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Meagan Good

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Meagan Good
Good in 2012
Born
Meagan Monique Good

(1981-08-08) August 8, 1981 (age 43)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actress, model
Years active1991–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2012; div. 2022)​
Partner(s)Jonathan Majors (2023–present; engaged)
RelativesLa'Myia Good (sister)
Dijon Talton (cousin)
Eric Bellinger (brother-in-law)
Websitemeaganmgood.com

Meagan Monique Good[1] (born August 8, 1981)[2] is an American actress and model. She first gained critical attention for her role in the film Eve's Bayou (1997) prior to landing the role of Nina in the Nickelodeon sitcom Cousin Skeeter (1998–2001). Good received further prominence after starring in the films Deliver Us from Eva (2003), Roll Bounce (2005) and Stomp the Yard (2007).

In 2012, Good featured in an ensemble cast of the film Think Like a Man. The following year, she played Joanna Locasto, the lead character on the NBC drama series Deception, and starred in the comedy Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Good has also had supporting roles in the films One Missed Call (2008), Saw V (2008), The Unborn (2009), and as the superhero version of Darla Dudley in the DCEU films Shazam! (2019) and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023). She co-produced and starred in Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black (2024) for Amazon Prime Video.

Early life and family

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Good was born on August 8, 1981[2] in the Panorama City neighborhood of Los Angeles. Her mother, Tyra Wardlow-Doyle, worked as Good's manager into her teens, and her father, Leondis "Leon" Good, is an LAPD police officer.[3][4][5] Good was raised in Canyon Country (now known as Santa Clarita), California. She has three siblings, including older sister and fellow actress La'Myia Good.[6] She began her acting career around the age of four.[7]

According to Good, she grew up "super nerdy, super skinny, buckteeth, big ole afro and yet I had a sense of confidence about myself, like, 'they just don't get it yet.'"[8] She has stated that she did not have any role models until early adulthood, when she began admiring actress Charlize Theron.[9]

Career

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Childhood

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In the early stages of her career, Good worked as an extra on television shows such as Doogie Howser, M.D. and Amen.[7] When she was 13, Good was cast in her first film, the 1995 comedy Friday.[3] She first gained critical recognition for her performance as the troubled teen Cisely Batiste in Kasi Lemmons' 1997 film Eve's Bayou; she received two award nominations, including her first NAACP Image Award nomination.

Adulthood

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From 1998 to 2001, Good appeared as Nina on Nickelodeon's TV show Cousin Skeeter. During this time, she landed small roles in the films 3 Strikes and House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute. Good also appeared in many music videos, by artists such as 50 Cent, (21 Questions), Imajin, Isyss (of which Good's sister La'Myia Good was a member), Lil' Johnny, Memphis Bleek, Tyrese, and Will Smith. After taking on small film and television roles for the next few years, Good began to transition into more mature roles in the early 2000s. Good believes she was able to move into adult roles due to playing characters several years younger than her.[9]

In 2003, a major year for Good, she landed roles in the action-drama Biker Boyz and the romantic-comedy Deliver Us from Eva, which helped her transition from child to adult actress. She also appeared as the character Vanessa for one season of My Wife and Kids, before being replaced by another actor.[10] In 2004, Good starred alongside Jordana Brewster, Sara Foster, and Jill Ritchie in the action film D.E.B.S., and received a Best Actress nomination at the 2005 Black Movie Awards. She also had small roles in the teen dance film You Got Served, and Lance "Un" Rivera's directorial debut, The Cookout.

In 2005, Good co-starred in the horror film Venom, as well as the well-received neo noir film Brick. She played opposite rapper/actor Bow Wow in Malcolm D. Lee's Roll Bounce. In 2006, Good played the role of Coco, which she felt was her first true lead actress role, in the urban action-drama Waist Deep.[7] Good also voiced a character for the video game Scarface: The World Is Yours that same year.[11] The following year, Good landed a role in the dance movie Stomp the Yard, starring with Ne-Yo and childhood and personal friend Columbus Short.[3] In 2008, Good appeared in the horror film One Missed Call as an ill-fated college student, Shelley Baum. She appeared as an angry trophy wife in the Mike Myers comedy The Love Guru, and in the latter half of the year, she was one of the victims/game players in Saw V. She starred in 2009's The Unborn with Gary Oldman and Odette Yustman.

Good in 2019

In 2010, Good started her own production company, Freedom Bridge Entertainment, with Marlon Olivera and fellow actors Tamara Bass and Ty Hodges.[12][13] She was part of the ensemble cast in 2012's Think Like a Man, a movie based on Steve Harvey's 2009 book Act like a Lady, Think like a Man. In 2013, Good starred in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Good returned to television from January to March 2013, starring in Deception after being contacted by her agents about the series while leaving a hair salon. According to the actress, she sat in her car "and cried for 30-minutes like a nerd, by myself."[14]

Good wore a royal blue dress designed by Michael Costello to the June 30, 2013 BET Awards ceremony. The dress featured a plunging neckline down to her midriff and a front slit that rose to mid-thigh,[15] It was sometimes compared to the Green Versace dress worn by Jennifer Lopez to the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2000.[16] Fashion & Style editors selected Good as "worst dressed" at the ceremony.[17]

The dress was controversial also because Good was presenting the BET Award for Best Gospel Artist. According to Christine Thomasos of The Christian Post, Good has a history of defending her stylistic choices of presenting herself as a "sexy Christian". She had said earlier that year:

there is a classy way to do everything and there is nothing wrong with being sexy or having sex appeal and I think that I am definitely going to be someone who is boldly going to go out to the masses and be someone who say, 'Look! Women its okay' ...[17][18][19]

Good responded on Instagram, expressing sadness that judgment had been passed on her, her character and her then-husband DeVon Franklin over what she wore to the ceremony. She said she picked the dress because she liked it and tried to express her individuality in her dress.[18][20]

In 2014, Good reprised her role for Think Like a Man Too, the sequel to Think Like a Man. Good stated she "had a really good time" while filming the sequel in Las Vegas after initially being nervous "because there's so much energy that only Vegas can give."[21] She later co-starred with Larenz Tate and Lance Gross in the 2017 Netflix film Deuces, and was star of 2019's The Intruder. She also appeared in the movies Monster Hunter (2020) and Day Shift (2022). In 2024, Good had a lead role in Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black. She and actor Taye Diggs then starred in and executive produced Terry McMillan Presents: Forever, a Lifetime original movie.[22]

Personal life

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Although she was not raised in the church, Good is a Protestant, considers herself a spiritual person and has said in numerous interviews that she declines roles that she feels might "disappoint God."[23][24] She explained in an interview that Jesus tops her list of heroes, and the last book she read was the Bible.[3]

At age 22, Good chose to focus on her career rather than dating, as she explained in a 2004 interview.[9] In 2011, Good began dating DeVon Franklin, an executive for Columbia Pictures and a Seventh-day Adventist preacher. They became engaged in early April 2012, and were married on June 16, 2012, at Triunfo Creek Winery in Malibu, California.[25][26] The pair stated that they remained chaste in their relationship prior to their marriage.[16] In December 2021, it was announced Good and Franklin were divorcing after nine years of marriage.[27] Their divorce was finalized in June 2022.[28][1]

In May 2023, Good began dating actor Jonathan Majors.[29][30] In November 2024, the couple announced their engagement at Ebony magazine's Power 100 event, where they first met in 2022.[31]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1995 Make a Wish, Molly Jenny Short
Friday Kid #2
1997 Eve's Bayou Cisely Batiste
1999 The Secret Life of Girls Kay
2000 3 Strikes Buela Douglas
New Kids on the Planet Nina Jones Cousin Skeeter TV Movie
2001 House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute Tina Video
2003 Biker Boyz Tina
Deliver Us from Eva Jacqui Dandridge
Ride or Die Fake Venus Video
2004 D.E.B.S. Max Brewer
You Got Served Beautifull
The Cookout Brittany
2005 Brick Kara
Venom Cece
Roll Bounce Naomi Phillips
2006 Miles from Home Natasha Freeman
Waist Deep Coco
2007 Stomp the Yard April Palmer
2008 One Missed Call Shelley Baum
The Love Guru Prudence Roanoke
Saw V Luba Gibbs
2009 The Unborn Romy
2011 Jumping the Broom Blythe
Video Girl Lorie Walker
35 and Ticking Falinda
2012 LUV Beverly
Dysfunctional Friends Ms. Stevens
Think Like a Man Mya
Defeat the Label Herself Short
The Obama Effect Tamika Jones
Dick Little Megan
2013 Don Jon Hollywood Actress #2
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Linda Jackson
2014 Think Like a Man Too Mya
2015 A Girl Like Grace Share
Charlie, Trevor and a Girl Savannah Herself
2017 Deuces Janet Foster
Love by the 10th Date Gabrielle Fateful TV movie [32][33][34]
2018 A Boy. A Girl. A Dream. Free
2019 Shazam! Super Hero Darla
The Intruder Annie Russell
If Not Now, When? Tyra Also director and producer
2020 Monster Hunter Dash
2021 Death Saved My Life Jade TV movie
2022 Day Shift Jocelyn Jablonski [35][36]
2023 Shazam! Fury of the Gods Super Hero Darla
Buying Back My Daughter Dana TV movie
2024 Divorce in the Black Ava
2024 ‘Terry McMillan Presents: Forever’ Carlie Also executive producer

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1991 Gabriel's Fire Young Girl Episode: "Birds Gotta Fly"
1994 On Our Own Traycee Episode: "Swiss Family Jerricos"
1996 ABC Afterschool Special Janie Episode: "Me and My Hormones"
1997 Pacific Blue Shalona James Episode: "Blood for Blood"
Touched by an Angel Nikki Episode: "The Pact"
The Gregory Hines Show Pauley Episode: "Three's Not Company"
1997–98 The Parent 'Hood Ariana Recurring Cast: Season 4
1998 Nothing Sacred Carissa Episode: "Signs and Words"
1998–2001 Cousin Skeeter Nina Jones Main Cast
1999–2002 The Jersey Tamika Recurring Cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 3
2000 Moesha Nicole Episode: "He Doth Protest Too Much"
The Steve Harvey Show Alicia Episode: "Don't Stand Too Close to Me"
2001 The Division Kara Taylor Episode: "The Parent Trap"
The Famous Jett Jackson Tara Essex Episodes: "Awakenings 1 & 2"
2001–02 Raising Dad Katie Recurring Cast
2002 The Jersey Tamika Episode: "The Playbook"
2003 My Wife and Kids Vanessa Scott Recurring Cast: Season 3
2005 Kevin Hill Melanie West Recurring Cast
2007 Punk'd Herself Episode: "Episode #8.5"
106 & Park Top 10 Live Herself/Host Episode: "106 and Park Celebration Week: T.I. and Meagan Good Holding It Down"
House Amy Episode: "Words and Deeds"
All of Us Katie Recurring Cast: Season 4
2009 Cold Case Beatrice Sloan (1970) Episode: "Soul"
2011 The Game Parker Keith Recurring Cast: Season 4
2012 Californication Kali Recurring Cast: Season 5
Harry's Law Cecilia Episode: "And the Band Played On"
2013 Deception Joanna Locasto Main Cast
2014 Unsung Hollywood Herself Episode: "Pam Grier"
The Dead Diaries Alexis Episode: "Massacre"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Paula Bryant Episode: "Spousal Privilege"
2015 Mr. Robinson Victoria Wavers Recurring Cast
Minority Report Detective Lara Vega Main Cast
2016 Unsung Hollywood Herself Episode: "Meagan Good"
Code Black Dr. Grace Adams Recurring Cast: Season 1
2017 The Talk Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Guest Co-Hostess Meagan Good/Jenna Dewan-Tatum/Kevin Frazier"
White Famous Kali Recurring Cast
2018 The Hollywood Puppet Show Herself Episode: "Meagan Good and Lil Rel Howery"
Star Natalie Knight Recurring Cast: Season 2
2019–20 Prodigal Son Special Agent Colette Recurring Cast: Season 1
2020 To Tell the Truth Herself/Panelist Episode: "Jeannie Mai, Craig Robinson, Bobby Moynihan, Meagan Good"
2021 Celebrity Game Face Herself Episode: "Bid on Bae and Puppet Charades"
American Masters Herself Episode: "How It Feels To Be Free"
Overserved with Lisa Vanderpump Herself Episode: "A Night in Morocco: Jeannie Mai & Meagan Good"
Entertainment Tonight Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Episode #40.101"
2022 Celebrity Family Feud Herself/Contestant Episode: "The Musical: The Series vs. Never Have I Ever and Ron Funches vs. Meagan Good"
The Black Beauty Effect Herself Recurring Guest
2021–present Harlem Camille Main Cast
2023 Uncensored Herself Episode: "Meagan Good"
The Eric Andre Show Herself Episode: "The Cold Episode"

Video Games

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Year Title Voice role
2006 Scarface: The World Is Yours Femme Fatale Stacey

Music Videos

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Year Artist Song Role
1999 Imajin "No Doubt" Herself
2003 50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg "21 Questions" Girlfriend

Documentary

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Year Title
2007 Angels Can't Help But Laugh
2009 Good Hair
2018 3 Years in Pakistan: The Erik Aude Story

Accolades

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result
1998 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress Eve's Bayou Nominated
1998 YoungStar Awards Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Drama Film Eve's Bayou Nominated
2006 Teen Choice Awards Choice Breakout (Female) Waist Deep Nominated
2007 Choice Movie Actress: Drama Stomp the Yard Nominated
2006 Black Reel Awards Best Ensemble Roll Bounce (Shared with cast) Nominated
2007 MTV Movie Awards Best Kiss Stomp the Yard (Shared with Columbus Short) Nominated
2008 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Stomp the Yard Nominated
2012 Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Actress Romance Think Like a Man Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Ryan Naumann (June 8, 2022). Meagan Good Drops Married Last Name In Divorce Settlement With DeVon Franklin. RadarOnline. Accessed 2023-02-26.
  2. ^ a b Famous birthdays for Aug. 8. UPI. Accessed 2023-01-25.
  3. ^ a b c d "Interview: Meagan Good". DallasBlack.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  4. ^ Good, Meagan (2011). "Follow Your Heart". In Vassel, Rachel (ed.). Daughters of Men. New York: Amistad. p. 57. ISBN 9780062045775.
  5. ^ "Good & Plenty". TheFreeLibrary.com. October 1, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  6. ^ "Meagan and La'Miya Good: The Greater Good Foundation". Black Enterprise. August 25, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "Meagan Good Interview". Stumped? Magazine. Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2009 – via stumpedmagazine.com.
  8. ^ "Meagan Good Talks Being A Sex Symbol, Racism In Hollywood And Playing Aaliyah". Vibe. May 25, 2010.
  9. ^ a b c Barker, Lynn (January 29, 2004). "Jennifer Freeman and Meagan Good: Sister, Sister". BET. Washington, DC: Viacom. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  10. ^ "Where Are The Cast Of 'My Wife & Kids' Today?". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. January 6, 2020.
  11. ^ "The Girls of Scarface". GameShark.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  12. ^ "Meagan Good Rolling Out Magazine Photos". MWZA.com. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  13. ^ "5 Things You Need To Know About "Deception" Star Meagan Good". theurbandaily.com. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  14. ^ Hunte, Justin (January 30, 2013). "Meagan Good Discusses 'Deception,"' Compares Aaliyah To Princess Diana". HipHop DX.
  15. ^ Wilson, Julee (July 2, 2013). "Meagan Good Cleavage-Baring, Low-Cut Gown Stuns At The 2013 BET Awards". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  16. ^ a b Tate, Amethyst (July 1, 2013). "Megan Good Dress: Actress Pulls A Jennifer Lopez In Plunging Blue Gown At 2013 BET Awards". International Business Times. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  17. ^ a b Durham, Jessica (July 1, 2013). "Meagan Good BET Awards 2013: [PHOTOS] Twitter Explodes With Hot, Plunging, Cleavage-Baring Style, 'Deception' Star Turns Heads, Celebrates Wedding Anniversary on Instagram". Fashion & Style. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  18. ^ a b Thomasos, Christine (July 2, 2013). "Meagan Good Responds to Critics of Revealing BET Awards Dress". The Christian Post. Washington DC: The Christian Post Company. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  19. ^ Braxton, Greg (July 1, 2013). "Meagan Good presents BET gospel award in a dress cut to her navel". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  20. ^ "Meagan Good Responds To Christian Backlash To Revealing BET Awards Dress". Newsone. News One (Pakistani TV channel). July 3, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
  21. ^ "Think Like a Man Too's Meagan Good reveals details on filming in Las Vegas". vegasplayermagazine.com. March 2014.
  22. ^ Cordero, Rosy (July 22, 2024). "Taye Diggs & Meagan Good To Lead & EP Lifetime's 'Terry McMillan Presents: Forever'". Deadline. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  23. ^ Dowdell, Niki (May 2005). "Meagan Good: Grounded, Funny and Straight Up Cool". Sister 2 Sister. p. 19.
  24. ^ Neumer, Chris. "Meagan Good Interview". Stumped? Magazine. Archived from the original on July 3, 2008. Retrieved January 28, 2012. I'm a Christian, but not a religious Christian. I'm just very spiritual. I have my belief system and anything I feel would be disappointing to God I don't do. But, it has to be my personal feeling not someone else's or my pastor's or my mom's. If I feel that it's going to be disappointing to him, I won't do it.
  25. ^ Herndon, Jessica (June 17, 2012). "Meagan Good Weds In Malibu". People. New York City: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  26. ^ Corneau, Allison (June 17, 2012). "Meagan Good Marries DeVon Franklin". US Weekly. New York City: American Media, Inc. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  27. ^ Mizoguchi, Karen (December 21, 2021). "Harlem Star Meagan Good and Husband DeVon Franklin to Divorce After 9 Years of Marriage". People. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  28. ^ Emmanuele, Julia (June 7, 2022). "Meagan Good's Divorce From DeVon Franklin Finalized Ahead of His 'Married at First Sight' Debut". US Weekly. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  29. ^ "Jonathan Majors Attends Start of Domestic Violence Trial With Girlfriend Meagan Good and a Bible in Hand". ET.
  30. ^ "Jonathan Majors supported by girlfriend Meagan Good at court as assault trial begins: Live". The Independent.
  31. ^ "Ebony Exclusive! Jonathan Majors Sheds Tears Over Fiancée Meagan Good Saying 'Yes' To Engagement". Ebony.
  32. ^ "Lifetime continues hot streak with Kelly Rowland, Meagan Good rom-com". September 10, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  33. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Meagan Good, Kelly Rowland and Keri Hilson to Star in Lifetime Movie 'The 10th Date'". Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  34. ^ "Love By The 10th Date - Movie Trailer [Starring Meagan Good, Kelly Rowland, & Keri Hilson]". VannDigital. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  35. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 1, 2021). "Dave Franco, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Steve Howey, More Join Jamie Foxx In Netflix's 'Day Shift'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  36. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 27, 2022). "Netflix Announces Summer Slate Including Dates For Jamie Foxx's 'Day Shift' And Kevin Hart's 'Me Time'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
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