Robia Brett LaMorte Bio
Robia Brett LaMorte is an American actress and former dancer best known for her early work with Prince as a dancer and spokesperson, and for portraying Jenny Calendar, a high school teacher who is a technopagan on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Born in Queens, New York, she discovered dance after being inspired by the film Flashdance and trained in jazz, ballet, and tap. At 22, she left dance to pursue acting, appearing in television commercials, then landing roles on Beverly Hills, 90210 and in the live-action video game Fox Hunt before her best-known role as the technopagan Jenny Calendar on Buffy. After Buffy, LaMorte embraced Christian counseling and preaching while continuing to act occasionally, including the film Unplanned, and she has spoken publicly about her religious conversion and beliefs.
Early Life and Background
Robia Brett LaMorte was born on July 7, 1970, in Queens, New York City, New York, USA, and is named after her father, Robert LaMorte. She grew up in several locations including the Florida Keys and Ocean City, Maryland. After being inspired by the 1983 movie Flashdance, she began dancing and taking after-school lessons in jazz dance, ballet, and tap dance. She attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts as a dance major during the school’s first year of operation, and then received a full scholarship to the Dupree Dance Academy in Hollywood. At sixteen, she began working as a backup dancer in music videos, first appearing in Debbie Gibson’s “Shake Your Love”.
Path to Acting
At the age of 22, Robia LaMorte retired from dance and turned to acting. She appeared in more than thirty music videos and toured in a six-dancer troupe with the Pet Shop Boys before transitioning to acting. After having appeared in numerous television commercials, she landed the role of Jason Priestley’s girlfriend Jill Fleming on Beverly Hills, 90210 in two episodes and played the female lead alongside Andrew Bowen in the live action video game Fox Hunt. Her experience as a dancer had prepared her for the physical demands of acting, while her time working with celebrities like Prince had given her confidence in front of the camera and on stage.
Robia Brett LaMorte Career
Early Career (1988–1996)
Robia LaMorte began her professional career as a dancer in 1988, appearing in over thirty music videos and touring internationally with various artists. She was selected by Prince to be one of two lead dancers for the music video for “Cream” from his 1991 album Diamonds and Pearls. LaMorte, known as “Pearl,” and fellow dancer Lori Elle, known as “Diamond,” appeared in several of Prince’s videos including “Get Off” and the album’s title track, as well as on the album’s holographic cover. They toured Europe with Prince and served as his spokespersons during promotional efforts for Diamonds and Pearls. At 22, LaMorte transitioned from dance to acting, appearing in commercials and landing her first television role on Beverly Hills, 90210 in 1994.
Breakthrough (1997–2005)
LaMorte’s breakthrough role came in 1997 when she was cast as Jenny Calendar, a high school computer teacher and technopagan, on the first two seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her character became a fan favorite for her intelligence, wit, and the complexity she brought to the supernatural drama. Jenny Calendar appeared in 14 episodes of the series before her character was killed during the second season. Despite her character’s death, LaMorte returned for two more episodes as a ghost in the third season, including “Amends” where she appeared as a false apparition of her character assumed by “the First Evil.” This role established her as a memorable presence in genre television and showcased her ability to portray complex characters.
Notable Works and Milestones
Robia LaMorte’s most significant work remains her portrayal of Jenny Calendar on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a role that earned her recognition among fans of the series and the wider supernatural television genre. After leaving Buffy, she continued to appear in guest roles on various television shows while pursuing other interests. Her career demonstrates a successful transition from dance to acting, with her Prince period representing a notable milestone in her early career that provided her with industry visibility and professional experience that later facilitated her transition to acting roles.
Robia Brett LaMorte Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Robia Brett LaMorte has received limited recognition from award institutions for her work in entertainment. Her performance as Jenny Calendar on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, though critically appreciated by fans and critics of the series, did not result in any formal award nominations. Her later work, including her appearance in the film Unplanned, also did not receive any nominations from major award organizations. LaMorte’s career has prioritized meaningful roles and personal fulfillment over industry accolades, with her focus shifting more toward Christian counseling and preaching in the years following her acting career.
Robia Brett LaMorte Awards Won
Robia Brett LaMorte has not won any major awards during her career in entertainment. Her most recognized role as Jenny Calendar on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, while beloved by fans of the series, did not receive any formal award recognition. Similarly, her other acting projects and work as a dancer with Prince did not result in any industry awards. LaMorte has instead found fulfillment in her religious work and occasional acting roles, prioritizing her personal convictions and faith development over professional accolades in the entertainment industry.
Robia Brett LaMorte Family
Robia Brett LaMorte is the daughter of Robert LaMorte. As of 2020, she is married under the last name Scott and has one daughter. Family has remained an important part of her life, even as her career and personal interests evolved from entertainment to Christian counseling and preaching. Her marriage and parenthood represent significant personal milestones that occurred alongside her professional journey in entertainment and subsequent religious pursuits.
Personal Life
Robia Brett LaMorte had a notable religious conversion experience after her role on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, becoming a born-again Christian after a highway encounter with a Christian biker gang while she was praying for a sign from God. After her conversion, she embraced Christian counseling and preaching while occasionally continuing to act. She has spoken publicly about her religious beliefs and conversion, criticizing her previous New Age beliefs as a form of “earth worship” and characterizing witchcraft as a dangerous opening for demonic influence. LaMorte runs a website where she shares her testimony and sells audio CDs about her religious conversion and beliefs, demonstrating her commitment to her faith and her desire to share her experiences with others.