Tisha Michelle Campbell (born October 13, 1968) is an American actress and singer. She made her screen debut appearing in the 1986 rock musical comedy film Little Shop of Horrors, and later starred on the NBC musical comedy drama Rags to Riches (1987–1988). She has appeared in films including School Daze (1988), Rooftops (1989), Another 48 Hrs. (1990), Boomerang (1992), and Sprung (1997). She received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for playing Sidney in the comedy film House Party (1990). She reprises the role of Sidney in the sequels House Party 2 (1991) and House Party 3 (1994).

Tisha Campbell
Campbell in 2018
Born
Tisha Michelle Campbell[1]

(1968-10-13) October 13, 1968 (age 56)
Other namesTisha Campbell-Martin
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1974–present
Spouse
(m. 1996; div. 2020)
Children2
Musical career
OriginNewark, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Labels

Campbell starred as Gina Waters-Payne in the Fox comedy series Martin (1992–1997) and as Janet "Jay" Marie Johnson-Kyle in the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids (2001–2005), winning the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for the latter. Her other television roles include Rita Rocks (Lifetime, 2008–2009), The Protector (Lifetime, 2011), Lemonade Mouth (Disney, 2011), Dr. Ken (ABC, 2015–2017), Outmatched (Fox, 2020) and Uncoupled (Netflix, 2022).

Early life

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Tisha Michelle Campbell was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and raised in Newark, New Jersey, where she attended Newark Arts High School, and also East Orange, New Jersey, where she attended Washington Academy of Music.[2] The eldest of her parents' four children, Campbell grew up singing, encouraged by her family's love for music.[3] Her mother, Hattie "Mona" Washington (née Raye; formerly Shockley and Campbell),[4][5] was a nurse, talent manager, gospel singer, and vocal coach. Her father, Clifton Campbell, was a factory worker, singer, and chess master, who worked with underprivileged children.[5] Through her father, Campbell has an older half-brother and two younger half-sisters.[6][7] Campbell has said that she was raped at age three by a male family friend who was baby-sitting her at the time.[8]

Career

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Acting

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Campbell's first television appearance was at the age of six, in an episode in 1974 of the PBS show The Big Blue Marble. As a child, she won many talent shows, going on to appear in such children's programs as Kids Are People Too, Unicorn Tales (played lead Daisy Bunsen in episode, The Magnificent Major), and Captain Kangaroo. At age 17, she performed in the musical feature film, Little Shop of Horrors as Chiffon, one of The Supremes-like girl group Greek Chorus, along with future Martin co-star and best friend, Tichina Arnold.

After graduating from the Arts High School in Newark, she moved to Hollywood, where she became a star on the NBC musical comedy-drama series, Rags to Riches (1987–88). She later starred in the musical comedy drama film School Daze, directed by Spike Lee, as Jane Toussaint.

In 1989, Campbell costarred in the crime film Rooftops. The following year, she starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the action comedy Another 48 Hrs.. She later appeared in a supporting role in the 1992 romantic comedy Boomerang, also starring Murphy. Her most notable film credit is 1990 comedy House Party for which she received Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female nomination. She later co starred in its two sequels; House Party 2 (1991), and House Party 3 (1994). In 1997, she received her star billed role in the Trimark Pictures' comedy film Sprung.[9] She later had the leading role in the independent drama film The Last Place on Earth (2002),[10] and appeared in Kevin Smith's sex comedy film Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) playing the acerbic wife of Craig Robinson's character.

In 1992, Campbell was cast as Gina Waters-Payne in the Fox comedy series Martin. She left the show in November 1996, returning to work after settling a lawsuit accusing co-star Martin Lawrence of sexual harassment. Campbell continued in the role until the series ended in 1997. [11] The following year, she starred opposite Diahann Carroll in the Hallmark Hall of Fame film The Sweetest Gift (1998). Campbell returned to television in 2001, starring opposite Damon Wayans in the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids. In 2003, she won NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role. The series ran for five seasons, ending in 2005.

After My Wife and Kids, Campbell was a regular in the Lifetime comedy series Rita Rocks (2008–09). In 2011, she starred opposite Ally Walker in the Lifetime police drama The Protector. The series was canceled after a single season. Also in 2011, she starred in the acclaimed Disney Channel original film Lemonade Mouth.[12] In September 2015, she was cast in the ABC sitcom Dr. Ken, starring Ken Jeong.[13] The series was cancelled after two seasons in 2017. In the beginning of 2018, she played Olympic gymnast Simone Biles' mother in the Lifetime movie The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar.[14][15] Later in 2018, Campbell starred on the ABC drama pilot The Holmes Sisters about the lives of five African-American sisters, all officers in the NYPD. It was produced by Regina King and Robin Roberts.[16]

Music

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In 1993, Campbell released her debut album, Tisha, which was a moderate success, selling 40,000 copies. Two singles received minor airplay on the R&B stations: "Push", which was produced by Derek Bramble, and "Love Me Down".[17] Campbell contributed vocals for the soundtrack of the 1997 film, Sprung, in which she starred, singing a cover version of "Don't Ask My Neighbor" with Tichina Arnold.

She appeared in several music videos in the 1990s and 2000s, including two for Will Smith ("Will 2K" and "Wild Wild West") and one for Toni Braxton ("You're Makin' Me High"). In 2012, Campbell starred in Mindless Behavior's music video for "Hello".

On September 21, 2015, she released the single, "Steel Here".[18] On February 24, 2016, Campbell released the single, "Lazy Bitch", as well as an accompanying video, where she featured her friend, Tasha Smith.[19] On February 2, 2018, Campbell released the single, "I Don't Wanna Be Alone Tonight".[20][21] On October 6, 2019, she released the single, "22 Summers," with an accompanying video.[22]

Philanthropy

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In 2011, Campbell co-founded Colored My Mind, a non-profit foundation dedicated to raising awareness of childhood autism in communities of color.[23] She was inspired to start the organization by her son Xen, who was diagnosed with autism when he was 18 months old.[24]

Personal life

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On August 17, 1996, Campbell married actor Duane Martin.[25] Together, they have two sons. In February 2018, Campbell filed for divorce after 21 years of marriage.[26] The couple finalized their divorce in December 2020.[27]

In November 1996, Campbell left the Fox series Martin during its final season, citing "intolerable" working conditions. In January 1997, Campbell filed a lawsuit against co-star Martin Lawrence on the counts of sexual harassment and abuse both on and off set.[28] By April 1997, Campbell had settled the lawsuit, and returned to appear in the last two episodes of the series.[29] Campbell and Lawrence have both stated that they have since reconciled.[30][31]

Discography

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Studio albums

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1977 The Magnificent Major Daisy Bunsen Short
1980 The Me Nobody Knows Lillie-Mae TV movie
1986 Little Shop of Horrors Chiffon
1988 School Daze Jane Toussaint
1989 Rooftops Amber
1990 House Party Sidney
Another 48 Hrs. Amy Smith
1991 House Party 2 Sidney
1992 Boomerang Yvonne
1994 House Party 3 Sidney
1996 Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco Sledge (voice)
Snitch Steimer
1997 Sprung Brandy
1998 The Sweetest Gift Ruby Wilson TV movie
2001 Down to Earth Woman in Audience
2002 The Last Place on Earth Ann Field
2008 Zack and Miri Make a Porno Angelina
2009 Pastor Brown Amanda Carlton
2010 Wright vs. Wrong Sasha TV movie
2011 Lemonade Mouth Jenny Reznick TV movie
2018 Blindspotting Mama Liz
The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar Nellie Biles TV movie
2021 The J Team Coach Poppy
2023 Every Breath She Takes Detective Charice Walker TV movie
2024 Not Another Church Movie Flora Black

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1987–88 Rags to Riches Marva Foley Main Cast
1990 Shannon's Deal Annette Episode: "Inside Straight"
1991 A Different World Josie Webb 2 episodes
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air Kathleen Episode: "Did the Earth Move for You?"
Blossom Toni 2 episodes
1992 Roc Angela Kimbro Episode: "A Piece of the Roc"
1992–97 Martin Gina Waters-Payne Main Cast
1993 It's Showtime at the Apollo Herself Episode: "Episode #6.24"
1993–95 Soul Train Herself/Guest Host Recurring Guest
1994 An Evening at the Improv Herself/Host Episode: "Episode #13.7"
1995 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Rapunzel (voice) Episode: "Rapunzel"
1997 Duckman Ebony Sable (voice) Episode: "Ebony, Baby"
Between Brothers Daisy Episode: "Dusty's in Love"
1998 Getting Personal Michelle/Sandy Episode: "Milo Does the Darndest Things"
Linc's Rosalee Lincoln Recurring Cast
Cousin Skeeter Herself (voice) Episode: "A Family Thing"
1999 Intimate Portrait Herself Episode: "Pam Grier"
Wasteland Olivia Episode: "The Object of My Affection"
2000 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Goldie (voice) Episode: "The Steadfast Tin Soldier"
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Joyce Episode: "The Halloween Scene"
2001 Cousin Skeeter Nicole (voice) Recurring Cast: Season 3
2001–05 My Wife and Kids Janet Marie "Jay" Kyle Main Cast
2002 Intimate Portrait Herself Episode: "Tisha Campbell-Martin"
2003 Switched! Herself Episode: "Jennifer and Aubrey"
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Herself Episode: "Season Premiere!"
The Proud Family Rene (voice) Episode: "There's Something About Rene"
2004 The Sharon Osbourne Show Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Feb 26, 2004"
Punk'd Herself Episode: "Episode #3.2"
2004–06 All of Us Carmen James Guest: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 3-4
2007 E! True Hollywood Story Herself Episode: "Will Smith"
2008 The Game Herself Episode: "A Delectable Basket of Treats"
2008–09 Everybody Hates Chris Juanita "Peaches" Clarkson Recurring Cast: Season 4
Rita Rocks Patty Mannix Main Cast
2010 Private Chefs of Beverly Hills Herself Episode: "Challah Back"
2011 The Talk Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Episode #1.131"
The Paul Reiser Show Maggie Episode: "The Old Guy"
The Protector Michelle Dulcett Main Cast
2012 Tamar & Vince Herself Episode: "Are You Ready for Tamar?!?"
Robot Chicken Beyoncé Knowles (voice) Episode: "Casablankman 2"
Private Practice Pam Reiter Episode: "You Don't Know What You've Got Til It's Gone"
2013 Malibu Country Rikki Episode: "Bowling for Mama"
2013–16 Real Husbands of Hollywood Herself Recurring Cast
2014 The Daily Helpline Herself/Co-Host Episode: "Tisha Campbell-Martin I & II"
2015 Unsung Hollywood Herself Episode: "Vivica A. Fox"
Unsung Herself Episode: "Kid 'n Play"
2015–17 Dr. Ken Damona Watkins Main Cast
2015–20 The Real Herself/Guest Co-Host Recurring Guest Co-Host: Season 2 & 6
2016 It's Not You, It's Men Herself Episode: ""Men-ogamy""
Kocktails with Khloé Herself Episode: "Khloé Kardashian Spills the Tea"
FABLife Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Episode #1.142"
Hollywood Today Live Herself/Guest Co-Host Recurring Guest Co-Host
The $100,000 Pyramid Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Episode #1.3"
2016–17 Legends of Chamberlain Heights Additional Voices (voice) Recurring Cast
2017–18 Hip Hop Squares Herself Recurring Guest
2018 Meet the Peetes Herself Episode: "The Guilt Trip"
RuPaul's Drag Race Herself/Guest Judge Episode: "The Last Ball on Earth"
Match Game Herself Episode: "Tisha Campbell-Martin/Adam Carolla/Mark Duplass"
Long Island Medium Herself Episode: "Sitcom Spirits"
Grey's Anatomy Lila's Mom Episode: "All of Me"
2018–19 Empire Brooke Recurring Cast: Season 3-4
2018–20 25 Words or Less Herself/Contestant Recurring Guest
Craig of the Creek Kim/Shatanya (voice) Guest: Season 1 & 3, Recurring Cast: Season 2
2018–21 Soul Train Music Awards Herself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
2018–24 Uncensored Herself Recurring Guest
2019 The Bold and the Beautiful Dr. Davis Regular Cast
2019–20 Last Man Standing Carol Larabee Recurring Cast: Season 7-8
2019–23 Harley Quinn Additional Voices (voice) Recurring Cast
2020 Entertainment Tonight Herself/Guest Co-Host Episode: "Ben Affleck in Hollywood!"
Outmatched Rita Main Cast
2021 Celebrity Family Feud Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Episode #8.7"
2021–22 Inside Job Gigi Thompson (voice) Main Cast
2022 Uncoupled Suzanne Prentiss Main Cast
2023 Name That Tune Herself/Contestant Episode: "Name That TV Star"
See It Loud: The History of Black Television Herself Recurring Guest
The $100,000 Pyramid Herself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Episode #6.5"
Celebrity Squares Herself 2 episodes
Be Someone Tanika Williams Main Cast
Act Your Age Keisha Main Cast
Pantheon Pasha (voice) Episode: "Joey Coupet"
2024 Good Times: Black Again Various Roles (voice) Recurring Cast
Lopez vs Lopez Dr. Glenda Brenda Episode: "Lopez Vs. George"
Kite Man: Hell Yeah! Tawny (voice) Recurring Cast
Everybody Still Hates Chris Juanita "Peaches" Clarkson (voice) Recurring Cast

Music Videos

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Year Artist Song Role
1996 Toni Braxton "You're Makin' Me High" Friend
1999 Will Smith featuring K-Ci "Will 2K" Herself
2011 Mindless Behavior "Hello" Mother

Documentary

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Year Title
2011 Kiss and Tell: The History of Black Romance in Movie

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1991 Independent Spirit Award "Best Supporting Female" House Party Nominated
1996 Image Award "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series" Martin Nominated
1997 Image Award "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series" Martin Nominated
2002 Image Award "Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series" My Wife and Kids Nominated
2003 Image Award "Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series" My Wife and Kids Won
2004 Image Award "Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series" My Wife and Kids Nominated
2004 BET Comedy Award "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series" My Wife and Kids Won
2005 Image Award "Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series" My Wife and Kids Nominated
2005 BET Comedy Award "Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series" Shared with: Various My Wife and Kids Nominated
2009 Image Award "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series" Rita Rocks Nominated
2010 Image Award "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series" Rita Rocks Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "Tisha Campbell-Martin".
  2. ^ "A Brief History, Newark Arts High School". Archived from the original on April 19, 2008. Retrieved August 10, 2008.
  3. ^ "Intimate Portrait". Youtube. August 23, 2011.
  4. ^ "Mona Campbell". IMDB.
  5. ^ a b "Actress Tisha Campbell Comes From a Line of Talented Singers". Distractify. June 16, 2022. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  6. ^ "Woman Learns Her Long Lost Sister Is Tisha Campbell-Martin on The Real". October 15, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "Clifton Vernon Ethridge "Cliff" Campbell Jr". November 7, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  8. ^ "Tisha Campbell Recounts Devastating Details Of Her Childhood Rape". NewsOne. October 3, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  9. ^ "Sprung". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  10. ^ "The Last Place on Earth". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  11. ^ "Disorderly Conduct". People.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 4, 2010). "Disney Channel Casts Its Next Big Musical". Deadline. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  13. ^ "Dr. Ken Series Premiere Date Announced". ABC Go. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  14. ^ "The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  15. ^ "The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar - Lifetime". Mylifetime.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  16. ^ Petski, Denise (February 27, 2018). "Tisha Campbell-Martin Cast In ABC Drama Pilot From Robin Roberts & Regina King". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  17. ^ "People are Talking About". Jet. Vol. 83, no. 6. Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company. November 30, 1992. p. 61. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  18. ^ "Tisha Campbell Martin released the song "Steel Here"". Billboard. Los Angeles, California: Eldridge Industries. September 23, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  19. ^ "Tisha Campbell Martin Drops Her New Song "Lazy B*tch"". In Flex We Trust. February 24, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  20. ^ Tisha Campbell-Martin (February 2, 2018). "Tisha Campbell - I Don't Wanna Be Alone Tonight". YouTube. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  21. ^ "New Music: Tisha Campbell-Martin feat. Rich the Kid – 'Don't Wanna Be Alone'". Rap-up.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  22. ^ Tisha Campbell-Martin (October 6, 2019). "Tisha Campbell - 22 Summers". YouTube. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  23. ^ Shaver, Shosanna (June 6, 2013). "Not Just Another Celebrity Charity Event: Holly Robinson-Peete and Tisha Campbell-Martin are Trailblazers in Advocacy for Autism". Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  24. ^ Sangweni, Yolanda (October 27, 2020). "EXCLUSIVE: Tisha Campbell-Martin on Raising Autism Awareness at MegaFest". Essence. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  25. ^ Happy 15th Anniversary To The Martins, simplytisha.com; accessed February 2, 2016.
  26. ^ Aiello, McKeena (February 22, 2018). "Tisha Campbell-Martin Files for Divorce From Husband Duane Martin". E!. Los Angeles, California: NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  27. ^ Chung, Gabrielle (December 18, 2020). "Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin Finalize Divorce 2 Years After Announcing Split". People.
  28. ^ "Tisha Campbell Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Martin Lawrence". Jet. Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company. January 27, 1997. Retrieved March 15, 2018 – via Google Books.
  29. ^ "Martin Lawternce Ends Sitcom, 'Martin', In Fifth Season". Jet. Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company. April 28, 1997. Retrieved March 15, 2018 – via Google Books.
  30. ^ Murphy, Helen (January 17, 2020). "Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell Say They're 'Good' Despite Harassment Lawsuit in the '90s". People. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  31. ^ Patterson, Adreon (January 18, 2020). "Martin Lawrence & Tisha Campbell reinforce their friendship on Instagram". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
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