Tanya Wright


Tanya Patrice Wright is an American entrepreneur, actress and author. Born and raised in South Bronx, NY, Tanya has always been drawn to a life in the arts. Her first creative award was given to her in 5th grade as "best writer," which she was given for her imaginative story about a Christmas tree. Tanya studied Comparative Literature at Vassar College, and after her graduation, she went on to be offered her first main-line acting gig: Tanya Simpson on The Cosby Show. She is best known for her starring on Buddies as Phyllis Brooks, as well as her recurring roles on 24 as Patty Brooks, NYPD Blue as Officer Maya Anderson, on True Blood as Deputy Kenya Jones, and as Crystal on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black.

Career

Over the course of her career, Tanya made the decision to start wearing her hair naturally. Tanya wrote a book entitled Butterfly Rising, which was released on August 5, 2012. Tanya is also a screenwriter, having written the screenplay for her book, for which she will also be directing and producing.
Wright started a haircare line called in which some the proceeds go to The Actor's Fund.
She starred in the play The Little Birch Tree in elementary school which started her acting career. While attending Vassar, she audition and landed a role in The Cosby Show.

Awards

Tanya Wright was born in the Spring of 1971 in The Bronx to a 15 year old mother.
Tanya is an alumna of the Oliver Scholars Program and graduated high school from George School, a private Quaker school. She received a degree in Independent Studies/Comparative Literature at Vassar College.

Filmography