Tisha Campbell

Tisha Campbell

Tisha Campbell
Campbell in November 2018
Born	Tisha Michelle Campbell[1] October 13, 1968 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Other names	Tisha Campbell-Martin
Occupations
Years active	1977–present
Spouse	(m. 1996; div. 2020)
Children	2
Musical career
Origin	Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Instruments	Vocals
Labels

Tisha Michelle Campbell (born October 13, 1968) is an American actress and singer. She made her screen debut appearing in the 1986 rock musical comedy film Little Shop of Horrors, and later starred on the short-lived NBC musical comedy drama Rags to Riches (1987–1988).

Campbell has appeared in films including School Daze (1988), Rooftops (1989), Another 48 Hrs. (1990), Boomerang (1992), and Sprung (1997). She received Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female nomination for her performance in the 1990 comedy film House Party, and later starred in its two sequels House Party 2 (1991) and House Party 3 (1994).

On television, Campbell starred as Gina Waters-Payne in the Fox comedy series Martin from 1992 to 1997, and as Janet “Jay” Marie Johnson-Kyle in the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids (2001–2005), for which she received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. She later had regular roles on Rita Rocks (Lifetime, 2008–2009), The Protector (Lifetime, 2011), Dr. Ken (ABC, 2015–2017), Outmatched (Fox, 2020) and Uncoupled (Netflix, 2022).

Early life[edit]

Campbell was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and raised in Newark, New Jersey, where she attended Newark Arts High School and also East Orange, New Jersey, where she attended Washington Academy of Music.[2] Her mother, Mona (née Raye) Shockley (now known as Mona Washington), was a nurse, talent manager, gospel singer, and vocal coach. Her father, Clifton Campbell, was a factory worker and singer, and as a chess master, works with underprivileged children.[3] Her parents encouraged her love for music.

Campbell has an older brother, three younger brothers, and a younger sister.[citation needed]

During a 2014 appearance on the daytime talk show The Daily Helpline, Campbell said that she was raped at age three by a male family friend who was baby-sitting her at the time.[4]

Career[edit]

Acting[edit]

Campbell’s first television appearance was at the age of six, in an episode in 1974 of the PBS show The Big Blue Marble. As a child, she won many talent shows, going on to appear in such children’s programs as Kids Are People Too, Unicorn Tales (played lead Daisy Bunsen in episode, The Magnificent Major), and Captain Kangaroo. At age 17, she performed in the musical feature film, Little Shop of Horrors as Chiffon, one of The Supremes-like girl group Greek Chorus, along with future Martin co-star & best friend, Tichina Arnold.

After graduating from the Arts High School in Newark, she moved to Hollywood, where she became a star on the short lived NBC musical comedy-drama series, Rags to Riches (1987–88). She later starred in the musical comedy drama film School Daze, directed by Spike Lee, as Jane Toussaint.

In 1989, Campbell costarred in the crime film Rooftops, and the following year starred alongside Eddie Murphy in the action comedy Another 48 Hrs.. She later appeared in an supporting role in the 1992 romantic comedy Boomerang, also starring Murphy. Her most notable film credit is 1990 comedy House Party for which she received Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female nomination. She later co starred in its two sequels; House Party 2 (1991), and House Party 3 (1994). In 1997, she received her star billed role in the Trimark Pictures’ comedy film Sprung.[5] She later had the leading role in the independent drama film The Last Place on Earth (2002),[6] and appeared in Kevin Smith’s sex comedy film Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) playing the acerbic wife of Craig Robinson’s character.

In 1992, Campbell was cast as Regina “Gina” Waters-Payne in the Fox comedy series Martin. She left the show in April 1997, after settling the lawsuit against Martin Lawrence of sexual harassment.[7] The following year, she starred opposite Diahann Carroll in the Hallmark Hall of Fame film The Sweetest Gift (1998). Campbell returned to television in 2001, starring opposite Damon Wayans in the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids. The series ran for five seasons, until 2005. In 2003, she won NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role.

After My Wife and Kids, Campbell was a regular in the Lifetime comedy series Rita Rocks (2008–09). In 2011, she starred opposite Ally Walker in the Lifetime police drama The Protector. The series was canceled after a single season. In September 2015, she was cast in the ABC sitcom Dr. Ken, starring Ken Jeong.[8] The series was cancelled after two seasons in 2017. In the beginning of 2018, she played Olympic gymnast Simone Biles’ mother in the Lifetime movie The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar.[9][10] Later in 2018, Campbell starred on the ABC drama pilot The Holmes Sisters about the lives of five African-American sisters, all officers in the NYPD. It was produced by Regina King and Robin Roberts.[11]

Music[edit]

In 1993, Campbell released her debut album, Tisha, which was a moderate success, selling 40,000 copies. Two singles received minor airplay on the R&B stations: “Push”, which was co written and produced by Campbell’s’ friend, Vanilla Ice, and “Love Me Down”.[12] Campbell contributed vocals for the soundtrack of the 1997 film, Sprung, in which she starred, singing a cover version of “Don’t Ask My Neighbor” with her Martin costar Tichina Arnold.

She appeared in several music videos in the 1990s and 2000s, including two for Will Smith (“Will 2K” and “Wild Wild West”) and one for Toni Braxton (“You’re Makin’ Me High”). In 2012, Campbell starred in Mindless Behavior’s music video for “Hello”.

On September 21, 2015, she released the single, “Steel Here”.[13] On February 24, 2016, Campbell released the single, “Lazy Bitch”, as well as an accompanying video, where she featured her friend, Tasha Smith.[14] On February 2, 2018, Campbell released the single, “I Don’t Wanna Be Alone Tonight”.[15][16] On October 6, 2019, Campbell released the single, “22 Summers,” with an accompanying video.[17]

Philanthropy[edit]

In 2011, Campbell co-founded Colored My Mind, a non-profit foundation dedicated to raising awareness of childhood autism in communities of color.[18] She was inspired to start the organization by her son Xen, who was diagnosed with autism when he was 18 months old.[19]

Personal life[edit]

On August 17, 1996, Campbell married actor Duane Martin.[20] The couple have two sons, Xen Martin (born August 8, 2001) and Ezekiel Czar Martin (born September 8, 2009). In February 2018, Campbell filed for divorce after 21 years of marriage.[21] They finalized their divorce in December 2020.[22]

In November 1996, Campbell left the Fox series Martin during its final season, citing “intolerable” working conditions. In January 1997, Campbell filed a lawsuit against co-star Martin Lawrence on the counts of sexual harassment and abuse both on and off set.[23] By April 1997, Campbell had settled the lawsuit, and returned to appear in the last two episodes of the series.[24]

Campbell and Lawrence have both said that they have reconciled.[25] In an Instagram post on January 17, 2020, Lawrence wrote, “Regardless of the past or any misrepresentation of it In the press, I have nothin’ but love for Tisha then and now. We are good and always will be! #teammartymar #yougogirl.” Campbell responded in the post’s comment section, “YOU GO BOY My fam fo life!”[26]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums

• Tisha (1993)

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Television[edit]

Awards and nominations[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^ “Tisha Campbell-Martin”.
2. ^ “A Brief History, Newark Arts High School”. Archived from the original on April 19, 2008. Retrieved August 10, 2008.
3. ^ “The Bold and the Beautiful’s Tisha Campbell Suffers Heartbreaking Family Loss!”. Soap Opera News. October 13, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
4. ^ “Tisha Campbell Recounts Devastating Details Of Her Childhood Rape”. NewsOne. October 3, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
5. ^ “Sprung”. Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
6. ^ “The Last Place on Earth”. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
7. ^ “Disorderly Conduct”. People.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
8. ^ “Dr. Ken Series Premiere Date Announced”. ABC Go. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
9. ^ “The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar”. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
10. ^ “The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar – Lifetime”. Mylifetime.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
11. ^ Petski, Denise (February 27, 2018). “Tisha Campbell-Martin Cast In ABC Drama Pilot From Robin Roberts & Regina King”. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
12. ^ “People are Talking About”. Jet. Vol. 83, no. 6. Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company. November 30, 1992. p. 61. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
13. ^ “Tisha Campbell Martin released the song “Steel Here””. Billboard. Los Angeles, California: Eldridge Industries. September 23, 2015. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
14. ^ “Tisha Campbell Martin Drops Her New Song “Lazy B*tch””. In Flex We Trust. February 24, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
15. ^ Tisha Campbell-Martin (February 2, 2018). “Tisha Campbell – I Don’t Wanna Be Alone Tonight”. YouTube. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
16. ^ “New Music: Tisha Campbell-Martin feat. Rich the Kid – ‘Don’t Wanna Be Alone’”. Rap-up.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
17. ^ Tisha Campbell-Martin (October 6, 2019). “Tisha Campbell – 22 Summers”. YouTube. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
18. ^ Shaver, Shosanna (June 6, 2013). “Not Just Another Celebrity Charity Event: Holly Robinson-Peete and Tisha Campbell-Martin are Trailblazers in Advocacy for Autism”. Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
19. ^ Sangweni, Yolanda (October 27, 2020). “EXCLUSIVE: Tisha Campbell-Martin on Raising Autism Awareness at MegaFest”. Essence. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
20. ^ Happy 15th Anniversary To The Martins, simplytisha.com; accessed February 2, 2016.
21. ^ Aiello, McKeena (February 22, 2018). “Tisha Campbell-Martin Files for Divorce From Husband Duane Martin”. E!. Los Angeles, California: NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
22. ^ Chung, Gabrielle (December 18, 2020). “Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin Finalize Divorce 2 Years After Announcing Split”. People.
23. ^ “Tisha Campbell Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Martin Lawrence”. Jet. Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company. January 27, 1997. Retrieved March 15, 2018 – via Google Books.
24. ^ “Martin Lawternce Ends Sitcom, ‘Martin’, In Fifth Season”. Jet. Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company. April 28, 1997. Retrieved March 15, 2018 – via Google Books.
25. ^ Murphy, Helen (January 17, 2020). “Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell Say They’re ‘Good’ Despite Harassment Lawsuit in the ’90s”. People. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
26. ^ Patterson, Adreon (January 18, 2020). “Martin Lawrence & Tisha Campbell reinforce their friendship on Instagram”. hiphopdx.com. Retrieved January 2, 2021.

External links[edit]

• 1968 births
• Living people
• 20th-century American actresses
• 21st-century American actresses
• African-American actresses
• American child actresses
• American film actresses
• Capitol Records artists
• American television actresses
• 20th-century African-American women singers
• Actresses from Newark, New Jersey
• Actresses from Oklahoma City
• Musicians from Newark, New Jersey
• Musicians from Oklahoma City
• Newark Arts High School alumni
• Singers from New York (state)
• Singers from Oklahoma
• African-American child actresses
• American contemporary R&B singers
• 21st-century American women singers
• 21st-century American singers
• 21st-century African-American women singers