Hopkins rose to prominence as a member of the pop group Tony Orlando and Dawn, who had several number-one songs.

In the 1980s-1990s, Hopkins endured longer sitcom roles as Isabelle Hammond on Bosom Buddies (1980–82), Adelaide "Addy" Wilson on Gimme a Break!

Hopkins was raised by her grandmother in Highland Park, Michigan, a city located in the Metro Detroit area.

She appeared on such classics as Freda Payne's "Band of Gold" and Isaac Hayes' "Theme from Shaft" and working with legendary artists like the Four Tops and Marvin Gaye.

Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson were recruited by Tony Orlando to form the vocal group Dawn.

[2] In 1979, Hopkins made her acting debut playing Daisy in the ABC miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.

The following year, she was cast opposite Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari in another ABC sitcom, Bosom Buddies.

[11] In May 2021, it was announced Hopkins had been cast in the role of Denise Tolliver on The Young and the Restless, reuniting her with Family Matters co-star Bryton James.