Gloria Reuben, nationally-known actress and singer, will be the commencement speaker at the Lane College Commencement Convocation on Sunday, June 15 beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the J.F. Lane Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building.
Over the past decade, Reuben has amassed impressive credentials as a regular fixture on network television, starring in numerous films, performing in a highly-touted off-Broadway production, touring with one of pop music's most celebrated divas, and now adds recording artist to her cachet with the release of her debut record, Just for You. A gifted actress, exciting vocalist, and committed activist on social issues, Reuben brings energy and enthusiasm to every audience.
Most television viewers will remember Reuben as the health care professional “Jeanie Boulet” who traumatically battled HIV/AIDS in the hit series, ER, a role that garnered her multiple Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination in a five-year run from 1994-2000.
Rueben debuted in film, starring in Timecop and Nick of Time and appearing in The Young Riders, The Round Table, and Homicide: Life on the Street. She also starred in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway production of Eve Ensler's "The ****** Monologues." In 2000, Reuben extended her career into music, singing back up on the North American leg of Tina Turner's "24/7" concert tour.
In 2003, the Canadian born actress/singer shuttled between co-starring in the Lifetime Television dramatic series 1-800-MISSING and recording her CD. In addition, Reuben was an Associate Producer on the show, and performed the series theme song, "This Dream Is Real.” Some of her other television credits include The Agency, and major television movies Feast Of All Saints, Innocent Blood: The True Story of the Salem Witch Trials, Indiscreet, Soul Survivor, Percy and Thunder, and Deep In My Heart.
During a time when the music industry has been sending out mixed messages to aspiring artists, Reuben decided to finance her own record and enlisted Grammy-Award winning songwriter/producer Barry Eastmond (Anita Baker, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston) to produce the CD.
Most recently, Reuben co-starred in The Sentinel and Life Support. In Fall 2008 she will be starring as a public defender in Steven Bocho's new crime drama on TNT, Raising the Bar. Also, her portrayal of Dr. Condoleezza Rice in Stuff Happens, garnered her a 2007 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in New York.
Reuben spends a great deal of time working on behalf of the causes she feels the most compelled to support. In 2004, she was honored to introduce Kofi Annan at the UN AIDS Day ceremony at the St. John the Divine Cathedral in Harlem. During 2005, Reuben spoke at the Planned Parenthood introduction to their collaboration with the “Rights Have No Borders” project. On World AIDS Day in 2005, Reuben was the keynote speaker at the first Black Women's Conference on HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles. On World AIDS Day in 2006, she was a keynote speaker on Capitol Hill, urging for the support of programs that offer comprehensive s*x education and awareness on HIV/AIDS. She has also been an avid supporter for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Planned Parenthood, and ANSA (Artists for a new South Africa.)
Posted By: Kenyana Madison
Friday, July 25th 2008 at 10:50AM
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