Beverly Hills, 90210 Actress Denise Dowse

Last week, Dowse's sister shared that the prolific actor and stage director had fallen into a coma after contracting meningitis.

The daughter of a United States Naval officer, Dowse was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and began acting in third grade, according to a 2015 interview with Brownstone Radio. While frequently relocating with her family, performing remained a priority and constant in Dowse’s early life. She also appeared as Judge Rebecca Damson in all three seasons of the early 2000s legal drama “The Guardian.” We are your muffins, your legacy lives on, in every student, staff, parent, technician, musician, and artist you touched, you did it ALL! Rest well Queen, your work changed lives and touched millions.” More recently, she portrayed Molly’s (Yvonne Orji) therapist, Dr. Rhonda Pine, in three seasons of Issa Rae’s acclaimed HBO comedy “Insecure,” which ran from 2016 to 2021. “We could not have made it so gracefully and painlessly without all of the prayer warriors around the world. She was my very best friend and final family member.

Dowse is likely best known for her roles as vice principal Yvonne Teasley in "Beverly Hills, 90210," and Dr. Rhonda Pine in "Insecure."

Ms. Denise will be so missed and her impact will be felt for generations. Some of my heartiest off camera laughs were between she and I, hammering out the the discipline her Mrs. Teasley would dish out to my Steve Sanders. My sincere condolences to her family, and all others who she was dear to. Dowse, who dreamt of directing a major motion picture, directed multiple short films and independent movies, including "Remember Me: The Mahalia's Jackson Story" which premiered this April at the Pan African Film Festival. We could not have made it so gracefully and painlessly without all of the prayer warriors around the world. "It is with a very heavy heart that I inform everyone that my sister, Denise Dowse has gone forward to meet our family in eternal life. "I am at a loss, but have gained so much from knowing her.

Actress and director Denise Dowse, whose prolific career featured roles in "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Insecure" and "Ray," has died, her family confirmed to ...

She knew how to dance in life and see the joy. In addition to acting roles in dozens of movies and TV series, Dowse also directed film, including "Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story," which premiered in April at the Pan African Film Festival. She also announced her sister's death on the actress' Instagram account, remembering her as an advocate for African American theater who was also dedicated to sharing the profession with children.

Television actress Denise Dowse died at age 64 following a battle with viral meningitis.

She was my very best friend and final family member. “It is with a very heavy heart that I inform everyone that my sister, Denise Dowse, has gone forward to meet our family in eternal life,” Tracey wrote. “Denise Yvonne Dowse was the most amazing sister, a consummate, illustrious actress, mentor and director.