Tim Reid

Tim Reid Speaker Biography

TIM REID, the Emmy-nominated actor, director and producer, has been a mainstay in the entertainment industry for the last three decades. He starred as Venus Flytrap, on the popular CBS television series WKRP in Cincinnati from 1978 - 1982. Twice he has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Best Actor in a Comedy for his popular characters. Reid has had many starring roles over the years in several television series, including The Richard Pryor Show, Simon & Simon, Frank's Place, Snoops, Save Our Streets, and the hit WB series Sister, Sister.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, Reid graduated from Norfolk State University in 1968 with a B.S. in Business/Marketing and launched his career as a marketing representative for DuPont. However, he soon set his sights on the world of Showbiz and set off on a national road tour with comedian Tom Dreesen. After an international tour with Della Reese, he settled in Hollywood and began his television career.

Reid has written for several of the shows that he acted in, including WKRP in Cincinnati, Simon & Simon, Frank's Place and Snoops, in which he co-starred with his wife, Daphne Maxwell Reid. Reid has also produced several of his popular television series such as Frank's Place, Snoops and The Tim & Daphne Show, in which the Reids co-starred and co-created. He received producing nods as a nominee for the Cable Ace Awards and the Producer's Guild Awards for the Family Channel/BET movie Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad.

In 1988, he received two Emmy nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy and for Best Producer of a Comedy Series when he starred in CBS' Frank's Place with his wife Daphne. He also received both the NAACP Image Award and the Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy.

Reid founded Tim Reid Productions, Inc. in 1989, and through its association with Proctor & Gamble, executive produced the critically acclaimed 1998 CBS movie About Sarah, starring Mary Steenburgen, Kellie Martin, and Diane Baker for which he received a Christopher Award. In 1990, he co-founded United Image Entertainment through which he produced four independent films. For his critically acclaimed feature film, Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored, he received producing recognition as Best in Show by the Houston International Film Festival and he also won the Directorial Award from the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival.

In 1997, Reid took a giant step and brought together investors to build his own film studio. As Founder and President of New Millennium Studios in Petersburg, Virginia, Reid is setting the stage toward becoming a major player in the business of movie making for the new millennium.

Reid's most recent film project is NMS's first feature production, Asunder, starring Blair Underwood, Debbi Morgan and Michael Beach, which Reid directed, produced and distributed through New Millennium Releasing. He created and produced the critically acclaimed Showtime series Linc's, which was shot at New Millennium Studios and Paramount Studios. In 1999, he was given the Oscar Micheaux Award by the Producer Guild of America for outstanding lifetime achievement.

Through the years, Reid has felt a deep responsibility to give back to the community and as a result of his tireless efforts and generosity, has been honored by many organizations. In 1991 he was inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame. In 1996, he received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Norfolk State University. In 1998 he was named Virginian of the Year by the Virginia Press Association and received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Virginia State University. In 2000, he received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Central State University.