Biography
Rolonda's name, face, and distinctive voice have been known by audiences everywhere, thanks to her many Emmy award-winning works in television, radio, film, theatre, digital media, stand-up comedy, motivational speaking and as best-selling author of Destiny Lingers, her award-winning romance suspense novel, endorsed by Dr. Maya Angelou.
Most know her by one name, Rolonda, under which she launched her own internationally syndicated talk show (1994-1998), produced by King World and Watts Works Productions. After her talk show, Ro headed to Hollywood, California to pursue a career in acting. Her first break was in 1997 when she was cast as Vivica Shaw, a recurring role on the hit show Sister, Sister.
Watts landed numerous other roles in dozens of television shows, including Criminal Minds, Bull, Sister, Sister, and soap operas Days of Our Lives and The Bold and the Beautiful.
Ro's deep, rich, and raspy voice is one of the most recognized in the voiceover business, as she's heard in numerous projects, including voicing Professor Wiseman on Curious George (PBS), and characters in The Penguins of Madagascar, Lego City Adventure, Kung Fu Panda, The Proud Family, Tyler Perry's Medea's Tough Love and much more.
Rolonda returns to daytime TV as the Announcer and Promo Voice for Sherri Shepherd's daytime talk show, "Sherri." Sherri often refers to Rolonda as a "daytime talk show legend" and asked her to serve as a comedian judge for Sherri's Funny Over 50 Comedy Contest, putting Rolonda's sharp wit and comedic chops on full display.
2024 has been an exceptional year for Rolonda whose career has never been busier; She is a series regular in the Bounce TV comedy series, Mind Your Business, in which she plays Lucille, the family matriarch, who keeps it sassy and real with a heart full of love.
Rolonda will also play a recurring role in the upcoming second season of the Netflix sitcom, Survival of the Thickest. This year also marks a milestone in Rolonda's career when The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences inducted Ro into the Silver Honor Society for her lifetime achievements in television at the 2024 Emmys.
"To be honored by the academy for all of my works in television over 40 years is an absolute dream come true," said Rolonda. "Whether hosting a daytime talk show, acting in a soap opera, or being the announcer or voice for a production, TV is my life and passion and it's a dream come true to be honored for all that hard work!"
Years before her talk show and extensive acting career, Rolonda was an investigative news reporter, anchorwoman and producer for Inside Edition, WABC-TV Eyewitness News, WNBC, Lifetime Television, New Jersey Nightly News, and WFMY- TV.
Rolonda is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Spelman College and Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, and holds an Honorary Doctorate from Winston-Salem State University.
Rolonda also teaches and coaches through her Voice Acting Master Class.
