Brown was born in Frankfurt, West Germany, and raised in Sacramento, California. After graduating from C.K. McClatchy High School, she got a scholarship to Parsons School of Design in New York. However she didn't want to leave her family on the opposite side of the country, so she enrolled at Sacramento City College followed by Sacramento State College.
Brown made her big screen debut appearing in an supporting role in the 1982 action comedy film 48 Hrs. She later appeared in Streets of Fire (1984), Throw Momma from the Train (1987), Identity Crisis (1989), Man's Best Friend (1993) and All Tied Up (1994). From 1984 to 1989, she starred as Detective Trudy Joplin in the NBC crime drama series Miami Vice.
Brown guest-starred on T.J. Hooker, The Love Boat, Family Matters, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Sister, Sister. She had recurring roles on Hill Street Blues, Designing Women, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Beverly Hills, 90210, Moesha and 7th Heaven. Brown also was regular in the NBC sitcom Dear John from 1990 to 1991.
