Robin Givens

Biography

Robin Simone Givens, born on November 27, 1964, is a prominent American actress and model renowned for her significant contributions to television and film. She is particularly recognized for her diverse roles, including Jada Jet in CW's *Batwoman*, Stephanie Carlisle in OWN's *Ambitions*, and Sierra McCoy in CW's *Riverdale*. Givens gained early fame as Darlene Merriman on the ABC sitcom *Head of the Class*, a role she later reprised in the 2021 HBO reboot.

Her acting career took off in 1985 with a guest appearance on *The Cosby Show*, followed by notable performances in *Diff'rent Strokes* and the 1986 film *Beverly Hills Madam* alongside Faye Dunaway. Givens also starred in significant films such as *A Rage in Harlem* (1991) and *Boomerang* (1992). In 1994, she made headlines by posing nude for *Playboy* and was later ranked No. 88 on Empire magazine's "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History."

In theater, Givens played Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of *Chicago* in 2006 and toured with *Men, Money & Golddiggers* the following year. Her personal life garnered attention when she married boxer Mike Tyson in 1988, only to file for divorce later that year, citing spousal abuse. Givens has since become an advocate for domestic violence awareness.

She has two sons, Michael "Buddy" Givens, whom she adopted in 1993, and William "Billy" Jensen, born in 1999. In June 2007, she published her autobiography, *Grace Will Lead Me Home*.