Tisha Michelle Campbell is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and raised in New Jersey, she made her screen debut appearing in the 1986 rock musical comedy filmLittle Shop of Horrors, and later starred on the short-lived NBC musical comedy drama Rags to Riches. Campbell has appeared in films including School Daze, Rooftops, Another 48 Hrs., Boomerang, and Sprung. 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, and House Party 3. 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, for which she received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. She later had regular roles on Rita Rocks, The Protector, and Dr. Ken.
Early life
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. Her mother, Mona Shockley, 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 on both the east and west coast. Her parents encouraged her love for music. Tisha has an older brother, three younger brothers, and a younger sister.
Career
Acting
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, and Captain Kangaroo. At age 16, 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, 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. She later starred in the musical comedy drama filmSchool Daze as Jane Toussaint, directed by Spike Lee. 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 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, and House Party 3. In 1997, she received her star billed role in the Trimark Pictures' comedy film Sprung. She later had the leading role in the independent drama film The Last Place on Earth, and has appeared in sex comedy filmZack and MiriMake a Porno playing Craig Robinson's character wife. 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. The following year, she starred opposite Diahann Carroll in the Hallmark Hall of Fame film The Sweetest Gift. 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 had the recurring role on Everybody Hates Chris, and was regular in the Lifetime comedy series Rita Rocks. 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. The series was cancelled after two seasons in 2017. In the beginning of 2018, she played mother in the Lifetime The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar. Later in 2018, Campbell went to star 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.
Music
In 1992, 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". 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 and one for Toni Braxton. In 2012, Campbell starred in Mindless Behavior's music video for "Hello". On September 21, 2015, she released the single, "Steel Here". On February 24, 2016, Campbell released the single, "Lazy Bitch", as well as an accompanying video, where she featured her friend, Tasha Smith. On February 2, 2018, Campbell released the single, "I Don't Wanna Be Alone Tonight".
Personal life
On August 17, 1996, Campbell married actor Duane Martin. The couple has two sons. In February 2018, Campbell filed for divorce after 22 years of marriage. 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. By April 1997, Campbell had settled the lawsuit, and returned to appear in the last two episodes of the series.
