Biography

Cynthia Blaise: Ex-wife of Keegan-Michael Key who battled depression after divorce

Cynthia Blaise: Ex-wife of Keegan-Michael Key who battled depression after divorce

Keegan-Michael Key’s highly publicised marriage to Cynthia Blaise made headlines, especially towards the end of the lengthy union. However, their breakup had a profound effect on Blaise, leading to struggles with depression, anxiety and PSTD that even affected her physical appearance, reportedly causing her to deal with hair loss.

Despite her challenges, Blaise’s resilience and talent as an actress, dialect coach and writer continue to shine in the entertainment industry.

Cynthia Blaise’s biography

Cynthia Blaise

Cynthia Blaise is an American film and television producer, writer and dialect coach. She is known for her work on various television series and films. Blaise, born on April 6, 1958, gained recognition for her role as a producer on the acclaimed television series “30 Rock,” created by Tina Fey.

Blaise’s passion for acting led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre at the University of Oregon, where she was trained in performance and theatrical arts.

Building upon her undergraduate studies, Blaise furthered her education and enhanced her expertise by earning a master’s in Fine Arts from the University of California, Irvine.

READ ALSO: Lolita Davidovich: Veteran Hollywood actress whose lengthy career spans several blockbusters

Cynthia Baise’s career

Cynthia Blaise with her ex-husband

Blaise has a multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, spanning acting, dialect coaching, and writing. Blaise began her journey in Hollywood in the late 1980s with a background in theatre arts. She made her big-screen debut in 1989, appearing as Amanda in “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier”.

However, Blaise found her niche as a dialect coach, leveraging her expertise in speech and language to assist actors in mastering various accents and dialects for their roles. Over the years, she has worked with numerous prominent Hollywood stars, including Mekhi Phifer, helping them deliver authentic performances in their projects.

Blaise has made significant contributions as a dialect coach in various films and television projects, showcasing her expertise in helping actors master accents and dialects for their roles. According to IMDb, some of the notable films she has been credited with as a dialect coach include “The Tiger Hunter” (2016), “Hardcore Henry” (2015), “Beautiful & Twisted” (2015), “The Truth About Emanuel” (2013), “LOL” (2012), “Bad Teacher” (2011), “Faster” (2010), “6 Souls” (2010), “Miami Vice” (2006), “Bandidas” (2006), “Iron Jawed Angels” (2004), “Timeline” (2003), and “8 Mile” (2002).

In addition, she has showcased her talent as an actress in several films and television series. She is known for her role as Amanda in “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier” (1989).

Blaise’s credits also include roles in “Miami Vice” (2006) and “Hardcore Henry” (2015), where she served as an additional crew member.

Furthermore, Blaise has voiced characters in television series such as “Robot Chicken” (2001), where she voiced the characters Glynnis and Nanny in one episode. Additionally, she made appearances in the sketch comedy series, “Key and Peele” (2012–2015), portraying characters like Prayer #1, Mrs. Carruthers and Adoption Agency Worker in various episodes.

Blaise has also dabbled in writing and producing. She has contributed to various television projects, including episodes of the popular sketch comedy series, “Key & Peele”. She also made occasional appearances alongside her ex-husband, comedian Keegan-Michael Key, in this series.

Blaise’s dedication to her craft has also extended to academia, where she has shared her knowledge and skills with aspiring actors and students. She has served as a dialect coach at esteemed institutions such as Western Kentucky University, Southern Birmingham College and the University of New Hampshire.

Cynthia Blaise’s net worth

According to sources, Blaise’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million as of 2024.

Cynthia Blaise’s family

Cynthia Blaise happy with her ex-husband

Blaise’s most notable familial relationship is with her ex-husband, comedian Keegan-Michael Key. She and Key were together for 17 years. However, their relationship faced challenges, leading to their separation in November 2015 and subsequent divorce proceedings finalised in November 2017. Blaise and Key did not have children together.

Beyond her marital relationship, specific details about Blaise’s family members, including parents or siblings, are not widely documented. Blaise maintains a low public profile, focusing primarily on her career.

READ ALSO: Christine Marinoni: Wife of ‘Sex and the City’ star who advocates for gay rights

Cynthia Blaise’s and Keegan-Michael Key

Cynthia Blaise’s and Keegan-Michael Key smiling

Blaise’s ex-husband, Keegan-Michael Key, is a versatile American actor, comedian, writer and producer known for his exceptional comedic talent and versatility across various entertainment mediums. Born on March 22, 1971, in Southfield, in the US state of Michigan, Key’s early career saw him honing his craft in improvisational comedy, including performances with the renowned comedy troupe “The Second City” in Chicago.

Key gained widespread recognition as one-half of the comedy duo, “Key & Peele”, alongside his longtime collaborator, Jordan Peele. The duo’s eponymous sketch comedy television series, which aired on Comedy Central from 2012 to 2015, garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base for its sharp social commentary and hilarious sketches.

Beyond “Key & Peele”, Key has showcased his acting prowess in a variety of film and television projects. His notable roles include the comedy series, “MADtv”; the comedy film, “Keanu”; and the acclaimed biographical drama, “The Predator”. His performances have earned him numerous awards and nominations.

In addition, Key has also made a mark as a writer and producer, contributing to various television projects and films. His talent and creativity have solidified his status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, with a diverse body of work that continues to entertain audiences worldwide.

Cynthia Blaise and Keegan-Michael Key’s relationship began in the world of theatre, where they first crossed paths while working at the Detroit Repertory Theatre. Despite their 14-year age difference, the couple’s shared passion for the arts sparked a connection, leading to a romantic relationship. They exchanged vows on December 27, 1998, embarking on what appeared to be a promising journey together.

Throughout their marriage, Blaise and Key shared moments of public affection, attending red-carpet events together and collaborating on comedic sketches.

However, despite their outward appearances, their relationship faced challenges, ultimately leading to their separation in November 2015. Key filed for divorce just 59 days after their separation, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the dissolution of their marriage.

The divorce proceedings between Blaise and Key were finalised in November 2017, marking the end of their nearly two-decade-long union. As part of the divorce settlement, Key was ordered to pay Blaise $34,000 monthly in spousal support, along with additional financial provisions based on his income. Blaise also received a lump sum settlement and certain assets, including a timeshare and a car.

Following the divorce, Blaise faced significant challenges, including struggles with her mental and physical health. Reports surfaced indicating that the end of her 17-year marriage had a profound impact on her well-being, leading to severe depression, anxiety, hair loss, and weight fluctuations. Despite these difficulties, Blaise persevered, focusing on her career and personal growth in the aftermath of the divorce.

As she navigated life post-divorce, Blaise continued her work as a dialect coach in Hollywood, leveraging her expertise to assist actors in mastering various accents and dialects for their roles. While the end of her marriage brought about significant changes, Blaise remained resilient, channelling her energy into her professional endeavours and rebuilding her life on her terms. Today, she continues to pursue her passion for the arts, finding solace and fulfilment in her career and personal pursuits.

Cynthia Blaise’s age

Blaise was born on April 6, 1958.  She is 66 years old as of 2024.

Cynthia Blaise now

Cynthia Blaise smiling

Cynthia Blaise has remained actively engaged in the film industry, continuing to excel behind the scenes in her roles as a dialect coach and writer. With her expertise in speech and language, Blaise has continued to work closely with actors, helping them master various accents and dialects for their roles, thereby contributing to the authenticity of their performances on screen.

READ ALSO: Rachel Ticotin: Veteran actress whose career has spanned over four decades

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend