Tracee Ellis Ross, born Tracee Joy Silberstein, is a prominent American actress best known for her lead roles in the television series "Girlfriends" (2000-2008) and "Black-ish" (2014-2022). Her performance in "Black-ish" garnered significant critical acclaim, earning her five Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Her career has primarily focused on television comedy, establishing her as a recognizable face in American entertainment.
October 29, 1972: Tracee Ellis Ross is Born
Tracee Joy Silberstein, known as Tracee Ellis Ross, was born on October 29, 1972.
1982: Photographed by Andy Warhol
In 1982, Tracee Ellis Ross, along with her mother and sisters, was photographed by Andy Warhol. Her mother, Diana Ross, used one of the photos for the cover of her 1982 album, "Silk Electric".
1985: Diana Ross Marries Arne Næss Jr.
In 1985, Tracee's mother married Arne Næss Jr., giving Tracee three step-siblings.
1987: Half-Brother Ross Arne is Born
Tracee's half-brother, Ross Arne, was born in 1987.
1988: Half-Brother Evan Ross is Born
Tracee's half-brother, Evan Ross, was born in 1988.
1994: Graduates from Brown University
Tracee Ellis Ross graduated from Brown University with a theatre degree in 1994.
1996: Film Debut in Far Harbor
Tracee Ellis Ross made her big-screen debut in the independent film "Far Harbor" in 1996.
1998: Stars in Race Against Fear
In 1998, Tracee Ellis Ross starred in the made-for-TV movie "Race Against Fear: A Moment of Truth".
2000: Girlfriends Premieres
In 2000, Tracee Ellis Ross began her starring role as Joan Clayton in the comedy series "Girlfriends".
2000: Role in Hanging Up and The Lyricist Lounge Show
In 2000, Tracee Ellis Ross landed a role in the film "Hanging Up" and became a regular performer on the MTV series "The Lyricist Lounge Show".
2000: Begins Role on Girlfriends
In 2000, Tracee began her role in the UPN/CW comedy series, Girlfriends.
2000: Diana Ross and Arne Næss Jr. Divorce
Tracee Ellis Ross's mother and stepfather, Arne Næss Jr., divorced in 2000.
February 2006: Appearance in Kanye West's Music Video
In February 2006, Tracee Ellis Ross starred in Kanye West's "Touch The Sky" music video.
2006: Appearance in I-See-You.Com
Tracee Ellis Ross appeared in the film "I-See-You.Com" in 2006.
2007: Daddy's Little Girls
In 2007, Tracee Ellis Ross appeared in the comedy-drama film "Daddy's Little Girls."
2007: Stars in Life Support and Daddy's Little Girls
In 2007, Tracee Ellis Ross starred in the HBO movie "Life Support" and appeared in the film "Daddy's Little Girls".
2007: Wins NAACP Image Award
In 2007, Tracee Ellis Ross won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in "Girlfriends".
2007: Appearance in Daddy's Little Girls
Tracee Ellis Ross appeared in the film "Daddy's Little Girls" in 2007.
2008: Girlfriends Concludes
In 2008, the television series "Girlfriends", starring Tracee Ellis Ross, concluded.
2008: Girlfriends Ends
The UPN/CW comedy series, Girlfriends, which Tracee starred in, came to a end in 2008.
2009: Appears in Labor Pains
Tracee Ellis Ross appeared in the film "Labor Pains" in 2009.
2009: Wins Second NAACP Image Award
Tracee Ellis Ross won her second NAACP Image Award for her role in "Girlfriends" in 2009.
2010: Guest Appearance on Private Practice
Tracee Ellis Ross appeared in an episode of "Private Practice" in 2010.
October 2011: Reed Between the Lines Premieres
The sitcom "Reed Between the Lines," starring Tracee Ellis Ross, premiered in October 2011.
2011: Guest Appearance on CSI
In 2011, Tracee Ellis Ross appeared in four episodes of "CSI".
2011: Reed Between the Lines Premieres
Tracee Ellis Ross returned to television in 2011, playing Dr. Carla Reed on the BET sitcom "Reed Between the Lines".
August 2012: Departs Reed Between the Lines
It was announced that Tracee Ellis Ross would not be returning to "Reed Between the Lines" for a second season in August 2012.
2014: Black-ish Premieres
Tracee Ellis Ross began starring as Dr. Rainbow Johnson in the ABC comedy series "Black-ish" in 2014.
2014: Black-ish Premieres
Tracee Ellis Ross started starring in the ABC comedy series Black-ish in 2014.
2014: Black-ish Premieres
Tracee Ellis Ross was cast in the ABC comedy series "Black-ish" in 2014.
2015: Receives Honorary Doctorate and Hosts BET Awards
Tracee Ellis Ross was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts by Brown University and hosted the BET Awards in 2015.
2016: First Emmy Nomination in 30 Years for a Black Woman
In 2016, Tracee Ellis Ross's Emmy nomination was the first for a Black woman in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category in 30 years.
2016: Hosts BET Awards
Tracee Ellis Ross hosted the BET Awards in 2016.
2017: Hosts American Music Awards
Tracee Ellis Ross hosted the American Music Awards in 2017.
February 2018: Glamour Interview
In February 2018, Tracee Ellis Ross discussed her life choices and accomplishments in a Glamour interview, highlighting her Golden Globe win and her decision to be childfree.
2018: Launches Pattern Beauty
In 2018, Tracee Ellis Ross launched Pattern Beauty, a hair care product line.
2018: Pattern Beauty Founded
Tracee Ellis Ross founded Pattern Beauty, a natural hair care products company, in 2018.
2018: Hosts American Music Awards
Tracee Ellis Ross hosted the American Music Awards in 2018.
2019: Hosts The Fashion Awards
Tracee Ellis Ross hosted The Fashion Awards in 2019.
2019: Mixed-ish Premieres
Tracee Ellis Ross co-created and narrated the "Black-ish" prequel spin-off "Mixed-ish" in 2019.
2019: Creates Mixed-ish and Jodie
In 2019, Tracee Ellis Ross co-created the "Black-ish" spin-off "Mixed-ish" and began working on the animated movie "Jodie".
May 8, 2020: The High Note Theatrical Release Cancelled
On May 8, 2020, the planned theatrical release of Tracee Ellis Ross's film "The High Note" was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 15, 2020: Love Myself Release
On May 15, 2020, Tracee Ellis Ross released "Love Myself," the lead single from "The High Note" soundtrack, marking her singing debut.
May 29, 2020: The High Note On-Demand Release
On May 29, 2020, "The High Note," starring Tracee Ellis Ross, was released on-demand after its theatrical release was cancelled.
September 2020: ABC Signature Deal
In September 2020, Tracee Ellis Ross signed a deal with ABC Signature.
2020: The High Note Released
Tracee Ellis Ross starred in and recorded the soundtrack for the musical film "The High Note" in 2020.
2021: Time 100
In 2021, Tracee Ellis Ross was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
May 2022: The Kids in the Hall Appearance
In May 2022, after the series finale of Black-ish, Tracee Ellis Ross appeared in an episode of the revived "The Kids in the Hall."
2022: Black-ish Concludes
In 2022, Tracee Ellis Ross's run on the ABC comedy series Black-ish ended.
2022: Black-ish Concludes
The ABC comedy series "Black-ish", starring Tracee Ellis Ross as Dr. Rainbow Johnson, concluded in 2022.
2023: American Fiction and Candy Cane Lane
In 2023, Tracee Ellis Ross starred in the films "American Fiction" and "Candy Cane Lane."
2024: Endorsement of Kamala Harris
In 2024, Tracee Ellis Ross endorsed Kamala Harris for president.