Tisha Campbell-Martin

Tisha Michelle Campbell (born October 13, 1968) is an American actress.

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 & best friend, Tichina Arnold.

She made her screen debut appearing in the 1986 rock musical comedy film Little Shop of Horrors, and later starred on the short-lived NBC musical comedy drama Rags to Riches (1987–1988).

After graduating from the Arts High School in Newark, she moved to Hollywood, where she became a star on the short lived 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.

She has appeared in films including School Daze (1988), Rooftops (1989), Another 48 Hrs. (1990), Boomerang (1992), and Sprung (1997).

In 1989, Campbell costarred in the crime film Rooftops, and the following year starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the action comedy Another 48 Hrs..

She received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for playing Sidney in the comedy film House Party (1990).

Her most notable film credit is 1990 comedy House Party for which she received Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female nomination.

She reprises the role of Sidney in the sequels House Party 2 (1991) and House Party 3 (1994).

She later co starred in its two sequels; House Party 2 (1991), and House Party 3 (1994).

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.

She later appeared in a supporting role in the 1992 romantic comedy Boomerang, also starring Murphy.

In 1992, Campbell was cast as Regina "Gina" Waters-Payne in the Fox comedy series Martin.

In 1997, she received her star billed role in the Trimark Pictures' comedy film Sprung.

She left the show in April 1997, after settling the lawsuit against Martin Lawrence of sexual harassment.

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.

She later had the leading role in the independent drama film The Last Place on Earth (2002), 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 2003, she won NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role.

The series ran for five seasons, until 2005.

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).

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.

Her mother, Mona (née Raye) Shockley (now known as Mona Washington), was a nurse, talent manager, gospel singer, and vocal coach.

Her father, Clifton Campbell, was a factory worker and singer.

Also a chess master, he works with underprivileged children.

Her parents encouraged her love for music.

Campbell has an older brother, three younger brothers, and a younger sister.

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.

During a 2014 appearance on the daytime talk show The Daily Helpline, Campbell said that she was raped at age three by a male family friend who was baby-sitting her at the time.

In September 2015, she was cast in the ABC sitcom Dr. Ken, starring Ken Jeong.

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.

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.