Cassi Davis

Cassi Davis (born July 31, 1964) is an American actress whose career has been closely intertwined with faith, perseverance, and a long‑standing partnership with playwright‑producer Tyler Perry. Raised in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Davis pursued a music major at Spelman College in Atlanta, but left one credit shy of graduation when the institution barred her from performing religious music at her senior recital. Determined to complete her education, she returned to Spelman in 2008 and finally earned her degree in November of that year, crediting her devout, born‑again Christian faith as the cornerstone of her personal and professional resilience. Davis’ early foray into acting began in 1988 with a supporting role in Spike Lee’s comedy School Daze, after which she accumulated guest appearances on shows such as Living Single, Married… with Children, Kenan & Kel, and The PJ’s. Her breakthrough arrived through a series of collaborations with Tyler Perry, where she portrayed beloved characters like Aunt Bam in the Madea franchise and Ella Payne in the sitcom Tyler Perry’s House of Payne (2007‑2012). Her portrayal of Ella earned her two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, solidifying her status as a staple of contemporary African‑American television.

Beyond the small screen, Davis has appeared in numerous Perry films—including Madea's Family Reunion, Madea Goes to Jail, Daddy's Little Girls, Madea's Big Happy Family, Boo! A Madea Halloween, and A Madea Family Funeral—demonstrating a versatility that spans comedy, drama, and family-oriented storytelling. In 2018, she headlined the spin‑off series The Paynes on OWN, and a 2020 revival of House of Payne was later ordered by BET, reaffirming her enduring appeal. On the personal front, Davis married longtime boyfriend Kerry Patton on January 11, 2017, after a decade of dating. In March 2020, she publicly disclosed a diagnosis of Bell’s palsy, dispelling rumors of a stroke and highlighting her continued openness with fans. With a career spanning over three decades, Cassi Davis remains a celebrated figure whose body of work reflects both her artistic talent and steadfast commitment to faith and family.