{{short description|American actress}}

{{Infobox person | name = DuShon Monique Brown | image = | alt = | caption = Brown in December 2016 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date|1968|11|30}} | birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2018|03|23|1968|11|30}} | death_place = Olympia Fields, Illinois, U.S. | alma_mater = Governors State University | height = 5 feet 10 inches<ref name="Gross Jack">{{cite web|url=http://grossmanjack.com/on-camera-women/dushon-brown/|title=DuShon Monique Brown|work=Grossman & Jack Talent|publisher=|location=Chicago|accessdate=March 23, 2018}}</ref> | children = 1 | occupation = Actress | years_active = 2003–2018 | known_for = | notable_works = {{ubl|''Prison Break''|''Chicago Fire''}} }}

'''DuShon Monique Brown''' (November 30, 1968 – March 23, 2018) was an American actress known for her performances as Nurse Katie Welch on the Fox series ''Prison Break'' and Connie in the NBC series ''Chicago Fire'' from 2012 until her death in 2018.

==Early life and education== Brown was born in Chicago on November 30, 1968, to Zachary M. Brown and Liz Colburn.<ref name="MyHeritage">{{cite web|url=https://www.myheritage.com/research/record-10182-633100/dushon-monique-brown-in-biographical-summaries-of-notable-people|title=Dushon Monique Brown|work=MyHeritage|publisher=MyHeritage Ltd.|location=Or Yehuda|accessdate=April 6, 2016}}</ref> She was a graduate of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School and Governors State University, with a master's degree in school counseling. Brown previously worked at Chicago's South Shore International College Preparatory High School as the guidance counselor, and at Kenwood Academy High School as a crisis counselor and drama instructor.<ref name="Marcus"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/chicago-fire-dushon-monique-brown-dead-477795943.html|title='Chicago Fire' Actress DuShon Monique Brown Dies|first=Richard|last=Ray|work=KNTV|publisher=NBCUniversal|location=San Jose, California|date=March 23, 2018|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref>

==Career== ===Early career=== Brown was active in theater in her hometown for many years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/technology/chicago-fire-actress-dushon-monique-brown-dead-at/article_db9fd5ca-f4bf-5369-be27-0ded9424c026.html|title='Chicago Fire' actress DuShon Monique Brown dead at 49|agency=Associated Press|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|publisher=Lee Enterprises|location=St. Louis|date=March 23, 2018|accessdate=March 27, 2018}}</ref> Her first performance on television was 2003's made-for-TV movie ''Skin Complex''.<ref name="Skin Complex"/> From 2005 to 2007, she was on ''Prison Break''. Brown appeared in 2011's ''The Dilemma'' in an uncredited role.<ref name="The Dilemma"/> Brown was in 2012's romantic comedy ''One Small Hitch''.<ref name="Rechtshaffen"/>

===''Chicago Fire''=== In 2012, Brown began playing the recurring role of Connie on ''Chicago Fire''. Of her time on the TV show, Brown said in an interview with ''Hidden Remote'', "She was a secretary and had a single speech. But I auditioned because it was a new series in ''Chicago Fire'' and had the possibility that she could become. She sees herself, especially with the younger members of the team, as a kind of mother, aunt, teacher. Eamonn and I, we play when I'm on the set that Connie is the boss's working wife and all the rest are her kids, they wrote Connie as that motherly figure that everyone seems to run away from. I'm just a goofy, geeky Chicagoan who plays the violin, likes karaoke, embraces the trees, loves to be appreciated for her work and dreams of playing a superhero in the movies."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hiddenremote.com/2016/11/22/chicago-fire-dushon-brown-tells-how-connie-runs-the-firehouse/|title=Chicago Fire: DuShon Brown Tells How Connie Runs The Firehouse|website=Hidden Remote|date=22 November 2016 |accessdate=November 22, 2016}}</ref> She was asked how she would feel about a spinoff called ''Chicago Ed'' or ''Chicago Shelter'' by reporter Andrew Crist, who noted Brown's master's degree in counseling and background in social work; Brown replied, "I’m there! If they pull that show out, I will be an actor and a consultant! Trust me."<ref name="Farber"/>

===Later career=== Brown guest-starred in ''Boss'' in 2012 and ''Shameless'' in 2013.<ref name="Chicago Tribune">{{cite news|url=https://www.tmj4.com/news/national/report-chicago-fire-actress-dushon-monique-brown-has-died|title=Report: 'Chicago Fire' Actress DuShon Monique Brown has died|author=Chicago Tribune|author-link=Chicago Tribune|work=WTMJ-TV|publisher=E. W. Scripps Company|location=Milwaukee|date=March 23, 2018|accessdate=March 27, 2018}}</ref> She was in 2015's ''Unexpected''.<ref name="Unexpected"/> Brown was also in 2015's ''A Light Beneath Their Feet''.<ref name="Scheck"/><ref name="McNary"/> In 2015, she guest-starred on ''Empire''.<ref name="Huff"/> Brown guest-starred on ''Electric Dreams'' in 2017.<ref name="Petski"/> Also in 2017, she was in the comedy film ''Surprise Me!'' written and directed by Nancy Goodman and based on the book of the same name by Goodman.<ref name="Goodman"/> Her last role was in 2017's made-for-TV movie ''Public Housing Unit''.<ref name="Public"/>

==Personal life and death== Brown had one child: a daughter, Zoe.<ref name="Marcus">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/dushon-monique-brown-dead-chicago-fire-actress-dies-at-49/|title=DuShon Monique Brown Dead: 'Chicago Fire' Actress Dies at 49|first=Emily|last=Marcus|magazine=Us Weekly|publisher=American Media, Inc.|location=New York City|date=March 23, 2018|accessdate=March 23, 2018}}</ref> She had one brother and two sisters: Zachary Brown Jr., Zaire King, and Jamyra Siek.<ref name="MyHeritage"/> Brown checked herself into the hospital earlier in the week of her death, after experiencing chest pains, but was released after undergoing tests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/03/23/chicago-fire-actress-dushon-monique-brown-dead/|title='CHICAGO FIRE' ACTRESS DUSHON MONIQUE BROWN DEAD AT 49|author=TMZ Staff|work=TMZ|publisher=Time Warner|location=Los Angeles|date=March 23, 2018|accessdate=March 23, 2018}}</ref> She died at St. James Olympia Fields Hospital on March 23, 2018.<ref name="DBLOD">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-obit-dushon-monique-brown-chicago-fire-20180323-story.html|title='Chicago Fire' actress DuShon Monique Brown has died|first=Nina|last=Metz|work=Chicago Tribune|publisher=Tronc, Inc.|location=Chicago|date=March 23, 2018|accessdate=March 23, 2018}}</ref> The Cook County coroner scheduled an autopsy on March 24, 2018.<ref name="Farber">{{cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/922863/chicago-fire-actress-dushon-monique-brown-dead-at-age-49|title=Chicago Fire Actress DuShon Monique Brown Dead at Age 49|first=Lindsay|last=Farber|work=E! Online|publisher=NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group|location=Los Angeles|date=March 23, 2018|accessdate=March 23, 2018}}</ref> On May 31, 2018, the Cook County Medical examiner confirmed the death was the result of sepsis of an unknown etiology.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/940556/chicago-fire-star-dushon-monique-brown-s-cause-of-death-revealed|title=Chicago Fire's DuShon Monique Brown's Cause of Death Revealed|first=McKenna|last=Aiello|work=E! Online|publisher=NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group|location=Los Angeles|date=March 24, 2018|access-date=June 5, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/chicago-fire-star-dushon-monique-browns-cause-of-death-revealed/|title='Chicago Fire' Star DuShon Monique Brown's Cause of Death Revealed|first=Nicholas|last=Hautman|date=March 24, 2018|work=Us Weekly|publisher=American Media, Inc.|location=New York City|access-date=June 5, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! class="unsortable"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2011 | ''The Dilemma'' | Weiner Circle Worker | {{Plain list | * Comedy-drama film directed by Ron Howard and written by Allan Loeb * Uncredited }} | <ref name="The Dilemma">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/797759/the-dilemma#credits|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026140732/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/797759/the-dilemma#credits|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 26, 2020|title=The Dilemma|work=Turner Classic Movies|publisher=Turner Broadcasting System|location=United States|access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> |- | 2012 | ''One Small Hitch'' | Unflappable Nurse | Romantic comedy film directed by John Burgess and written by Dode B. Levenson | <ref name="Rechtshaffen">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-one-small-hitch-review-20150206-story.html|title='One Small Hitch' an overly familiar rom-com|first=Michael|last=Rechtshaffen|work=Los Angeles Times|location=Los Angeles|date=February 5, 2015|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 2015 | ''Unexpected'' | Principal Clements | {{Plain list | * Drama film directed & co–written by Kris Swanberg and Megan Mercier * Credited as DuShon Brown }} | <ref name="Unexpected">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2057909/unexpected#credits|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113024217/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2057909/unexpected#credits|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2025|title=Unexpected|work=Turner Classic Movies|publisher=Turner Broadcasting System|location=United States|access-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> |- | ''A Light Beneath Their Feet'' | Cindy | Drama film directed by Valerie Weiss | <ref name="Scheck">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/a-light-beneath-feet-film-897860|title='A Light Beneath Their Feet': Film Review|first=Frank|last=Scheck|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group (Eldridge Industries)|location=Los Angeles|date=May 27, 2016|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref><ref name="McNary">{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/taryn-manning-light-beneath-their-feet-release-date-1201740201/|title=Taryn Manning Coming-of-Age Drama 'Light Beneath Their Feet' Gets Release Date|first=Dave|last=McNary|magazine=Variety|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|location=Los Angeles|date=March 28, 2016|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref> |- | 2017 | ''Surprise Me!'' | Shirley | {{Plain list | * Comedy film written and directed by Nancy Goodman * Based on the book of the same name by Goodman }} | <ref name="Goodman">{{cite book|title=Surprise Me!|first=Nancy|last=Goodman|author-link=Nancy Goodman|edition=Paperback|location=Scotts Valley, California|year=2017|isbn=978-1544125718}}</ref> |- |}

===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! class="unsortable"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 2003 | ''Skin Complex'' | Laurie | Made-for-TV-movie directed by Jim Friedman and Brad Pruitt | <ref name="Skin Complex">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/skin-complex-v283522/cast-crew|title=Skin Complex|work=AllMovie|publisher=All Media Network|location=United States|accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref> |- | 2005–07 | ''Prison Break'' | Katie Welch | Recurring (season 1), guest (season 2) | |- | 2012–18 | ''Chicago Fire'' | Connie | Recurring | |- | 2012 | ''Boss'' | Large Inmate | Episodes: {{Plain list| * "Louder Than Words" (S 2:Ep 1) * "Through and Through" (S 2:Ep 2) }} | <ref name="Chicago Tribune"/> |- | 2013 | ''Shameless'' | Teresa | Episode: "May I Trim Your Hedges?" (S 3:Ep 3) | <ref name="Chicago Tribune"/> |- | 2015 | ''Empire'' | Ilene | {{Plain list | * Episode: "Poor Yorick" (S 1:Ep 10) * Credited as DuShon M. Brown }} | <ref name="Huff">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dushon-monique-brown-dead-chicago-fire-actress-dies-at-49-1097080|title=DuShon Monique Brown, 'Chicago Fire' Actress, Dies at 49|first=Lauren|last=Huff|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group (Eldridge Industries)|location=Los Angeles|date=March 23, 2018|accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 2017 | ''Electric Dreams'' | Peace Sergeant | Episode: "Kill All Others" | <ref name="Petski">{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/dushon-monique-brown-dies-chicago-fire-actress-was-49-1202352668/|title=DuShon Monique Brown Dies: 'Chicago Fire' Actress Was 49|first=Denise|last=Petski|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|location=United States|date=March 23, 2018|accessdate=March 25, 2018}}</ref> |- | ''Public Housing Unit'' | Commander Roberta | Made-for-TV-movie directed by Daniel Willis | <ref name="Public">{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-tv-festival-kogan-sidewalks-ae-0319-20170316-column.html|title=Chicago TV festival gives us a look at 4 new shows|first=Rick|last=Kogan|work=Chicago Tribune|publisher=Tronc, Inc.|location=Chicago|date=March 16, 2017|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref> |}

===Theatre=== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Venue ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! class="unsortable"|{{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | Pegasus Players Theatre | ''For Her as a Piano'' | Mutha Ku/Dirk | September 30 – November 1, 2015 | <ref name="Gross Jack"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pegasustheatrechicago.org/about/history/past-productions/2015-2016/for-her-as-a-piano/|title=FOR HER AS A PIANO|work=Pegasus Theatre|location=Chicago|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/for-her-as-a-piano-new-musical-play-by-native-son-playwright-debuts-in-chicago-tonight-com-364681|title=For Her As a Piano, New Musical Play by Native SonPlaywright, Debuts in Chicago Tonight|first=Olivia|last=Clement|work=Playbill|publisher=TotalTheater|location=New York City|date=September 30, 2015|accessdate=April 7, 2018}}</ref> |- | Chicago Dramatists | ''Hope VI'' | Queenie | 2009 | <ref name="Gross Jack"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theatreinchicago.com/hope-vi/2381/|title=Hope VI|work=Theatre In Chicago|location=Chicago|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref> |- | Piven Theatre Workshop | ''Because They Have No Words'' | Actor 3 and Others | {{Plain list | * May 11 – June 15, 2008 * March 6 – April 11, 2010 }} | <ref name="Gross Jack"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/Piven-Theatre-Presents-THREE|title=Piven Theatre Presents NUMBER OF PEOPLE 3/6-4/11|author=BWW News Desk|work=BroadwayWorld|publisher=Wisdom Digital Media|location=New York City|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/because-they-have-no-words-play-about-post-katrina-animal-rescue-gets-chicago-premiere-com-150405|title=Because They Have No Words, Play About Post-Katrina Animal Rescue, Gets Chicago Premiere|first=Kenneth|last=Jones|work=Playbill|publisher=TotalTheater|location=New York City|date=May 23, 2008|accessdate=April 7, 2018}}</ref> |- | Victory Gardens Theater | ''Shoes'' | Miss Viola | | <ref name="Gross Jack"/> |- | Drury Lane Theatre | ''Little Shop of Horrors'' | Ronette | | <ref name="Gross Jack"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicago-theater.com/theaters/drury-lane-theatre/little-shop-of-horrors.php|title=WHY SEE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS?|work=Theatre In Chicago|location=Chicago|accessdate=March 24, 2018}}</ref> |- | Lookingglass Theatre Company | ''Summertime'' | Barbara/Violinist | | rowspan="12" | <ref name="Gross Jack"/> |- | Chicago Theatre | ''Love Child'' | Miss Fanny | |- | Goodman Theatre | ''The Amen Corner'' | Ensemble | |- | MPAACT | ''Christ T'' | Maximillian | |- | Steppenwolf Theatre Company | ''Division Street: America'' | Louise/Lois | |- | Apple Tree Theatre | ''Once on this Island'' | Mama Euralie | |- | rowspan="3" | Chicago Theatre | ''Journal of Ordinary Thought'' | Actress #2 | |- | ''Train is Comin'' | Maggie Porter | |- | ''Shakin' the mess Outta Misery'' | Miss Corrine | |- | Steppenwolf Theatre Company | ''Our Town'' | Stage Manager | |- | Lifeline Theatre | ''Praying for Sheetrock'' | Mary/Belle/Louise | |- | ETA Creative Arts Foundation | ''This Far By Faith'' | Viola Benson | |- |}

== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=2102294}} {{Portal bar|Biography|Chicago|Theatre|Film|Television}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Dushon Monique}} Category:1968 births Category:2018 deaths Category:Actresses from Chicago Category:American television actresses Category:Governors State University alumni Category:21st-century American actresses