Karen Charnele Brown is a native of East Hampton, New York.

Charnele is best known for her portrayal of Kim Reese, the pre-med student on the hit NBC sitcom A DIFFERENT WORLD.  She was also one of the first Americans in The hit Broadway musical SARAFINA, which was nominated for a Tony Award.  She’s done numerous off-Broadway plays, as well as cabaret in New York City.  She’s also toured with the musical HEAVEN’S CHILD, The Emmet Till Story, with Regina Bell.   Charnele’s film credits includes: SPIKE LEE’S DROP SQUAD, THE KANGEROO, AND TENDRILS, which won 9 indie awards.  She’s appeared on numerous hit sitcoms: GIRLFRIENDS, MY WIFE AND KIDS, LIVING SINGLE, OLIVER BEENE, MARTIN.  She’s also spearheaded an acting workshop at THE CHALLENGER MEMORIAL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY: offering young adults an opportunity to develop skills and possibly another way out of the life of gangs. Charnele has also assisted in creating an acting workshop at A PLACE CALLED HOME.

THE CHARNELE BROWN ACTING ACADEMY was established a few years ago.  She implemented her program successfully, working with The Work Source and Jack Yates High School in Houston, Texas.  A high risk area in Houston. While in Houston, she teamed up with “Theatre Under The Stars.” She taught classes and had the opportunity to work with the children’s division starring in the musical “Snoopy.”

She gathered a list of talented actors, which came through her Academy, for a musical she wrote, produced, directed and starred entitled WHY BREAKDOWN WHEN YOU CAN BREATHTHROUGH, sponsored by The Agouran Pharmaceutical Company. The play explored African American women and Aids.    Charnele has been working on her clothing line called THE CHARNELE BROWN COLLECTION. The line is for everyday women with God given curves, who want to feel and look good without paying a fortune.  Ms Brown has a production company called TRI-WEN PRODUCTIONS.  Tri-Wen Productions specializes in television, film and theatre productions.  Tri-Wen’s first projects will be a feature film called “The Coffee Pot,” and a pilot called “Mercy Me,” which we will film in Houston, Texas

Charnele is currently in Houston, Tx  offering acting classes.  She also just wrote, directed and starred in the hit gospel stage play “Love and Fire.” And just completed a play called “No Soldier Left Behind,” performed in San Antonio.  

Aftra/Sag

TELEVISION

A DIFFERENT WORLD / SERIES REGULAR / NBC
RED PEPPER / SERIES REGULAR / PILOT
CITY GIRLS / SERIES REGULAR / PILOT
MARTIN / GUEST LEAD / FOX
LIVING SINGLE / GUEST LEAD / FOX

FILM

DROP SQUAD / SUPPORTING / SPIKE LEE PR.
THE KANGEROO / SUPPORTING / UCE PICTURES
TENDRILS / LEAD / A.F.I.

BROADWAY

SARAFINA / LEAD US / CORT THEATRE

OFF-BROADWAY

THE LORDS WILL / LEAD / 18TH ST. PLAYHOUSE
MY DIARY / LEAD / AMERICAN THEATRE
THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
OF STAGGERLEE BROWN / LEAD / BILLIE HOLIDAY 
DON’T BOTHER ME I CAN’T
COPE / LEAD / MASONIC TEMPLE
EDEN / LEAD / RIVERSIDE THEATRE
SISTERS /  LEAD / AMERICAN THEATRE

REPERTORY THEATRE/TOURING COMPANIES

LOVE AND FIRE / LEAD / CULLEN THEATRE
A WINTER SNOW / LEAD / NEW DAY ENSEMBLE
LADIES IN WAITING / LEAD / NEW DAY ENSEMBLE
DON’T YOU WANT TO FREE / LEAD / NEW DAY ENSEMBLE
THE AMERICAN DREAM / LEAD / NEW DAY ENSEMBLE
THE ELECTRONIC NEGRO / LEAD / NEW DAY ENSEMBLE
WHY BREAK DOWN WHEN YOU CAN BREAK THROUGH / LEAD / TRIWEN PROD.
HEAVEN’S CHILD / LEAD / AUDITORIUM THEATRE, CHICAGO

NIGHTCLUBS-VOCALS