Tina Lifford
Biography
Tina Lifford is an actress born in Evanston, Illinois. She emerged as an actress in 1994 as a series lead and regular cast member, playing the leading role of single mother Joan Mosley in the critically acclaimed and short-lived Fox comedy-drama series South Central. Her career spans more than twenty-five years with numerous notable credits in film and television. Her film credits include Grand Canyon in 1991, Mandela and De Klerk in 1997, Blood Work in 2002, and Hostage in 2005. Her television credits include Parenthood from 2011 to 2015 and Scandal in 2015. Outside of her acting career, her humanitarian work focuses on the importance of inner fitness.
Career overview
Tina Lifford is an actress born in Evanston, Illinois, with a career spanning more than twenty-five years. She emerged as an actress in 1994, taking on the leading role as single mother Joan Mosley in the critically acclaimed and short-lived Fox comedy-drama series South Central. Throughout her career, Lifford has accumulated numerous screen credits across film and television.
Among her notable credits are appearances in the films Grand Canyon in 1991, Mandela and De Klerk in 1997, Blood Work in 2002, and Hostage in 2005. In addition to these feature film roles, her television work includes appearances in Parenthood between 2011 and 2015 and Scandal in 2015. Alongside her acting career, Lifford is involved in humanitarian work that focuses on the importance of inner fitness.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
79 titles- We Strangers (2025) as Willie Martin
- Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023) as Moody O'Neil
- Heaven Down Here (2023) as Clara
- Sherri (2022) as Self - Guest
- A Holiday in Harlem (2021) as Mama Belle
- Saving OurSelves: BET COVID-19 Relief Effort (2020) as Self
- Tamron Hall (2019) as Self - Guest
- Cherished Memories: A Gift to Remember 2 (2019) as Mrs. Henley
- The Rookie (2018) as Warden Miller
- A Gift to Remember (2017) as Mrs. Henley / Landlord
- Queen Sugar (2016) as Violet Bordelon
- Worry Dolls (2016) as Della DeGracie
- Minority Report (2015) as Lily Vega
- Scandal (2012) as CIA Director Lowry
- Friends with Benefits (2011) as Marsha
- Parenthood (2010) as Renee Trussell
- Drop Dead Diva (2009) as Judge Nora Lafford
- In Plain Sight (2008) as Denise McBride / Denise Morris
- Heroes (2006) as Paulette Hawkins
- Catch and Release (2006) as Eve
- Mystery Woman: Redemption (2006) as Bonnie
- Criminal Minds (2005) as Nora
- Hostage (2005) as Laura Shoemaker
- Urban Legends: Bloody Mary (2005) as Grace Taylor
- Mystery Woman: Sing Me a Murder (2005) as Bonnie
- NCIS (2003) as Pamela Fox
- Nip/Tuck (2003) as Warden DeMarco
- Threat Matrix (2003) as The female pathologist
- For the People (2002)
- Blood Work (2002) as Detective Jaye Winston
- Joe Somebody (2001) as Cassandra Taylor
- Amy's Orgasm (2001) as Irene Barris
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Judge Witherspoon
- Strong Medicine (2000) as Brenda Babson
- Pay It Forward (2000) as Principal
- Panic (2000) as Dr. Leavitt
- The '70s (2000) as Aunt Olavee
- The Loretta Claiborne Story (2000) as Rita Claiborne
- Family Law (1999) as Judge Alice Kingston
- Martial Law (1998) as Halle Winship
- The Temptations (1998) as Haze
- Letters from a Killer (1998) as Elizabeth
- The Practice (1997) as Mrs. Johnson
- Cloned (1997) as Claire Barnes
- Mandela and de Klerk (1997) as Winnie Mandela
- America's Dream (1996) as Sarah (segment "Long Black Song")
- After Jimmy (1996) as Susan Johnson
- Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story (1996) as Jackie Joyner-Kersee
- JAG (1995) as Juanita Ressler
- Babe (1995) as Sheep (voice)
- Divas (1995) as Geraldine
- ER (1994) as Evelyn Pratt
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Sis
- In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance (1994) as Jean
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) as Lee
- The Ernest Green Story (1993) as Mrs. Green
- Born Too Soon (1993) as Latanya
- Love & War (1992)
- Bebe's Kids (1992) as Additional Voices (voice)
- New Jack City (1991) as Recovering Addict
- Wedlock (1991) as Policewoman
- Grand Canyon (1991) as Deborah
- Paris Trout (1991) as Mary Sayers
- The Rape of Doctor Willis (1991) as Rollins
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) as Felicity Ashe
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as Mrs. Hoover
- Moe's World (1990)
- The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) as Background Voice (voice)
- Colors (1988) as Mrs. Craig
- Nuts (1987) as Lawyer #2
- It's Garry Shandling's Show (1986) as Nurse Helen
- The Ladies Club (1986) as Patty
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Leora Cargill
- Hunter (1984) as Frankie Mason
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Lorraine
- T. J. Hooker (1982) as Nurse
- Knots Landing (1979) as Washroom Attendant
- Knots Landing (1979) as Floor manager
- Knots Landing (1979) as Tina
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Tina Lifford best known for?
Tina Lifford is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Lawmen: Bass Reeves (2023), Sherri (2022), Tamron Hall (2019), Cherished Memories: A Gift to Remember 2 (2019).
When and where was Tina Lifford born?
Tina Lifford was born in Evanston, Illinois.
How many credits does Tina Lifford have?
Tina Lifford has accumulated over 79 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1979 to 2025.
What is Tina Lifford's background in cinema and television?
Tina Lifford is an actress born in Evanston, Illinois. She emerged as an actress in 1994 as a series lead and regular cast member, playing the leading role of single mother Joan Mosley in the critically acclaimed and short-lived Fox comedy-drama series South Central. Her career spans more than twenty-five years with nu...
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