Denise Dowse, Star Of Beverly Hills, 90210 And Insecure, Has Died At 64
She was not on the list.
Veteran actor Denise Dowse, who is best known for her roles as vice principal Yvonne Teasley on "Beverley Hills 90210," scientist Dr. Olivia Biggs in "Bio-Dome," and Judge Rebecca Damsen on "The Guardian," died on August 13, 2022. More recently, Dowse is probably most recognizable as Dr. Rhonda Pine in the award-winning HBO dramedy "Insecure" from Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore.
Dowse's sister Tracey kept fans informed about the 64-year-old's condition when she was admitted to the hospital after contracting a virulent form of meningitis that resulted in a coma. A few days later, an update was released via Instagram breaking the news of the actor's passing:
It is with a very heavy heart that I inform everyone that my sister, Denise Dowse has gone forward to meet our family in eternal life. Denise Yvonne Dowse was the most amazing sister, a consummate, illustrious actress, mentor and director. She was my very best friend and final family member.
Born on February 21, 1958 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Denise Dowse started acting in 1989 after graduating with a degree from Norfolk State University. Her first role on television was Angela Quartermane in an episode of "Almost There." From there, she remained a staple of the small screen for years to come with roles on some of the biggest shows in television history like "Full House," "Seinfeld," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "ER," and "House." She also replaced CCH Pounder as Officer Shirley on the Nickelodeon cartoon "Rocket Power" after the first season.
Dowse also appeared in a number of films in between her TV gigs. After acting opposite Pauly Shore and Stephen Baldwin in "Bio-Dome," she went on to take roles as Sky Marshall Meru in "Starship Troopers," Tyrone's mom in "Requiem for a Dream," and Marlene Andre in "Ray."
As well as appearing in front of the camera, Denise Dowse directed a number of projects like "Recorded In Hollywood," a stage musical about pioneer rock n' roll radio host and record store owner John Dolphin, and "Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story," which celebrated its world premiere on April 19, 2022 at the 30th Pan African Film and Arts Festival in Los Angeles. The film about gospel singer and activist Mahalia Jackson starred Grammy winner Ledisi in the title role and Columbus Short as Dr. Martin Luther King, along with Janet Hubert, Keith David, and Corbin Bleu.
Dowse is also remembered for the impact she left on the industry in between takes. On the post announcing her death, her "Beverly Hills 90210" co-star Ian Ziering said:
My scenes with Denise will always be remembered with the utmost in respect for her talent, and fondness for the loving soul she was. Some of my heartiest off camera laughs were between she and I hammering out the discipline her Mrs. Teasley would dish out to my Steve Sanders.
On the same post, "Insecure" star and co-creator Issa Rae also shared her condolences, saying, "Sending you much love. Ms. Denise will be so missed and her impact will be felt for generations. I am forever thankful for her guidance."
Whether she was playing a judge, a doctor, a mom, or an angel, Denise Dowse was a loving and protective force in both the fictional world and the real world. We at /Film send our condolences to her family and loved ones.
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Coldfire Channing
1992 Sneakers Bank Teller
Out for Blood Neighborhood Woman Credited as Denise Y. Dowse
1993 Merchant of Evil Nurse #1
1994 Helicopter Malik's Mother Short film
1995 Theodore Rex Voice Performer (voice)
1996 Bio-Dome Olivia Biggs
1997 Starship Troopers Sky Marshal Meru
1998 Pleasantville Health Teacher
A Civil Action Judge Constance Mullen
1999 K-911 Dr. Perkins, DVM
2000 Requiem for a Dream Tyrone's Mother
2001 Dr. Dolittle 2 Secretary
2002 Book of Love: The Definitive Reason Why Men Are Dogs Mom
2003 Rats Matilda
2004 The Seat Filler Derrick's Mom
Eulogy Judge
Ray Marlene Andre
2005 Coach Carter Principal Garrison
Guess Who Lisa
2007 Reign Over Me Psychiatric Hospital Therapist
Her Best Move Lisa
2010 Anger Has a Secret Sarah
2011 Fly Away Susan Credited as Denise Y. Dowse
2012 The Longer Day of Happiness Lydia Jones
2013 The Call Flora
2017 Please Stand By Doris the Bus Driver
Like Father Olivia Short film
By His Stripes Ruth
2018 A Stone Cold Christmas Deaconess
2019 Loners Clara Maloy
2020 Grey Streets Aunt Suzanna
Fatale Valeria Tyler
Celeste's Dream Dr. Soji Spark Short film
2022 A Cloud So High Detective Trina McWilliams Post-production
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1989 Almost There! Angela Quartermane Episode: "Miss Shelley B."
ALF FBI #4 Credited as Denise Y. Dowse
Episode: "Wanted Dead or Alive"
1990 Beverly Hills, 90210 Professor Harriet Strathmore Episode: "The 17 Year Itch"
1991 Jake and the Fatman Maggie Day Episode: "Come Along with Me"
Roc Dr. Worthy Credited as Denise Y. Dowse
Episodes: "Rock-A-Bye Baby: Parts 1 & 2"
1991–2000 Beverly Hills, 90210 Vice-Principal Yvonne Teasley 23 episodes
1992 Seinfeld Receptionist Episode: "The Wallet"
Bodies of Evidence Kim's Mother Episode: "Afternoon Delights"
Roc Dr. Russell Episode: "The Artificial Insemination Story"
1993 Full House Mrs. Jacobs Episode: "Be True to Your Pre-School"
Thea Episode: "A Christmas Story"
1993–1994 California Dreams Vice Principal McBride Recurring cast
1994 The Enemy Within Dr. Jarvis Television movie
Murphy Brown Woman #2 Episode: "Brown vs. the Board of Education"
Seinfeld Mother Episode: "The Couch"
1995 See Jane Run Television movie
Sketch Artist II: Hands That See Dispatcher
Vanishing Son Trailer Park Neighbor Episode: "Sweet Sixteen"
Kissing Miranda Cristianne Television movie
1996 Touched by an Angel Judge Caldwell Episode: "Flesh and Blood"
Men Behaving Badly Mrs. Carlson Episode: "Drunken Proposal"
1997 Killing Mr. Griffin Detective Pruitt Television movie
Tracey Takes On... Arthell Episode: "Race Relations"
Ink Mrs. Punter Episode: "Logan's Run"
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Ms. Miller Episode: "Out of Mind, Out of Sight"
Built to Last Sylvia Watkins 8 episodes
Chicago Hope Doris Harper Episode: "On Golden Pons"
1998 NewsRadio Adoption Agent Episode: "Look Who's Talking"
Step by Step Judge Martin Episode: "And Justice for Some"
ER Mrs. Lysell Episode: "Day for Knight"
Any Day Now Councilwoman Rene Broussard Episode: "No Comment"
Sister, Sister Alease Episode: "The Domino Effect"
Party of Five Nora Episode: "Gifts"
1999 Promised Land Mrs. Groves Episode: "What's in a Word"
Recess Additional Voice Episode: "The Candidate"
Rugrats Sheila Swann (voice) Episode: "Share and Share a Spike/Tommy for Mayor"
2000 Moesha Hattie Episode: "Secrets & Lies"
The West Wing Nurse #1 Uncredited
Episode: "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen: Part 1"
Grown Ups Episode: "New Job"
2000–2004 Rocket Power Officer Shirley (voice) 7 episodes
2001 Becker Janet Katz Episode: "The Trouble with Harry"
The Practice Caroline Episode: "The Thin Line"
The Drew Carey Show Doctor #2 Episode: "Drew and the Baby"
Girlfriends Emily Griffin Episode: "The Burning Vagina Monologues"
2001–2004 The Guardian Judge Rebecca Damsen 32 episodes
2002 Philly Sondra Herman Episode: "Mojo Rising"
What About Your Friends: Weekend Getaway Mona Television movie
Judging Amy Ms. Shepard Episode: "Lost in the System"
Without a Trace Mrs. Ray Episode: "Little Big Man"
2003 Dragnet Juanita Hendrucks 3 episodes
Girlfriends Lucyruth Episode: "Inherit the Lynn"
2004 Nip/Tuck Cecily Sutherland Episode: "Joel Gideon"
Everwood Laura Hoover Episode: "The Birds and the Batteries"
2004–2006 All of Us Counselor / Dr. Shapiro 4 episodes
2005 Inconceivable Alice Godchaux Episode: "Balls in Your Court"
Threshold Dr. Margaret Johnson Episode: "Progeny"
2005–2006 Charmed Angel of Destiny Episodes: "Vaya Con Leos", "Kill Billie: Vol. 2" & "Forever Charmed"
2006 The Bernie Mac Show Doctor Episode: "Exercise in Fertility: Part 2"
2007 Gilmore Girls Judge Episode: "To Whom It May Concern"
Law & Order Judge Nora Glover Episode: "Good Faith"
Shark Judge Jane Briar 3 episodes
2008 The Mentalist Detective Carla Mulvey Episode: "Ladies in Red"
2009 Saving Grace Mrs. Williams Episode: "Take Me Somewhere, Earl"
Monk Samantha Austin Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Dog"
2010 House Glenda Episode: "Moving the Chains"
Class Patty Allen Television movie
2011 Bones Dr. Sherry Bannon Episode: "The Change in the Game"
Reed Between the Lines Ms. Ellis Episode: "Let's Talk About Boundaries"
2011–2012 Criminal Minds Yvonne Burns Episodes: "Big Sea" and "The Company"
2013 Monday Mornings Mrs. Fisher Episode: "Family Ties"
Rizzoli & Isles Judge Episode: "Dance with the Devil"
2014 Hungry Ann Episode: "Interviews"
Laugh Gym Agnes Television movie
2015 Secrets and Lies Elaine Williams 9 episodes
2016 Castle Judge Gloria Wollcott Episode: "Witness for the Prosecution"
Murder in the First Rainelle James 3 episodes
2017–2018 Imposters Auntie Colleen / Agent Cook 10 episodes
2017–2020 Insecure Dr. Rhonda Pine 6 episodes
2018 The X-Files Dr. Babsi Russel Episode: "Plus One"
Mr. Mercedes Judge Helfrick Episode: "Fade to Blue"
2019 9-1-1 David's Wife Episode: "Chimney Begins"
Good Trouble Naomi / Secretary 4 episodes
New Amsterdam Alfreda Watson Episode: "Righteous Right Hand"
The Resident Carol Austin Episodes: "Choice Words" and "Peking Duck Day"
2019–2021 Snowfall Mrs. Mosley Episode: "Confessions" and "All the Way Down"
2020 Grey's Anatomy Lorraine Simms Episode: "Help Me Through the Night"
Stumptown Mrs. Hofman Episodes: "Til Dex Do Us Part" and "At All Costs: The Conrad Costas Chronicles"
Pandemically Single Donna Sawyer Unknown episodes
2021 Three Days Will's Mom Episode: "Pilot"
The Wedding Games Susan Clearwater Television movie
Bronzeville Emma / Sarah Davis 2 episodes
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