Dionne Warwick, born December 12, 1940, in East Orange, New Jersey… honestly, if you haven’t heard her name, you’ve probably been living under a rock. She’s not just some old-school singer your parents blast on Sunday mornings—she’s got credits in some surprisingly eclectic films. Check it: she’s popped up in “Alive” (1993), that chilling survival flick that’s way more than your average disaster movie, and then totally switched gears with “The Happytime Murders” in 2018—yeah, the wild puppet crime comedy. Oh, and don’t forget “Bird Box” from the same year, that Netflix thriller everyone wouldn’t shut up about for a solid month. She’s not just showing up for a quick cameo, either; she’s got legit producer chops. Warwick’s career isn’t one of those flash-in-the-pan Hollywood stories. She’s done the hard yards, and it shows. Plus, there’s all her music stuff, but this is about her movie game, and honestly, she’s gone from gritty drama to offbeat comedy without missing a beat. She used to be married to William Elliott, which, yeah, is a fun trivia nugget, but her real legacy is all those moments on screen—moments that kind of sneak up and surprise you because, let’s face it, not every singer-turned-actor actually brings the goods. Dionne? She does. She’s got range, she’s got presence, and she’s still out there, making waves in whatever project she jumps into.
Turns out, both she and her cousin Whitney Houston got their shine in 2013, landing a spot in the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Not just a random honor, either—this was all about the mark they made on arts and entertainment. Let’s be real, New Jersey’s produced a lot of big names, but having two family members inducted together? That’s not your average Tuesday. The Hall of Fame basically said, “Yeah, we see you, legends.” For Whitney, it’s obvious—her voice is legendary, and her hits still get played at every wedding and karaoke night. As for her cousin, she carved her own path, showing up in music, movies, and more, making sure her impact stretched far beyond just one lane. It’s wild to think about the talent running in that family, honestly. Getting that kind of recognition is proof their influence is still alive and kicking, way past their heyday.
Somebody’s gotta step up and shout for the people everyone else ignores, right? That’s pretty much my whole deal—I take it on myself to say what needs saying for folks who get drowned out or straight up ignored. The world’s noisy, and if you’re quiet or don’t have the right connections, forget about anyone listening. So, yeah, call it my mission, my burden, whatever—you can’t just stand by watching people get trampled and not do something. I don’t care if I ruffle feathers or tick off the wrong people. In fact, that’s usually a sign I’m onto something real. Sometimes it feels like screaming into a void, but every once in a while, you catch someone’s ear, and that’s all it takes. At the end of the day, giving a voice to the voiceless is the only thing that feels right. Who else will if I don’t?
December 12, 1940
5′ 7″ (1.70 m)
Konidela Ram Charan
East Orange, New Jersey, USA
Yes, David Elliott
Lee Drinkard and Surekha
84 years old