Denise Yvonne Dowse (February 21, 1958 – August 13, 2022) was an American actress. She was best known for her roles as Mrs. Yvonne Teasley in the television series Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991–2000),^[2] Judge Rebecca Damsen in The Guardian (2001–2004), and Dr. Rhonda Pine in Insecure.

Dowse's film roles included Olivia Biggs in Bio-Dome (1996), Sky Marshal Meru in Starship Troopers (1997), Judge Constance Mullen in A Civil Action (1998), Marlene Andre in Ray, Principal Garrison in Coach Carter (2005), and Flora in The Call (2013).

Early life

Denise Yvonne Dowse was born on February 21, 1958,^[3] in Honolulu, Hawaii, the daughter of a naval officer. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Norfolk State University.^[1]

Career

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Dowse started acting in 1989, playing Angela Quartermane in an episode of the television series Almost There.

From 1989, she appeared in numerous TV series, such as ALF, Full House, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, ER, Charmed, Shark, The Mentalist, Monk, and House.

Dowse appeared in the 2005 comedy film Guess Who, featuring Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher.

Dowse became best known for her role of Yvonne Teasley on Beverly Hills, 90210,^[4][5] after appearing as Judge Rebecca Damsen on The Guardian from 2001 through 2004. From 1993 to 1994, she appeared as a recurring character known as Vice Principal McBride in the television series California Dreams.

From 2000 to 2004, she provided the voice of Officer Shirley in the Nickelodeon animated series Rocket Power for the last three seasons of the show's run, replacing CCH Pounder, who voiced the character in the first season.

In 2020, she appeared as Valeria in the thriller film Fatale, featuring Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, and Mike Colter.^[6]

Dowse directed the drama film Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story, featuring Ledisi, Corbin Bleu, Keith David, Vanessa Williams, and Columbus Short.^[7] The film premiered in April 2022, at the 30th Pan African Film and Arts Festival in Los Angeles.^[8]

Death

Dowse fell into a coma in August 2022, in connection with meningitis.^[9] She died on August 13, 2022, at the age of 64.^[10]

Filmography

Film

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Television