Actress and director Denise Dowse, whose prolific career featured roles in “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Insecure” and “Ray,” has died, her family confirmed on Sunday. She was 64.
Denise Dowse has died at the age of 64 following a battle with viral meningitis put her in a coma for days. Her passing was confirmed via social media by her sister Tracey on Saturday, Aug. 13. “I want to take this moment to thank our friends and family for all of the love and prayers,” Tracey penned. “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform everyone that my sister, Denise Dowse, has gone forward to meet our family in eternal life,” she said.
Dowse’s screen-acting career stretches back to the 1980s. She is known for her recent role in “Insecure” as a therapist, Dr. Rhonda Pine. She also had a recurring role in “Beverly Hills, 90210” as vice principal Yvonne Teasley, appearing in 24 episodes of the Fox series.
Born on Feb. 21, 1958, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Dowse graduated from Norfolk State University before beginning her screen acting career. Her first credit came in 1989 with a one-episode appearance in the series “Almost There!”
Dowse’s prominent film credits include roles in “Bio-Dome,” “Starship Troopers,” “A Civil Action,” “Ray,” “Coach Carter” and “The Call.” She also was a regular guest star across television series over the past thirty years, with appearances on “Seinfield,” “Full House,” “Murphy Brown,” “Touched by an Angel,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Chicago Hope,” “ER,” “The West Wing,” “House,” and “Castle.”
