Demetress Long, a native of Columbia, South Carolina, graduated from Spring Valley High School, then went on to earn her Speech Pathology bachelors degree from Tennessee State University (TSU), where she minored in theatre arts training. She quickly took to regional stages after being inspired by the artistic director of the university, Barry Scott. TSU is also the alma mater to the extraordinary Oprah Winfrey.From 2000-2006 Long sharpened her acting skills, portraying different characters in top-grossing touring plays, to sold-out houses of more than 3000 seats. Her breakout role was in "A Mother's Prayer", where she and 'Raven Sy'mone' (The Cosby Show (1984), That's So Raven (2003)), portrayed a mother daughter-duo in a drama-comedy.You may find sterling reviews for Long featured in "USA Today" and "Variety Magazine" for her portrayal of Mona Taylor in the 22-city production of "Love Makes Things Happen." This show was produced by ClearChannel Inc., Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, Tracey E. Edmonds and Emmy Award-winning casting director Robi Reed, along with NAACP Award-winning playwright and screenwriter David E. Talbert.Demetress eventually made her way to film. She was cast in various independent films, one with Thomas Miles (The Steve Harvey Show (1996)), until landing a role as the "church usher" in the Paramount Pictures/MTV Production The Fighting Temptations (2003), starring Beyoncé Knowles and Cuba Gooding Jr., with the late Rue McClanahan (The Golden Girls (1985)), an actress Long greatly admired for her tremendous talent.Her television appearance on an episode of All of Us (2003), produced by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and directed by Debbie Allen, was shared with Taraji P. Henson and Lamman Rucker (Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010)). Although Long did not appear on the show, she was hired as a series regular for the pilot episode of NBC's The Tracy Morgan Show (2003). She had the pleasure of guest-starring on Everybody Hates Chris (2005)--also directed by Debbie Allen--in 2008.Under the instruction of director Maynard C. Virgil I ("The Cosby Show", One on One (2001), Living Single (1993)), Long has done a host of behind-the-scenes work for various television shows.Long not only wants to be perceived as an actress with the gift to portray different characters, but as a person who strives to give back to others. For example, she worked full-time as a speech therapist for the Los Angeles County Office of Education in Bellflower, California, from June 2006-June 2009. Everything that Long has become was due to the dedication of her late grandparents and late aunt, who helped to nurture her into becoming the woman she is today.Other respected actors and musicians Demetress has worked with include Carl Anthony Payne II, Howard Hewett, O'landa Draper, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jackie Clarke, Ralph E. Tresvant, Marla Gibbs, LaShun Pace, Cherrell, Carvin Winans, Ann Nesby, Johnny Gill, Christopher Williams, Shirley Caesar, Shirley Murdock, Joe Torry, Guy Torry, Trina Braxton, Regina Hall, Christian Keyes, Cheryl Gamble, Lavell Crawford, DeRay Davis, Donald Gray and Kevon Edmonds. Show less «