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Tanya Wright
Born (1978-05-03) May 3, 1978 (age 46)
New York City, U.S.
Education Vassar College (BA)
Harvard University (MEd)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • entrepreneur
  • author
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
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
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"
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