Tasha Smith
{{Short description|American actress, director and producer}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Tasha Smith
| image = Tasha Smith 2017.jpg
| caption = Smith in 2017
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|2|28}}
| birth_place = Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
| spouse = {{marriage|Rory "Keith" Douglas|2010|2015|end=annulled}}{{cite web|url=https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/judge-annuls-tasha-smith-s-marriage-after-finding-that-1790887604|title=Judge Annuls Tasha Smith's Marriage After Finding That Her Husband Hid Kids, Marriages and Debt|last=Eromosele|first=Diana Ozemebhoya|work=The Root|date=December 23, 2015|access-date=October 27, 2018}}
| occupation = Actress, director, producer
| nationality =
| years_active = 1993–present
}}
Tasha Smith (born February 28, 1971){{cite web|url=http://www.blackstarnews.com/?c=135&a=3004|title=Black Star News - Black Star News|work=Blackstar News|access-date=June 27, 2015}} is an American actress and director. She began her career in a starring role on the NBC comedy series Boston Common (1996–97), and later appeared in numerous movies and television series.
Smith has appeared in the films The Whole Ten Yards (2004), Daddy's Little Girls (2007), The Longshots (2008), Couples Retreat (2009), Jumping the Broom (2011), Addicted (2014) and Dolemite Is My Name (2019). She starred as Angela Williams in the Tyler Perry films Why Did I Get Married? (2007), its sequel Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010), and on the television series based on the movies, For Better or Worse (2011–2017). From 2015 to 2020, she had a recurring role as Carol Holloway on the Fox musical drama series, Empire. Later in the same year, Smith made her directorial debut.
Early life and education
Tasha Smith was born on February 28, 1971, in Camden, New Jersey, and was raised by a single mother. She has an identical twin sister, Sidra Smith, who currently lives in Harlem. Smith dropped out of Camden High School in her freshman year, and at age 19 moved to California.{{cite web|url=https://njmonthly.com/articles/best-of-jersey/camdens_funny_chick/|title=Camden's "Funny Chick|last=Ortiz|first=Eric|work=New Jersey Monthly|date=December 20, 2007|access-date=November 5, 2019}}
Career
Smith made her acting debut with a small role in the comedy film Twin Sitters (1994).{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/person/tasha-smith?filter-options=movies|title=Tasha Smith Profile|work=Metacritic|access-date=January 27, 2019}} From 1996 to 1997, she starred in the NBC comedy series, Boston Common. Later in 1997, she was cast alongside Tom Arnold in another short-lived comedy series, The Tom Show on The WB. In 2000, she had supporting role in the HBO miniseries, The Corner in which she played a drug addict. In the 2000s, Smith had guest starring roles on The Parkers, Without a Trace, Nip/Tuck, and Girlfriends. She has made number of supporting roles in movies such as Playas Ball (2003), The Whole Ten Yards (2004), and ATL (2006).
Smith has played roles in multiple Tyler Perry projects. In 2007, she appeared as the main antagonist in the romantic comedy-drama film, Daddy's Little Girls. She played the role of Angela Williams in the Why Did I Get Married? (2007), and its sequel Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010). The role she later played in the comedy series based on films, Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse.
Smith co-starred alongside Ice Cube and Keke Palmer in the family comedy-drama film, The Longshots (2008). She had supporting role in the romantic comedy film Couples Retreat (2009), and co-starred alongside Salli Richardson, Nicole Ari Parker and Michael B. Jordan in Pastor Brown (2010). In 2011, she appeared in the comedy-drama film Jumping the Broom alongside Angela Bassett and Paula Patton, and in 2014, she played a psychotherapist in the erotic thriller, Addicted.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/10/tasha-smith-confirmed-for-zanes-addicted-140751/|title=Tasha Smith Confirmed For Zane's 'Addicted'|author=Courtney|work=IndieWire|date=October 29, 2012|access-date=January 20, 2018}} In 2014, she also was cast in a recurring role in the Fox drama series Empire as Carol Hardaway, Cookie Lyon's younger sister.{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/macy-gray-boards-lee-daniels-689346|title=Macy Gray Boards Lee Daniels' Hip-Hop Drama 'Empire' (Exclusive)|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 18, 2014|access-date=January 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009130801/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/macy-gray-boards-lee-daniels-689346|archive-date=October 9, 2015|url-status=live}}
In 2015, Smith made her directorial debut with the short film Boxed in, which premiered during the 19th Annual American Black Film Festival.{{cite web|url=https://eurweb.com/2015/06/23/tasha-smith-makes-directorial-debut-with-boxed-in-at-2015-abff-watch/#ZwZ5Gj5Bf2JuObhe.99|title=Tasha Smith Makes Directorial Debut with 'Boxed In' at 2015 ABFF (WATCH)|last=Evans|first=Madge|work=EURweb.com|date=June 23, 2015|access-date=April 16, 2019}} In 2017, Smith directed the television film When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story, starring Lil Mama and Lance Gross, based on a true story.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tasha-smith-delivers-in-directorial-debut-of-when_b_59a464dfe4b0cb7715bfd7c3|title=Tasha Smith Delivers in Directorial Debut of "When Love Kills."|last=Manyando|first=Abesi|work=HuffPost|date=August 28, 2017|access-date=February 18, 2020}} It premiered to 1.6 million viewers, ranking as TV One's #1 original movie premiere of all time among all key demos.{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/WHEN-LOVE-KILLS-THE-FALICIA-BLAKELY-STORY-Ranks-as-TV-Ones-No-1-Original-Premiere-of-All-Time-20170831|title=WHEN LOVE KILLS: THE FALICIA BLAKELY STORY Ranks as TV One's No. 1 Original Premiere of All Time|work=BroadwayWorld.com|date=August 31, 2017|access-date=October 6, 2017}} In October 2017, she also directed an episode in the BET drama anthology series Tales. Smith worked as Mary J. Blige's acting coach for her role in Mudbound.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/awards-chatter-podcast-mary-j-blige-mudbound-1073234|title='Awards Chatter' Podcast — Mary J. Blige ('Mudbound')|last=Feinberg|first=Scott|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 11, 2018|access-date=January 14, 2018}}
In 2019, Smith appeared in the comedy-drama film Dolemite Is My Name, and starred opposite Lisa Kudrow and Whitney Cummings in the Amazon comedy pilot Good People.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/good-people-tasha-smith-amazon-comedy-pilot-amy-poehler-1202627509/|title='Good People': Tasha Smith Joins Amazon Comedy Pilot|first1=Denise|last1=Petski|date=June 6, 2019}} Also that year, she directed episodes of Star, 9-1-1 and Black Lightning. In 2020, Smith directed the episode "Legacy" on the Starz TV series P-Valley. In 2021, Smith directed the Starz drama series Black Mafia Family.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/black-mafia-family-demetrius-lil-meech-flenory-jr-davinchi-curtis-50-cent-jacksons-series-on-starz-1234672588/|title='Black Mafia Family': Demetrius "Lil Meech" Flenory Jr. & Da'Vinchi To Star In Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's Series On Starz; Tasha Smith To Direct|first1=Denise|last1=Petski|date=January 13, 2021}}
In 2022, it was announced that Smith will be starring in the Lee Daniels's horror/thriller The Deliverance with Mo'Nique, Andra Day, Omar Epps, and Miss Lawrence.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Monique |title=Lee Daniels' 'The Deliverance,' Starring Mo'Nique After Years-Long Feud, Adds Omar Epps, Miss Lawrence And More To Cast |url=https://test.shadowandact.com/lee-daniels-the-deliverance-starring-monique-after-years-long-feud-adds-omar-epps-miss-lawrence-and-more-to-cast |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=Shadow and Act |language=en}} In 2022, she had a recurring role during the third season of comedy-drama series, First Wives Club. The following year, Smith starred opposite Michelle Buteau in the Netflix comedy-drama series, Survival of the Thickest.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/survival-of-the-thickest-tone-bell-tasha-smith-1235103648/|title='Survival Of The Thickest': Tone Bell To Star, Tasha Smith To Recur & Linda Mendoza To Direct Michelle Buteau's Netflix Comedy Series|first=Peter|last=White|date=August 31, 2022}} She replaced Theresa Randle in the role of Theresa Burnett in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which was released on June 7, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/bad-boys-4-tasha-smith-cast-theresa-randle-1235602444/|title='Bad Boys 4': Tasha Smith to Replace Theresa Randle as Wife of Martin Lawrence's Marcus Burnett (EXCLUSIVE)|first=McKinley|last=Franklin|date=May 3, 2023}}
Personal life
In December 2010, Smith married her boyfriend of one year, Keith Douglas, who was also her manager.{{cite web|url=http://www.bet.com/shows/my-black-is-beautiful/photos/2009/04/myblackisbeautifulphotostashasmith.photo9.html|title=Tasha Smith : My Black Is Beautiful|work=BET|date=April 12, 2010|access-date=April 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924004925/http://www.bet.com/shows/my-black-is-beautiful/photos/2009/04/myblackisbeautifulphotostashasmith.photo9.html|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}} In November 2014, Smith appeared in court to request a restraining order against Douglas. In documents filed prior to the court appearance, she accused him of having affairs with other women. Smith's friend Tisha Campbell acted as a character witness.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurweb.com/2014/11/taking-action-tasha-smith-files-retraining-order-against-keith-douglas/|title=Tasha Smith Files Retraining Order Against Keith Douglas|author=Qwest7|work=EURweb.com|date=November 27, 2014}} The final divorce decree was issued in March 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/article/eooz9n/tasha-smith-reaches-divorce-settlement-with-husband|title=Tasha Smith Reaches Divorce Settlement With Husband|last=Diaz|first=Evelyn|work=BET|date=March 29, 2015|access-date=June 28, 2018}} However, Smith contested the divorce by alleging that Douglas concealed information from her that she should have known before the marriage. Smith alleged that Douglas was not the "man of the cloth" that he presented himself to be during their courtship. She also said that, if she had known about Douglas's background, she would not have married him. The allegations about Douglas's background included five marriages before he married Smith, multiple children that he did not claim and disclose to Smith, and non-payment of income taxes for nearly a decade. The judge in the case granted Smith an annulment of the marriage in December 2015 on the basis of fraud committed by Douglas.
In an interview with D. L. Hughley in 2014, Tasha Smith shared that during most of her teenage years and young adulthood she was an atheist, despite her family being devout religious Christians, because of the "hardships, tragedies, and misfortune she saw her family endure throughout her childhood."{{Cite web|title=Tasha Smith Shares Her Journey From Atheist to Believer|url=https://www.bet.com/article/48qut2/tasha-smith-shares-her-journey-from-atheist-to-believer|access-date=2021-11-15|website=BET|language=en}} However, she said after learning that one of her family members had gotten very sick and she was not able to visit them at the hospital, she decided to turn to prayer "and ask God to show himself to her and help her unbelief."{{Cite web|date=2014-04-17|title=Tasha Smith Reveals Why She Was An Atheist [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]|url=https://blackamericaweb.com/2014/04/17/tasha-smith-reveals-why-she-was-an-atheist/|access-date=2021-11-15|website=Black America Web|language=en-US}} After doing so, she says that she became a devout, practicing Christian and uses her Christian faith as one of her motivators for her career and philanthropy.{{Cite web|last=Grant|first=Jasmine|title=Tasha Smith On Dating By Her Own Rules and Leaving Her Mark In Hollywood|url=https://www.essence.com/feature/tasha-smith-on-dating-as-christian-essence/|access-date=2021-11-15|website=Essence|date=April 10, 2019 |language=en-US}}
Smith is the creator of TSAW, an actor's workshop that empowers and inspires performers at various stages in their careers with focus on the Black community.{{cite news|title=Cover|publisher=Backstage.com|date=September 2020}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1994
| The Aleem's Wives | |
| 1995
| Student | |
| 1998
| Max Q | Karen Daniels | Television film |
| 1999
| IBI Director Tasha Webster | Television film |
| 2003
| Vonda Watson | |
| rowspan="2"| 2004
| Jules "Julie" Figueroa | |
| My Purple Fur Coat
| Ruth Smith | Short |
| rowspan="4"| 2006
| Keisha Knight | |
| ATL
| Gayle | |
| You, Me and Dupree
| Co-Worker | |
| Glass House: The Good Mother
| Caseworker Niecy Jameson | Video |
| rowspan="3"| 2007
| Love... & Other 4 Letter Words | Lucille Ames | |
| Daddy's Little Girls
| Jennifer Jackson | |
| Why Did I Get Married?
| Angela Williams | |
| 2008
| Claire Plummer | |
| rowspan="3"| 2009
| Angelique Todd | |
| End of the Line
| Woman 3 | Short |
| Couples Retreat
| Jennifer | |
| rowspan="2"| 2010
| Angela Williams | |
| Something Like a Business
| Angela | |
| 2011
| Shonda Peterkin | |
| 2014
| Addicted | Dr. Marcella Spencer | |
| 2015
| Stock Option | LaTonja | Television film |
| 2016
| Polaris | Sophie | |
| 2017
| Simone Jenkins | Television film |
| 2018
| Brenda | |
| rowspan="2"| 2019
| The One You Never Forget | Sherry | Short |
| Dolemite Is My Name
| Jimmy's Wife | |
| rowspan="2"|2024
| Theresa Burnett | |
| The Deliverance
| Pastor Powell | |
| 2025
| Twinless | Charlotte | |
| 2025
|Desire: A Temptations Story |Kendra |Lifetime movie |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 1993
| Seville | Episode: "I Coulda' Been the Man" |
| 1996–97
| Tasha King | Main cast |
| 1997
| Dr. Denise Potter | Episode: "Brain Salad Surgery" |
| 1997–98
| Tanya Cole | Main cast |
| 1999
| Kimberly Davis | Episode: "Steve Don't Get Nun" |
| 2000
| Veronica 'Ronnie' Boice | Miniseries |
| 2001
| Rachel Jones | Episode: "A Knockout Times Two" |
| 2003
| Veronica Boyce | Episode: "The Friendly Skies" |
| 2004
| Nip/Tuck | Carol Nelson | Episode: "Joan Rivers" |
| rowspan="2"| 2005
| Laura James | Episode: "Big Bank, Little Bank" |
| Girlfriends
| Shandara Durrani | Episode: "See J-Spot Run" |
| 2007
| Jewel Jones | Episode: "The B-R-E-A-K-U-P" |
| rowspan="2"| 2009
| The Game | Sheila | Episode: "The Third Legacy" |
| unReal Housewives of Kansas City
| Rochae Bastillion | Main cast |
| 2009–10
| Tanya Gould | Recurring cast: season 2-3 |
| 2011–16
| Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse | Angela Williams | Main cast: season 1-3, guest: season 5 |
| 2014
| Chopped | Herself/Contestant | Episode: "Chopped Tournament of Stars: Actors!" |
| 2015
| Power | Jarita J. | Recurring cast: season 2 |
| 2015–20
| Empire | Carol Holloway | Recurring cast |
| 2016
| Herself/Guest Judge | Episode: "RuCo's Empire" |
| rowspan="2"| 2017
| Portia Camden | Episode: "Shut It Down" |
| Star
| Carol Holloway | Episode: "The Winner Takes It All" |
| rowspan="2"| 2018
| - | Episode: "Necessary Force" |
| Rel
| Monique | Episode: "Brittany's Mom" |
| 2022
| Savannah | Recurring cast: season 3 |
| 2023– present
| Marley | Main cast |
= Directing =
| class="wikitable"
|+ ! Year ! Title ! Season ! Episode |
| 2015
| colspan="3" | Boxed In (Short) |
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| colspan="3" | When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story (TV movie) |
| Tales
| Season 1 | "99 Problems" |
| rowspan="4" | 2019
| rowspan="2" | Star | rowspan="2" | Season 3 | "Square One" |
| "Toxic" |
| Tales
| Season 2 | "My Life" |
| Black Lightning
| Season 3 | "The Book of Resistance: Chapter Four: Earth Crisis" |
| 2019
| 9-1-1 | Season 3 | "Athena Begins" |
| 2020
| P-Valley | Season 1 | "Legacy" |
| 2020
| Big Sky | Season 1 | "Unfinished Business" |
| 2021
| 9-1-1 | Season 4 | "First Responders" |
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| rowspan="2" | Our Kind of People | rowspan="2" | Season 1 | "My Mother, Myself" |
| "Reparations" |
| 2021
| Big Sky | Season 2 | "You Have To Play Along" |
| rowspan="3" | 2021
| rowspan="3" | Black Mafia Family | rowspan="3" | Season 1 | "See It... Touch It... Obtain It" |
| "Rumors" |
| "The King of Detroit" |
| 2022
| Bel-Air | Season 1 | "PA to LA" |
| rowspan="3" | 2023
| rowspan="2" | Mayor of Kingstown | rowspan="2" | Season 2 | "Live at Five" |
| "The Pool" |
| Bel-Air
| Season 2 | "Just Like Old Times" |
| rowspan="3" | 2025
| Harlem | Season 3 | 2 episodes |
| The Equalizer
| Season 5 | "Taken" |
| The Rookie
| Season 7 | "Chaos Agent" |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0810103|Tasha Smith}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Tasha}}
Category:20th-century African-American actresses
Category:20th-century American actresses
Category:21st-century African-American actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Actresses from Camden, New Jersey
Category:African-American Christians
Category:American film actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:Camden High School (New Jersey) alumni
Category:Converts to Protestantism from atheism or agnosticism
Category:20th-century African-American people
Category:21st-century African-American people