Telma Hopkins is a celebrated American singer and actress renowned for her involvement in the 1970s pop music group, Tony Orlando and Dawn. She is also well-known for her roles in movies such as Trancers and The Love Guru, and her debut acting role in the miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.
Telma Hopkins’ Early Life
Telma Louise Hopkins hails from Louisville, Kentucky, and was born on the 28th of October 1948. She was brought up by her grandmother and not much is known about her parents or her childhood.
Career
Telma Hopkins first started off in the music industry as a backing vocalist. She gained recognition through her performances with the celebrated artist Marvin Gaye and the vocal band The Four Tops. Additionally, she provided backing vocals for the renowned singer Isaac Hayes.
In 1971, Tony Orlando brought her on board to create a music group. The trio, named Tony Orlando and Dawn, brought out a number of chart-topping tunes in the 70s, such as ‘Candida’, ‘Knock Three Times’, and ‘Summer Sand’.
The band was popular until 1977 when they decided to disband. Additionally, they developed and appeared in a TV show titled after their name.
Telma Hopkins kickstarted her acting career with a minor part in the American TV miniseries Roots: The Next Generations. She made her mark with a major role in the short-lived American TV series A New Kind of Family, which only had one season.
Her notoriety was heightened following her portrayal in the 1984 science fiction flick ‘Trancers’, helmed and produced by Charles Band. The plot focuses on a police detective who travels to the past to seek retribution against his foes.
She kept her fans captivated with her performances in different TV series, such as The New Odd Couple, The Love Boat, and Gimme a Break! She made a brief appearance in the 1988 movie Pulse Pounders, followed by a tiny part in the 1990 movie Vital Signs.
In 1991, she brought back her character in the science fiction movie Trancers II. In 1992, she showed up in Trancers III, the last part of the Trancers trilogy.
She has appeared mostly in television shows since then, with a key role in the American TV series Half & Half from 2002-2006, and a notable part in the TV series Partners which aired in 2014 with ten episodes.
Recently, her involvement in the entertainment industry has been exemplified through her performance in TV series such as Partners and her appearance as a guest star in Two Broke Girls, highlighting her continued relevance on the big screen.
Telma Hopkins starred in the popular comedy television show Are We There Yet? The show was based on the movie of the same name from 2005. It starred Terry Crews, Essence Atkins, Coy Stewart, Telma Hopkins, and Teala Dunn. The series ran from 2010 to 2013, bringing viewers three seasons of fun and laughter.
Personal Life
In 1970, the actress and singer tied the knot with Donald B. Allen which gave rise to a son, J.D.. Ultimately, however, the marriage was short-lived and they eventually separated.
In 1977, the two ended their marriage. Even in the wake of their divorce, Hopkins and her son have a powerful connection, and admirers never cease to point out how much they look alike.
When the band parted ways in 1977, Hopkins and Vincent stayed on good terms. They had a relationship similar to that of siblings, and Vincent even went as far as to refer to Hopkins as the grandmother to her daughter.
Telma Hopkins’ Net Worth
Telma Hopkins has earned an impressive net worth of $3 million due to her long-term, prosperous career in music and acting. Even in her 70s, Hopkins continued to shine with her performances in front of the camera.
