This isn’t her job… or is it? Yvette Nicole Brown exclusively gave Us Weekly the inside scoop on her personal life – and it’s as entertaining as the actress herself.
When the mayor alum, 51, is publicly recognized, she told U.S“The most common thing fans say to me is a quote from” Drake & Josh or Community.” Nickelodeon fans loved her as Helen, Josh Peck‘s movie director, while community viewers came here for her role as Shirley Bennett in fan-favorite sitcom. “I’m told, ‘That’s not my job!’ or “That’s fun!” once a day when I’m out and about,” Brown explained, referring to her. Drake & Josh and Community catchphrases, respectively.
The actress – who has borrowed her voice from adult animations like Family man and American father! to the family-friendly Pound Puppies — has so much fun both on screen and off that her friends even had to tell her to chill out… especially when it comes to board games.
“Taboo is one of my favorite games, but I’m so competitive that I’m not allowed to play on some friends’ game nights,” she said. U.S. However, Sundays are reserved for “my fellow Blerds,” Brown said. “We’re a group of black actors, writers, executives and directors who are as nerdy as can be.”
The Strange couple alum will definitely make family a priority too. “The person who made me laugh the most is my mom,” she shared with U.S. “I recently lost my mother. Nobody made me laugh more than she did.” Now, Brown said, as her father’s caretaker, her “favorite way to wind down after a long day is to spend time chatting with my father.”
Keep scrolling to learn more about Brown’s life:
1. One place everyone should visit is Paris.
2. The most common thing fans say to me is a quote from Drake & Josh or Community. I’m told, “That’s not my job!” or “That’s fun!” once a day when I’m out and about.
3. After I “made it,” I allowed myself to go to Target and buy whatever I wanted. That’s still my favorite splurge.
4. I was the most starstruck who first met Betty White. I cried like a baby.
5. Taboo is one of my favorite games, but I’m so competitive that I’m not allowed to play on some friends’ game nights.
6. No one naps better than me. If it was an Olympic sport, I’d get gold.
7. I’m ashamed to say I can’t swim. I hope to learn it by next summer.
8. My favorite movies are It’s a great life, all about Eva, The princess bride, While you were sleeping and Coming to America.
9. I have a [beloved] denim jacket collection that becomes a problem.
10. The Best Advice I’ve Ever Received Is “Kindness Will Open Doors” [that] looks and talent can’t even budge.”
11. If I wasn’t an entertainer, I would definitely be a kindergarten teacher.
12. The person who made me laugh the most is my mom. I recently lost my mother. No one made me laugh more than she did.
13. My No. 1 beauty tool belongs to my makeup artist Camara Auniquewhose lash line makes my eyes sing!
14. My favorite way to unwind after a long day is to spend time talking with my dad. I am his caretaker.
15. A common misconception about me is that I am taller than I am. I’m a peewee 5′ 2″.
16. The meal I make the best is my meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
17. The first concert I ever attended was Luther Vandross and DeBarge when I was 12. I’m friends with El de Barge now and pinch myself over that dang almost daily!
18. Sunday brunch with my fellow Blerds. We are a group of black actors, writers, executives and directors who are as nerdy as can be.
19. I’ve been shooting for three months disappointed in Ireland. I liked it so much that I would consider living there.
20. Every time I have to do a lot of props, it’s an embarrassing day on set. I am not one to walk and chew gum at the same time.
21. My first car was a Nissan Sentra that I called ‘Nate’. I drove it until the wheels fell off.
22. When I want to dive into a good book, it’s usually an autobiography of a person I admire. Currently it is Viola Davis‘.
23. My advice for young actors is to live below your means. Realize that competition is a myth. Make friends with your peers, support each other and share information.
24. I adopted my cocker spaniel, Mister Harley Brown, after filming Lady and the Tramp. He was one of Lady’s doppelgängers.
25. I looked up to Janet Jackson and Kim Fields grow up the most.