Bahni's Fans (4)

Bahni Turpin

Author profile

born

June 04, 1962 in Pontiac, Michigan, The United States

About this author

edit data

Bahni Turpin is a famous TV and film actress. She started her career in 1987 with the film called "Tiszta Amerika".

She acted in many other films and TV series such as: "Law & Order", "Seinfeld", "Family Law" etc.

2010 Best Voice in Fiction: PRECIOUS

"It's lovely to be read to, isn't it?"

It is indeed, and being read to by actress Bahni Turpin is lovelier still. The talented narrator is now a devoted listener, too, but she came to audiobooks with a bit of skepticism. Another actress referred her to Books on Tape, where she later auditioned. "It was very strange to me at the time because I didn't listen to audiobooks then."

In time, Books on Tape engaged her to read A PIECE OF CAKE, by Cupcake Brown, and Bahni was hooked. She had always like...more Bahni Turpin is a famous TV and film actress. She started her career in 1987 with the film called "Tiszta Amerika".

She acted in many other films and TV series such as: "Law & Order", "Seinfeld", "Family Law" etc.

2010 Best Voice in Fiction: PRECIOUS

"It's lovely to be read to, isn't it?"

It is indeed, and being read to by actress Bahni Turpin is lovelier still. The talented narrator is now a devoted listener, too, but she came to audiobooks with a bit of skepticism. Another actress referred her to Books on Tape, where she later auditioned. "It was very strange to me at the time because I didn't listen to audiobooks then."

In time, Books on Tape engaged her to read A PIECE OF CAKE, by Cupcake Brown, and Bahni was hooked. She had always liked reading aloud and found the assignment to be a comfortable and enjoyable gig. Of course, she's continued. But sometimes she's surprised at a director's requirements. "I auditioned for a new company, and the director was so picky," she says. "Every time you cleared your throat, you had to restart the paragraph."

Recently, Bahni, who has had roles in the television series "Cold Case" and "Without a Trace," relived her New York days while recording Sapphire's PRECIOUS [also published as PUSH]. The book includes references to shops and restaurants that she once frequented.

Bahni, who now loves listening to women's stories as she tools around Los Angeles, was mesmerized by her own voicing of the character Minny in THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett. "While listening, I forgot it was me I was listening to," says Bahni, who enjoyed the book's rich emotions and vivid characterizations of several female characters.

The experience of absorbing audiobooks can be challenging for some modern listeners, Bahni feels. The heavy reliance on television for entertainment has led some to forget how to listen without a visual component. But she doesn't draw a line between acting and narration. Bahni reads each book before recording and makes notes about how each character should sound. "I like to give each one a characterization and really try to read the way I feel the text should be heard. I especially enjoy doing dialects."

The recently released audio THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS, by Rebecca Skloot, features Bahni in the small role of Lacks's daughter. While she'd hoped for a larger role in the work that recognizes this African-American woman, telling the story was important. Years ago, cancer cells were taken from Lacks without her knowledge and without compensation to her or her family. They continue to be employed in worldwide research today.

Next up for Bahni is narrating a children's book, and she's hoping for a movie role. In the meantime, she performs regularly with the Cornerstone Theater Company in Los Angeles.--Jenan Jones Benson

(less)

combine editions
Books by Bahni Turpin

Average rating: 4.45 · 3,351 ratings · 1,284 reviews · 36 distinct works

	The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Goodreads Author), Jenna Lamia (Narrator), Bahni Turpin (Narrator) 4.45 avg rating — 407,915 ratings — published 2009 — 89 editions	My rating:
	The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot (Goodreads Author), Cassandra Campbell (Narrator), Bahni Turpin (Narrator) 4.08 avg rating — 69,287 ratings — published 2010 — 34 editions	My rating:
	Just Too Good to Be True by E. Lynn Harris, Mirron Willis, Adenrele Ojo 4.01 avg rating — 889 ratings — published 2008 — 8 editions	My rating:
	Ghetto Superstar by Nikki Turner, Bahni Turpin (Narrator) 3.95 avg rating — 230 ratings — published 2009 — 5 editions	My rating:
	Any Way the Wind Blows by E. Lynn Harris, Dominic Hoffman, Mirron Willis 4.17 avg rating — 1,392 ratings — published 2001 — 9 editions	My rating:
	The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee T. Frazier, Bahni Turpin (Narrator) 3.68 avg rating — 288 ratings — published 2010 — 7 editions	My rating:
	The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex (Goodreads Author), Bahni Turpin (Narrator) 4.16 avg rating — 2,213 ratings — published 2007 — 7 editions	My rating:
	Sacrificial Magic (Downside Ghosts, #4) by Stacia Kane (Goodreads Author), Bahni Turpin (Narrator) 4.46 avg rating — 920 ratings — published 2012 — 10 editions	My rating:
	Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman, Bahni Turpin (Narrator) 3.49 avg rating — 1,819 ratings — published 2011 — 18 editions	My rating:
	Heartbreak of a Hustler's Wife by Nikki Turner, Bahni Turpin (Narrator) 4.16 avg rating — 125 ratings — 6 editions	My rating: