• Tim Reid is an American actor and comedian born in 1944 in Norfolk, Virginia
• He is best known for playing Venus Flytrap in the popular comedy series “WKRP in Cincinnati”
• He has appeared in over 70 movies and TV series and is still active in the film industry
• He is married to actress and comedian Daphne Etta Maxwell Reid and has two children with his first wife, Rita Ann Sykes
• Tim’s net worth is estimated at over $3 million
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Who is Tim Reid?
American actor and comedian Timothy Lee ‘Tim’ Reid was born in Norfolk, Virginia USA, on 19 December 1944, meaning that his zodiac sign’s Sagittarius. He’s appeared in more than 70 movies and TV series, and is possibly still known best for playing Venus Flytrap in the popular comedy series “WKRP in Cincinnati”, created by Hugh Wilson, and which starred Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump and Loni Anderson. It follows the staff of a rock ‘n’ roll radio station, the series aired from 1978 through 1982, and won three of its 19 award nominations.
Tim’s still active in the film industry, and is currently shooting for the upcoming movies “Stream” and “Finding Forever”.
Education and early life
Tim was raised in Chesapeake, Virginia by his mother Augustine (nee Wilkins) and father William Lee; he hasn’t shared any details about his parents, nor has he spoken about having siblings.
Tim experienced segregation in Chesapeake, and most of the businesses in his neighborhood were black-owned. He studied at a local high school and was interested in numerous activities during his four years there, including playing the piano, practicing soccer and appearing in school plays.
Upon matriculating in 1964, Tim enrolled at Norfolk State College, from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1968; he spent the following a couple of years working at Dupont Corporation, prior to launching his acting career.
Roles in TV series
Tim’s debut TV series role was playing Reverend Armbruster in the 1974 episode “Clifton’s Persuasion” of the comedy “That’s My Mama”, and the remainder of the decade saw him appear in an episode of the comedy “Rhoda”, the talk-show comedy “Fernwood Tonight”, and another comedy “The Richard Pryor Show”.
In 1983, he played Michael Horne in the comedy “Teachers Only”, which Aaron Ruben created, and which starred Jean Smart, Norman Fell and Lynn Redgrave; it follows the lives of high school teacher Diana Swanson and her colleagues. From 1983 through 1987, Tim starred as Lieutenant Marcel ‘Downtown’ Brown in the crime action “Simon & Simon”, which Philip DeGuere Jr. created, and which also starred Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker. It follows two brothers as they’re running a private detective agency – the series was nominated for eight awards.
What marked the ‘90s for Tim was portraying Ray Campbell in all the 119 episodes of the family comedy “Sister, Sister”, which Gary Gilbert and Kim Bass created, and which starred Tamera and Tia Mowry-Hardrict. The series follows twin girls who were separated at birth, and have reunited as teenagers; it aired from 1994 through 1999 and won 10 of its 30 award nominations.
Tim appeared in only three TV series in the 2000s: the family fantasy comedy “That’s So Raven”, the romantic comedy “That ‘70s Show” and the comedy “Roommates”.
In 2017 and 2018, he played Bishop Lionel Jeffries in the popular drama “Greenleaf”, which Craig Wright created, and starred Desiree Ross, Kim Hawthorne and Merle Dandridge. It follows the members of the Greenleaf family, the series aired from 2016 through 2020, and won five of its 16 award nominations.
Tim’s three most recent TV series roles have been in the 2019 episodes “I Walk The Line” of the romantic drama “Grey’s Anatomy” and “If I Had Wings” of the musical comedy “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings”, and three episodes of the 2021 sports drama “Swagger”.
Roles in movies
Tim’s debut film role was playing Unity Dispatcher in the 1976 comedy “Mother, Jugs & Speed”, and his following three roles were in the 1977 comedy “Bumpers”, the 1979 comedy “You Can’t Take It with You”, and the 1989 crime action “Dead Bang”.
What marked the ‘90s for Tim was perhaps starring as Downtown Brown in the 1995 drama “Simon & Simon: In Trouble Again”, directed by John McPherson, and which also starred Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker. It follows two detectives as they’re working on the case of a hijacked yacht. The remainder of the ‘90s saw Tim appear in only one movie: the 1995 crime drama “Out-of-Sync”.
In 2003, he played Larry Pendragon in the family fantasy comedy “You Wish!”, directed by Paul Hoen, and which starred A. J. Trauth, Spencer Breslin and Lalaine. It follows a teenager who’s made a wish for his younger brother to disappear, and the movie was nominated for three awards. Tim could then have been seen appearing in the 2005 drama “The Reading Room”, the 2007 crime thriller “Trade” and the 2010 drama “The Cost of Heaven”.
Lifetime's WELCOME HOME CHRISTMAS has great cast… Jana Kramer, Brandon Quinn, Charlene Tilton, Craig Morgan and Tim Reid.
"Meet General O’Toole. Love my job. Get to be so many different people & instead of putting me in an asylum, they pay me for it"
📸 https://t.co/8ZAdRIsqUf pic.twitter.com/vtIwlyLiyM
— Ho! Ho! Holiday Viewing! (@SleepyKittyPaw) August 25, 2020
The year 2016 saw him portray Miles in the sports comedy “Tri”, written and directed by Jai Jamison, and which starred Kaylyn Aznavorian, Shaira Barton and Erica Burns. It follows the lives of several triathletes, and the movie won nine of its 11 award nominations.
Tim’s three most recent film roles have been in the 2020 romantic drama “A Welcome Home Christmas”, the 2022 thriller “Stranger Next Door” and the 2022 romantic comedy “A New Orleans Noel”.
Other credits
Tim has 10 writing and 18 producing credits – some of the movies and TV series which he’s both written and produced include the 1990 crime mystery series “Snoops”, the 2000 comedy series “Linc’s” and the 2001 short documentary action movie “The Red Ball Express”.
He received special tanks for the 2013 short romantic film “The Magic Trick”.
Tim’s recent talk-show appearances have been in “Superstar”, “WTF with Marc Maron” and “Perri Pierre Podcast”.
Awards and nominations
Tim’s won five of his 13 award nominations, including two Primetime Emmy nominations in 1988, for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Comedy Series, both for “Frank’s Place”.
Some of his wins include a 1990 Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, for “Frank’s Place”, a 1999 Christopher Award for Television Specials, for “About Sarah” and a 1999 PGA Oscar Micheaux Award.
Love life and marriage
Tim’s married twice. He and his first wife, American non-celebrity Rita Ann Sykes married in 1966, and she gave birth to their son Timothy II in 1968; their daughter Tori Reid followed in 1971, but Tim and Rita divorced on 9 May 1980.
He married his second wife, American actress and comedienne Daphne Etta Maxwell Reid on 4 December 1982; they met while shooting for a 1972 Sears commercial, then again seven years later, and began dating.
Daphne’s appeared in over 50 movies and TV series, and is perhaps still known best for playing Vivian Banks in 74 episodes of the comedy series “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” from 1993 through 1996.
Tim hasn’t spoken of other women whom he’s dated, he’s married to his second wife Daphne Etta Maxwell Reid as of January 2023, and has two children with his first wife Rita Ann Sykes.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Tim’s an avid photographer, and some of his work has been published. He founded his own film production studio New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Virginia.
He and American actor and comedian Tom Dreesen published their book “Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black & White” in 2008.
Tim joined the board of directors of the American Civil War Center in July 2011.
He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Virginia Commonwealth University on 10 May 2014.
Tim’s followed by over 60,000 people on Instagram, and has uploaded close to 800 pictures and videos onto the social media network.
His favorite actor is Al Pacino, and some of his favorite movies “The Devil’s Advocate”, “Paterno” and “Scent of a Woman”.
Height, eyes and wealth
Tim’s age is 78. His eyes are brown and hair is black, he’s 6ft 2ins (1.88m) tall and weighs about 190lbs (85kgs).
Tim’s net worth’s been estimated at over $3 million as of January 2023.
