If you’re from the 70’s and 80’s eras, you probably remember the actress who played “Fanta” in the classic TV mini-series, “Roots.” She was “Kunta Kinte’s” (LaVar Burton) first love in the series. Her name is Ren Woods and just in case you missed “Roots,” you may recognize her from her many other roles, including roles in the films, “Car Wash,” “Hair,” and in TV shows like “What’s Happening,” “The Jeffersons,” “The White Shadow,” and many more. Well, we have some photos of Mrs. Woods that will blow your mind. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen her in “Roots,” talking to her TV Daddy, O.J. Simpson, and we are pleasantly pleased with what we see…
CHECK OUT “FANTA” NOW…AND SHE CAN SING
Wow! Look at Ren Woods at 60 years young! She’s just as beautiful as she was during her “Fanta” days! Like we said, Ren’s other passion is her singing career, which she still does to this day and from the looks of it, she LOVES it!
Before Ren Woods starred in “Roots” and “Car Wash,” she was actually singing, but her acting career just took off at that time. She released two albums- her first album, “Out of the Woods,” was originally supposed to be produced by Maurice White of Earth, Wind, and Fire in 1979. Due to some changes at EW&F’s label at the time, Maurice got tied up with other responsibilities and his EW&F band member, Al McKay, ended up producing that album. Prince also composed a popular single on Ren’s second album, “Azz Izz.” The single was called “I Don’t Want To Stop.”
FROM HOLLYWOOD TO HOUSEWIFE…BACK TO HOLLYWOOD
In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Ren Woods revealed that in 2010, she tried really hard to step away from performing, away from Hollywood, and away from theater, but it just wasn’t her style. She moved with her husband to Pittsburgh in 2010, when he worked there and she said she tried to live an incognito life and leave the entertainer life behind. She kept her entertainment background away from those who were around her there, but soon, her natural instinct to perform came calling:
“I was trying to be a housewife, which I’m really bad at,” Ren said, laughing.
By 2013, she was back at it- on stage and performing in a musical stage play about her life. From there, she hasn’t stopped. Keep doing your thang Mrs. Woods, we see you!
