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Malinda Williams

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Malinda Williams
File:Malinda Williams crop.jpg
Williams in 2007
Born (1975-09-24) September 24, 1975 (age 49)[1]
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Spouse(s)Mekhi Phifer (1999-2003; divorced)
D-Nice (2008-2010; divorced)
Children1

Malinda Williams (born September 24, 1975)[1] is an American actress and producer. She began her career on television, before appearing in films A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996), High School High (1996), and The Wood (1999).

From 2000 to 2004, Williams starred as Tracy "Bird" Van Adams in the Showtime drama series Soul Food, for which she received three NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series nominations. After starring role in the short-lived NBC drama series Windfall, Williams returned to film playing supporting roles in Idlewild (2006), Daddy's Little Girls (2007), First Sunday (2008), and 2 Days in New York (2012).

Early life

Williams was born on September 24, 1975 in Elizabeth, New Jersey to Fred and Beverly Williams. She has two sisters, Leslie Dunn and Lisa Sorensen. Her family moved to Westfield, New Jersey, and Williams graduated from Westfield High School. [2] She attended Union County College in Elizabeth.

Career

Williams with D-Nice in June 2006

Williams made her television debut in an episode of The Cosby Show in 1987.[3] She guest starred on Miami Vice, Roc, My So-Called Life, Sister, Sister, Moesha, and NYPD Blue. In film, she made her debut in the 1996 dark comedy-romance film A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, starring Martin Lawrence and Lynn Whitfield. Later that year, she co-starred in Sunset Park with Rhea Perlman, and High School High alongside Mekhi Phifer. From 1997 to 1998, she had a starring role in The WB sitcom Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher. In 1999, she appeared in the romantic comedy film The Wood and the following year in the thriller Uninvited Guest, starring Mekhi Phifer.

Williams is best known for her role as Tracy "Bird" Van Adams in the Showtime drama series Soul Food, a continuation of the successful 1997 film of the same name.[3] It also starred Nicole Ari Parker and Vanessa A. Williams. Nia Long played Tracy in the 1997 film. For her performance, Williams received three NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series nominations.[4] The series aired from 2000 to 2004. Soul Food went on to be the longest running drama with a predominantly black cast in the history of American prime-time television.[5]

She later guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and was a regular cast member on the short-lived NBC drama series Windfall in 2006.[6]

In 2006, Williams appeared in the musical film Idlewild. The following year, she co-starred in the Tyler Perry's romantic comedy-drama Daddy's Little Girls. In 2008, she appeared in First Sunday opposite Ice Cube. She then starred in several independent films. In 2012, Williams co-starred as Chris Rock's sister in the romantic comedy film 2 Days in New York.[7] Between 2013 and 2015, she played the leading role in the Up network's television film Marry Me for Christmas, and its two sequels Marry Us for Christmas and A Baby for Christmas.[8] In 2013, she began hosting the Aspire network's television talk show Exhale.[9] She also starred in two films for TV One: Girlfriends' Getaway and its sequel Girlfriends' Getaway 2 in 2014 and 2015, alongside Garcelle Beauvais, Terri J. Vaughn and Essence Atkins.[10][11] In 2015, Williams also had a supporting role in David O. Russell's comedy film Accidental Love.[12]

Personal life

Williams was married to actor Mekhi Phifer and the two had a son, Omikaye Phifer.[13] In August 2008, she married D-Nice; they divorced in 2010.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Laurel Avenue Sheila Arnett Television film
1996 A Thin Line Between Love and Hate Erica Wright
1996 Sunset Park Cheryl
1996 High School High Natalie Thompson
1997 Damn Whitey Malinda Short film
1999 Uninvited Guest Tammy
1999 The Wood Alicia Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Actress
2000 Dancing in September Rhonda
2005 Exposure Woman Short film
2006 Idlewild Zora
2007 Daddy's Little Girls Maya
2008 First Sunday Tianna
2009 A Day in the Life Boopsy
2012 The Undershepherd Casandra American Black Film Festival Award for Best Performance
2012 2 Days in New York Elizabeth
2012 Back Then Andrea 'Dre' Devine
2012 Side by Side Herself
2012 A Cross to Bear Fae Television film
2013 24 Hour Love PJ
2013 Marry Me for Christmas Marci Jewel Television film
2014 Percentage Cassandra
2014 Girlfriends' Getaway Camille
2014 Marry Us for Christmas Marci Jewel Television film
2015 Accidental Love Rakeesha
2015 Girlfriends Getaway 2 Camille
2015 A Baby for Christmas Marci Jewel

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1987 The Cosby Show Althea Logan Episode: "Calling Doctor Huxtable"
1990 The Cosby Show Shana Episode: "Denise Kendall: Singles Counselor"
1990 Miami Vice Lynette Episode: "Too Much, Too Late"
1993 Roc Celina Episode: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Father"
1994 South Central Candi Episodes: "Dad" and "Gun: Part 2"
1994 My So-Called Life Yvette Episode: "The Substitute"
1994 Me and the Boys Elizabeth Episode: "Bad Influence"
1994-1995 Sister, Sister Tyra Episodes: "Get a Job" and "Field Trip"
1995 Under One Roof Tamika Episode: "Secrets"
1995 The Client Zora Ward Episode: "Them That Has..."
1996 Moesha Taylor Recurring role, 3 episodes
1996 The John Larroquette Show Shanelle Episode: "When Yussel Learned to Yodel"
1996 NYPD Blue Annette Morris Episode: "Ted and Carey's Bogus Adventure"
1997 Dangerous Minds Lashawn Episode: "The Feminine Mystique"
1997-1998 Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher Tasha Morrison Series regular, 21 episodes
2000 Movie Stars Bianca Episode: "La Vida Loca"
2000-2004 Soul Food Tracy "Bird" Van Adams Series regular, 74 episodes
Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (2003-2005)
2003 Half & Half Myra Episode: "The Big Much 'I Do' About Nothing Episode"
2004 The Division Tanya Episode: "Play Ball"
2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Lori-Ann Dufoy Episode: "Careless"
2004 The District Rennee Episodes: "A.K.A" and "The Black Widow Maker"
2006 Windfall Kimberly George Series regular, 5 episodes

Music videos

References

  1. ^ a b "Malinda Williams on Twitter". https://twitter.com/MalinsWorld/status/514846131902484480. Retrieved 2014-11-04. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  2. ^ Paglia, Bernice. "Actress helps out Plainfield students", Courier News (New Jersey), June 6, 2002. Accessed March 5, 2011. "Her family moved to Westfield when she was about 12 she said and she graduated from Westfield High School."
  3. ^ a b "Malinda Williams". Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  4. ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0931227/awards?ref_=nm_awd
  5. ^ "No black dramas left on television". TODAY.com. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Shows A-Z - windfall on nbc - TheFutonCritic.com". Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  7. ^ "2 Days in New York". 10 August 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Malinda Williams, Victoria Rowell Start Production On UP's A Baby for Christmas". Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  9. ^ Tambay A. Obenson (26 April 2013). "Issa Rae, Malinda Williams Will Co-Host New ASPiRE Talksh - Shadow and Act". Shadow and Act. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  10. ^ Tambay A. Obenson (23 July 2014). "TV One Gets Into Original Movies. Will Premiere 'Girlfrie - Shadow and Act". Shadow and Act. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  11. ^ Tambay A. Obenson (27 July 2015). "TV One's Original Movie 'Girlfriends Getaway 2' Reunites - Shadow and Act". Shadow and Act. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  12. ^ Luke Ryan Baldock (18 June 2015). "Accidental Love Review". The Hollywood News. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  13. ^ Essence , June 1999. Accessed June 17, 2007: "The Westfield, New Jersey, native is Mekhi Phifer's tres happy honey."
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