Tanya Wright

Tanya Wright
Born (1971-05-03) May 3, 1971 (age 53)
Bronx, NY
EducationVassar College (AB)
Harvard University (MEd)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • entrepreneur
  • author
Years active1986–present
RelativesSheena Wright (sister)
Philip Banks III (brother-in-law)
Terence Banks (brother-in-law)
David C. Banks (brother-in-law)

Tanya Wright (born May 3, 1978)[1] is an American entrepreneur, actress, and author. Born and raised in South Bronx, New York, Wright studied Comparative Literature at Vassar College. After her graduation, she joined the cast of The Cosby Show as Tanya Simpson. She is known for her role as Phyllis Brooks on Buddies, as well as her recurring roles on 24 as Patty Brooks, NYPD Blue as Officer Maya Anderson, on True Blood as Deputy Kenya Jones, and as Crystal on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black.[2]

Early life and education

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Wright was born on May 3, 1978 in the Bronx[1][3] to a 15-year-old mother, Debra Fraser-Howze, who later became an AIDS activist.[4][5]

Wright is an alumna of the Oliver Scholars Program and graduated high school from George School, a private Quaker school in Pennsylvania. She received a degree in Independent Studies/Comparative Literature at Vassar College.[6] She earned an master's of education from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education in 2022.[7] Her sister, Sheena Wright, is the First Deputy Mayor of New York City and formerly the president of the United Way of New York City.  

Career

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Wright is well recognised for her iconic television parts. Wright appeared in several television shows early in her acting career, including "The Cosby Show" (1984–1992), "Family Matters" (CBS, 1989–1998), and "Parker Lewis" (Fox, 1990–92). She also starred in the television series "Living Single" (Fox, 1993–1998), "Beverly Hills 90210" (1990–2000), and "Burke's Law" (CBS, 1994–95). She appeared on "The Wayans Bros." (Warner Bros. Television Network, 1995–99), "Buddies" (ABC, 1995–96), and "The Jamie Foxx Show" (Warner Bros. Television Network, 1996–2001) as she maintained her humorous career in the 1990s. She took on roles on "The District" (2000–04), "24" (Fox, 2001–2010), and "The Handler" (CBS, 2003–04) in more recent times. She was in "Windfall" (NBC, 2006) as well. Wright's most recent role was in "The Carrie Diaries" (CW, 2013–14). Wright authored a book titled Butterfly Rising,[8] which was released on August 5, 2012.[2] Wright adapted the book to a screenplay, producing and directing a movie version of Butterfly Rising.[9]

Awards

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Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1999 Mutiny -
2001 The Brothers LaMuzindah
2005 Ralph & Stanley Dr. Reynolds Short
2011 Butterfly Rising Rose
Aide-de-Camp Anna Short
2012 Why Stop Now Lisa
2018 My Christmas Inn Ellis TV movie

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1986 The Cosby Show Tanya Simpson Episode: "The Card Game" & "Man Talk"
1991 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Girlfriend Episode: "Boy Meets Girl"
1994 Beverly Hills, 90210 Assistant Episode: "Intervention"
1995 Living Single Tanya Episode: "If the Crew Fits"
Family Matters India Episode: "We're Going to Disney World: Part 2"
Burke's Law Scrub Nurse Episode: "Who Killed the King of the Country Club?"
1996 The Wayans Bros. Toya Episode: "The Odd Couples"
Buddies Phyllis Brooks Main cast
The Jamie Foxx Show Casey Coles Episode: "Burned Twice by the Same Flame"
1998 Police Academy: The Series Cassandra Cunningham Recurring cast
Mama Flora's Family Ernestine Episode: "Episode #1.1 & #1.2"
1999 Moesha Andrea Episode: "Good Vibrations?" & "Fired Up"
2000–01 The District Laura Clayson/Annette Haywood Episode: "Imperfect Victims" & "Running Towards Fire"
2001–02 24 Patty Brooks Recurring cast: Season 1
2002 NYPD Blue Officer Maya Anderson Guest: Season 9, recurring cast: Season 10
2003–04 The Handler Marcy Main cast
2004 Strong Medicine Lily's Mother Episode: "Touched by an Idol"
2006 Windfall Dr. Bailey Episode: "Urgent Care"
2007 ER Megan Strand Episode: "Sea Change"
Standoff Diana Marsh Episode: "Lie to Me"
2008–14 True Blood Deputy Kenya Jones Recurring cast
2013 The Carrie Diaries - Episode: "Express Yourself"
2013–18 Orange Is the New Black Crystal Burset Recurring cast: season 1-4, guest: season 6
2014 The Good Wife Liana Depaul Episode: "Message Discipline"
2018 I'm Dying Up Here Nurse Episode: "Deathbed Confessions"
Madam Secretary Dana Cook Episode: "E Pluribus Unum"

References

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  1. ^ a b "Almanac: Today's Birthdays". Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. May 3, 2024. p. A3. ProQuest 3050323228. TV personality Willie Geist (TV: "Today") is 49. Actor Christina Hendricks is 49. Actor Dule (doo-LAY') Hill is 49. Country singer Eric Church is 47. Actor Tanya Wright is 46. Dancer Cheryl Burke is 40. Soul singer Michael Kiwanuka is 37. See also:
    • "Today is Tuesday, May 3, the 124th day of 2016: Today's Birthdays". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. May 3, 2016. p. A2. ProQuest 1786234530. TV personality Willie Geist (TV: "Today") is 41. Actress Christina Hendricks is 41. Actor Dule Hill is 41. Country singer Eric Church is 39. Actress Tanya Wright (TV: "Orange is the New Black") is 38. Soul singer Michael Kiwanuka is 29.
  2. ^ a b Wright, Tanya (August 5, 2010). Butterfly Rising – Tanya Wright. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1453650363.
  3. ^ "Tanya Wright". www.tanya-wright.com. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  4. ^ "40 Under 40 - Sheena Wright". Crain's New York Business. July 27, 2018. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  5. ^ "Black community has new option for health care: The church". AP NEWS. June 17, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  6. ^ Sanders, Janean (August 9, 2012). "True Blood's Tanya Wright Discusses Her Many Talents and Passions". True Blood Net. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  7. ^ Hough, Lory (June 8, 2022). "Crimson Is the New Orange". Harvard Graduate School of Education. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  8. ^ Chai (August 6, 2010). "Archive for the 'Tanya Wright' Category". Sookie Stackhouse. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  9. ^ "Tanya Wright | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.