Tonya Pinkins
Biography
Tonya Pinkins was born in Chicago, Illinois. She has four children. Her father was a police officer and insurance salesman, and her mother was a former postal worker. She has two brothers, Eric Swoope and Thomas Swoope, and a sister Tamera Swoope. Pinkins was interested in the arts from a young age and studied acting at the Goodman Theatre Young People's Program in high school. She briefly attended college at 18 before pursuing an acting career, later returning to college to earn an undergraduate degree from Columbia College in Chicago. Pinkins also attended Carnegie Mellon's music theater program and California Western School.
Career overview
Tonya Pinkins is an actress known for her work in the entertainment industry. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she has pursued a career in acting. Pinkins' interest in the arts began at a young age, and she studied acting at the Goodman Theatre Young People's Program in high school. After briefly attending college at the age of 18, she decided to focus on an acting career.
Pinkins later returned to college, earning an undergraduate degree from Columbia College in Chicago. She also pursued graduate work at Carnegie Mellon's music theater program and attended California Western School. Throughout her career, Pinkins has accumulated a significant number of credits, with 57 known credits to her name.
As an actress, Pinkins has demonstrated her range and versatility in a variety of roles. Her extensive body of work includes numerous film and television appearances, showcasing her talent and dedication to the craft of acting.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
59 titles- The Evolution of Horror Cinema Worldwide (2025) as Horror Film Expert
- The Life of Peter Gottlieb (2024) as Dean Fendleman
- East New York (2022) as Shirley Haywood
- Women of the Movement (2022) as Alma
- Run the World (2021) as Gwen Greene
- Red Pill (2021) as Cassandra
- The Surrogate (2021) as Karen Weatherston-Harris
- The Hunt for the Chicago Strangler (2021) as Narradora
- The Artist's Wife (2020) as Liza Caldwell
- The School for Wives (2020) as Arnolphe
- Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019) as Burgess
- God Friended Me (2018) as Marsha
- Random Acts of Flyness (2018) as Ripa The Reaper
- My Days of Mercy (2018) as Agatha
- Aardvark (2018) as Abigail
- Mr. Talented (2018) as Valerie Brown
- The Book of Henry (2017) as Principal Wilder
- An Act of Terror (2017) as Mary Church Terrell
- Bull (2016) as Judge Maynard
- 11.22.63 (2016) as Mia Mimi Corcoran
- Collective: Unconscious (2016) as Ripa the Reaper
- Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened... (2016) as Self
- Everybody Dies! (2016) as Ripa the Reaper
- Fear the Walking Dead (2015) as Martha
- Rasheeda Speaking (2015) as Jaclyn
- Gotham (2014) as Ethel Peabody
- The Strain (2014) as Francis
- Madam Secretary (2014) as Susan Thomas
- Madam Secretary (2014) as Susan Thompson
- Hostages (2013) as Beth Nix
- Home (2013) as Esmin
- Newlyweeds (2013) as Patrice
- Elementary (2012) as Judge Marilyn Whitfield
- Scandal (2012) as Sandra
- Nurse Jackie (2009) as Charlane
- Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom (2008) as Mrs. Robinson
- Army Wives (2007) as Viola Crawford
- Enchanted (2007) as Phoebe Banks
- Criminal Minds (2005) as Det. Nora Bennett
- The Closer (2005) as Donna Taft
- Romance & Cigarettes (2005) as Female Medic
- Black in the 80s (2005)
- Cold Case (2003) as Dina Miller
- 24 (2001) as Alama Matobo
- The Guardian (2001) as Melinda Tralins
- University Hospital (1995)
- Above the Rim (1994) as Mailika
- Against Their Will (1994) as Sondra
- Jammin': Jelly Roll Morton on Broadway (1992) as Self
- Law & Order (1990) as Woman
- Law & Order (1990) as Angela Young
- See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) as Leslie
- Crime Story (1986) as Junkie Prostitute
- The Cosby Show (1984) as Iris
- American Dream (1981)
- Great Performances (1971) as Self
- All My Children (1970)
- Angel City as Mam
- Tango as Vivian
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Tonya Pinkins best known for?
Tonya Pinkins is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including East New York (2022), The Fabulous Fifties (1960), Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019), God Friended Me (2018).
When and where was Tonya Pinkins born?
Tonya Pinkins was born on May 30, 1962 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
How many credits does Tonya Pinkins have?
Tonya Pinkins has accumulated over 59 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1970 to 2025.
What is Tonya Pinkins's background in cinema and television?
Tonya Pinkins was born in Chicago, Illinois. She has four children. Her father was a police officer and insurance salesman, and her mother was a former postal worker. She has two brothers, Eric Swoope and Thomas Swoope, and a sister Tamera Swoope. Pinkins was interested in the arts from a young age and studied acting a...