The (Not So) Secret TV Past of Halle Berry: Living Dolls, A Different World and More

Oscar winner is returning to TV this summer, but she's no stranger to the small screen

By Chris Harnick Jul 09, 2014 7:00 PMTags
Halle Berry, Living Dolls, Extant, Introducing Dorothy DandridgeABC; Sonja Flemming/CBS; HBO

Halle Berry is returning to TV this summer with Extant, her new CBS sci-fi series. Yes, she's returning to TV. Before Berry was controlling the weather as Storm in the X-Men movies and taking home the Oscar for Monster's Ball, she starred in a Who's the Boss? spinoff. Yep, Living Dolls was Berry's first credited role! Your favorite A-list actors weren't always on the top of the heap. Let's explore the (not so) secret TV past of your favorite stars.

Living Dolls lasted only a handful of episodes. Berry co-starred opposite Michael Learned and Leah Remini in the modeling sitcom from 1989. After the show was canceled, Berry went on to a few guest roles and TV movies, including a recurring role on Knots Landing. Berry took home an Emmy for playing Dorothy Dandridge in Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and was nominated again for Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Let's take a look at Berry's TV past, shall we? Best prepare for some motion sickness as there are some highs and some lows...

Living Dolls (1989)
In this Who's the Boss? spinoff, Berry played Emily Franklin, one of the models. The show only lasted a handful of episodes. And let's be clear, this isn't about people who dress up like dolls.

They Came From Outer Space (1991)
Extant
isn't Berry's only alien dealings on TV! After Living Dolls, Berry appeared in this syndicated comedy about aliens from the planet Crouton. (Mmm...anyone else craving a salad?)

A Different World (1991)
Berry played Jaclyn in this season-four episode of the hit comedy starring Lisa Bonet, Marisa Tomei and Jasmine Guy.

Amen (1991)
Another guest star role, Berry appeared in this Sherman Hemsley sitcom as Claire.

Queen (1993)
Berry played the title role in this miniseries about a mixed race woman in post-Civil War America. Ann-Margret also starred.

Solomon and Sheba (1995)
Berry played Queen Sheba opposite Jimmy Smits as King Solomon.

The Wedding (1998)
Based on the novel by Dorothy West, The Wedding saw Berry play Shelby, a woman in an interracial relationship.

Introducing Dorothy Danbridge (1999)
Berry won and Emmy for playing Dorothy Danbridge in this HBO movie about the pioneering actress-singer.

Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005)
The 2005 ABC TV movie was based on Zora Neale Hurston's novel of the same name and starred Berry as Janie, a woman on a search for happiness. Michael Ealy, Lorraine Toussaint and Terrence Howard also appeared in the TV movie.

Extant (2013)
Berry plays an astronaut who returns from a solo mission pregnant. Yes, we said solo mission and pregnant. What happens next? That's why you have to watch.