Telma Hopkins (born Telma Louise Hopkins,Telma Hopkins biography 28 October 1948) is an American singer and television actress. She left Tony Orlando & Dawn to pursue an acting career.

Career

She started her career as a background singer in Detroit, Michigan, singing on many of the Golden World/Motown hits and working with stars like Issac Hayes and George Clinton. In the early 70s, she became one of the members of "Dawn" in the pop group, Tony Orlando and Dawn, who were famous for hits such as "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" and "Knock Three Times". In 1974, Tony Orlando and Dawn were given their own variety show on CBS, which lasted until 1976. One of Hopkins' first acting roles after Tony Orlando and Dawn broke up in 1977 was in Roots: The Next Generations. Hopkins acting career took off in the 1980s, when she was a regular on the shows Bosom Buddies (as Isabelle Hammond) and Gimme a Break! (as Nell Carter's best friend, and occasional adversary, Addy Wilson). She was also featured on Celebrity Daredevils, Battle of the Network Stars and Circus of the Stars.