Tessa Thompson

She made her film debut in the horror film When a Stranger Calls (2006) followed by leading roles in the independent drama Mississippi Damned (2009) and Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls (2010). Thompson gained favorable notices for roles in the comedy-drama Dear White People (2014), and as civil rights activist Diane Nash in Ava DuVernay's historical drama Selma (2014). She gained mainstream attention for her roles in franchise films, playing Bianca Taylor in the sports dramas Creed (2015), Creed II (2018) and Creed III (2023), and as Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the movies Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), as well as her leading role in Men in Black: International (2019). She starred in the independent films Sorry to Bother You, Little Woods, and Annihilation (all 2018). For her role as a black woman living during the Harlem Renaissance in Passing (2021) she earned her a nomination for the BAFTA Award. She took the title role in Hedda (2025), which she also executive produced, earning a Golden Globe Award nomination. She starred in the Amazon Prime Video romantic drama film Sylvie's Love (2020) and also served as an executive producer where she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie. On stage, she made her Broadway debut in the Lindsey Ferrentino play The Fear of 13 (2026).

Tessa Thompson studied at Santa Monica College and Santa Monica High School. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is acting. Residence is recorded at Los Angeles and Brooklyn. Distinctions recorded are Gotham Awards for Best Actor.

• Name — Tessa Thompson • Birth Name — Tessa Lynne Thompson • Born — 3 October 1983 • Birthplace — Los Angeles, California, U.S. • Education — Santa Monica College • Occupation — Actress • Years Active — 2002–present • Relatives — Zsela (half-sister) • Awards — Full list

Thompson was born on October 3, 1983, in Los Angeles, California, and raised between Los Angeles and Brooklyn, New York. Her father, singer-songwriter Marc Anthony Thompson, is Afro-Panamanian and the founder of the musical collective Chocolate Genius, Inc. Her mother is reported as "half-Mexican, half-white". Her younger paternal half-sister, Zsela, is a singer and songwriter. Thompson attended Santa Monica High School where she played Hermia in a student production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and attended Santa Monica College (SMC) where she studied cultural anthropology. While at SMC, she attended lectures by Lisa Wolpe of the Los Angeles Women's Shakespeare Company (LAWSC).

• Illustration — Thompson at the 46th NAACP Image Awards in 2014 In 2002, Thompson made her professional stage debut as one of three actors portraying the role of Ariel in LAWSC's production of The Tempest. In 2003, she appeared as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet: Antebellum New Orleans, 1836 with The Theatre @ Boston Court in Pasadena, California, which earned her an NAACP Theatre Award nomination. Thompson made her first television appearance in a 2005 episode of the CBS crime drama series Cold Case in the role of a lesbian bootlegger from the 1930s. In the same year, she rose to fame as she landed the role of Jackie Cook on the UPN/CW neo-noir drama series Veronica Mars, starring as a series regular in season two. In 2006, she appeared on the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy. Thompson's first feature film appearance was in the 2006 remake of the horror film When a Stranger Calls playing the role of Scarlett. In 2007, she was a part of the cast on the CW's short-lived drama Hidden Palms, portraying Nikki Barnes. She was next seen opposite Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the dance film Make it Happen in 2008. She worked on guest star roles on the television series Life and Private Practice, and appeared in season four of Heroes. In 2010, Thompson appeared in Tyler Perry's stage play adaptation For Colored Girls, after she directly approached Perry to be cast in the film. Also in 2010, she had a guest role as the wife of a detective on the drama series Detroit 187. In 2010, Thompson also played Cordelia in King Lear at the Antaeus Theatre Company, where her other credits include Caesar and Cleopatra, Arcadia, and Twelfth Night. In 2012, Thompson had a guest role as Gavin Doran's daughter, Sasha, on the horror series 666 Park Avenue. Also in 2012, she starred as Rosalind in As You Like It for the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles. In 2013, she starred in BBC America's first original series Copper.

• Illustration — Thompson attending the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con In 2014, she starred as Samantha White in Justin Simien's Sundance-winning comedy Dear White People. She earned praise for her leading role with Eric Kohn of IndieWire describing her as "ceaseless energetic". It was a breakout role for Thompson with her winning the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performer. That same year, Thompson played civil rights activist Diane Nash in Ava DuVernay's Martin Luther King Jr. biopic Selma. The following year, she co-starred as the romantic lead opposite Michael B. Jordan in Ryan Coogler's Rocky sports drama sequel film Creed (2015). Thompson portrayed Bianca Taylor a gifted singer suffering from hearing loss who falls for the boxer played by Jordan. Chris Klimek of NPR praised Thompson and her chemistry with Jordan describing her as being "great" and their relationship as being a "nicely slow-moving courtship". Stephanie Zacharek of Time concurred writing, "[Jordan]'s scenes with Thompson have a lovely, bantering lyricism". That same year she acted in Nate Ruess' short film The Grand Romantic. Peter Debruge also praised Thompson describing her as a "charismatic up-and-comer from such hyper-energetic films" and that the film "offered her a "chance to explore a quieter, more nuanced style of performance". In 2016, she began a starring role in the HBO science fiction drama series Westworld as board director Charlotte Hale. Also in 2016, Thompson appeared in the off-Broadway run of the Lydia R. Diamond play Smart People at Second Stage Theatre, starring alongside Mahershala Ali, Joshua Jackson and Anne Son. David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised her performance writing, that she "nails both the sardonic manner and the gnawing dissatisfaction of a character that wants both professional fulfillment and romantic connection but is unwilling to compromise who she is to get either." In April 2016, Thompson was cast as Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Thor: Ragnarok, which was released on November 3, 2017. Varietys Peter Debruge described her character as being a "sarcastic, Han Solo-like renegade". • Illustration — Thompson at the MTV Awards in 2018. In June 2017, Thompson was cast as the romantic interest and artist opposite Lakeith Stanfield in the Boots Riley directed absurdist science fiction comedy Sorry to Bother You, which was released on July 6, 2018. She played a physicist in the Alex Garland directed science fiction horror film Annihilation, which was released on February 23, 2018. Thompson acted alongside Natalie Portman, Gina Rodriguez and Oscar Isaac. That same year, she also starred opposite Lily James in the crime drama Little Woods (2018), marking this Thompson's first collaboration with director Nia DaCosta. Thompson also served as the film's executive producer. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to positive reviews with John Defore highlighting her specifically writing that the film made for "a fine, tense vehicle for Tessa Thompson, who in the last few years has stood out in a variety of genres". She reprised her role as Bianca Taylor in the sports drama sequel film Creed II, which was released on November 21, 2018, to positive reviews and strong box office returns. Thompson is a singer-songwriter who previously collaborated with the Los Angeles–based indie electro soul group, Caught a Ghost. She also made significant contributions to the soundtracks of Creed and Creed II by co-writing and performing multiple songs with producer Moses Sumney. Thompson reprised her role as Valkyrie in the superhero film Avengers: Endgame, which was released on April 26, 2019. She starred as Agent M in the Men in Black spin-off film, Men in Black: International, opposite Chris Hemsworth, her co-star from Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame. The film was released on June 14, 2019. Also in 2019, she voiced Lady in the musical romance film Lady and the Tramp, a live-action adaptation of the 1955 film of the same name. At the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that Thompson would reprise her role as King Valkyrie "Val" in the superhero film Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), as a part of Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

• Illustration — Chris Hemsworth with Thompson at San Diego Comic Con in 2019. Thompson co-produced and voiced the lead role in the mystery sci-fi podcast series The Left Right Game, which was released in 2020. The audio drama series featured Thompson as a journalist who follows a story about a group of paranormal adventurers. Amazon Studios secured the screen rights to the series, with Thompson executive producing. That same year, she starred as the title character in the Amazon Prime Video romantic drama film Sylvie's Love (2020), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Benjamin Lee of The Guardian praised Thompson writing, "[She] is on fine form here, managing to replicate the charm and style of a 50s matinee lead without her performance ever feeling like an overstudied bit. She radiates on screen, effortlessly switching from funny to vulnerable to feisty when required, the work of an actor in complete command of herself and her surroundings". For her performance she was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries. She also served as the film's executive producer earning a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie. • Illustration — Imogen Poots, Thompson, and Nina Hoss at the premiere of Hedda at TIFF in 2025. The following year she starred in Rebecca Hall's directorial debut film, the Netflix film Passing (2021), a drama set during the Harlem Renaissance. The film was adapted from the 1929 novel of the same name by Nella Larsen. Thompson played a light skinned black woman who reunites with a childhood friend Clare played by Ruth Negga. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival where it received positive reviews with David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praising Thompson citing her as having given an "unshowy, beautifully internalized performance". She was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. In January 2021, it was reported that her production company had signed a first look deal at HBO and would executive produce adaptations of two novels, Who Fears Death and The Secret Lives of Church Ladies. In October 2021, Thompson wrapped production on drama film The Listener, directed by Steve Buscemi. Thompson has the only on-screen role in the film and served as one of the film's producers. In the film, Thompson portrayed a woman who takes calls for listeners to talk to. Leslie Felperin of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "this spare, low-tech work mostly focuses on Thompson’s expressive face as she listens to calls for help from 10 very different people in distress". She reprised her role as Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and The Marvels (2023). Thompson also reprised her role as Bianca Taylor in the sport drama sequel Creed III (2023). Thompson made her directorial debut with the music video for "Raat Ki Rani", the lead single of Arooj Aftab's 2024 album Night Reign. She reunited with director Nia DaCosta in another Amazon Prime Video project this time playing the title role the drama film Hedda an adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen play Hedda Gabler. She also served as a producer on the film. The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews with a theatrical release in October 2025. Kate Erbland praised Thompson describing her as "magnetic" and "riveting in every moment". Jourdain Searles of The Hollywood Reporter praised the collaboration of DaCosta and Thompson writing, "Hedda is a delightful, sexy ride made that reminds us that Thompson is a star and DaCosta has many more tricks up her sleeve. It’s good to hear her unique narrative voice again." Thompson received the Gotham Film Award's 2025 Spirit Tribute Award and was also nominated for the Gotham Award for Outstanding Lead Performance and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. In April 2026, Thompson made her Broadway debut in the Lindsey Ferrentino play The Fear of 13 as prison volunteer Jacki, starring opposite Adrien Brody. In a review for The Guardian, Richard Lawson praised her performance in the show, noting her chemistry with Brody and the "warmth and understatement" she brought to the role.

Thompson told Net-A-Porter in June 2018 that she was "attracted to men and also to women", adding that she wanted "everyone else to have that freedom and support that I have from my loved ones." She also stated that she and Janelle Monáe loved each other "deeply" and were so close that they "vibrate on the same frequency", but clarified that "if people want to speculate about what we are, that's okay. It doesn't bother me." She further noted that her family supports her sexuality, saying that "if I bring a woman home, [or] a man, we don't even have to have the discussion." In November 2018, she later told The Independent that she was only speaking candidly, and did not use binary words to describe her identity, like the word bisexual, but added that she was "lucky to have a family where you can be whatever you want to be" while other people do not have that support system and cannot love other people "in the way they wanna love [and] be who they wanna be". Thompson has the word "yes" tattooed on one of her arms, and the word "no" tattooed on her other arm.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Ref. Reference(s) • 2005 — Cold Case — Wilhelmina "Billie" Doucette — Episode: "Best Friends" • 2005–2006 — Veronica Mars — Jackie Cook — Main role • 2006 — Grey's Anatomy — Camille Travis — 2 episodes • The — Esme — Television film • 2007 — Hidden Palms — Nikki Barnes — Main role • 2008 — Life — Liza — Episode: "Trapdoor" • 2009 — Mental — Lainey Jefferson — Episode: "Lines in the Sand" • Private Practice — Zoe — 2 episodes • Heroes — Rebecca Taylor — 3 episodes • Three Rivers — Penelope Kirkell — Episode: "A Roll of the Dice" • 2010 — Betwixt — Jenny — Television pilot • Blue Belle — Blue — Lead role • 2010–2011 — Detroit 1-8-7 — Lauren Washington — 3 episodes • 2011 — Off the Map — Sydney — Episode: "A Doctor Time Out" • Rizzoli & Isles — FBI Agent Anna Farrell — Episode: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" • 2012–2013 — 666 Park Avenue — Laurel Harris / Sasha Doran — Recurring role, 5 episodes • Copper — Sara Freeman — Main role • 2016 — BoJack Horseman — Tanisha — Voice role; episode: "Love And/Or Marriage" • 2016–2022 — Westworld — Charlotte Hale / Dolores Abernathy — Main role • 2018 — Portlandia — Bailey — Episode: "Rose Route" • Dear White People — Rikki Carter — 2 episodes • 2019 — Tuca & Bertie — Sophie Black — Voice role; episode: "The Sex Bugs" • Drunk History — Eartha Kitt — Episode: "Fame" • 2020 — RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars — Herself — Episode: "I'm In Love!" • 2022 — Marvel Studios: Assembled — Herself — Episode: "The Making of Thor: Love and Thunder " • 2023–2024 — What If...? — Valkyrie — Voice role; 2 episodes • 2025 — Marvel Zombies • 2026 — His & Hers — Anna Andrews — 6 episodes; also executive producer

• Year — Title — Role — Venue — Notes — Ref. reference • 2010 — King Lear — Cordelia — Antaeus Theatre Company • 2011 — Blues for an Alabama Sky — Delia — Pasadena Playhouse • 2012 — As You Like It — Rosalind — Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles • 2016 — Smart People — Valerie — Second Stage Theater — Off-Broadway • 2026 — The Fear of 13 — Jacki Miles — James Earl Jones Theater — Broadway

• Year — Song — Artist — Role — Ref. reference • 2015 — "Yoga" — Janelle Monáe — Dancer • 2017 — "Moonlight" — Jay-Z — Monica Geller • 2018 — "Make Me Feel" — Janelle Monáe — Zen / Mary Apple 53 • "Pynk" — Janelle Monáe — Zen / Mary Apple 53 • 2019 — "Screwed" — Janelle Monáe — Zen / Mary Apple 53 • "Uneventful Days" — Beck — Herself

• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Ref. Reference(s) • 2020 — The Left Right Game — Alice Sharman — Also Producer

Tessa Thompson was recorded at birth as Tessa Lynn Thompson. The authorities additionally record the heading Tessa Lynne Thompson. Her recorded language was English. She was the child of Marc Anthony Thompson.

Tessa Thompson is recorded as having received Gotham Awards for Best Actor.