Born: November 12, 1974
Age: 50
Birthplace: Pasadena, California, U.S.
Tamala R. Jones (born November 12, 1974) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles in the movies Booty Call, The Wood, Kingdom Come, The Brothers, and Two Can Play That Game. She is also best known for television roles as Tina, the recurring character on Veronica's Closet, Bobbi Seawright on For Your Love, which ran from 1998 to 2002, and Lanie Parish on the ABC crime drama Castle.
Jones was born in Pasadena, California and attended John Marshall High School with Actress Lark Vorhees and Actor Jaleel White. She began her career as a model, appearing in magazine and television commercials.
Her first acting role was a guest appearance on the teen sitcom California Dreams. She went on to play a student in the short-lived ABC drama Dangerous Minds. Jones had co-starring roles on the 1998-2002 series For Your Love and the short-lived The Tracy Morgan Show. She had a recurring role as Tonya, an old girlfriend of Flex's (seasons one and five) on One on One. She has guest-starred on other television series, including The Parent 'Hood, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Veronica's Closet, My Name Is Earl, Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, and Malcolm & Eddie.
In 1993, Jones appeared in the music video for "Give It Up, Turn It Loose" by En Vogue. In 2001, she was in the music video for "Girls, Girls, Girls" by rapper Jay-Z with fellow actresses Paula Jai Parker and Carmen Electra. Also that year, Jones was featured in the music video for "Gravel Pit" by Wu-Tang Clan.
Her film credits include Booty Call, The Wood, and Kingdom Come. Jones also has a small role in the film Up in the Air.
She appeared in the music video for the song "Independent" by rapper Webbie as a female black President of the United States.
In 2003, she dated rapper Nate Dogg after the two met on the set of Chris Rock's film Head of State.
In 2006, she had her breasts surgically enhanced. Of them, she said, "I did my homework and looked for a specialist. I didn't go to any ol' body to get them done. I went to someone who works on breast cancer patients, and he creates a breast that look and feel real. I can't wait to get a movie part where I can show them to you guys. In the right part in the right movie, I am willing to show these babies."
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1995 | How to Make an American Quilt | Anna's Great Grandmother | |
1997 | Booty Call | Nikki | |
1998 | Can't Hardly Wait | Cindi | |
1999 | Wood, TheThe Wood | Tanya | |
1999 | Blue Streak | Janiece | |
2000 | Next Friday | D'wana | |
2000 | Turn It Up | Kia | |
2000 | How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog | Laura Leeton | |
2000 | Ladies Man, TheThe Ladies Man | Theresa | |
2001 | Kingdom Come | Nadine | |
2001 | Brothers, TheThe Brothers | Sheila West | |
2001 | Two Can Play That Game | Tracey Johnson | |
2001 | On the Line | Jackie | |
2003 | Head of State | Lisa Clark | |
2004 | Nora's Hair Salon | Clorie | |
2005 | Long Distance | Margaret Wright | |
2006 | Confessions | Tory Adams | |
2007 | What Love Is | Katherine | |
2007 | Who's Your Caddy? | Shannon | |
2007 | Daddy Day Camp | Kim Hinton | |
2008 | American Dream | Keisha | |
2008 | Show Stoppers | Renee | |
2008 | Hustle, TheThe Hustle | Nikki | |
2008 | Who's Deal? | Mrs. Watson | |
2009 | Up in the Air | Karen Barnes | |
2009 | Janky Promoters, TheThe Janky Promoters | Regina | |
2009 | Busted | JJ | |
2009 | Laredo | Maggie | Short film |
2011 | 35 and Ticking | Victoria | |
2013 | Things Never Said | Daphne | |
2013 | Yellow Ribbon | Karen Rutty | Short film |
2014 | Act of Faith | Jacqueline | |
2014 | Box, TheThe Box | Adeline | Short film |
2014 | Shaker Pointe | Martha Spears |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1995 | Parent 'Hood, TheThe Parent 'Hood | Yvonne | Episode: "The Bully Pulpit" |
1995 | Our Own, OnOn Our Own | Grace | Episode: "Obstacle Illusion" |
1995 | Wayans Bros., TheThe Wayans Bros. | Wanda | Episode: "Shawn Takes a New Stand" |
1995 | Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, TheThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Tiffany | Episode: "Not, I Barbecue" |
1995 | ER | Joanie Robbins | Episodes: "The Birthday Party", "Motherhood" |
1996 | JAG | Nia | Episode: "The Brotherhood" |
1996 | Dangerous Minds | Callie Timmons | TV series |
1997 | Malcolm & Eddie | Caroline | Episode: "Two Men and a Baby" |
1997-1999 | Veronica's Closet | Tina | Recurring role (8 episodes) |
1998-2002 | For Your Love | Bobbie Seawright | Main role (84 episodes) |
2000 | Little Richard | Lucille | TV film |
2001 | ER | Joanie Robbins | Episode: "Four Corners" |
2001-2005 | One on One | Tonya | Recurring role (10 episodes) |
2002 | Couples | Julia | TV film |
2003-2004 | Tracy Morgan Show, TheThe Tracy Morgan Show | Alicia Mitchell | Main role (18 episodes) |
2005 | Nadine in Date Land | Star | TV film |
2005 | Love, Inc. | Terri | Episode: "Bosom Buddies" |
2006 | Ghost Whisperer | Amy Wright | Episode: "Drowned Lives" |
2006 | CSI: Miami | Katie Watson | Episode: "Going, Going, Gone" |
2006 | Flirt | Stevie Ridge | TV film |
2007 | Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip | Claire | Episode: "The Disaster Show" |
2007 | My Name Is Earl | Liberty Washington | Recurring role (4 episodes) |
2007 | Protect and Serve | Sharon Harvey | TV film |
2009 | Everybody Hates Chris | Darlene | Episode: "Everybody Hates Boxing" |
2009-2016 | Castle | Lanie Parish | Regular role |
2010 | Party Down | Mary Ellison | Episode: "James Ellison Funeral" |
2012 | Soul Man, TheThe Soul Man | Yvette | Episode: "My Old Flame" |
2012 | King Bachelor's Pad | Lt. Murray | Episode: "Sherlock Homeboy" |
2015 | Megachurch Murder | Martha Spears | TV film |