Renee Tenison: Who She Is & Where She Is in 2026

Renee Tenison: quick facts

Quick facts about Renee Tenison:

Born: December 2, 1968

From: Caldwell, Idaho, USA

Known for: First African-American Playboy Playmate of the Month (November 1989)

Occupation: Model, actress, real estate agent

Active years: 1989–2000s (modeling and acting); 2010s–present (real estate)

Status now: Working as a real estate agent in Los Angeles, California

Instagram: @reneetenison

Who is Renee Tenison?

Renee Tenison is an American model and actress who gained prominence in the late 1980s as a Playboy Playmate. According to public sources, she was named Playboy's Playmate of the Month in November 1989, making history as the first African-American woman to receive that honor. Beyond her work with Playboy, Tenison has appeared in several Hollywood films, including small roles in Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), CB4 (1993), and Shout (1991). She has also been featured in numerous Playboy videos and special editions. Per her own interviews, Tenison grew up in the small farming town of Melba, Idaho, which she described as having about 300 residents. She has three older brothers and an identical twin sister. Her career in the public eye has spanned modeling, acting, and later real estate, reflecting a diverse professional background.

Renee Tenison's age, real name and background

Renee Tenison was born on December 2, 1968, in Caldwell, Idaho, according to public records and media profiles. This makes her 57 years old as of 2026. Her real name is Renee Tenison, and she has not publicly confirmed using a stage name or alias. Per her own accounts, she was raised in the small town of Melba, Idaho, a farming community of about 300 people. She has three older brothers and an identical twin sister, with whom she later posed for Playboy. Tenison's background reflects a transition from a rural upbringing to a career in entertainment. She attended college before being discovered by Playboy, as she recounted in interviews with Fox News. Her early life in Idaho shaped her perspective, and she has spoken about the contrast between her small-town roots and her later life in the entertainment industry.

Where is Renee Tenison now in 2026?

As of 2026, Renee Tenison is based in Los Angeles, California, where she works as a real estate agent. According to her public social media profiles, she is active in the Santa Monica and Westside areas, helping clients buy, sell, and invest in property. Her Instagram account, @reneetenison, has over 3,600 followers and shows her current professional activities and personal life. She has not publicly confirmed any recent acting or modeling projects, indicating a shift away from the entertainment industry. Tenison appears to be focused on her real estate career and personal pursuits. Her location in Los Angeles suggests she remains connected to the area where she built her earlier fame, but her public presence now centers on her work as a real estate professional rather than her past as a model and actress.

Renee Tenison's net worth and career

Renee Tenison's net worth is not publicly confirmed, and media reports do not provide a reliable estimate. Her career began when she was discovered by Playboy, leading to her historic selection as the first African-American Playmate of the Month in November 1989. This role opened doors to acting, with small parts in films such as Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), CB4 (1993), and Shout (1991). She also appeared in numerous Playboy videos and special editions. After her entertainment career, Tenison transitioned into real estate. According to her public social media, she works as a licensed real estate agent in California, specializing in the Santa Monica and Westside markets. Her career trajectory reflects a shift from modeling and acting to a more traditional profession, though specific earnings from either phase of her career are not publicly available.

Sources & notes

This profile of Renee Tenison is compiled from publicly available information, including Wikipedia, public media interviews, IMDb, Fox News interview, public web search results. Figures such as net worth are widely reported estimates and are not officially confirmed. AI Angels is not affiliated with Renee Tenison.

Last reviewed and updated: 2026-06-26. Compiled and fact-checked by the AI Angels editorial team from publicly available sources.