up About Mike Tyson Abuse In Wake Of #MeToo: Watch|last=McKinney|first=Jessica|date=November 22, 2018|website=Vibe|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lavin|first=Cheryl|date=October 27, 1988|title=The Woman America Loves To Hate The Soon-To-Be-Ex-Mrs. Tyson Has Asked For Sympathy, And None Will Be Given.|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1988-10-27-8803030360-story.html|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=The Chicago Tribune|language=en-US|via=Sun-Sentinel.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Vader|first=J. E.|date=December 12, 1988|title=Back Off, Robin Bashers|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/12/12/back-off-robin-bashers-a-few-words-in-defense-of-the-villainous-robin-givens|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=Sports Illustrated Vault|language=en-us}}</ref> Headlines heralded her as "the Most Hated Woman in America" and she was described as a "[[gold digger]] who married Tyson solely for his millions."<ref>{{Cite web|date=December 16, 2009|title=Through the Storm: Robin Givens|url=https://www.essence.com/news/through-the-storm-robin-givens/|access-date=December 1, 2020|website=Essence|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Randolph|first=Laura B.|date=March 1990|title=Robin Givens Life After Tyson|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oswDAAAAMBAJ&q=hated+woman&pg=PA145|journal=Ebony|pages=122–123}}</ref> Givens denied that she received a reported divorce settlement of over $10 million from Tyson, stating that she "didn't receive one dime."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.essence.com/2008/06/18/through-the-storm-robin-givens|title=Through the Storm: Robin Givens|last=Bass|first=Patrik Henry|date=June 18, 2008|website=Essence|publisher=essence.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Younge|first=Gary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/boxing/article/0,,1012528,00.html|title=Out for the count|date=August 4, 2003|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

According to the 1989 biography ''Fire and Fear: The Inside Story of Mike Tyson'', Tyson admitted he punched Givens, stating "that was the best punch I've ever thrown in my entire life."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-23-sp-2706-story.html|title=Robin Took Best Punch, Tyson Says in Biography|date=June 23, 1989|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Tyson later claimed the book was "filled with inaccuracies."<ref>{{cite book|last=Tyson|first=Mike|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9SGKDQAAQBAJ&q=%22I%20never%20said%20that%20about%20women.%20I%20said%20that%20about%20my%20opponents%20in%20the%20ring%22&pg=PA209|title=Undisputed Truth, My Autobiography|publisher=[[Plume (publisher)|Plume]]|year=2013|isbn=978-0-14-218121-8|page=209|author-link=Mike Tyson}}</ref> In 2009, Tyson joked about "socking" Givens on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show|Oprah]]'', which caused laughter in the audience. [[Oprah Winfrey|Winfrey]] later issued an apology to Givens.<ref name="Oprah-2009"/>

In 1993, Givens adopted her first son, Michael "Buddy" Givens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/parents/robin-givens-an/|title=Robin Givens and sons|date=August 23, 2007|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|language=EN}}</ref> In 1997, she married her tennis instructor, Svetozar Marinković. Givens filed for divorce months later.<ref name="askmen"/> In 1999, she had a biological son, William "Billy" Jensen, with ex-boyfriend, tennis player [[Murphy Jensen]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20061259,00.html|title='I've Been Through a Lot' |last=Perry|first=Beth|date=June 25, 2007|magazine=People|access-date=October 22, 2008}}</ref>

In January 2004, Givens struck a pedestrian while driving an SUV through a [[Miami]], Florida, intersection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,627611,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080320010619/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,627611,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 20, 2008|title=Robin Givens Strikes, Hurts Pedestrian|date=January 29, 2004|publisher=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=October 22, 2008}}</ref> Givens was ticketed for failing to use due care with a pedestrian in a crosswalk, but the charges were later dismissed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-12-07-robin-givens_x.htm|title=Charges dismissed against Robin Givens|date=December 4, 2004|publisher=usatoday.com|access-date=October 22, 2008}}</ref> In June 2004, the injured party filed a civil lawsuit against Givens for an unspecified amount.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-06-18-givens-sued_x.htm|title=89-year-old woman sues Robyn Givens|date=June 18, 2004|publisher=usatoday.com|access-date=October 22, 2008}}</ref>

A May 7, 2009, article in ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine reported that the [[Internal Revenue Service]] was suing Givens for unpaid federal income taxes totaling $292,000 (${{Inflation|US|292000|2009|r=-3|fmt=c}} in present-day USD when adjusted for inflation), an amount which included interest and penalties. The government had asked a federal court in Florida for a judgment against her on 39 assessments covering a span of eight years.<ref>{{cite news|author=William P. Barrett|date= May 7, 2009|title= Feds Sue Robin Givens For $292,000 Owed IRS| work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/05/07/irs-debt-mike-tyson-personal-finance-taxes-robin-givens.html}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1978
| ''[[The Wiz (film)|The Wiz]]''
| Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
| 
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Beverly Hills Madam]]''
| April Baxter
| rowspan=2|TV movie
|-
| 1989
| ''[[The Penthouse (1989 film)|The Penthouse]]''
| Dinah St. Clair
|-
| 1991
| ''[[A Rage in Harlem (film)|A Rage in Harlem]]''
| Imabelle
|
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Boomerang (1992 film)|Boomerang]]''
| Jacqueline Broyer
|
|-
| 1993
| ''Angel Street''
| Det. Anita King
| TV movie
|-
| rowspan=2|1994
| ''[[Foreign Student]]''
| April
|
|-
| ''[[Blankman]]''
| Kimberly Jonz
|
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Dangerous Intentions]]''
| Kaye Ferrar
| rowspan=2|TV movie
|-
| 1996
| ''[[A Face to Die For]]''
| Claudia
|-
| 1998
| ''Secrets''
| -
| Short
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Michael Jordan: An American Hero]]''
| Juanita Vanoy
| TV movie
|-
| rowspan=2|2000
| ''[[Everything's Jake]]''
| Publisher
|
|-
| ''[[The Expendables (2000 film)|The Expendables]]''
| Randy
| TV movie
|-
| rowspan=2|2001
| ''The Elite''
| Ashe
|
|-
| ''Spinning Out of Control''
| Erin
| TV movie
|-
| rowspan=2|2002
| ''[[Book of Love (2002 film)|Book of Love]]''
| Iyanna
|
|-
| ''[[Antibody (film)|Antibody]]''
| Dr. Rachel Saverini
| Video
|-
| rowspan=4|2003
| ''[[Head of State (2003 film)|Head of State]]''
| Kim
|
|-
| ''[[A Good Night to Die]]''
| Dana
|
|-
| ''[[Love Chronicles (film)|Love Chronicles]]''
| Monifa Burly
|
|-
| ''[[Hollywood Wives: The New Generation]]''
| Kyndra
| TV movie
|-
| rowspan=2|2005
| ''Flip The Script''
| Rain Jones
|
|-
| ''Captive Hearts''
| Jade Marlo
| TV movie
|-
| 2006
| ''Restraining Order''
| Diane McNeil
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[The Family That Preys]]''
| Abigail "Abby" Dexter
|
|-
| rowspan=5|2009
| ''God Send Me a Man''
| Kim
|
|-
| ''Little Hercules In 3-D''
| Dana
|
|-
| ''Sounds of Poetry''
| Eleanor
| Short
|-
| ''Preaching to the Pastor''
| Dr. Leslie Williams
| 
|-
| ''A Mother's Prayer''
| Brenda
| Video
|-
| 2010
| ''Enemies Among Us''
| Gloria
| 
|-
| rowspan=4|2011
| ''Church Girl''
| Cat
|
|-
| ''Should've Put a Ring on It''
| Sherri
|
|-
| ''Breathe''
| Nurse Nancy
| 
|-
| ''The Love You Save''
| Alexis
| TV movie
|-
| 2012
| ''Waiting for Angels''
| Jack's Daughter
| Video
|-
| rowspan=3|2013
| ''Je'Caryous Johnson's Marriage Material''
| Shauna
| 
|-
| ''Will a Man Rob God?''
| Mrs. Alexis
| Video
|-
| ''JK's House''
| Dr. Amber Jenkins
| 
|-
| rowspan=4|2014
| ''Airplane Vs Volcano''
| Lisa Whitmore
| Video
|-
| ''Four Seasons''
| Helen
| 
|-
| ''Unspoken Words''
| Mrs. Lewis
| 
|-
| ''On Angel's Wings''
| Amber
| 
|-
| rowspan=3|2015
| ''Fear Files''
| Elaine Channing
| rowspan=2|TV movie
|-
| ''Perfect Match''
| Wedding Coordinator
|-
| ''A Christmas to Remember''
| Veronica
| 
|-
| rowspan=3|2016
| ''Definitely Divorcing''
| April
|
|-
| ''[[The Perfect Match (2016 film)|The Perfect Match]]''
| Geneva
|
|-
| ''[[God's Not Dead 2]]''
| Principal Kinney
|
|-
| 2017
| ''Dreams I Never Had''
| Prosecuting Attorney Hernandez
| 
|-
| rowspan=3|2018
| ''The Products of the American Ghetto''
| Penny
| 
|-
| ''[[God Bless the Broken Road]]''
| Kareena Williams
| 
|-
| ''Never Heard''
| Shala Davis
| 
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Gully (film)|Gully]]''
| Irma
| 
|-
| rowspan=2|2020
| ''The Sin Choice''
| Grace Thompson
| 
|-
| ''Dear Christmas''
| Penny
| rowspan=2|TV movie
|-
| 2021
| ''Saints & Sinners Judgment Day''
| Wilhelmina Parker
|-
| rowspan=4|2022
| ''[[Last Looks]]''
| Fontella Davis
| 
|-
| ''[[Kimi (film)|Kimi]]''
| Angela's Mother
|
|-
| ''He's Not Worth Dying For''
| Cher
| rowspan=2|TV movie
|- 
| ''A New Diva's Christmas Carol'' 
| Sahra
|-
| rowspan=2|2023
| ''[[The Nana Project]]'' 
| Director
| 
|-
| ''Christmas Rescue''
| Mama Rose
| TV movie
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| rowspan=2|1985
| ''{{sortname|The|Cosby Show}}''
| Susanne
| Episode: "Theo and the Older Woman"
|-
| ''[[Guiding Light]]''
| Diana
| Episode: "Episode #1.9784"
|-
| rowspan=3|1986
| ''[[Soul Train]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Al Jarreau/Vesta Williams"
|-
| ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]''
| Ann
| Episode: "The Big Bribe"
|-
| ''[[Philip Marlowe, Private Eye]]''
| Token Ware
| Episode: "Pickup on Noon Street"
|-
| 1986–1991
| ''[[Head of the Class]]''
| Darlene Merriman
| Main role
|-
| 1987
| ''[[Hollywood Squares]]''
| Herself/Panelist
| Episode: "April 27, 1987"
|-
| 1988
| ''[[Sonny Spoon]]''
| Alvita
| Episode: "Crimes Below the Waist"
|-
| 1989
| ''The Women of Brewster Place''
| Kiswana/Melanie Browne
| Miniseries 
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Angel Street (TV series)|Angel Street]]''
| Detective Anita King
| Main role
|-
| rowspan=3|1995
| ''[[Me and the Boys (TV series)|Me and the Boys]]''
| Nina
| Recurring role
|-
| ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]''
| Denise
| Episode: "Cold Feet, Hot Body"
|-
| ''[[Courthouse (TV series)|Courthouse]]''
| Suzanne Graham
| Main role
|-
| 1996
| ''[[In the House (TV series)|In the House]]''
| Alex Peterson
| Recurring role
|-
| 1996–1998
| ''[[Sparks (TV series)|Sparks]]''
| Wilma Cuthbert
| Main role
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Moesha]]''
| Ladonna
| Episode: "Strike a Pose"
|-
| rowspan=2|1999
| ''[[The Love Boat: The Next Wave]]''
| Dana Chase
| Episode: "Don't Judge a Book by Its Lover"
|-
| ''[[Cosby (TV series)|Cosby]]''
| Ms. Malone
| rowspan=2|Recurring role
|-
| rowspan=5|2000
| ''[[Hollywood Squares]]''
| Herself/Panelist
|-
| ''[[Intimate Portrait]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Robin Givens"
|-
| ''[[Forgive or Forget]]''
| Herself
| Host
|-
| ''Chicken Soup for the Soul''
| Counselor
| Episode: "The Right Thing"
|-
| ''[[DAG (U.S. TV series)|DAG]]''
| Jennifer
| Episode: "Jennifer Returns"
|-
| 2003
| ''Driven''
| Herself
| Episode: "Mike Tyson"
|-
| 2003–2004
| ''[[One on One (American TV series)|One on One]]''
| Sheila
| Recurring role
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Saints & Sinners (2007 TV series)|Saints & Sinners]]''
| Kelly Mitchell
| Episode: "Plumbing Problems"
|-
| rowspan=4|2008
| ''[[The Game (U.S. TV series)|The Game]]''
| Herself
| Recurring role
|-
| ''[[Tyler Perry's House of Payne]]''
| Tanya
| Recurring role
|-
| ''[[Burn Notice]]''
| Kandi
| Episode: "Scatter Point"
|-
| ''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]''
| Stacy
| Episode: "Everybody Hates Doc's"
|-
| rowspan=3|2010
| ''My Parents, My Sister & Me''
| Keela Goldman
| Main role
|-
| ''[[Drop Dead Diva]]''
| Ann Simpson
| Episode: "A Mother's Secret"
|-
| ''[[Nikita (TV series)|Nikita]]''
| Mary Miracle
| Episode: "All the Way"
|-
| rowspan=2|2011
| ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]]''
| Director Jane Bentley
| Recurring role
|-
| ''[[Reed Between the Lines]]''
| Dominique
| Episode: "Let's Talk About Jealousy"
|-
| rowspan=4|2012
| ''[[RuPaul's Drag U]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Revenge of the Nerds"
|-
| ''[[Suburgatory]]''
| Tulsa
| Episode: "Independence Day"
|-
| ''[[Retired at 35]]''
| Dr. Keller
| Episode: "The Dates"
|-
| ''[[Are We There Yet? (TV series)|Are We There Yet?]]''
| 
| Episode: "Open Mic Gaffe"
|-
| rowspan=3|2013
| ''[[90210 (TV series)|90210]]''
| Cheryl Harwood
| rowspan=2|Recurring role
|-
| ''[[Twisted (TV series)|Twisted]]''
| Judy
|-
| ''[[The First Family (TV series)|The First Family]]''
| Melanie
| Episode: "The First Pageant"
|-
| rowspan=3|2016
| ''[[Unsung Hollywood]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "Eartha Kitt"
|-
| ''[[Man Seeking Woman]]''
| Vicki Claus
| Episode: "Tinsel"
|-
| ''[[Lucifer (TV series)|Lucifer]]''
| Leila Simms
| Episode: "Sin-Eater"
|-
| rowspan=2|2017
| ''About Him 2: The Revolution''
| Dr. Alfeni Henderson
| Main role
|-
| ''Malibu Dan the Family Man''
| Jessica Dankles
| rowspan=4|Recurring role
|-
| 2017–2018
| ''[[Once Upon a Time (TV series)|Once Upon a Time]]''
| Eudora 
|-
| 2017–2021
| ''[[Riverdale (2017 TV series)|Riverdale]]''
| Sierra McCoy
|-
| rowspan=2|2018
| ''[[Saints & Sinners (2016 TV series)|Saints & Sinners]]''
| Wilhelmina Hayworth
|-
| ''[[The Bold and the Beautiful]]''
| Dr. Phillips
| Main role
|-
| rowspan=3|2019
| ''[[25 Words or Less (game show)|25 Words or Less]]''
| Herself
| rowspan=2|Recurring role 
|-
| ''[[The Fix (2019 TV series)|The Fix]]''
| Julianne Johnson
|-
| ''[[Ambitions (TV series)|Ambitions]]''
| Stephanie Carlisle
| Main role
|-
| 2019–2022
| ''[[Step Up (TV series)|Step Up]]''
| Dana
| Recurring role
|-
| rowspan=2|2020
| ''[[Worst Cooks in America]]''
| Herself
| Main role
|-
| ''[[Katy Keene (TV series)|Katy Keene]]''
| Sierra McCoy
| Episode: "Chapter Six: Mama Said"
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Head of the Class (2021 TV series)|Head of the Class]]''
| Darlene Merriman
| Recurring role
|-
| 2021–2022
| ''[[Batwoman (TV series)|Batwoman]]''
| [[Jezebel Jet|Jada Jet]]
| Main role
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Queens (American TV series)|Queens]]''
| Robin
| Episode: "Let the Past Be the Past" 
|-
| 2024
| ''[[So Help Me Todd]]''
| Director
| Episode: "Dial Margaret for Murder"
|}

===Music video===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Song 
! Artist
|-
| 2019
| "Shoes"
| Mina Tobias
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Award
! Result
! Category
! Film
|-
| 1991
| ShoWest Convention, USA
| {{Won}}
| Female Star of Tomorrow
|
|-
| 2004
| [[Black Reel Awards]]
| {{Nom}}
| Television: Best Supporting Actress
| ''[[Hollywood Wives: The New Generation]]''
|}

==Books==
* {{Cite book
 | last = Givens
 | first = Robin
 | title = Grace Will Lead Me Home
 | date = June 7, 2007
 | publisher = Miramax
 | location = New York
 | isbn = 978-1-4013-5246-2
 | url-access = registration
 | url = https://archive.org/details/gracewillleadmeh00give
 }}

==References==
{{Reflist
| colwidth = 30em
| refs =

<ref name="McMurran-1988">
{{Cite journal
 |last        = McMurran
 |first       = Kristin
 |title       = The Champ and the Vamp
 |date        = 1988-06-27
 |journal     = People
 |issn        = 0093-7673
 |volume      = 29
 |issue       = 25
 |publisher   = Time Inc
 |url         = http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20099305,00.htm
 |access-date  = August 23, 2010
 |url-status   = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090422082737/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20099305,00.htm
 |archive-date = April 22, 2009
}}
</ref>

}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0002101}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{iobdb name|9297|Robin Givens}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Givens, Robin}}
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American stage actresses]]
[[Category:American memoirists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actresses from New Rochelle, New York]]
[[Category:People from Bernardsville, New Jersey]]
[[Category:American women memoirists]]
[[Category:Sarah Lawrence College alumni]]
[[Category:African-American female models]]
[[Category:Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American actresses]]
[[Category:African-American history of Westchester County, New York]]
[[Category:1964 births]]