Holly Robinson Peete
An actress and activist who transformed her family's public journey with autism into a powerful force for advocacy and understanding.
Born 1964 (age 62)·American actress·Birthday: September 18·Baby Boomers
Biography
Holly Robinson Peete grew up in the spotlight, the daughter of actor Matthew Robinson, but she forged her own path with a blend of talent and tenacity. She first captured wide attention as Officer Judy Hoffs on the groundbreaking series '21 Jump Street', bringing warmth and intelligence to the role. While she continued a steady acting career in television and film, her life took a defining turn when her son, RJ, was diagnosed with autism. With her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, she co-founded the HollyRod Foundation, initially focused on Parkinson's disease (which affected her father) and later expanding to provide support for autism families. She became a prominent voice in the autism community, authoring children's books and using her platform to advocate for inclusion and resources. Her work extends to daytime television as a founding co-host of 'The Talk', where she blended celebrity insight with heartfelt advocacy.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Holly was born in 1964, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Holly Was Born
The biggest hits of 1964
#1 Movie
Mary Poppins
Best Picture
My Fair Lady
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Holly's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1964Born
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1969Started school
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1977Became a teenager
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Could drive
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1982Could vote
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Turned 21
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1994Turned 30
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 40
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 50
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 60
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 62 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Co-founded the HollyRod Foundation, which provides compassionate care for those living with autism and Parkinson's disease.
- Authored the children's book 'My Brother Charlie', a bestselling title that explains autism from a sibling's perspective.
- Served as an original co-host on the CBS daytime talk show 'The Talk' from 2010 to 2020.
- Portrayed music icon Diana Ross in the acclaimed 1992 television miniseries 'The Jacksons: An American Dream'.
Did You Know?
She is a trained singer and performed the theme song for the sitcom 'Hangin' with Mr. Cooper', on which she also starred.
Her twin sons, Rodney Jackson and Robinson James, were born in 2005.
She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a degree in psychology and French.
Her mother, Dolores Robinson, is a well-known Hollywood talent manager.
“Autism is not a tragedy. Ignorance is the tragedy.”
