Cassi Davis-Patton (born July 31, 1964) is an American actress best known for her role as Ella Payne on Tyler Perry's House of Payne and its spin-off series The Paynes. She is also known as Aunt Bam in the Madea franchise since 2010. She has starred in several other productions under the direction of Tyler Perry.
Life and career Born in Holly Springs, Mississippi, Davis attended Spelman College in Atlanta and majored in music. She left the college one credit short of graduation, because she was not allowed to perform religious music during her senior recital. Davis returned to Spelman in 2008 to complete her degree, graduating in November of that year. She has credited her devout, born-again Christian faith as the main reason behind her professional success.
Davis' acting career began in 1988 with a supporting role in the Spike Lee comedy film School Daze. Her early television credits include appearances on Living Single, Married... with Children, Kenan & Kel, and The PJ's. She established her acting career by appearing in Tyler Perry productions such as Madea's Family Reunion, Madea Goes to Jail, Daddy's Little Girls, Madea's Big Happy Family, Boo! A Madea Halloween and A Madea Family Funeral.
Davis is best known for her role as Ella Payne in the TBS sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne from 2007 to 2012. She received two NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance. In 2018, she starred in House of Payne spinoff The Paynes that aired on Oprah Winfrey Network. In 2020, a revival series of House of Payne was ordered on BET.
Personal life Davis married her longtime boyfriend Kerry Patton on January 11, 2017; prior to their marriage, the two had been dating since 2007. In an interview, Cassi denied having a stroke, but revealed instead that she was diagnosed with Bell's palsy in March 2020.
Filmography Films and plays Year Film Role Notes 1988 School Daze! Paula1994Silent BombKate2004He Say... She Say... But What Does GOD Say?Sister Tiny2005Love on LayawayWillanetta 2006 Madea's Family Reunion Aunt Sarah 2006 Madea Goes To Jail Ella Kincaid 2007 Daddy's Little Girls Aunt Rita 2010 Madea's Big Happy Family Aunt Bam 2011 Madea's Big Happy Family 2011 A Madea Christmas 2011 Aunt Bam's Place 2014 Madea's Neighbors from Hell2014Act of FaithBrady's wife 2015 Madea on the Run Aunt Bam 2015 Madea's Tough Lovevoice 2016 Boo! A Madea Halloween 2017 Boo 2! A Madea Halloween2017Hamlet & HutchJenice2019 Madea's Farewell Play TourAunt Bam 2019 A Madea Family Funeral 2022A Madea Homecoming2025Madea's Destination Wedding
Television Year Film Role Episodes 1993 Living Single Francine Episode: "In The Black It's Beautiful" 1994 Chicago Hope Nurse #1 Episode: "Food Chains" 1996 Moesha 1996 Married... with Children Patty Episode: "Crimes Against Obesity" 1999 Kenan & Kel Kitty Episode: "He Got Job" 1999–2001 The PJs HUD woman (Voice) Recurring Role; 27 episodes 2000 The Parkers Big Woman 2001 Boycott Cook Television movie 2007–2012, 2020–present Tyler Perry's House of Payne Ella Payne Lead role; 254 episodesNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series (2010, 2013)Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series (2009, 2011) 2009 Meet the Browns Episode: "Meet the Christmas Spirit" 2015 Love Thy Neighbor Episode: "Ella and Curtis" 2018 The Paynes Lead role, 38 episodes
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2020 Golden Raspberry Awards Worst Supporting Actress A Madea Family Funeral
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