Anna Maria Horsford (born March 6, 1947) is an American television and film actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Thelma Frye on the NBC sitcom Amen, as Dee Baxter on the WB sitcom The Wayans Bros., and as Craig Jones' mother Betty in the comedy films Friday and Friday After Next. Currently, she portrays Helen on the BET sitcom Reed Between the Lines. Horsford was born in Harlem, New York, the daughter of Lillian and Victor A. Horsford, an investment real estate broker. Her parents were from Antigua and the Dominican Republic. She attended Manhattan's School of Performing Arts, where she studied and perfected her acting abilities. Horsford is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. Though she is known today for her work in front of the cameras, her first major role in television was as a producer for the PBS show, Soul!, hosted by Ellis Haizlip, which aired between 1967-1973. Horsford made guest appearances on such sitcoms as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Sparks, Moesha,The Bernie Mac Show, The Shield, Girlfriends and Everybody Hates Chris. She had a prominent role on the sitcom The Wayans Bros. as "Dee Baxter". She also appeared on the drama Judging Amy.