Tamala Jones

Tamala Jones
Jones at the 2012 PaleyFest honoring ABC's Castle.
Born	Tamala Ronni Jones (1974-11-12) November 12, 1974 Pasadena, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1995–present

Tamala Ronni 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 currently stars on the ABC television show Castle as medical examiner Lanie Parish.

Early life

Jones was born in Pasadena, California. She began her career as a model, appearing in magazine and television commercials.

Career

Her first acting role was a guest appearance on the teen sitcom California Dreams. She had her first major television role playing 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.

Personal life

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."

Filmography

Film

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	The 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	The Ladies Man	Theresa
2001	Kingdom Come	Nadine
2001	The 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	The Hustle	Nikki
2008	Who's Deal?	Mrs. Watson
2009	Up in the Air	Karen Barnes
2009	The 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	The Box	Adeline	Short film
2014	Shaker Pointe	Martha Spears

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1995	The Parent 'Hood	Yvonne	Episode: "The Bully Pulpit"
1995	The Wayans Bros.	Wanda	Episode: "Shawn Takes a New Stand"
1995	The 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	The 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–present	Castle	Lanie Parish	Regular role
2010	Party Down	Mary Ellison	Episode: "James Ellison Funeral"
2012	The Soul Man	Yvette	Episode: "My Old Flame"
2012	King Bachelor's Pad	Lt. Murray	Episode: "Sherlock Homeboy"
2015	Megachurch Murder	Martha Spears	TV film

External links

• Tamala Jones at the Internet Movie Database