Tanya Wright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tanya Wright
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Born | New York City, U.S.
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May 3, 1978
Education | Vassar College (BA) Harvard University (MEd) |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1986–present |
Relatives | Sheena Wright (sister) |
Tanya Wright (born May 3, 1978) 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.
Early life and education
Wright was born on May 3, 1978 in the Bronx to a 15-year-old mother, Debra Fraser-Howze, who later became an AIDS activist.
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. She earned an EdM from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education in 2022.
Career
Over the course of her career, Wright made the decision to start wearing her hair naturally. Wright wrote a book titled Butterfly Rising, which was released on August 5, 2012. Wright adapted the book to a screenplay, producing and directing a movie version of Butterfly Rising
Wright started a hair care line called HAI Riette in which some of the proceeds go to The Actor's Fund.
While attending Vassar, she auditioned and landed a role in The Cosby Show.
Awards
- Wright is a two-time winner of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award, Best Acting Ensemble for her portrayal of Crystal Burset in Orange Is the New Black.
- Wright received the SOBRO's "Most Innovative Business" Award for HAI Riette.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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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
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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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" |