Delissa Reynolds

Delissa Reynolds is an established New York actress whose recent television work includes a recurring role on Hulu’s WU TANG: An American Saga. CBS's The Good Fight and FBI: Most Wanted , NBC's Manifest, HBO’s Divorce, Netflix’s Orange is the New Black and Luke Cage and CBS’ Madam Secretary. She has also appeared on NBC’s Law and Order, The Beat, and Deadline. In film, her work includes supporting roles in first time director A.V. Rockwell's A Thousand and One, Brian Silverman's Two Lives in Pittsburgh and work on Halle Berry’s feature directorial debut BRUISED, Exp. 36, Mackenzie Mauro, dir., and the soon to be released Magic Hour, Jacqueline Christy, dir., The Day The Ponies Come Back directed by Jerry Schatzberg award winning shorts Wonder, Javier Molina, dir and The Case, Patrick House, dir.,

 

Her New York theatre credits include productions of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot at both LAMama Experimental Theatre and The Actor’s Studio and Our Lady of 125th Street also at the Actor’s Studio all directed by Estelle Parsons (2015/2016). She appeared in Joe Pintaro’s Raft of the Medusa at the 10th Annual Planet Connections Theatre Festivity (Frank Solorzano, dir.) for which she won Best Actress in a Featured Role 2018.  Her regional credits include Milwaukee Rep's 2022 John (Jack) D Lewis' new play production of Dale Orlandersmith's New Age (Jade King Carroll, dir.), Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird at Bangor’s Penobscot Theatre (Scott RC Levy, dir.) and Romulus Linny’s adaptation of A Lesson Before Dying at Buffalo’s Studio Arena and Rochester’s Geva Theatres.

 

Ms. Reynolds is a 2022 recipient of the American Theatre Hall of Fame "Emerging Theatre Artist" fellowship and is lifetime member and Board member of the Actor’s Studio.

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After the September 11th terrorist attacks, Ms. Reynolds felt it was important to become more involved in the growing neighborhood of Prospect Heights.  Inspired by the need to give back to the community, she decided to build a business that is not only a financial success, but also filled a need for a local meeting place.  In 2003, Ms. Reynolds established Bar Sepia, and operated the popular and critically praised destination for 14 years catering to Brooklyn residents and visitors alike.

 

Ms. Reynolds has a background in publicity, public relations, event planning and marketing.  Various positions held include marketing for Ark Restaurant Corporation, public relations for the Vanderbilt Agency, and assistant to the editor at German Vogue Magazine.  

 

Ms. Reynolds is a vocal advocate for brick and mortar “true” small businesses and creating legislation to protect legacy businesses.  Her activism efforts include supporting landmark preservation in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn with CuRBA, a local block association that works to preserve the area’s architecture and protect the uniqueness of the neighborhood. Ms. Reynolds has also volunteered her time and resources for such causes as the American Cancer Society’s Pink and Black Tie Gala, Justice Works Community, a Brooklyn based organization that advocates for women ex-prisoners, as well as various other local and national charity organizations. She organized clothing and fund drives for Hurricane Katrina, Haiti earthquake victims, and the Gulf Coast Oil Spill among many others. Ms. Reynolds is also actively involved in Brooklyn’s Community Board 8.

 

Ms. Reynolds love of food has drawn her into developing a cooking show that incorporates, local sourcing, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), canning techniques, healthy eating and simple cooking techniques that will encourage families and friends back to the table.

 

Ms. Reynolds won the 2015 1010 WINS Top 50 Small Business Award and in 2014 she was honored by Participant Media’s In Her Company campaign, celebrating women in business. She received the 2013 NYC Neighborhood Achievement Award: Brooklyn Small Business of the Year and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Extraordinary Woman award. Delissa is also the recipient of the prestigious Eileen Fisher Business Grant for Women Entrepreneurs in recognition for making Bar Sepia a “cornerstone of the community through partnerships with local civic, cultural and neighborhood groups.” Bar Sepia has been featured in Food & Wine 2007 Cocktail Guide and has received notices in New York Magazine, Time Out New York, The NY Daily News and The NY Post.  Ms. Reynolds was featured in Oprah Magazine in August 2011.

 

Delissa studied business administration and accounting at the University of Maryland in Heidelberg Germany and Kansas State University. She is a long-time resident of Crown Heights, Brooklyn where she lives with her husband, cinematographer, Elia Lyssy.