Profile
Holly Robinson Peete Biography
Holly Robinson Peete is an African-American actress and singer best known for playing the role of Judy Hoffs on FOX’s 21 Jump Street, Vanessa Russell on ABC’s Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, and Dr. Malena Ellis on NBC/The WB’s For Your Love. She and her husband, Rodney Peete, work as the hosts of King’s Court, which premieres on July 13, 2025.
Holly Robinson Peete Height
Peete stands at a rough height of 5 feet and 5 inches.
Holly Robinson Peete Age
Peete is 60 years old. She was born Holly Elizabeth Robinson on September 18, 1964, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Robinson annually celebrates her birthday on September 18th.
Personal Life
Holly Robinson Peete Family and Relatives
Peete was born to Dolores and Matt Thomas Robinson Jr in Philadelphia. They had two kids, including Matthew Thomas Robinson III and Holly. Dolores worked as a school teacher in public relation, later becoming a personal talent manager.
Matt was an actor, writer, and TV producer known for being the first actor to portray Gordon Robinson on PBS’s Sesame Street. He also worked as a producer and staff writer for The Cosby Show. He passed away from Parkinson’s disease on August 5, 2002, in Los Angeles at the age of 65.
Holly Robinson Peete Spouse and Children
Robinson tied the knot with Rodney Peete, a National Football League quarterback, on June 10, 1995. He popped the big question during a surprise appearance during an episode of Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper on October 7, 1994. They have four kids, including 2 sons named Robinson James Peete and Roman Peete, as well as fraternal twins of a son named Rodney James “R.J.” Peete and a daughter named Ryan Elizabeth.
The twins, R.J. and Ryan, were born on October 19, 1997, and are 27 years old. R.J. was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at age 3 in 2000. Robinson was born on August 11, 2002, and is 22 years old. Roman, their youngest, was born on February 25, 2005, and is 20 years old.
In 1997, Holly and her husband began the HollyRod Foundation after her father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The HollyRod Foundation is devoted to helping find a cure for Parkinson’s disease, as well as for autism, and assisting those living with the conditions.
Rodney was born on March 16, 1966, and is 59 years old. He is a former professional football player who served as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, obtaining first-team All-American honors in 1988.
Rodney was chosen in the sixth round of the NFL draft in 1989. During his tenure in the NFL, he played for the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Carolina Panthers, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Holly Robinson Peete Son Autism
R.J., one half of twins, was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at age 3 in 2000. He and his family are advocates for autism awareness. Further, he was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a clubhouse attendant for several years. Additionally, he is a published author who has co-written children’s books focusing on autism with his mother and sister.
Holly Robinson Peete Education
Robinson received her diploma from Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica before enrolling at Sarah Lawrence College. In 1986, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and French. While in college, she studied abroad for a year at the Sorbonne. There, she sang in Paris nightclubs, including performing with jazz musician Lionel Hampton at the Hotel Meridian Jazz Club.
Professional Life
Holly Robinson Peete Net Worth
Robinson has garnered a net worth ranging from $1 million to $6 million during her successful career as an actress and singer.
Holly Robinson Peete Career
Robinson launched her TV career on Sesame Street when she was six years old. At the time, she repeatedly messed up her lines by saying “Hi, Daddy” instead of “Hi, Gordon,” which was the name of the character her father played. As a result, she appeared in a scene where she walked down the street with Big Bird. When she was 11, she worked as a celebrity correspondent for Kidsworld, where she interviewed numerous actors and actresses for the program.
Robinson starred in the TV series 21 Jump Street from 1987 to 1991, Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper from 1992 to 1997, For Your Love from 1998 to 2002, and Like Family from 2003 to 2004. She appeared in the music video for Babyface’s hit single, Whip Appeal. During her time on Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper in 1992, she played the role of Diana Ross in The Jacksons: An American Dream. She also starred in UPN’s Love, Inc., which was canceled after the WB/UPN merger.
2006 to present;
Robinson and Daniel Paisner won the 2006 Quills Sports Award for the book, Get Your Own Damn Beer, I’m Watching the Game! A Woman’s Guide to Loving Pro Football. In 2010, she competed on The Celebrity Apprentice 3 for her charity, the HollyRod Foundation, which supports families with Parkinson’s disease or autism. On October 18, 2010, she began working as the co-host of CBS’s The Talk. On the show, she talks about her ethnicity and is especially vocal about African American issues. She hosted a weekly series on The Talk, promoting autism awareness, as her son is affected by it. After working on The Talk Season 1, she and Leah Remini were released from the show.
Peete worked as the co-host of the 42nd NAACP Image Awards with Wayne Brady on March 4, 2011. Between 2016 and 2017, she and her family appeared in OWN’s For Peete’s Sake. The show followed their lives as they balance career choices with their family life. They then starred in a similar reality series dubbed Meet the Peetes on Hallmark from 2018 to 2019 for 2 seasons.
In September 2012, Nestle’s Carnation Breakfast Essentials announced they had partnered with Robinson, featuring her as the spokesperson for the brand. She served as an honorary inductee of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority on October 4, 2012.
Holly Robinson Peete Singing Career
Robinson is also a singer and recording artist. She worked on the introductory song to 21 Jump Street and contributed multiple songs to the soundtrack of Howard the Duck. She also starred in a minor role of a musician/ singer in Howard the Duck.
Robinson recorded the theme song, We Got Our Love, for Three for the Road in 1987. She performed the song for the first season of Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper with Dawnn Lewis and En Vogue, an R&B quartet. She competed in The Masked Singer Season 9 as “Fairy,” besting Malin Akerman(Squirrel) and Lele Pons(Jackalope) on “Sesame Street Night.” Later, she was eliminated on “Country Night” with Alexa Bliss(Axolotl).
Holly Robinson Peete Twin Sister |Terry Ellis
Robinson does not have a twin sister, but has a brother named Matthew Thomas Robinson III. Further, she has a set of fraternal twins, a son named Rodney James “R.J.” Peete and a daughter named Ryan Elizabeth.
Some people have noted that she and her close friend Terry Ellis look alike, sometimes referring to them as “twin sisters.” However, they are not actually related
Holly Robinson Peete Hallmark
Robinson has starred in over 15 Hallmark films, including The Christmas Doctor, Christmas in Evergreen, Holiday Heritage (Hallmark’s first Kwanzaa movie, which she also executive produced), and Our Christmas Journey. In 2025, she returned to Hallmark, playing Rosalind in Hats Off to Love.
Movies and TV Shows
Holly Robinson Peete 21 Jump Street
Robinson played the role of Officer Judy Hoffs in 21 Jump Street from 1987 to 1991 and in 2012. Hoffs is a police officer stationed on Jump Street. She and the other rookie cops pass for teenagers due to their youthful appearances. In this capacity, they infiltrate high schools or colleges to investigate drug trafficking and other criminal activities. Hoffs is known for her close friendship and subtle romantic tension with fellow officer Tom Hanson(Johnny Depp), though they never officially become a couple.
Holly Robinson Peete Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper
Robinson played the role of Vanessa Russell on ABC’s Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper from 1992 to 1997. Vanessa is a close friend and colleague of Mark Cooper, an NBA player-turned-substitute teacher/gym coach. She eventually becomes his girlfriend.
Holly Robinson Peete For Your Love
Robinson played the role of Dr. Malena Ellis on NBC/The WB’s For Your Love from 1998 to 2002. Dr. Malena is married to Melvin “Mel” Ellis and is the best friend of Sheri DeCarlo-Winston. Malena and Mel are one of three couples featured on the show. For Your Love follows them as they try to counsel each other on how to deal with the opposite sex.
Holly Robinson Peete King’s Court
Robinson and her husband, Rodney Peete, work as the hosts of the dating series, King’s Court, which premieres on July 13, 2025. King’s Court follows supermodel Tyson Beckford, NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, and WWE legend Thaddeus “Titus O’Neil” Bullard as they pursue love among 21 women who are ready to risk it all for the one.
Holly Robinson Peete Other Films and TV Shows
During her career, Robinson has starred in films and TV shows like
- Dummy
- Killers in the House
- After All
- Intimate Portrait
- Earthquake
- Matters of Life and Dating
- Football Wives
- Speed-Dating
- Angel of Christmas
- Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland
- Christmas in Evergreen
- Chicago Fire
- Morning Show Mysteries
- A Family Christmas Gift
- American Housewife
- The Christmas Doctor
- Our Christmas Journey
- Queens Court
- The Journey Ahead
- Holiday Heritage
- Lego Masters: Celebrity Holiday Bricktacular
Holly Robinson Peete Social Media
Robinson has active social media platforms, i.e., X(formerly Twitter), and Instagram. She has a following of over 340K on Facebook, over 1.4M on Instagram, and over 812K on X.
