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Biography
Ruth and Reuben Givens gave birth to Robin Simone Givens in New
York City on 27th of November, 1964. Robin's father, Reuben,
abandoned his family when Robin was a young girl and she seldom saw
him after that. Robin's mother raised her and her younger sister in
Westchester, CT. Her mother (once linked to Yankee outfielder 'Dave
Winfield (I)' (qv)) always encouraged her children's creativity and
helped them develop an interest in the arts. When she was young,
Robin began playing the violin but quickly decided it was not for
her. She chose instead to channel her artistic energy through
acting and, at the age of ten, she started acting classes at the
American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. In 1980, at
fifteen, Robin enrolled as a freshman at Sarah Lawrence College to
study pre-med. By her junior year, however, Robin's excitement
about the idea of a career in acting intensified and she began
taking her craft more seriously. Robin's first experience in
Hollywood was on _"Cosby Show, The" (1984)_ (qv), the hottest show
on television. As a result of the role, she and comedian 'Bill
Cosby' (qv) forged a great friendship which would prove
instrumental in Robin's career. She also landed a guest appearance
on _"Diff'rent Strokes" (1978)_ (qv). Her career was just about to
take off. Robin first made it big in Hollywood in 1986. She took a
role in a television movie, _Beverly Hills Madam (1986) (TV)_ (qv),
as April Baxter. But it was later that year that Robin became a
recognizable actress in Hollywood. She was given a role on the
television series _"Head of the Class" (1986)_ (qv) as Darlene
Merriman. The series was a comedy about a group of gifted high
school students that were placed in an enrichment class. In 1988,
Robin married boxing legend 'Mike Tyson' (qv). This union put her
into the national spotlight, as Tyson was on the top of his career.
He was one of the youngest boxers ever to receive the attention,
acclaim, and financial success that Tyson garnered. The marriage
ended (on Valentine's Day), just a year later. Rumors hinted at
abuse and infidelity. Robin gave marriage another chance in 1997,
by marrying her tennis instructor Svetozar Marinkovic. The marriage
proved a total failure, as the two were separated since the day
they married, and Robin filed for divorce citing 'irreconcilable
differences.' Aside from a successful model and acclaimed actress,
Robin is a mother. In October 1999, she gave birth to a baby boy.
The baby's father is tennis player Murphy Jensen, but the couple
are no longer together. She has another child, and she is raising
the two boys today. In 2000, Robin took a controversial career move
as she took over for 'Mother Love' (qv) on the successful
television talk show, _"Forgive or Forget" (1998)_ (qv). Her stint
was brief, as just a few months later, the show stopped production.
Many point to 'Mother Love' (qv)'s devoted audience, and the odd
dismissal of her from the show she pioneered and created. Robin has
tried to forge a friendship with 'Mother Love' (qv), but Love
doesn't appear interested. Robin called in during a 'Howard Stern'
(qv) interview of 'Mother Love' (qv), where she said she was "on
her way to work," which although innocent, proved to upset 'Mother
Love' (qv).
Biography courtesy of the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com).
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Robin Givens
