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IMDbPro

Essence Atkins

  • Actress
  • Producer
  • Director
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Essence Atkins
After meeting on a dating show that ends in heartbreak, three women forge an unbreakable bond and relocate to Seattle, where they support each other through personal growth, career changes, and life's challenges.
Play trailer0:58
Breathe Again (2026)
58 Videos
54 Photos
Essence Atkins was born on 7 February 1972 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for A Haunted House (2013), How High (2001) and Same Difference (2019). She was previously married to Jaime Mendez.
BornFebruary 7, 1972
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornFebruary 7, 1972
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations total

    Photos54

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    + 48
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    Known for

    Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Cedric The Entertainer, David Koechner, Dave Sheridan, and Nick Swardson in A Haunted House (2013)
    A Haunted House
    5.1
    • Kisha
    • 2013
    Essence Atkins, Obba Babatundé, Mike Epps, Method Man, Redman, Lark Voorhies, Fred Willard, and Anthony B. McKinley Scruncho in How High (2001)
    How High
    6.2
    • Jamie
    • 2001
    Same Difference (2019)
    Same Difference
    6.4
    • Tonya
    • Shauna
    • 2019
    Essence Atkins, Terry Crews, Teala Dunn, and Coy Stewart in Are We There Yet? (2010)
    Are We There Yet?
    5.6
    TV Series
    • Suzanne Kingston-Persons
    • Suzanne Kingston
    • Suzanne
    • Voice of X-Vorp

    Credits

    IMDbPro

    Actress

    • Twisted Game
      • Aaliyah
      • Post-production
    • Ballet Beyond Borders
      • Auntie Tamika
      • Post-production
      • Short
    • Larry David in Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: an Almost History of America (2026)
      Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: an Almost History of America
      6.6
      TV Series
      • Clara
      • 2026
    • Breathe Again (2026)
      Breathe Again
      5.3
      • Evelyn
      • 2026
    • Essence Atkins, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Toni Braxton in He Wasn't Man Enough (2025)
      He Wasn't Man Enough
      5.6
      • Monica
      • 2025
    • Reasonable Doubt (2022)
      Reasonable Doubt
      6.7
      TV Series
      • Dr. Brandy Michaels
      • Dr. Brandy
      • 2024–2025
    • Power of Women (2025)
      Power of Women
      3.1
      TV Movie
      • Self - Guest
      • 2025
    • Lanett Tachel in Angie's Cure (2025)
      Angie's Cure
      5.4
      • Sheila Hart
      • 2025
    • Damon Wayans and Damon Wayans Jr. in Poppa's House (2024)
      Poppa's House
      6.4
      TV Series
      • Ivy
      • 2024–2025
    • Queens of Christmas (2024)
      Queens of Christmas
      7.9
      • Nancy
      • 2024
    • Joshua Bitton and Jason E. Kelley in Sea Cloud Park (2024)
      Sea Cloud Park
      Short
      • Judy
      • 2024
    • Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000)
      Curb Your Enthusiasm
      8.8
      TV Series
      • Renee Holcomb
      • 2024
    • One Night Stay (2024)
      One Night Stay
      6.0
      • April
      • 2024
    • A Screenshot to Santa (2023)
      A Screenshot to Santa
      4.8
      • Natalie Ferguson
      • 2023
    • Milo Ventimiglia and Catherine Haena Kim in The Company You Keep (2023)
      The Company You Keep
      7.3
      TV Series
      • Shelby
      • 2023
    • The Ms. Pat Show (2021)
      The Ms. Pat Show
      8.1
      TV Series
      • Charnelle
      • 2023
    • Justin Hartley and Barrett Doss in The Noel Diary (2022)
      The Noel Diary
      6.2
      • Noel Ellis
      • 2022

    Producer

    • Ballet Beyond Borders
      • producer
      • Post-production
      • Short
    • Joshua Bitton and Jason E. Kelley in Sea Cloud Park (2024)
      Sea Cloud Park
      Short
      • executive producer
      • 2024
    • Same Difference (2019)
      Same Difference
      6.4
      • executive producer
      • 2019
    • Darryl (2016)
      Darryl
      8.1
      Short
      • associate producer
      • 2016

    Director

    • Christopher B. Duncan, B.J. Britt, and Brittany S. Hall in Christmas Dilemma (2020)
      Christmas Dilemma
      6.4
      TV Movie
      • Director
      • 2020
    • In-development projects at IMDbPro

    Videos58

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    Clip 0:30
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    Clip 0:42
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    Personal details

    • Official site
      • Instagram
    • Alternative name
      • Esence Atkins
    • Height
      • 5′ 2″ (1.57 m)
    • Born
      • February 7, 1972
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Spouse
      • Jaime MendezSeptember 26, 2009 - 2016 (divorced, 1 child)
    • Other works
      Appeared in the music video for K-Ci & JoJo's (K-Ci Hailey and Jo Jo Hailey) single "This Very Moment".

    Did you know

    • Trivia
      Although she played John Marshall Jones's daughter in Smart Guy (1997), she is less than ten years his junior in real life.

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