American actress and fashion designer LisaRaye McCoy was born on September 23, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University, she began her career as a model, working for fashion shows in different venues around her hometown. Her first film was in 1996, when she took on a supporting role in the action flick Reasons. Since then, she has starred in several films, mostly low-budget ones: The Players Club, The Wood, The Cheapest Movie Ever Made, All About You, Love Chronicles, Go for Broke and Civil Brand.
McCoy then joined the cast of the sitcom All of Us. This wasn’t her first television role, though; this was preceded by guest roles in In the House and The Parent ‘Hood. She joined the sitcom in 2003 as Neesee, the self-absorbed ex-wife of lead Robert (Duane Martin) who shares custody over their son Bobby (Khamani Griffin). Created by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, the series lasted four seasons but nevertheless had a tumultuous stay, being threatened with cancellation in 2005 before eventually getting axed in 2007. She, however, was nominated for an NAACP Award for the role in the same year.
During her stint on the sitcom, McCoy starred in other films, including Beauty Shop, Gang of Roses and Envy. She also provided her voice to a character in the animated television movie The Proud Family Movie. Aside from these, she also appeared in several music videos, including Tupac Shakur’s “Toss it Up” and Ludacris’ “Number 1 Spot.” She also collaborated with the rapper Benzino for the song “Would You?” which was released in 2003. In 2005, in a nod to her past as a fashion model, she also launched her own fashion lines: Luxe & Romance, a lingerie line which debut in that year’s New York Fashion Week; and Xraye, a jeans line for women.