

In 1988, Summer was cast as the freespirited Winifred "Freddie" Brooks in The Cosby Show spin-off A Different World. Many of these were part of cult franchises, like The Care Bears Movie (1985) and Ewoks (1985, part of the Star Wars franchise). Her unique, throaty voice was instantly recognizable to viewers, as well as casting agents, who began frequently casting her in animated programs. Summer's acting career began in 1983 when she was cast as Penny in the first season of the original version of Inspector Gadget. Her brother, Rainbow Sun Francks, is an actor and a former MuchMusic VJ.

She and her family also traveled and lived around British Columbia during her childhood, and she started public school at the age of nine in Toronto. Her parents are Canadian actors Don Francks, and Lili ‘Red Eagle’ Francks (née Clark).

Summer was born in Los Angeles on July 7, 1969, and grew up in Saskatchewan and Toronto, Canada. In live-action, she is known for her role as Winifred "Freddie" Brooks in the NBC sitcom A Different World from 1987 to 1993. She is also known for her roles in Inspector Gadget, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Codename: Kids Next Door, Danny Phantom, Drawn Together, and Puppy Dog Pals. She has worked extensively in animation, voicing long-running characters such as Susie Carmichael in Rugrats and Elmyra Duff in Tiny Toon Adventures and related media. Cree Summer Francks (born July 7, 1969) is an American actress.
