Raven Goodwin


Raven Shamira Goodwin is an American actress. She began acting at the age of 9, starring as Annie Marks in the film Lovely & Amazing, for which her performance was received positively, earning her nominations from the Black Reel Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards. Following this, she starred as Cleo in The Station Agent and Young Jazmin in Phat Girlz. She began working in television in 2007, starring as Tangie Cunningham on the comedy series Just Jordan.
In 2010, Goodwin began her career as an adult, and starred as Becca in the series Huge. She soon came to recognition for her roles as Ivy Wentz on the sitcom Good Luck Charlie and Niecy Patterson in the drama series Being Mary Jane, for which her performances received praise. She has since appeared as Eliza on the comedy series SMILF, and starred as Lew in the action film Snatched.

Career

2001–2007: Breakthrough and child acting

Goodwin began acting in 2001, making her debut with the comedy drama film Lovely & Amazing, starring as Annie Marks. Goodwin's performance was praised, leading her to receive a number of award nominations for the role, of which includes a Black Reel Award nomination. Following this, in 2003, Goodwin appeared in Tom McCarthy's independent comedy-drama The Station Agent as Cleo, for which the film and acting ensemble were acclaimed.
In 2004, Goodwin began working on television, making guest appearances on various shows, of which include the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, and the television series Strong Medicine and Everybody Hates Chris. In 2006, Goodwin appeared in the comedy film Phat Girlz as Young Jazmin Biltmore. In 2007, Goodwin was cast in the main role of Tangie Cunningham on Nickelodeon sitcom Just Jordan, which ran for two seasons.

2010–present: Adult stardom and current work

In 2010, Goodwin was cast in the main role of Becca in the sitcom Huge, which ran for a season. The show averaged roughly a million viewers per episode. Later that year, Goodwin was cast as the recurring role of Ivy Wentz in Disney Channel sitcom Good Luck Charlie. Following this, Goodwin played the role of Sheila on Fox's comedy-drama Glee for three episodes, and appeared as Desiree in American sitcom New Girl.
In 2013, Goodwin was cast in the main role of Niecy Patterson in the American drama series Being Mary Jane, which she played until the show ended in 2019. In 2017, she was cast in the role of Eliza in the American television program SMILF, which ran for two years. In the same year, she also had a minor role in the action-comedy film Snatched as Lew.
In 2019, Goodwin starred in the BET television film Christmas Belles. In the same year, she began work on the Lifetime television film The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel, where she was set to star as Denise Clark Bradford. The film was released in 2020.

Personal life

In 2019, Goodwin announced her engagement to Wiley Battle through Instagram, which was picked up across various media outlets. In 2020, it was announced that she was expecting her first child.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2003Black Reel AwardsOutstanding Breakthrough PerformanceLovely & Amazing
2003Independent Spirit AwardsBest Breakthrough PerformanceLovely & Amazing
2003OTA Film AwardsBest Film PerformanceLovely & Amazing
2004Phoenix Film Critics Society AwardsBest Ensemble Acting The Station Agent
2004Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture The Station Agent