From Friday to the Stage: Actress Vickilyn Reynolds Is a Member of Sigma Gamma Rho

Did you know that Vickilyn Reynolds, the versatile actress and singer known for the film Friday and her celebrated one-woman tribute to Hattie McDaniel, is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.?

Vickilyn Reynolds was born on June 2, 1955, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She began singing in the Baptist church at the age of four, and while still in high school she signed with Philadelphia International Records as a member of the group City Limits, recording tracks in the classic Sound of Philadelphia tradition. That early start in music and performance set the course for a career that would span stage and screen.

Reynolds became a familiar face in film and television. She appeared in movies including The Fabulous Baker Boys and Addams Family Values, and earned lasting recognition for her role as Joann, Smokey’s mother, in the beloved 1995 comedy Friday. On television, her credits have included Kate & Allie, 227, Sugar & Spice, The Parkers, and American Dreams.

The stage, however, has been the heart of her artistry. Reynolds was an original cast member of George C. Wolfe’s landmark production The Colored Museum, and she toured nationally in Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk, winning a Los Angeles Ovation Award for her performance. She also created a work entirely her own: Hattie…What I Need You to Know!, a musical she wrote, composed, and starred in, celebrating the life of her fellow Sigma Gamma Rho soror Hattie McDaniel, the first Black performer to win an Academy Award. Critics have praised Reynolds as an ideal interpreter of McDaniel’s story.

Through decades of performance and creativity, Vickilyn Reynolds has carried her talent from a Philadelphia church choir to stages across the country. Her artistry and dedication reflect the Sigma Gamma Rho motto, “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”