Career
She is best known for her role as Lisa McDowell in the 1988 box-office hit romantic comedy film, Coming to America. Headley also has appeared in films The Preacher"s Wife (1996) and Johnson Family Vacation (2004). On television, Headley starred as Detroit
Mimi Reed in the American Broadcasting Company daytime soap opera, All My Children on regular basic from 1991 to 1994.
In 2014, Headley began starring as villainous Jennifer Sallison in the Oprah Winfrey Network primetime soap opera, The Haves and the Have Nots. Headley made her acting debut appearing in an episode of National Broadcasting Company sitcom The Cosby Show in 1985.
Headley later has appeared on Miami Vice, Quantum Leap, and Matlock. In 1988, she was cast in the female leading role opposite Eddie Murphy in the romantic comedy film, Coming to America.
The film was a box-office success grossing worldwide total of $288,752,301.
The following year, Headley had starring role alongside Louis Gossett, Junior. in the short-lived American Broadcasting Company drama series, Gideon Oliver. Later that year, she co-starred in the Kojak television film series. In 1991, Headley joined the cast of American Broadcasting Company daytime soap opera, All My Children playing police officer Mimi Reed.
She was regular on All My Children from 1991 to 1994, and returned to series in 1995 and 2005.
After leaving the soap, she guest-starred on New York Undercover, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Cosby. In 1996, she had supporting role in the comedy-drama film The Preacher"s Wife directed by Penny Marshall.
In 1997, Headley has landed a leading role in the short-lived FOX drama series, 413 Hope Saint alongside Richard Roundtree. In early 2000s, Headley returned to daytime television playing the recurring roles on Guiding Light (2001-2002) and The Bold and the Beautiful (2004-2005).
In 2004, she played Mack Johnson"s (portrayed by Steve Harvey) wife Jacqueline in the comedy film, Johnson Family Vacation.
In 2007, she appeared in the comedy-drama film Towelhead. She also had guest starring roles on Veronica Mars, House, Castle, and Switched at Birth. In 2014, she joined the cast of Oprah Winfrey Network primetime soap opera, The Haves and the Have Nots created by Tyler Perry, playing District Attorney Jennifer Sallison.
She was promoted to series regular as of fourth season.