Uzo Aduba

Uzoamaka Nwanneka 'Uzo' Aduba is an American actress born on February 10, 1981, in Boston, Massachusetts. She demonstrated her acting talents from an early age and made her breakthrough in 2003 with her performance in Translations of Xhosa at the Olney Theatre Center for the Arts, receiving a Helen Hayes Award nomination. She made her Broadway debut in 2007 and marked an impressive start to her television career in 2012 with a stint on Blue Bloods. However, Aduba rose to prominence with her captivating portrayal of Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, which began in 2013. Her dynamic performance won her various accolades including two Emmy Awards and two SAG Awards.

In 2020, Aduba ventured into the arena of miniseries by taking on the role of Shirley Chisholm in Mrs. America, which earned her another Emmy Award. She has also graced the silver screen with notable appearances in My Little Pony: The Movie, Candy Jar, and Miss Virginia, among others. With an active career spanning over two decades, Aduba continues to explore challenging roles, further establishing herself as a versatile and powerful actress. Off the set, she draws attention as an outspoken advocate for the LGBT community and serves as Heifer International's first-ever celebrity ambassador to Africa.