- Daughter of Diana Ross and Robert Ellis Silberstein.
- Grew up in New York, Paris, and Switzerland.
- Won her 'black-ish' Golden Globe Award at age 44, 44 years after her mother, Diana Ross, won her own Golden Globe for Lady Sings the Blues (1972).
- Working as a model when she was younger, she was photographed by highly-regarded fashion photographers Herb Ritts, Peter Lindberg, Francesco Scavullo, and Mario Testino.
- As a pre-teen she was once photographed and painted by Andy Warhol.
- Worked as a fashion editor for Mirabella and New York Magazine.
- Her father is Ashkenazi Jewish and her mother is African-American.
- She is a graduate of Brown University and the esteemed William Esper Acting Studio.
- Attended school in Switzerland.
- Changed her major to theater at Brown University after a positive experience auditioning for Malcolm X (1992). Though she didn't land a role in the film, words of encouragement from Spike Lee's casting director Robi Reed were all she needed to embark a different career path.
- Is conversant in French.
- In her early twenties she briefly modeled for French designer Thierry Mugler in Paris.
- First African-American actress in 34 years to win the Best Actress Golden Globe in a TV comedy (for Black-ish (2014)). In 1983 Debbie Allen won for her role in Fame (1982).
- Does not consume stimulants such as coffee, chocolate or sugar.
- Sister-in-law of Ashlee Simpson and co-sister-in-law of Jessica Simpson.
- Nominated for the 2018 Emmy Award in the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category for her role as Rainbow Johnson in Black-ish (2014), but lost to Rachel Brosnahan from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017).
- Starring on the hit sitcom, Girlfriends (2000). (September 2003)
- Favorite country to visit is Italy.
- Won the 2009 NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series category for her role as Joan Clayton in Girlfriends (2000).
- Grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut and New York City.
- Counts Rebecca Traister ("All the Single Ladies") and Ta-Nehisi Coates among her favorite authors.
- Older sister of Chudney Ross.
- Niece of Arthur 'T-Boy' Ross, Barbara Ross, Rita Ross, Fred Ross, Jr. and Wilbert 'Chico' Ross.
- She and Ed O'Neill share the distinction of starring in a comedy series [catered to their gender demographic] that was abruptly canceled, followed by starring in a family mockumentary on ABC that was given an official series finale in contrast, both of which ran for the same number of seasons: Tracee starred in Girlfriends (2000) and Black-ish (2014) (eight seasons each), and Ed starred in Married... with Children (1987) and Modern Family (2009) (11 seasons each).
- Her grandfather, Fred Ross, Sr., passed away on November 20, 2007 at age 87.
- Granddaughter of Ernestine Ross Jordan.
- Born on exactly the same date as Gabrielle Union of "Bring It On" fame.
- Cousin of Arthur Micah Ross, II.
- Aunt of Raif-Hendok Emmanuel Kendrick, Calloway Lane, Everlee, Jagger Snow Ross, Ziggy Blue Ross, Leif and Idingo.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content