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Malinda Williams

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Malinda Williams
Williams and D-Nice in June 2006
Born (1970-09-24) September 24, 1970 (age 54)
Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
Other namesMalinda Williams-Phifer
Occupation(s)Actress, producer
Years active1987–present
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1999; div. 2003)​
​
​
(m. 2008; div. 2010)​
Tariq Walker
​
​
(m. 2020)​
Children1

Malinda Williams (born September 24, 1970[1][2]) 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).

Career

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Williams made her television debut in an episode of The Cosby Show in 1987.[3][non-tertiary source needed] 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.[3][non-tertiary source needed] 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.[citation needed] 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.[4] While on Soul Food, Williams appeared Ruff Endz's music video "Someone to Love You" in 2002.

After Soul Food ended, the same year, Williams appeared rapper Young Buck's music video "Shorty Wanna Ride" playing the rapper's love interest

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.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] In 2013, she began hosting the Aspire network's television talk show Exhale.[8] 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.[9][10] In 2015, Williams also had a supporting role in David O. Russell's comedy film Accidental Love.[11]

Personal life

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Williams was married to actor Mekhi Phifer from 1999-2003; they have a son named Omikaye.

In August 2008, she married rapper D-Nice; they separated in August 2009 and filed for divorce in February 2010;[12] and it was finalized on June 14, 2010.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 A Thin Line Between Love and Hate Erica Wright
Sunset Park Cheryl
High School High Natalie Thompson
1997 Damn Whitey Malinda Short
1999 Uninvited Guest Tammy
The Wood Alicia
2000 Dancing in September Rhonda
2005 Exposure Woman Short
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
Back Then Andrea 'Dre' Devine
The Undershepherd Casandra
A Cross to Bear Fae TV movie
Side by Side Herself
2013 24 Hour Love PJ
Marry Me for Christmas Marci Jewel TV movie
2014 Percentage Cassandra
Girlfriends' Getaway Camille TV movie
Marry Us for Christmas Marci Jewel TV movie
2015 Accidental Love Rakeesha
Girlfriends Getaway 2 Camille TV movie
A Baby for Christmas Marci Jewel TV movie
2016 Merry Christmas, Baby Marci Jewel TV movie
2018 War Paint Nancy Short
Chandler Christmas Getaway Marci Jewel TV movie
2019 Loved To Death Monica
A Second Chance Erica Styles

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1987 The Cosby Show Althea Logan Episode: "Calling Doctor Huxtable"
1989 Miami Vice Lynette Episode: "Too Much, Too Late"
1990 The Cosby Show Shana Episode: "Denise Kendall: Singles Counselor"
1993 Loving Maya Regular Cast
Roc Celina Episode: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Father"
Laurel Avenue Sheila Arnett TV mini series
1994 South Central Candi Episodes: "Dad" & "Gun: Part 2"
My So-Called Life Yvette Episode: "The Substitute"
Me and the Boys Elizabeth Episode: "Bad Influence"
1994-95 Sister, Sister Tyra Episodes: "Get a Job" and "Field Trip"
1995 CBS Schoolbreak Special Alex Bing Episode: "What About Your Friends"
Captain Planet and the Planeteers Michelle (voice) Episode: "In Zarm's Way"
Under One Roof Tamika Episode: "Secrets"
The Client Zora Ward Episode: "Them That Has..."
1996 Moesha Taylor Recurring cast: season 1, guest: season 2
NYPD Blue Annette Morris Episode: "Ted and Carey's Bogus Adventure"
The John Larroquette Show Shanelle Episode: "When Yussel Learned to Yodel"
1997 Dangerous Minds Lashawn Episode: "The Feminine Mystique"
1997-98 Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher Tasha Morrison Main cast: season 2
2000 Movie Stars Bianca Episode: "La Vida Loca"
2000-04 Soul Food Tracy 'Bird' Van Adams Main cast
2003 Half & Half Myra Episode: "The Big Much 'I Do' About Nothing Episode"
2004 The Division Tanya Episode: "Play Ball"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Lori-Ann Dufoy Episode: "Careless"
The District Rennee Episodes: "A.K.A" & "The Black Widow Maker"
2006 Windfall Kimberly George Regular Cast

Music videos

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Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Category Recipient Outcome
2000 Black Reel Awards Black Reel Award for Best Actress "The Wood" Nominated
2003 NAACP Image Award NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series "Soul Food" Nominated
2004 Nominated
2005 Nominated
2013 American Black Film Festival American Black Film Festival Award for Best Performance "The Undershepherd" Won

References

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  1. ^ "Twitter". mobile.twitter.com. Retrieved 2019-02-17.
  2. ^ "Instagram". instagram.com. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  3. ^ a b "Malinda Williams". Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  4. ^ "No black dramas left on television". TODAY.com. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  5. ^ "Shows A-Z - windfall on nbc - TheFutonCritic.com". Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  6. ^ "2 Days in New York". Rotten Tomatoes. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Malinda Williams, Victoria Rowell Start Production On UP's A Baby for Christmas". Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Luke Ryan Baldock (18 June 2015). "Accidental Love Review". The Hollywood News. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Malinda x D-Nice: We Wanted This One To Last". Vibe. 2010-02-24. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
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