Tisha Campbell Explained

Tisha Campbell
Birth Name:Tisha Michelle Campbell[1]
Birth Date:13 October 1968
Birth Place:Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Years Active:1977–present
Children:2
Alias:Tisha Campbell-Martin
Module:
Embed:yes
Background:solo_singer
Origin:Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Instruments:Vocals
Associated Acts:Tichina Arnold, Keith Washington

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).

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

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] 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

Acting

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 April 1997, after settling the lawsuit against Martin Lawrence of sexual harassment.[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. The series ran for five seasons, until 2005. In 2003, she won NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role.

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

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

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

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

See main article: Tisha Campbell discography.

Studio albums

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977The Magnificent MajorDaisy BunsenShort
1980The Me Nobody KnowsLillie-MaeTV movie
1986Little Shop of HorrorsChiffon
1988School DazeJane Toussaint
1989RooftopsAmber
1990House PartySidney
Another 48 Hrs.Amy Smith
1991House Party 2Sidney
1992BoomerangYvonne
1994House Party 3Sidney
1996Sledge (voice)
SnitchSteimer
1997SprungBrandy
1998The Sweetest GiftRuby WilsonTV movie
2001Down to EarthWoman in Audience
2002The Last Place on EarthAnn Field
2008Zack and Miri Make a PornoAngelina
2009Pastor BrownAmanda Carlton
2010Wright vs. WrongSashaTV movie
2011Lemonade MouthJenny ReznickTV movie
2018BlindspottingMama Liz
The Simone Biles Story: Courage to SoarNellie BilesTV movie
2021The J TeamCoach Poppy
2023Every Breath She TakesDetective Charice WalkerTV movie
2024Not Another Church MovieFlora Black

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
Rags to RichesMarva FoleyMain Cast
1990Shannon's DealAnnetteEpisode: "Inside Straight"
1991A Different WorldJosie Webb2 episodes
The Fresh Prince of Bel AirKathleenEpisode: "Did the Earth Move for You?"
BlossomToni2 episodes
1992RocAngela KimbroEpisode: "A Piece of the Roc"
1992–97MartinGina Waters-PayneMain Cast
1993It's Showtime at the ApolloHerselfEpisode: "Episode #6.24"
1993–95Soul TrainHerself/Guest HostRecurring Guest
1994An Evening at the ImprovHerself/HostEpisode: "Episode #13.7"
1995Rapunzel (voice)Episode: "Rapunzel"
1997DuckmanEbony Sable (voice) Episode: "Ebony, Baby"
Between BrothersDaisyEpisode: "Dusty's in Love"
1998Getting PersonalMichelle/SandyEpisode: "Milo Does the Darndest Things"
Linc'sRosalee LincolnRecurring Cast
Cousin SkeeterHerself (voice)Episode: "A Family Thing"
1999Intimate PortraitHerselfEpisode: "Pam Grier"
WastelandOliviaEpisode: "The Object of My Affection"
2000Goldie (voice)Episode: "The Steadfast Tin Soldier"
Sabrina, the Teenage WitchJoyceEpisode: "The Halloween Scene"
2001Cousin SkeeterNicole (voice)Recurring Cast: Season 3
2001–05My Wife and KidsJanet Marie "Jay" KyleMain Cast
2002Intimate PortraitHerselfEpisode: "Tisha Campbell-Martin"
2003Switched!HerselfEpisode: "Jennifer and Aubrey"
Ripley's Believe It or Not!HerselfEpisode: "Season Premiere!"
The Proud FamilyRene (voice)Episode: "There's Something About Rene"
2004The Sharon Osbourne ShowHerself/Guest Co-HostEpisode: "Feb 26, 2004"
Punk'dHerselfEpisode: "Episode #3.2"
2004–06All of UsCarmen JamesGuest: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 3-4
2007E! True Hollywood StoryHerselfEpisode: "Will Smith"
2008The GameHerselfEpisode: "A Delectable Basket of Treats"
2008–09Everybody Hates ChrisJuanita "Peaches" ClarksonRecurring Cast: Season 4
Rita RocksPatty MannixMain Cast
2010Private Chefs of Beverly HillsHerselfEpisode: "Challah Back"
2011The TalkHerself/Guest Co-HostEpisode: "Episode #1.131"
The Paul Reiser ShowMaggieEpisode: "The Old Guy"
The ProtectorMichelle DulcettMain Cast
2012Tamar & VinceHerselfEpisode: "Are You Ready for Tamar?!?"
Robot ChickenEpisode: "Casablankman 2"
Private PracticePam ReiterEpisode: "You Don't Know What You've Got Til It's Gone"
2013Malibu CountryRikkiEpisode: "Bowling for Mama"
2013–16Real Husbands of HollywoodHerselfRecurring Cast
2014The Daily HelplineHerself/Co-HostEpisode: "Tisha Campbell-Martin I & II"
2015Unsung HollywoodHerselfEpisode: "Vivica A. Fox"
UnsungHerselfEpisode: "Kid 'n Play"
2015–17Dr. KenDamona WatkinsMain Cast
2015–20The RealHerself/Guest Co-HostRecurring Guest Co-Host: Season 2 & 6
2016It's Not You, It's MenHerselfEpisode: ""Men-ogamy""
Kocktails with KhloéHerselfEpisode: "Khloé Kardashian Spills the Tea"
FABLifeHerself/Guest Co-HostEpisode: "Episode #1.142"
Hollywood Today LiveHerself/Guest Co-HostRecurring Guest Co-Host
The $100,000 PyramidHerself/Celebrity PlayerEpisode: "Episode #1.3"
2016–17Legends of Chamberlain HeightsAdditional Voices (voice)Recurring Cast
2017–18Hip Hop SquaresHerselfRecurring Guest
2018Meet the PeetesHerselfEpisode: "The Guilt Trip"
RuPaul's Drag RaceHerself/Guest JudgeEpisode: "The Last Ball on Earth"
Match GameHerselfEpisode: "Tisha Campbell-Martin/Adam Carolla/Mark Duplass"
Long Island MediumHerselfEpisode: "Sitcom Spirits"
Grey's AnatomyLila's MomEpisode: "All of Me"
2018–19, 2024UncensoredHerself3 episodes
2018–19EmpireBrooke Recurring Cast: Season 3-4
2018–2025 Words or LessHerself/Contestant Recurring Guest
Craig of the CreekKim/Shatanya (voice)Guest: Season 1 & 3, Recurring Cast: Season 2
2018–21Soul Train Music AwardsHerself/Co-HostMain Co-Host
2019The Bold and the BeautifulDr. DavisRegular Cast
2019–20Last Man StandingCarol LarabeeRecurring Cast: Season 7-8
2019–23Harley QuinnAdditional Voices (voice)Recurring Cast
2020Entertainment TonightHerself/Guest Co-HostEpisode: "Ben Affleck in Hollywood!"
OutmatchedRitaMain Cast
2021Celebrity Family FeudHerself/Celebrity Player Episode: "Episode #8.7"
2021–22Inside JobGigi Thompson (voice)Main Cast
2022UncoupledSuzanne PrentissMain Cast
2023Name That TuneHerself/ContestantEpisode: "Name That TV Star"
See It Loud: The History of Black TelevisionHerselfRecurring Guest
The $100,000 PyramidHerself/Celebrity PlayerEpisode: "Episode #6.5"
Celebrity SquaresHerself2 episodes
Be SomeoneTanika WilliamsMain Cast
Act Your AgeKeishaMain Cast
PantheonPasha (voice)Episode: "Joey Coupet"
2024Lopez vs LopezDr. Glenda BrendaEpisode: "Lopez Vs. George"

Music Videos

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

Documentary

Awards and nominations

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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tisha Campbell-Martin.
  2. Web site: A Brief History, Newark Arts High School. August 10, 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080419035207/http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/arts/a_brief_history.htm. April 19, 2008.
  3. Web site: Intimate Portrait. Youtube. August 23, 2011 .
  4. Web site: Mona Campbell. IMDB.
  5. Web site: Actress Tisha Campbell Comes From a Line of Talented Singers. Distractify. June 16, 2022. February 12, 2023.
  6. Web site: Woman Learns Her Long Lost Sister Is Tisha Campbell-Martin on The Real. October 15, 2019. January 2, 2021.
  7. Web site: Clifton Vernon Ethridge "Cliff" Campbell Jr.. November 7, 2023. March 19, 2024.
  8. Web site: Tisha Campbell Recounts Devastating Details Of Her Childhood Rape. NewsOne. October 3, 2019. January 2, 2021.
  9. Web site: Sprung. Rottentomatoes.com. March 15, 2018.
  10. Web site: The Last Place on Earth. Rotten Tomatoes. March 15, 2018.
  11. Web site: Disorderly Conduct. People.com. March 15, 2018.
  12. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . 2010-08-04 . Disney Channel Casts Its Next Big Musical . 2024-02-16 . Deadline . en-US.
  13. Web site: Dr. Ken Series Premiere Date Announced . ABC Go . September 8, 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150904013942/http://abc.go.com/shows/dr-ken/news/updates/dr-ken-series-premiere-20150610 . September 4, 2015 .
  14. Web site: The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar. Rotten Tomatoes. March 15, 2018.
  15. Web site: The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar - Lifetime. Mylifetime.com. March 15, 2018.
  16. Web site: Tisha Campbell-Martin Cast In ABC Drama Pilot From Robin Roberts & Regina King. Denise. Petski. February 27, 2018. Deadline Hollywood. March 15, 2018.
  17. People are Talking About. March 20, 2011. Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. Chicago, Illinois. 83. 6. 61. 0021-5996. November 30, 1992.
  18. Tisha Campbell Martin released the song "Steel Here". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Los Angeles, California. September 23, 2015. January 1, 2016.
  19. Web site: Tisha Campbell Martin Drops Her New Song "Lazy B*tch". In Flex We Trust. February 24, 2016. February 25, 2016.
  20. Web site: Tisha Campbell - I Don't Wanna Be Alone Tonight. Tisha Campbell-Martin. February 2, 2018. March 15, 2018. YouTube.
  21. Web site: New Music: Tisha Campbell-Martin feat. Rich the Kid – 'Don't Wanna Be Alone'. Rap-up.com. March 15, 2018.
  22. Web site: Tisha Campbell - 22 Summers. Tisha Campbell-Martin. October 6, 2019. October 7, 2019. YouTube.
  23. News: Shosanna. Shaver. Not Just Another Celebrity Charity Event: Holly Robinson-Peete and Tisha Campbell-Martin are Trailblazers in Advocacy for Autism. Los Angeles Sentinel. June 6, 2013. January 2, 2021.
  24. Yolanda. Sangweni. EXCLUSIVE: Tisha Campbell-Martin on Raising Autism Awareness at MegaFest. Essence. October 27, 2020. January 2, 2021.
  25. http://simplytisha.com/fanzone-2/happy-anniversary-to-tisha-and-duane Happy 15th Anniversary To The Martins
  26. Web site: McKeena. Aiello. Tisha Campbell-Martin Files for Divorce From Husband Duane Martin. E!. NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group. Los Angeles, California. February 22, 2018. February 23, 2018.
  27. Web site: Gabrielle. Chung. Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin Finalize Divorce 2 Years After Announcing Split. People. December 18, 2020.
  28. Tisha Campbell Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Martin Lawrence. Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. Chicago, Illinois. January 27, 1997. March 15, 2018. Google Books.
  29. Martin Lawternce Ends Sitcom, 'Martin', In Fifth Season. Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. Chicago, Illinois. April 28, 1997. March 15, 2018. Google Books.
  30. Helen. Murphy. Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell Say They're 'Good' Despite Harassment Lawsuit in the '90s. People. January 17, 2020. January 2, 2021.
  31. Web site: Adreon. Patterson. Martin Lawrence & Tisha Campbell reinforce their friendship on Instagram. hiphopdx.com. January 18, 2020. January 2, 2021.