This week our prayer focus is: Kimberly Elise

Kimberly was born as Kimberly Elise Trammel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Erma Jean, an elementary school teacher, and Marvin Trammel, who owns an executive search firm.  She has three siblings. Kimberly studied film and acting at the University of Minnesota and earned a BA in Mass Communications. Elise's maternal descent is of the Songhai people in Mali.

For as far back as Kimberly can remember, she wanted to become an actress, and she even wrote a letter to the local newspaper's "Fix-It" column at the age of ten asking for information on how to achieve her goal.  Kimberly had already been doing stage work before the fateful letter was penned, so it was obvious to all who knew her that she was ready and capable to put in the effort needed to become a true star.

She began acting in Minneapolis professionally around the age of 20, and though she studied communications at the University of Minnesota, the prospect of becoming an actress full-time was always at the forefront of her intentions. Her dreams became a reality when a short film she had directed served as her entrance into the American Film Institute, and the experience of moving to Los Angeles and studying at the prestigious and fiercely competitive school gave Kimberly all the confidence needed to make a name for herself in Hollywood.

Shortly after making her debut in the television series In the House, Kimberly made the leap to feature films as a down-on-her-luck young mother who participates in a robbery in Set It Off.

Though Kimberly did make quite an impression with her feature debut, the film was only a moderate success, and it wasn't until receiving critical acclaim and a Cable Ace award that her career truly took off. Her remarkable performance in Beloved followed shortly thereafter. In 2000, Kimberly stepped into the lead for the made-for-television feature The Loretta Claiborne Story, playing the mentally and physically disabled athlete who made a name for herself by overcoming tremendous odds and becoming a competitor in the Special Olympics. The film provided an excellent showcase for the versatile young actress, with roles in Bait and Bojangles quickly following.

By the time she appeared in John Q as a financially strained mother whose husband's insurance won't cover their son's heart transplant, Kimberly had been singled out by many critics to be one of Hollywood's brightest young stars, and her strong performance in the film opposite Denzel Washington only helped to strengthen that sentiment.

In 2004, she would once again appear with Washington -- an actor for whom she has publicly voiced great admiration -- in the cautiously anticipated but warmly received remake The Manchurian Candidate.

Kimberly was married to Maurice Oldham from 1989 until 2005; they have two children, Ajableu Oldham and Butterfly Oldham.

There isn't any information I could find on whether Kimberly even believes in God, let alone has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In that she has worked with some Christian actors, including Tyler Perry, it is likely she has heard the good news.  One of our own chapter members, Joel, may be speaking with her about helping him with a project and this may provide another opportunity for input into her life!  Please keep Kimberly in your prayers this week with the request that she be lovingly confronted with her need for Jesus Christ.

--Heidi

We are excited to include young people in our prayers for Hollywood! Join us in praying for the kids and the adults who influence kids in film, television and music.  Just print out whichever calendar pertains to you and pass it on to your families, church leaders and Bible study leaders and pray for the young people in the entertainment industry. Also, email us with any other people you'd like to see added to future month's calendars at info@hpnemail.org.

To download the HPN Kids Feb. 2012 Prayer Calendar:  Click Here
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(PDF for easy printing. 5.0MB) Click Here

To download the HPN Teen Feb. 2012 Prayer Calendar:  Click Here
(Smaller JPG version for quick download. 0.5MB)
(PDF for easy printing. 5.0MB) Click Here

We invite you to join us in praying for Hollywood!
As a Hollywood Prayer Network Member you will receive our monthly Prayer Newsletter outlining current prayer requests from Industry Professionals working in Hollywood . You can also view these and other requests on our Prayer Requests page. If you would like to commit to pray for an individual please consider joining our "IPT" or "I to I" Prayer Programs.

God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn Hollywood, but that Hollywood might be saved through Him.” John 3:16 CRV

More Ways To Pray
Separatism, avoidance, organized boycotts, and angry protests all have failed to redeem the media. Seldom are those in the field prayed for. Pray!^® magazine's newest prayer card gives you 21 prayers to pray for the redemption of those in the media and entertainment fields. For more information click here.

Click here to hear why people should pray for Hollywood.

Every Friday, Industry Christians join with Christians who work on Studio Lots, to go on a "prayer walk." These prayer walks happen on a different lot each week. It would be our pleasure to have you join us as we unite and pray for this crazy industry!

It is our passion to see God reach the Arts and Entertainment industry. What better way to influence and love these people, than to use one of the greatest weapons God has given us--PRAYER!!!!

Here's how the system works:
Every Monday we email members information about the studio walk that happening for that week. If interested, members are required to RSVP through email by Thursday. Once the RSVP is received, we respond by emailing the logistical details of the walk, thus confirming the reservation.

We ask all those who are new to the prayer walk to PLEASE take a moment to thoroughly read the Prayer Walk Guidelines before attending the walk.

To join you must first be a logged-in HPN member.

If you are interested, please contact Caren at: Caren@hpnemail.org

Prayer Walks are currently held at the following studios:
Sony
Warner Brothers
Disney

At each studio, there is a fellow brother or sister in Christ who acts as the Prayer Walk host. Because so much of the industry is very antagonistic towards Christians and any Christian activity, we feel it VERY IMPORTANT not to jeopardize, in any way, the jobs of our Christian host at each studio or the Prayer Walk itself.

More Ways to Pray
If you work on Friday's you can still join us in prayer. Take your lunch hour, or simply a few minutes at your desk to pray with us!

To join the "Prayer Walks" Email List, click here.

Back to HPN Prayer Walks