Loretta Devine is an American actress born in Houston, Texas, on August 21, 1949. In 1971 she graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech. She also graduated Brandeis University in 1976 with a MFA in Theater. She is best known for her role of teacher Marla Hendricks on Boston Public. At the moment she has a recurring role as Adele Webber on the Grey's Anatomy.