<P> Rochon was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Zelma, a nurse practitioner, and Samuel Staples, a business owner and graphic artist, who are both of Haitian descent . She graduated Cerritos High School in Cerritos, California . She attended California State University, Dominguez Hills where she earned a BA in Broadcast Journalism, with minors in Sociology and Theatre . </P> <P> From 1986 to 1988, while attending college, Rochon was one of the "Spudettes" featured in over 30 national spots for the Spuds Mckenzie Budweiser / Bud Light TV commercials . She also appeared in the 1985 made - for - television film A Bunny's Tale starring Kirstie Alley and Delta Burke, based on Gloria Steinem's experiences as a Playboy Bunny . She appeared as the love interest of Gerald Levert in the video for "My Forever Love" by Levert, and in Luther Vandross's "It's Over Now" video . She also appeared in the music video for Lionel Richie's single "All Night Long (All Night)", in Al B. Sure's video for the song "Natalie"., and in Tupac Shakur's video "I Get Around as one of the female dancers . She had many guest starring roles in a number of sitcoms, include The Cosby Show, Amen, 227, The Fresh Prince of Bel - Air, and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper . </P> <P> Rochon made her film debut in 1985, when she starred opposite Fred Williamson in Fox Trap . In 1987, she played the role of Debby in the film The Wild Pair, starring Beau Bridges and Bubba Smith . In 1989, Rochon acted opposite Eddie Murphy in 1989's Harlem Nights, as the memorable "Sunshine" character . She again worked with Murphy in the successful 1992 romantic comedy, Boomerang . In 1995, she was regular cast member during the first season of The WB sitcom, The Wayans Bros . </P> <P> Rochon' biggest break came in 1995, when she landed one of the lead roles opposite Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine in the adaptation of the Terry McMillan novel and highly successful drama film Waiting to Exhale . She played the character Robin Stokes, for which she was nominated for an MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance and NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture . Rochon was chosen by People magazine as one of the "50 most beautiful people in the world" in 1996 . </P>

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