Ajai Sanders
Born
Angela Marrine Wilson

(1967-10-01) October 1, 1967[1][2][3][4]
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Other namesAjai Richards
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
Years active1990–present
Known forGina Deveaux – A Different World
Spouse
Michael Brownlee
​
​
(m. 2002; div. 2016)​

Ajai Sanders (born Angela Marrine Wilson; October 1, 1967)[3][5], is an American actress and stand-up comedian, best known for her supporting role as Gina Deveaux in the sitcom A Different World from 1991 until the series original ending in 1993.

Biography

Born Angela Marie Wilson, Sanders grew up in Dallas, Texas. She attended Hillcrest High School, graduating in 1985.[6] Sanders moved to Los Angeles and began working as a stand-up comic; eventually this work led to what initially was to be a one-time role on A Different World. The guest role was expanded after director Debbie Allen proved impressed by the qualities Sanders brought to the character, whose appearances were expanded to five that season and 18 the following season, after which she was added to the show's opening credits.[7]

Sanders has made guest appearances on the sitcoms Martin, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Parent 'Hood, The Wayans Bros., The Jamie Foxx Show, and Moesha. She also guest-starred in a 2001 episode of the Lifetime show, The Division. Sanders had a major role in the independent urban comedy, High Freakquency, in which she was credited as Ajai Richards. She had a smaller role in the Michael Keaton Christmas comedy, Jack Frost, and also appeared in the 2000 urban independent drama, The Playaz Court. She is currently hosting a talk show called Multiple Personalities with Ajai Sanders[8] on Business Bully TV.[9]

Personal

Sanders has been married once and has no children. In May 2002, Sanders married Micheal Brownlee in Denton, Texas. They later divorced in August 2016.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1998 Jack Frost Interviewer
High Freakquency LaShanda
1999 A Luv Tale Ruth
2000 The Playaz Court Yolanda
2023 Spaghetti Iris

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1991–93 A Different World Gina Deveaux Recurring Cast: Season 4–5, Main Cast: Season 6
1992 Def Comedy Jam Herself Episode: "Episode #1.6" & "#2.3"
1993 Soul Train Herself/Guest Host Episode: "Raven-Symone/Aaron Hall/Tag Team"
Martin Thomasina Episode: "Baby, It's You"
1995 Hangin' With Mr. Cooper Denise Recurring Cast: Season 3
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Jana/Candance Guest: Season 5, Recurring Cast: Season 6
1996 The Parent 'Hood Kiki Episode: "Torn Between Two Brothers"
1997 The Wayans Bros. Amber Episode: "Prom Fright"
The Jamie Foxx Show Irene Episode: "Misery Loves Company"
2001 Moesha Lisa Episode: "Graduation Day"
The Division Adeen Episode: "The First Hit's Free, Baby"
2011 Way Black When: Primetime Herself Episode: "Episode #1.15"
Are We There Yet? Tam Episode: "The Take Your Kids to Work Day Episode"
2020 All the Way Black Herself Episode: "It's My House!"
Two Degrees Ajai Guest: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2
2022 Phat Tuesdays: The Era Of Hip Hop Comedy Herself Main Guest

Music Videos

Year Artist Song Title Role
1995 2Pac "Temptations" Poker Player

Notes

  1. ↑ "TVOne: Ajai Sanders". Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
  2. ↑ Sanders, Ajai (October 1, 2017). "All teary-eyed...#50 #bestday". Instagram.com. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  3. 1 2 Sanders, Ajai (October 1, 2017). "Birthday breakfast with Mom #50runsaroundthesun #thebestday". Instagram.com. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  4. ↑ Littleton, Darryl (November 11, 2006). Black Comedians on Black Comedy: How African-Americans Taught Us to Laugh. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781557837301 – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ Sanders, Ajai (October 1, 2017). "Pretty much sums it up!!!..." Instagram.com. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  6. ↑ "1985 yearbook from Hillcrest High School from Dallas, Texas". Classmates.com.
  7. ↑ Ken Parish Perkins. "Ajai Sanders stands up to any naysayers," The Dallas Morning News, May 19, 1992.
  8. ↑ https://businessbully.tv/watch-video/?video_id=38678&title=S1E1%20-%20MP%20-%20Craig%20Hodges%5B%5D
  9. ↑ "Business Bully TV – Business Bully TV". Archived from the original on 2021-04-21.
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