Tanya Wright

Tanya Patrice Wright (born May 3, 1971) is an American entrepreneur, actress and author. Born and raised in South Bronx, NY, Tanya has always been drawn to a life in the arts. Her first creative award was given to her in 5th grade as "best writer," which she was given for her imaginative story about a Christmas tree. Tanya studied Comparative Literature at Vassar College, and after her graduation, she went on to be offered her first main-line acting gig: Tanya Simpson on The Cosby Show. She is best known for her starring on Buddies as Phyllis Brooks, 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.[1]

Tanya Wright
Born
Tanya Patrice Wright

(1971-05-03) May 3, 1971
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
OccupationActress, entrepreneur, author
Years active1986–present

Career

Over the course of her career, Tanya made the decision to start wearing her hair naturally.[2] Tanya wrote a book entitled Butterfly Rising,[3] which was released on August 5, 2012.[4] Tanya is also a screenwriter, having written the screenplay for her book, for which she will also be directing and producing.[5]

Wright started a haircare line called HAIRiette in which some the proceeds go to The Actor's Fund.[6]

She starred in the play The Little Birch Tree in elementary school which started her acting career. While attending Vassar, she audition and landed a role in The Cosby Show.

Awards
  • Tanya is a two-time winner of the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) Award, Best Acting Ensemble for her portrayal of Crystal Burset in Orange is the New Black.
  • Tanya is the recipient of SOBRO's "Most innovative Business" Award for HAIRiette.[1]

Personal life

Tanya Wright was born in the Spring of 1971 in The Bronx[7] to a 15 year old mother.

Tanya is an alumna of the Oliver Scholars Program and graduated high school from George School, a private Quaker school. She received a degree in Independent Studies/Comparative Literature at Vassar College.[5]

Filmography[8]
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1998 Mama Flora's Family Ernestine
1999 Mutiny Role Unknown
2001 The Brothers LaMuzindah
2005 Ralph & Stanley Dr. Reynolds Short
2010 Butterfly Rising Rose
2011 Aide-de-Camp Anna Short
2012 Why Stop Now Lisa
Beyond Control Tina Currently in post-production
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1986 The Cosby Show Tanya Simpson Two Episodes: The Card Game and Man Talk
1991 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Girlfriend One Episode: Boy Meets Girl
1994 Beverly Hills, 90210 Assistant One Episode: Intervention
1995 Living Single Tanya One Episode: If the Crew Fits
Family Matters India One Episode: We're Going to Disney World: Part 2
1996 The Wayans Bros. Toya One Episode: The Odd Couples
Buddies Phyllis Brooks Thirteen Episodes:
The Jamie Foxx Show Casey Coles Five Episodes:
1999 Moesha Andrea Good Vibrations? and Fired Up
2000–2001 The District Laura Clayson and Annette Haywood One Episode: Imperfect Victims and Running Towards Fire
2001–2002 24 Patty Brooks Eight Episodes:
2002 NYPD Blue Officer Maya Anderson Six Episodes: Better Laid than Never: Part I, Better Laid than Never: Part II, Ho Down, You've Got Mail, One in the Nuts and Maya Con Dios
2003–2004 The Handler Marcy Sixteen Episodes:
2004 Strong Medicine Lily's Mother One Episode: Touched by an Idol
2006 The War at Home Adrienne One Episode: It's a Living (Part 2)
Windfall Dr. Bailey One Episode: Urgent Care
2007 ER Megan Strand One Episode: Sea Change
Standoff Diana Marsh One Episode: Lie to Me
2008–2012,2014 True Blood Deputy Kenya Jones

recurring

2013–present Orange Is the New Black Crystal recurring
2014 The Good Wife Liana Depaul One Episode: Message Discipline

References
  1. "Tanya Wright". IMDb. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  2. Chai (June 10, 2012). "True Blood Actress Tanya Wright Discusses Her Natural Hair". Transitioning Movement. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  3. Chai (August 6, 2010). "Archive for the 'Tanya Wright' Category". Sookie Stackhouse. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  4. Wright, Tanya (August 5, 2010). Butterfly Rising – Tanya Wright. ISBN 978-1453650363.
  5. Sanders, Janean (August 9, 2012). "True Blood's Tanya Wright Discusses Her Many Talents and Passions". True Blood Net. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  6. "About". HAIRiette1. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  7. Wilkov, Jennifer (February 22, 2011). ""Your Book Is Your Hook!" – Actress Tanya Wright's Debut Novel & Operation Virtual Agent". Women's Radio. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  8. "Tanya Wright". IMDb. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
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