Essence Atkins, a prominent figure in The New Yorker, has had a thriving career as both an actress and a model since 1986.
Initially, she gained experience through guest roles, but it wasn’t until the mid-’90s that she secured substantial, recurring roles in TV shows like Under the Same Roof, Malibu Shores, and Smart Guy.
In her later years, this ambitious actress expanded her portfolio with projects like Dance Flick, Are We There?, Deliver Us From Eva, A Haunted House, and Ambitions.
Notably, she collaborated with renowned artists such as Terry Crews, Keri Russell, and Gabrielle Union.
Essence Atkins Biography
Essence Atkins is a versatile American actress, model, voice artist, and producer.
She started her acting career on The Cosby Show and made her film debut in Nikita’s Blues (1999).
Essence gained fame for portraying various characters such as Kisha in A Haunted House (2013), Jamie in How High (2001), Suzanne Kingston in Are We There Yet?, Tasha Yvette Henderson in Smart Guy, Ashley Wayne in Marlon, Samantha Owens in Mr. Box Office, Dee Dee Thorne in Half & Half, Julie Tate in Malibu Shores, Charlotte in Under One Roof, and Paula Young in The Cosby Show.
Quick Facts
| Date Of Birth | February 7, 1972 |
| Age | 51 years 8 months 21 days |
| Day of Birth | Monday |
| Place Of Birth | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Professions | Actress , Producer , Model |
| Full Name | Essence Uhurra Atkins |
| Other Name | Esence Atkins |
| Personal Information | |
| Residence | New York, United States |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Language | English |
| Star Sign | Aquarius |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicities | Multiracial , African American |
| Complexion | Brown |
Essence Atkins Organic, Ethnicity
Essence Atkins, born in Brooklyn, New York, began her career at 14 with The Cosby Show.
After various guest roles, she had recurring parts in Under One Roof, Smart Guy, and Malibu Shores.
In the 2000s, she starred in films like Love Song, How High, and Deliver Us From Eva. She later appeared in series like Half & Half, Are We There Yet?, and Mr. Box Office.
Atkins continued her success in films such as Haunted House 2, Sister Code, and Marlon.
Essence Atkins Parents, Twin Sister
Not much, if nothing is known about Essence’s parents besides their names.
She was born and raised in St. Alban’s, Queens to her parents Geoffrey Atkins and Sandy Nelson.
Atkins has no siblings as she is her parents’ only biological child.
A rumor emerged in the late 90s to early 2000s that Essence was a sister to famous Hollywood twin sisters, Tia and Tamera Mowry.
Of course, that didn’t help the Smart Guy TV series , her character was the sister of Tahj Mowry, Mowry’s brother.
However, the New York native is not related to the Mowry family.
| Family Information | |
| Father | Geoffrey Atkins |
| Mother | Sandy Nelson |
| Son | Varro Blair Mendez (born on 25th December 2011) |
| Cousin | Chriss Ifflet |
| Niece | Alyssa Rager-Mendez |
| Education Qualifications | |
| Education(School) | Profession Children School (A school for kids who can not attend regular schools while being busy other professions like acting,) |
| Alma Mater | Alvin Ailey Institute (Dancing Institute) |
Essence Atkins Relationship
Feeling weary of conventional dates within her industry, Essence opted for online dating, creating a profile on Match without a picture due to her public figure status.
On Valentine’s Day 2008, she met Jaime Mendez, a former Puerto Rican college footballer.
After a year of dating, they tied the knot in September 2009 in Pasadena, California.
Their son, Varro Blair Mendez, was born on Christmas Day in 2011.
In 2016, Essence Atkins and Jaime Mendez announced their separation.
Essence Atkins Height, Weight And Body Measurements
Atkins is a diminutive which ironically makes her stand out the most among her peers.
The actress stands at a height of 157cm and maintains an athletic weight of 57kg.
She also has a bust size of 32 inches; 24 inch waist; and hip size of 33 inches.
| Body Features & Measurements | |
| Height | 157 CM 5 Feet 2 Inches |
| Eye color | Dark Brown |
| Hair color | Black |
| Weight | 57 KG 126 lbs |
| Shoe Size | 7 (US) |
| Dress Size | 8 (US) |
| Figure Measurements | 32-24-33 |
| Figure Type | Hourglass |
| Body Type | Average |
| Bra Size | 32B |