Lonette McKee's career began in Detroit, Michigan, where she started playing keyboards, composing music and lyrics, singing, and performing professionally at a young age. At 14, she recorded her first record, "Stop Don't Worry 'Bout It," which became an instant regional Pop/R&B hit.
She made her feature film debut in Sparkle, followed by starring roles in Which Way is Up, Brewster's Millions opposite Richard Pryor, The Cotton Club, and Gardens of Stone for Francis Ford Coppola. Sundance Film Festival winner Lift earned Lonette a Black Reel Nomination.
Other films include Cuba, Men of Honor, 'Round Midnight for Bertrand Tavenier, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and She Hate Me for Spike Lee. Recently, Lonette appeared in A Day in Black and White, Honey, ATL, Paper Mache Chase, Fast Food Fast Women, Honey 2, This Narrow Place, and LUV opposite Common.
She received an NAACP nomination for Women of Brewster Place with Oprah Winfrey and had recurring appearances on As The World Turns and The Game. Solo television guest appearances include The Tonight Show, Today Show, Good Morning America, and David Letterman.
Lonette was recognized in People Magazine's Fifty Most Beautiful Issue and earned a Tony Nomination for her portrayal of Julie in the Houston Grand Opera's production of Showboat, becoming the first African American actress to play the role in the U.S.
She earned critical praise and a Drama Desk Nomination for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill. Lonette has written and produced solo CD's, including Lonette, Words and Music, Natural Love, Acoustic Tracks, and Superstar.
She has toured the world in solo concert performances, including the JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall. Studying film directing at The New School in NYC, Lonette apprenticed under Spike Lee and continues to write and produce music and screenplays.
Lonette is a Blog Contributor for the Huffington Post and teaches the Actor's Workshop at The City College of New York Continuing and Professional Studies. She recently enjoyed rave reviews in New York for her work Off Broadway in Sowa's Red Gravy and A Raisin in the Sun at the Clarence Brown Theatre.
Lonette is an animal lover and outspoken advocate for human and animal rights.
