Tanya Wright

• Name — Tanya Wright • Born — 3 May 1971 • Birthplace — Bronx, New York, U.S. • Occupation — * Actress • entrepreneur • author • Years Active — 1986–present • Relatives — Sheena Wright (sister) Philip Banks III (brother-in-law) Terence Banks (brother-in-law) David C. Banks (brother-in-law) • Education — Vassar College (AB) Harvard University (MEd)

Wright was born on May 3, 1971 in the Bronx to a 15-year-old mother, Debra Fraser-Howze, who later became an AIDS activist. Wright is an alumna of the Oliver Scholars Program and graduated high school from George School, a private Quaker school in Pennsylvania. She received a degree in Independent Studies/Comparative Literature at Vassar College. She earned an master's of education from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education in 2022. Her sister, Sheena Wright, is the First Deputy Mayor of New York City and formerly the president of the United Way of New York City.

Wright appeared in several television shows, including "The Cosby Show" (1984–1992), "Family Matters" (CBS, 1989–1998), and "Parker Lewis" (Fox, 1990–92). She also starred in the television series "Living Single" (Fox, 1993–1998), "Beverly Hills 90210" (1990–2000), and "Burke's Law" (CBS, 1994–95). She appeared on "The Wayans Bros." (Warner Bros. Television Network, 1995–99), "Buddies" (ABC, 1995–96), and "The Jamie Foxx Show" (Warner Bros. Television Network, 1996–2001). She took on roles on "The District" (2000–04), "24" (Fox, 2001–2010), and "The Handler" (CBS, 2003–04). She was in "Windfall" (NBC, 2006) and in "The Carrie Diaries" (CW, 2013–14). Wright authored a book titled Butterfly Rising, which was released on August 5, 2012. Wright adapted the book to a screenplay, producing and directing a movie version.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1986 — The Cosby Show — Tanya Simpson — Episode: "The Card Game" & "Man Talk" • 1991 — Parker Lewis Can't Lose — Girlfriend — Episode: "Boy Meets Girl" • 1994 — Beverly Hills, 90210 — Assistant — Episode: "Intervention" • 1995 — Living Single — Tanya — Episode: "If the Crew Fits" • Family Matters — India — Episode: "We're Going to Disney World: Part 2" • Burke's Law — Scrub Nurse — Episode: "Who Killed the King of the Country Club?" • 1996 — The Wayans Bros. — Toya — Episode: "The Odd Couples" • Buddies — Phyllis Brooks — Main cast • The Jamie Foxx Show — Casey Coles — Episode: "Burned Twice by the Same Flame" • 1998 — Police Academy: The Series — Cassandra Cunningham — Recurring cast • Mama Flora's Family — Ernestine — Episode: "Episode #1.1 & #1.2" • 1999 — Moesha — Andrea — Episode: "Good Vibrations?" & "Fired Up" • 2000–01 — The District — Laura Clayson/Annette Haywood — Episode: "Imperfect Victims" & "Running Towards Fire" • 2001–02 — 24 — Patty Brooks — Recurring cast: Season 1 • 2002 — NYPD Blue — Officer Maya Anderson — Guest: Season 9, recurring cast: Season 10 • 2003–04 — The Handler — Marcy — Main cast • 2004 — Strong Medicine — Lily's Mother — Episode: "Touched by an Idol" • 2006 — Windfall — Dr. Bailey — Episode: "Urgent Care" • 2007 — ER — Megan Strand — Episode: "Sea Change" • Standoff — Diana Marsh — Episode: "Lie to Me" • 2008–14 — True Blood — Deputy Kenya Jones — Recurring cast • 2013 — The Carrie Diaries — - — Episode: "Express Yourself" • 2013–18 — Orange Is the New Black — Crystal Burset — Recurring cast: season 1-4, guest: season 6 • 2014 — The Good Wife — Liana Depaul — Episode: "Message Discipline" • 2018 — I'm Dying Up Here — Nurse — Episode: "Deathbed Confessions" • Madam Secretary — Dana Cook — Episode: "E Pluribus Unum"

Tanya Wright is recorded with the occupation television actor. Recorded with the occupation film director. Recorded as actress, film director, novelist and screenwriter.