Malinda Williams
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).
Malinda Williams | |
---|---|
Williams and D-Nice in June 2006 | |
Born | |
Other names | Malinda Williams-Phifer |
Occupation | Actress, producer |
Years active | 1987–present |
Spouse(s) | Tariq Walker ( m. after 2020) |
Children | 1 |
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 Awards 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).
Career
Williams made her television debut in an episode of The Cosby Show in 1987.[2] 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 black comedy-romance film A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. Later that year, she co-starred in Sunset Park and High School High. 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.
Williams is best known for her role as Bird in the Showtime drama series Soul Food, a continuation of the successful 1997 film of the same name.[2] It also starred Nicole Ari Parker and Vanessa Estelle Williams. For her performance, Williams received three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series nominations. 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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5] 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.[6] In 2013, she began hosting the Aspire network's television talk show Exhale.[7] 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.[8][9] In 2015, Williams also had a supporting role in David O. Russell's comedy film Accidental Love.[10]
Personal life
Williams was married to actor Mekhi Phifer and the two had a son. In August 2008, she married D-Nice; they filed for divorce in February 2010[11] and it was finalized on June 14, 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 | 2 Days in New York | Elizabeth Robinson | |
2012 | Back Then | Andrea 'Dre' Devine | |
2012 | The Undershepherd | Casandra | American Black Film Festival Award for Best Performance |
2012 | A Cross to Bear | Fae | Television film |
2012 | Side by Side | Herself | |
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 | |
2016 | Merry Christmas, Baby | Marci Jewel | Television Film |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1987-1990 | The Cosby Show | Althea Logan/Shana | Episode: "Calling Doctor Huxtable" / Episode: "Denise Kendall: Singles Counselor" |
1989 | 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 | NYPD Blue | Annette Morris | Episode: "Ted and Carey's Bogus Adventure" |
1996 | The John Larroquette Show | Shanelle | Episode: "When Yussel Learned to Yodel" |
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 | Bird | 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
- "Many Styles" by Audio Two
- "Someone to Love You" by Ruff Endz
- "Back at you" by Mobb Deep
- "Shorty Wanna Ride" by Young Buck
- "What Could've Been" by Ginuwine
- "Until It's Gone" by Monica
References
- "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com. Retrieved 2019-02-17.
- "Malinda Williams". Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "No black dramas left on television". TODAY.com. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
- "Shows A-Z - windfall on nbc - TheFutonCritic.com". Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "2 Days in New York". 10 August 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Malinda Williams, Victoria Rowell Start Production On UP's A Baby for Christmas". Retrieved 16 January 2016.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Luke Ryan Baldock (18 June 2015). "Accidental Love Review". The Hollywood News. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
- "Malinda x D-Nice: We Wanted This One To Last". Vibe. 2010-02-24. Retrieved 2020-05-13.