ROBIN GIVENS

When she was young, Robin began playing the violin but quickly decided it was not for her. She chose instead to channel her artistic energy through acting and, at the age of ten, she started acting classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. In 1980, at fifteen, Robin enrolled as a freshman at Sarah Lawrence College to study pre-med. Robin always dreamed of being a doctor. In fact, she was accepted to Harvard University's Graduate School of Medicine as a premed at the very young age of 19! But soon after entering Harvard, her life and dreams would change forever. Robin's excitement about the idea of a career in acting intensified and she began taking her craft more seriously.

Robin's first experience in Hollywood was on The Cosby Show , the hottest show on television. As a result of the role, she and comedian Bill Cosby forged a great friendship which would prove instrumental in Robin's career. At first Robin's mother wasn't crazy about her decision at all. But Robin was able to change her mom's mind with a little help from her friend - Bill Cosby. "Bill promised my mom that if I wasn't a successful actress after two years, he would send me back to school and pay for my education!" Robin said. "Mom really couldn't argue with that!"

She also landed a guest appearance on Diff'rent Strokes . Her career was just about to take off. Robin first made it big in Hollywood in 1986. She took a role in a television movie, Ladies of the Night , as April Baxter. But it was later that year that Robin became a recognizable actress in Hollywood. She was given a role on the television series Head of the Class as Darlene Merriman. The series was a comedy about a group of gifted high school students that were placed in an enrichment class.

In 1988, Robin married boxing legend Mike Tyson . This union put her into the national spotlight, as Tyson was on the top of his career. He was one of the youngest boxers ever to receive the attention, acclaim, and financial success that Tyson garnered. The marriage ended (on Valentine's Day), just a year later. Rumors hinted at abuse and infidelity. Robin gave marriage another chance in 1997, by marrying her tennis instructor Svetozar Marinkovic. The marriage proved a total failure, as the two were separated since the day they married, and Robin filed for divorce citing 'irreconcilable differences.' Aside from a successful model and acclaimed actress, Robin is a mother of 2.

In 2000, Robin took a controversial career move as she took over for Mother Love on the successful television talk show, Forgive or Forget .

Robin has since co-starred in “Head of State” with Chris Rock, “A Good Night To Die,” the upcoming film “Formosa,” “Flip The Script” along with Jazsmin Lewis and produced by Lisa D. Washington ,” and is currently filming the movie “Forbidden.”