Condola Phylea Rashad, also known professionally as Dola Rashad, (born December 11, 1986)[1] is an American actress best known for her work in the theatre. She first broke out with a critically acclaimed performance in Lynn Nottage's off-Broadway play Ruined (2009), which won a Pulitzer Prize.

Condola Rashad
Rashad in a frame from Billions in 2017
Born
Condola Phylea Rashad

(1986-12-11) December 11, 1986 (age 37)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materCalifornia Institute of the Arts
Years active2008–present
Parents
Relatives

Rashad has since received four Tony Award nominations for her work on Broadway in the plays Stick Fly, The Trip to Bountiful, A Doll's House, Part 2, and Saint Joan. She is the youngest performer to have received that many nominations. In addition to these roles, she also received praise for playing Juliet in Romeo and Juliet opposite Orlando Bloom on Broadway. She plays Kate Sacker on the Showtime drama series Billions. She appeared opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor in Come Sunday (2018). She played Joan of Arc in the 2018 Broadway revival of George Bernard Shaw's play Saint Joan.

Early life

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Rashad (seated, left) on opening night of Ruined in 2009

Rashad was born in New York on December 11, 1986, to actress Phylicia Rashad[1] and sportscaster Ahmad Rashad, a former professional football player. She graduated from the California Institute of the Arts in 2008.[2]

Career

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In 2009, Rashad received the Theatre World Award for Best Debut Performance in the Off-Broadway production Ruined and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.[3] In 2012, Rashad was nominated for Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in Stick Fly.[4][5]

Rashad starred as Shelby, the daughter of Queen Latifah's character, in the 2012 Steel Magnolias remake with the same title. (This role had been played by Julia Roberts in the original film.)[6][7] In 2012, she appeared in a recurring role on the NBC series Smash,[2] and previously guest starred on The Good Wife, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Submissions Only. Her film credits include Sex and the City 2 and 30 Beats.[2]

In April 2013, she appeared on Broadway as Thelma in the revival of The Trip to Bountiful starring Cicely Tyson; for this performance, she received her second Featured Actress Tony nomination.[3] In May 2013, she was cast as Juliet in the new Broadway production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.[8]

In 2016, Rashad began starring in the Showtime drama series Billions, and appeared in the film Money Monster directed by Jodie Foster.

In 2018, she starred in the Netflix-produced biographical film Come Sunday, opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor, who played a Pentecostal minister whose thoughts have changed.

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 The Good Wife Mary Bennett TV series (episode: "Unprepared")
2010 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Khadra TV series (episodes: "Loyalty: Part 1 and Part 2")
Sex and the City 2 Meghan
2011 Georgetown Bryce Johnson TV film
2012 Smash Cyn TV series (3 episodes)
Submissions Only Eva Halden TV series (2 episodes)
30 Beats The Virgin – Julie
Steel Magnolias Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie TV film
2015, 2017 Master of None Diana TV series (2 episodes)
2016 Money Monster Bree (The Assistant)
Complete Unknown Sharon
2016–2023 Billions Kate Sacker TV series (60 episodes)
2017 Bikini Moon Bikini
2018 Come Sunday Gina Pearson
2019 Good Posture Laura
2021 The Prince Meghan Markle (voice) TV series (12 episodes)

Stage

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Year Title Role Venue
2009 Ruined Sophie Manhattan Theatre Club, off-Broadway
2011 Stick Fly Cheryl Cort Theatre, Broadway
2013 The Trip to Bountiful Thelma Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Broadway
Romeo and Juliet Juliet Capulet Richard Rodgers Theatre, Broadway
2017 A Doll's House, Part 2 Emmy John Golden Theatre, Broadway
2018 Saint Joan Joan of Arc Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Broadway

Awards and nominations

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Achievements

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Rashad was placed on BET's "Future 40" list, which is a list of "40 of the most inspiring and innovative vanguards who are redefining what it means to be unapologetically young, gifted & black".[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Phylicia Rashad- Biography". Movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Condola Rashad – Biography Archived July 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, American Theatre Wing, March 2012
  3. ^ a b "Condola Rashad – Broadway Cast & Staff". IBDb.com. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  4. ^ Thom Geier, Tony Awards 2012: We predict the winners, Entertainment Weekly, June 4, 2012
  5. ^ Tony Awards (official site) Archived February 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Nellie Andreeva, Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard & Phylicia Rashad Lead The Cast Of Lifetime's 'Steel Magnolias' Remake, Deadline Hollywood, March 19, 2012
  7. ^ Erin Strecker, Lifetime's 'Steel Magnolias' remake: Watch trailer here, Entertainment Weekly, June 3, 2012
  8. ^ "ORLANDO BLOOM AND CONDOLA RASHAD STAR IN ROMEO AND JULIET | Broadway Direct". Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  9. ^ "BET DIGITAL CELEBRATES BLACK EXCELLENCE WITH NEW ORIGINAL EDITORIAL SERIES". Chicago Defender. February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
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