Meagan Good

Meagan Monique Good (born August 8, 1981) is an American actress and model. Beginning her career very early, Good has appeared in numerous television shows, films, and music videos.

Meagan Good
Good in 2019
Born
Meagan Monique Good

(1981-08-08) August 8, 1981
Panorama City, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation
  • Actress
  • Director
  • Model
Years active1991–present
Spouse(s)
(m. 2012)
Websitemeaganmgood.com

In 2011, Good featured in an ensemble cast of the successful film version of Think Like a Man. She played Joanna Locasto, the lead character on the NBC drama series Deception. She starred in the 2013 comedy Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues as well as starring in the horror films Venom (2005), One Missed Call (2008), Saw V (2008), The Unborn (2009) and DC Comics' Shazam! (2019).

Early life, family and education

Good was born on August 8, 1981,[1] in Panorama City, Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Tyra Wardlow-Doyle, worked as Good's manager into her teens, and her father, Leondis "Leon" Good, is an LAPD police officer.[2][3][4] Good claimed that her maternal grandmother is "Jewish and African. My mother's father was Cherokee and something else. My dad's mother's Puerto Rican and black, and his father was from Barbados."[5] Good was raised with her three siblings in Canyon Country (now known as Santa Clarita), California. She began her acting career around the age of four.[6]

According to Good, she grew up "super nerdy, super skinny, buckteeth, big ole afro and yet I had a sense of confidence about myself, like, 'they just don't get it yet'".[7] She was a fan of Justin Timberlake and Usher in her teens. Good did not have any role models until early adulthood, when she began admiring actress Charlize Theron.[8]

Career

Childhood

In the early stages of her career, Good worked as an extra on television shows such as Doogie Howser, M.D. and Amen.[6] When she was 13, she was cast in her first film, the 1995 comedy Friday.[2] She first gained critical recognition for her performance as the troubled teen Cisely Batiste in Kasi Lemmons' 1997 film Eve's Bayou; she received two award nominations, including her first NAACP Image Award nomination.

Adulthood

After taking on small film and television roles for the next few years. Good began to transition into more mature roles in the early 2000s. Good believes she was able to move into adult roles due to playing characters several years younger than her.[8] From 1998 to 2001, she appeared as Nina on Nickelodeon's TV show Cousin Skeeter. Good landed small roles in the films 3 Strikes and House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute.

In 2003, a major year for Good, she landed roles in the action-drama Biker Boyz and the romantic-comedy Deliver Us from Eva, which helped her transition from child to adult actress. She also appeared as the character Vanessa for five episodes during the third season of My Wife and Kids, before being replaced by Brooklyn Sudano for unknown reasons. In 2004, Good starred alongside Jordana Brewster, Sara Foster, and Jill Ritchie in the action film D.E.B.S., and received a Best Actress nomination at the 2005 Black Movie Awards. She also had small roles in The Cookout, Lance "Un" Rivera's directorial debut, and the teen dance film You Got Served.

In 2005, Good co-starred in the horror film Venom, as well as the well-received neo noir film Brick. She played opposite rapper/actor Bow Wow in Malcolm D. Lee's Roll Bounce. In 2006, Good played the role of Coco, which she felt was her first true lead actress role, in the urban action-drama Waist Deep.[6] Good also voiced a character for the video game Scarface: The World Is Yours that same year.[9] The following year, Good landed a role in the dance movie Stomp the Yard, starring with Ne-Yo and childhood friend Columbus Short.[2] In 2008, Good appeared in the horror film One Missed Call as an ill-fated college student, Shelley Baum. She appeared as an angry trophy wife in the Mike Myers comedy The Love Guru, and in the latter half of the year, she was one of the victims/gameplayers in Saw V. She starred in 2009's The Unborn with Gary Oldman and Odette Yustman.

Good in 2012

She was part of the ensemble cast in 2012's Think Like a Man, a movie based on Steve Harvey's 2009 book Act like a Lady, Think like a Man. In 2013, Good starred in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Good returned to television from January to March 2013, starring in Deception. Good was contacted by her agents about the series while leaving a hair salon. She sat in her car "and cried for 30-minutes like a nerd, by myself."[10] In 2014, Good reprised her role for Think Like a Man Too, the sequel to Think Like a Man. Good stated she "had a really good time" while filming the sequel after initially being nervous "because there's so much energy that only Vegas can give." Filming Think Like a Man Too was Good's first time in Las Vegas shortly before she got married.[11]

Good has also appeared in many music videos, by artists such as 50 Cent, (21 Questions), Imajin, Isyss (of which Good's sister La'Myia Good is a member), Lil' Johnny, Memphis Bleek, Tyrese, and Will Smith.[1]

She has started her own production company, Freedom Bridge Entertainment, with Marlon Olivera and fellow actors Tamara Bass and Ty Hodges.[12]

Good wore a royal blue dress designed by Michael Costello to the June 30, 2013 BET Awards ceremony. The dress featured a plunging neckline down to her midriff and a front slit that rose to midthigh,[13] It was sometimes compared to the Green Versace dress worn by Jennifer Lopez to the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2000.[14] Fashion & Style editors selected Good as "worst dressed" at the ceremony.[15]

The dress was controversial also because Good was presenting the BET Award for Best Gospel Artist. According to Christine Thomasos of The Christian Post, Good has a history of defending her stylistic choices of presenting herself as a "sexy Christian". She had said earlier that year,

there is a classy way to do everything and there is nothing wrong with being sexy or having sex appeal and I think that I am definitely going to be someone who is boldly going to go out to the masses and be someone who say, 'Look! Women its okay' ...[15][16][17]

Good responded on Instagram, expressing sadness that judgment had been passed on her, her character and her husband over what she wore to the ceremony. She said she picked the dress because she liked it and tried to express her individuality in her dress.[16][18]

In 2014, she, along with Hill Harper, contributed to the bestselling book by Enitan Bereola II, Gentlewoman: Etiquette for a Lady, from a Gentleman.[19]

Personal life

Although she was not raised in the church, Good is a Christian, considers herself a spiritual person and has said in numerous interviews that she declines roles that she feels might "disappoint God."[20][21] She explained in an interview that Jesus tops her list of heroes, and the last book she read was the Bible.[2]

Good at age 22 chose to focus on her career rather than dating, as she explained in a 2004 interview.[8] In 2011, Good began dating DeVon Franklin, an executive for Columbia Pictures and Seventh-day Adventist preacher. They became engaged in early April 2012, and were married on June 16, 2012, at Triunfo Creek Winery in Malibu, California.[22][23] They have stated that they remained chaste in their relationship prior to their marriage.[14] They reside together in Los Angeles, California.[2][5]

In December 2020, Good revealed that her lighter complexion was the result of a product given to her by an unlicensed cosmetologist.[24] Good originally took the product to remove sun damage, and her bleached skin was an unintended result. She stated that she has since stopped taking the product, and her complexion is returning to its original color.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Friday Kid #2
1995 Make a Wish, Molly Jenny
1997 Eve's Bayou Cisely Batiste
1999 The Secret Life of Girls Kay
2000 3 Strikes Buela Douglas
2000 Cousin Skeeter: New kids on the Planet Nina
2001 House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute Tina Video
2002 Unglued Herself
2003 Biker Boyz Tina
2003 Deliver Us from Eva Jacqui Dandridge
2003 Ride or Die Fake Venus Video
2004 D.E.B.S. Max Brewer
2004 You Got Served Beautifull
2004 The Cookout Brittany
2005 Brick Kara
2005 Venom Cece
2005 Roll Bounce Naomi Phillips
2006 Miles from Home Natasha Freeman
2006 Waist Deep Coco
2007 Stomp the Yard April Palmer
2008 One Missed Call Shelley Baum
2008 The Love Guru Prudence Roanoke
2008 Saw V Luba Gibbs
2009 The Unborn Romy
2009 Good Hair Herself
2011 35 and Ticking Falinda
2011 Jumping the Broom Blythe
2011 Video Girl Lorie Walker
2012 LUV Beverly
2012 Dysfunctional Friends Ms. Stevens
2012 Think Like a Man Mya
2012 Defeat the Label Herself Short film
2012 The Obama Effect Tamika Jones
2012 Dick Little Megan
2013 Don Jon Hollywood Actress #2
2013 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Linda Jackson
2014 Think Like a Man Too Mya
2015 A Girl Like Grace Share
2016 Charlie, Trevor and a Girl Savannah Herself
2017 Deuces Janet Foster
2018 A Boy. A Girl. A Dream. Free
2019 Shazam! Super Hero Darla
2019 The Intruder Annie Russell
2020 Monster Hunter
TBA Hot Stepper

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1991 Gabriel's Fire Young Girl Episode: "Birds Gotta Fly"
1994 On Our Own Traycee Episode: "Swiss Family Jerricos"
1996 ABC Afterschool Special Janie Episode: "Me and My Hormones"
1997 Just One of the Girls Starkeesha TV Movie
1997 Pacific Blue Shalona James Episode: "Blood for Blood"
1997 Touched by an Angel Nikki Episode: "The Pact"
1997 The Gregory Hines Show Pauley Episode: "Three's Not Company"
1997 - 1998 The Parent 'Hood Ariana Episodes: "No Soul on Ice" & "Flaked Out"
1998 Nothing Sacred Carissa Episode: "Signs and Words"
1998–2001 Cousin Skeeter Nina Jones Main role (52 episodes)
2000 Moesha Nicole Episode: "He Doth Protest Too Much"
2000 The Steve Harvey Show Alicia Episode: "Don't Stand Too Close to Me"
2001 The Division Kara Taylor Episode: "The Parent Trap"
2001 The Famous Jett Jackson Tara Essex Episodes: "Awakenings 1 & 2"
2001–2002 Raising Dad Katie 7 episodes
2002 The Jersey Tamika Episode: "The Playbook"
2003 My Wife and Kids Vanessa Scott 5 episodes
2005 Kevin Hill Melanie West 4 episodes
2007 House Amy Episode: "Words and Deeds"
2007 All of Us Katie Episodes: "Sins of the Father", "She Blinded Me with Science"
2009 Cold Case Beatrice Sloan (1970) Episode: "Soul"
2011 The Game Parker Keith Episodes: "It Was All Good Just a Week Ago", "Never Surrender"
2012 Californication Kali 7 episodes
2012 Harry's Law Cecilia Episode: "And the Band Played On"
2013 Deception Joanna Locasto Main role (11 episodes)
2014 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Paula Bryant Episode: "Spousal Privilege"
2015 Mr. Robinson Victoria Wavers 4 episodes
2015 Minority Report Detective Lara Vega Main role (10 episodes)
2016 Code Black Dr. Grace Adams 3 episodes
2017 Love by the 10th Date[25][26][27] Gabrielle Fateful TV Movie
2017 White Famous Kali
2018 Star Natalie Knight
2020 Prodigal Son Special Agent Colette Season 1-3 Episodes ('Family Feud', 'Silent Night' & 'Alone Time')

Video games

  • 2006: Scarface: The World Is Yours

Music videos

2003 50 Cent: 21 Questions 50 Cent's girlfriend
2018 Israel Houghton feat. Adrienne Bailon: Secrets N/A Director
1999 Imajin: No Doubt N/A

Accolades

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
1998 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress Eve's Bayou Nominated
1998 YoungStar Awards Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Drama Film Eve's Bayou Nominated
2006 Teen Choice Awards Choice Breakout (Female) Waist Deep Nominated
2007 Choice Movie Actress: Drama Stomp the Yard Nominated
2006 Black Reel Awards Best Ensemble Roll Bounce (Shared with cast) Nominated
2007 MTV Movie Awards Best Kiss Stomp the Yard (Shared with Columbus Short) Nominated
2008 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Stomp the Yard Nominated
2012 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actress Romance Think Like a Man Nominated

See also

References

  1. "Meagan Good Biography (1981–)". FilmReference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2008.
  2. "Interview: Meagan Good". DallasBlack.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  3. Good, Meagan (2011). "Follow Your Heart". In Vassel, Rachel (ed.). Daughters of Men. New York: Amistad. p. 57. ISBN 9780062045775.
  4. "Good & Plenty". TheFreeLibrary.com. October 1, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  5. Williams, Kam (January 20, 2009). "Meagan Good: The Unborn Interview". KamWilliams.com. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  6. "Meagan Good Interview". Stumped? Magazine. Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2009 via stumpedmagazine.com.
  7. "Meagan Good Talks Being A Sex Symbol, Racism In Hollywood And Playing Aaliyah". Vibe. May 25, 2010.
  8. Barker, Lynn (January 29, 2004). "Jennifer Freeman and Meagan Good: Sister, Sister". BET. Washington, DC: Viacom. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  9. "The Girls of Scarface". GameShark.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  10. Hunte, Justin (January 30, 2013). "Meagan Good Discusses 'Deception,"' Compares Aaliyah To Princess Diana". HipHop DX.
  11. "Think Like a Man Too's Meagan Good reveals details on filming in Las Vegas". vegasplayermagazine.com. March 2014.
  12. "Meagan Good Rolling Out Magazine Photos". MWZA.com. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  13. Wilson, Julee (July 2, 2013). "Meagan Good Cleavage-Baring, Low-Cut Gown Stuns At The 2013 BET Awards". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  14. Tate, Amethyst (July 1, 2013). "Megan Good Dress: Actress Pulls A Jennifer Lopez In Plunging Blue Gown At 2013 BET Awards". International Business Times. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  15. Durham, Jessica (July 1, 2013). "Meagan Good BET Awards 2013: [PHOTOS] Twitter Explodes With Hot, Plunging, Cleavage-Baring Style, 'Deception' Star Turns Heads, Celebrates Wedding Anniversary on Instagram". Fashion & Style. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  16. Thomasos, Christine (July 2, 2013). "Meagan Good Responds to Critics of Revealing BET Awards Dress". The Christian Post. Washington DC: The Christian Post Company. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  17. Braxton, Greg (July 1, 2013). "Meagan Good presents BET gospel award in a dress cut to her navel". Los Angeles Times. Tronc. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  18. "Meagan Good Responds To Christian Backlash To Revealing BET Awards Dress". News One. July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  19. Bereola II, Enitan O. (December 17, 2013). Gentlewoman : etiquette for a lady from a gentleman. Mobile, Alabama: The Bereolaesque Group. ISBN 9780615927770. OCLC 867789790.
  20. Dowdell, Niki (May 2005). "Meagan Good: Grounded, Funny and Straight Up Cool". Sister 2 Sister. p. 19.
  21. Neumer, Chris. "Meagan Good Interview". Stumped? Magazine. Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2012. I'm a Christian, but not a religious Christian. I'm just very spiritual. I have my belief system and anything I feel would be disappointing to God I don't do. But, it has to be my personal feeling not someone else's or my pastor's or my mom's. If I feel that it's going to be disappointing to him, I won't do it.
  22. Herndon, Jessica (June 17, 2012). "Meagan Good Weds In Malibu". People. New York City: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  23. Corneau, Allison (June 17, 2012). "Meagan Good Marries DeVon Franklin". US Weekly. New York City: American Media, Inc. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  24. Mathers, Ricki (December 15, 2020). "Meagan Good Opens Up About Skin Lightening Horror Story — Wants People To Know She Would Never Bleach". Celebrity Insider. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  25. "Lifetime continues hot streak with Kelly Rowland, Meagan Good rom-com". Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  26. "EXCLUSIVE: Meagan Good, Kelly Rowland and Keri Hilson to Star in Lifetime Movie 'The 10th Date'". Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  27. "Love By The 10th Date - Movie Trailer [Starring Meagan Good, Kelly Rowland, & Keri Hilson]". VannDigital. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
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