She began her career as a ballet dancer and model before making her acting debut in the 1987 comedy film Leonard Part 6.

She starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the 1992 comedy The Distinguished Gentleman, and later had roles in the films Dumb and Dumber (1994) and Barb Wire (1996).

Dorothy, who suffered from schizophrenia, took a taxi to a hospital to give birth to Rowell, leaving a son and two small daughters unsupervised.

[2] While living in Maine with foster parents Agatha C. and Robert Armstead,[citation needed] Rowell, then eight, began ballet lessons.

In 1990, Rowell was cast as street urchin-turned-ballet dancer Drucilla Barber on the CBS daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless.

In 2007, Rowell became unhappy with the soap opera behind the scenes, labeling daytime television and The Young and the Restless as racist for not having enough African-American cast and crew.

Rowell has openly expressed pleasure in returning,[7] and due to the character's strong appeal and popularity, viewers have begged the series to rehire her.

[9] From 1993 to 2001, Rowell starred as Dr. Amanda Bentley in the CBS primetime series Diagnosis: Murder, opposite Dick Van Dyke, replacing Cynthia Gibb from the original made-for-television movie.

[19] In 2024 she co-starred alongside Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard in the comedy film Summer Camp.

In the suit, Rowell alleges that since 2010 she had made several attempts to be re-employed at The Young and the Restless or employed at sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful, but was repeatedly denied due to her outspokenness regarding the lack of diversity both in front of and behind the cameras at CBS.

In the declaration, Rowell alleges that she was the target of racially motivated attacks on the set of The Young and the Restless, at the hands of former co-stars, Michelle Stafford, Melody Thomas Scott, and Peter Bergman.

[24] Rowell's legal team resubmitted an amended claim that included an allegation against Corday Productions and Sony Pictures Television alleging that she pursued a role on the Sony and Corday produced NBC soap Days of Our Lives, but was removed from the audition list.

Your loafer heel has been on my neck for over 11 years all because I cited a lack of substantive of diversity at CBS behind the camera #MeToo #RetaliationIsIllegal #Bully [28]Rowell's first marriage was to Tom Fahey in 1989.

[29] In May 2008, Rowell announced her engagement to Radcliffe Bailey, an Atlanta artist, at her annual High Tea at Noon fundraiser.

In 2004, she was a special guest on the talk show Dr. Phil, in which she gave an emancipated foster child a chance at a job with Sony, dental care, and a scholarship from her foundation.

In May 2006, Rowell was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Southern Maine in recognition of her work for the benefit of foster children.

In March 2012, Rowell's book, Tag, Toss & Run: 40 Classic Lawn Games, co-authored with environmental activist Paul Tukey, was released.