- Born
- Nickname
- 'Neesh'
- Arnetia began her career shortly after entering high school. Only 16 years old she landed a part on Broadway in "The Sign In Sidney Brustein's Window", starring Hal Linden. A few years after graduation she assumed her best known stage role in Michael Bennett's hit musical, "Dreamgirls". Arnetia holds the distinction of being the only actress credited with portraying all three dreamgirls. This lead to television guest-starring parts and her feature film breakout role as To-bel, in Paul Bartel's offbeat comedy, "Scene's From The Class Struggle In Beverly Hills. In 1991 television viewers were introduced to Arnetia when she created the role of head nurse Annie Roland for the NBC hit comedy "Nurses". True to her musical roots, Arnetia continues to sing as well as write. She's just completed her first teleplay with her husband and continues to act in film and television.
- IMDb mini biography by: Elliott Francis
- SpouseElliott Francis(? - present) (1 child)
- Is the only actress who has played all three Supreme-like singing roles on stage in the smash musical hit "Dreamgirls."
- Husband is ABC news anchor Elliott Francis. They have one son, Trevor.
- Was the original Dorothy standby to Stephanie Mills in the Broadway production of "The Wiz" (1975).
- Developed a gay following for her cabaret act.
- Mother died when she was an infant.
- It's funny, When I came to L.A. after the success of "Dreamgirls, " everyone asked, 'we know she can sing, but can she act?' So, I had to show them I could act. Now they all say, 'yes she can act, but can she sing?'
- There was one time that I had to work with the writer(s) to maintain the integrity of the character I was playing. There was an episode of "Nurses" that we did about a KKK like member coming to the hospital and Annie (the character played by Arnetia) saves his life twice. And he still hates her, you know. And she has this very poignant speech to him: "Now yesterday, you came up against your worst nightmare. You were the most helpless that you've ever been in your life. And the only person that could save you was me: a black person. Now that didn't change you at all. But it sure changed me."
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