JD
Joyful Drake
Actor, Writer, Additional Credits
Born September 24, 1976 (47 years)
Joyful Drake, the much-loved Tasha on the iconic BET comedy series “Let’s Stay Together” is on the scene in a big way. In addition to a recurring role in Starz’s “P-Valley,” she also leads the eight-episode upcoming drama series “HUSH” for streamer ALLBLK. Creator Angela Burd Murray describes the series as, “a sexy drama about four dynamic women who will stop at nothing to get what they want.”
Drake starred opposite DJ Qualls in November Rule, opposite Ryan Phillippe in Catch Hell and was Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ girlfriend in Judd Apatow’s Get Him to the Greek. Other notable film roles include Beauty Shop with Queen Latifah, Phat Girlz with Mo’Nique and she starred as a woman trying to escape an abusive relationship in the independent drama feature Bad Ass opposite Danny Trejo and Ving Rhames. Drake has also guest starred in television episodes of “Jane the Virgin,” “One on One,” “Cuts,” “The Game,” “The Exes” and “The Quads.”
Born and raised in Milwaukee and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Drake is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. While in college, she experienced her first brush with the entertainment industry. For two and-a-half years she had an exciting time as a dancer for the NBA Milwaukee Bucks. She remains an avid fan and also loves the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. After graduation, she moved to New York to pursue an acting career. Her first job was a recurring role on the hit Showtime series “Soul Food.”
Drake makes her home in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter Beau.
Drake starred opposite DJ Qualls in November Rule, opposite Ryan Phillippe in Catch Hell and was Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ girlfriend in Judd Apatow’s Get Him to the Greek. Other notable film roles include Beauty Shop with Queen Latifah, Phat Girlz with Mo’Nique and she starred as a woman trying to escape an abusive relationship in the independent drama feature Bad Ass opposite Danny Trejo and Ving Rhames. Drake has also guest starred in television episodes of “Jane the Virgin,” “One on One,” “Cuts,” “The Game,” “The Exes” and “The Quads.”
Born and raised in Milwaukee and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Drake is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. While in college, she experienced her first brush with the entertainment industry. For two and-a-half years she had an exciting time as a dancer for the NBA Milwaukee Bucks. She remains an avid fan and also loves the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. After graduation, she moved to New York to pursue an acting career. Her first job was a recurring role on the hit Showtime series “Soul Food.”
Drake makes her home in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter Beau.
Filmography
| 2023 | A Dark Way Out · as Justine |
| 2022 | Hush (2022) (TV Series) · as Draya Logan |
| 2022 | Unthinkably Good Things · as Melina |
| 2022 | All American: Homecoming (TV Series) · as Pamela Mays |
| 2020 | P-Valley (TV Series) · as Chanisse |
| 2017 | The Quad (TV Series) · as Venus Hardwick |
| 2016 | Lethal Weapon (TV Series) · as Tanya |
| 2016 | Chasing Waterfalls · as Doreen |
| 2015 | November Rule · as Jean Worther |
| 2014 | Catch Hell · as Diane |
| 2014 | Jane the Virgin (TV Series) · as Dr. Bolton |
| 2012 | Bad Ass · as Amber Lamps |
| 2011 | The Exes (TV Series) · as Carol |
| 2011 | Let's Stay Together (TV Series) · as Tasha Woodson |
| 2010 | Get Him to the Greek · as Sergio's Baby Mama |
| 2007 | Tournament of Dreams · as Capricorn |
| 2006 | The Game (TV Series) · as Sheila |
| 2006 | Phat Girlz · as Mia |
| 2005 | Beauty Shop · as Mercedes |
| 2005 | Cuts (TV Series) · as Lani |
| 2004 | Hair Show · as Stephanie Cole |
| 2003 | The Look · as Butter |
| 2001 | One On One (TV Series) · as Rhonda |
| 2000 | Soul Food (TV Series) · as Tamara |