Editing Victoria Rowell (section)

== Career ==
In the 1980s, Rowell became an in-demand runway and catalog model.<ref name=tvg>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/victoria-rowell/bio/178323|title=Victoria Rowell|work=TV Guide|access-date=November 4, 2014}}</ref> Rowell made her film debut in the 1987 comedy film ''Leonard Part 6'' opposite [[Bill Cosby]] and later had a recurring role on ''[[The Cosby Show]]''<ref name=tvg /> In 1988, she also had the recurring role of Nella Franklin on the CBS daytime soap opera, ''[[As the World Turns]]''.

In 1990, Rowell was cast as street urchin-turned-ballet dancer Drucilla Barber on the CBS daytime soap opera, ''The Young and the Restless''. Rowell became a fan favorite and was nominated for three [[Daytime Emmy Award]]s in 1996, 1997, and 1998. She won 11 [[NAACP Image Award]]s for her portrayal of Drucilla. Rowell's first run as Drucilla was from 1990 to 1998. She briefly returned in 2000, then returned on a regular basis from 2002 until early 2007. In 2007, Rowell became unhappy with the soap opera behind the scenes, labeling daytime television and ''The Young and the Restless'' as [[racism|racist]] for not having enough African-American cast and crew.<ref name="a">{{cite web|title=Victoria Rowell: Why I left the Young and the Restless|url=http://www.blackpress.org/victoriarowell.htm|publisher=Black Press Magazine|access-date=January 10, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://soapcentral.com/yr/theactors/rowell_victoria.php |title=About Y&R: About the Actors – Victoria Rowell |access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> She also argued the directions of her storylines which were not heard, prompting her to leave. Within the storyline, Drucilla fell off a cliff and was presumed dead as her body was never found. Rowell has openly expressed pleasure in returning,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bvnewswire.com/2009/09/11/victoria-rowell-not-ruling-out-returning-to-daytime-tv/ |title=Victoria Rowell Not Ruling Out Return to The Young and the Restless |access-date=June 3, 2012}}</ref> and due to the character's strong appeal and popularity, viewers have begged the series to rehire her. However, CBS has stated that having Drucilla return is not the creative decision they are looking for, which has disappointed fans of the actress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://daytimeconfidential.zap2it.com/2012/10/24/ex-young-and-restless-diva-victoria-rowell-says-les-moonves-and-steve-kent-dont-want-dru-|title=Ex-Young and Restless Diva Victoria Rowell Says Les Moonves and Steve Kent Don't Want Dru Back!|work=Daytime Confidential|access-date=November 4, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222213618/http://daytimeconfidential.zap2it.com/2012/10/24/ex-young-and-restless-diva-victoria-rowell-says-les-moonves-and-steve-kent-dont-want-dru-|archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref> In 2014, Rowell posted a series of tweets criticizing the show for not having enough African-Americans in decision-making positions. "Young & Restless on air for 40 years, loyally watched by their absolute competitive-edge audience (blacks) & not one black Exec producer?" – she tweeted. Her tweets coincided with the series' 41st anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/victoria-rowell-rips-young-and-the/|title=Victoria Rowell Slams 'Young and the Restless' Over Lack of Diversity: Not One Black Exec Producer – TheWrap|work=TheWrap|access-date=November 4, 2014}}</ref>

From 1993 to 2001, Rowell starred as [[Dr. Amanda Bentley]] in the CBS primetime series ''Diagnosis: Murder'', opposite [[Dick Van Dyke]], replacing [[Cynthia Gibb]] from the original made-for-television movie. For much of Rowell's stint on ''[[Diagnosis: Murder]]'', she was working on that show and on ''The Young and the Restless'' simultaneously. One episode of ''Diagnosis Murder'' centered around murder on the set of ''The Young and the Restless''; Rowell was featured as both Amanda and Drucilla in that episode. The series run from 1993 to 2001, producing 178 episodes and two television movies, aired after the series' cancellation. ''Diagnosis: Murder'' has also run in syndication as of 1997.

In 1990s, Rowell co-starred in several films. She had the role of Eddie Murphy's character's love interest in the 1992 comedy film, ''The Distinguished Gentleman''. In 1994, she played FBI agent Beth Jordan in comedy film ''Dumb and Dumber''.  She co-starred opposite [[Mario Van Peebles]] in the science-fiction crime film ''[[Full Eclipse]]'' (1993), and had a major role in the box office failure action film ''[[Barb Wire (1996 film)|Barb Wire]]'' (1996) with [[Pamela Anderson]]. In 1997 she appeared in the critically acclaimed drama film, ''[[Eve's Bayou]]''. In the 2000s, she appeared in the number of small films, such as ''[[Motives (film)|Motives]]'' and ''[[A Perfect Fit (2005 film)|A Perfect Fit]]''. In 2006, she co-starred as [[Samuel L. Jackson]]'s character wife in ''[[Home of the Brave (2006 film)|Home of the Brave]]''. She also had the recurring roles on ''[[Single Ladies (TV series)|Single Ladies]]'' and ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]''.

In spring 2009, Rowell signed a six-figure deal with [[Atria Books]] for a book about the world of daytime TV. She released her memoirs called ''The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir'' in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/The-Women-Who-Raised-Me/dp/B002ECEFEY|title=The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir|first=search|last=results|date=May 1, 2008|publisher=William Morrow Paperbacks|access-date=October 19, 2018|via=Amazon}}</ref> She later released ''Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva: A Novel'' (2010)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Soap-Opera-Diva-Novel/dp/B005B1LXAY/ref=la_B001ILKEEM_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415132385&sr=1-2|title=Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva: A Novel|publisher=Atria Books|access-date=October 19, 2018|via=Amazon}}</ref> ''The Young and the Ruthless: Back in the Bubbles'' (2013).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Young and the Ruthless: Back in the Bubbles|first=search|last=results|date=March 5, 2013|publisher=Atria Books|isbn=978-1451643831}}</ref>

Rowell created, directed, produced and starred in the comedy series ''[[The Rich and the Ruthless]]''. The series premiered in 2017 and ended in 2021. In 2018 she also created miniseries ''Jacqueline and Jilly'' for [[Allblk|Urban Movie Channel]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jacquelineandjilly.com/|title=Jacqueline and Jilly &#124; A Days Ferry Production|website=Jacquelineandjilly}}</ref> In 2020 she made her feature directorial debut with ''Everything Is Fine''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://daytimeconfidential.com/2020/07/24/watch-victoria-rowell-discusses-directing-everything-is-fine-mental-health-is-mental-wealth|title=WATCH: Victoria Rowell Discusses Directing "Everything is Fine": "Mental Health Is Mental Wealth"|first=Carly|last=Silver|date=July 25, 2020|website=Daytime Confidential}}</ref> She later directed films ''A Rich Christmas'' (2021) starring [[Bill Bellamy]] for [[BET+]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/bill-bellamy-talks-a-rich-christmas/|title=A Rich Christmas Star Bill Bellamy Gets Real About Giving Kids Too 'Damn' Much|first=Anita|last=Bennett|date=November 4, 2021}}</ref> ''Stranger Next Door'' (2022) starring [[Vicky Jeudy]] and [[Skyh Black]] for [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]], ''Montross: Blood Rules'' (2022) for [[TV One (American TV channel)|TV One]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2022/09/30/tv-ones-new-drama-montross-blood-rules-premieres-sat-oct-1-530513/20220930tvone01/|title=Breaking News - TV One's New Drama, "Montross: Blood Rules," Premieres Sat. Oct. 1 &#124; TheFutonCritic.com|website=www.thefutoncritic.com}}</ref> ''[[Catfish Christmas]]'' (2022),<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vision-films-set-to-release-black-cast-holiday-rom-com-catfish-christmas-from-director-victoria-rowell-301676945.html|title=Vision Films Set to Release Black Cast Holiday Rom-Com 'Catfish Christmas' from Director Victoria Rowell|first=Vision Films|last=Inc|website=www.prnewswire.com}}</ref> and ''Blackjack Christmas'' (2022) for BET+.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/blackjack-christmas-brings-family-ties-163222101.html|title='Blackjack Christmas' brings family ties, addiction and hope to the holidays|date=December 22, 2022|website=Yahoo News}}</ref> In 2022 she made her return to CBS with a recurring role in the medical drama ''[[Good Sam (TV series)|Good Sam]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/victoria-rowell-good-sam-9-1-1-bryce-durfee-1234956450/|title=Victoria Rowell Joins 'Good Sam', '9-1-1' Casts Bryce Durfee|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> In 2024 she co-starred alongside [[Diane Keaton]], [[Kathy Bates]] and [[Alfre Woodard]] in the comedy film ''[[Summer Camp (2024 film)|Summer Camp]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/gma3/video/victoria-rowell-new-movie-summer-camp-109696600|title=Victoria Rowell on the new movie 'Summer Camp'|first=Good Morning|last=America|website=Good Morning America}}</ref>