Hot Shots of the Week: The Gift That Keeps on Givens

Precious few seem to talk about it today, but, for a brief, shining moment in the early 1990s, Robin Givens was as scorching hot as any big screen actor. She positively radiates sex appeal in films like A Rage in Harlem (1991) and Boomerang (1992). Both performances are of the femme fatale variety, a character type Givens was seemingly born to play. She’s impossible to ignore whenever she’s onscreen.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have many other great films in which to shine immediately after she had her moment, and she seemed to fade from the mainstream’s consciousness. That’s not to say she hasn’t continued working in all manner of things, mostly television in recent years—plus she’s done tremendous work as a women’s advocate and outspoken crusader against domestic violence—but in those two early nineties films, Givens displayed some serious star power. I’ve always wondered what might’ve been had the right roles continued her way.

Robin Givens has a milestone birthday this week, turning sixty on November 27th. Consider these hot shots our contribution to the celebration.