Paula Jai Parker
Encyclopedia
Paula Jai Parker is an American
actress and comedian
. She is best known of her roles as Lexus in Hustle & Flow
, Joi in Friday
, and as the voice of matriarch Trudy Proud on the Disney Channel
animated sitcom The Proud Family
.
, but moved to Washington, D.C.
in 1987 to study at Howard University
. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, she moved to New York City
and played a number of clubs. Her reputation as a comedian earned her a place on the FOX
comedy program "The Apollo Comedy Hour," filmed live at the legendary Apollo Theater
. She left the show after one year to pursue a film career, taking memorable roles in the F. Gary Gray
urban comedy Friday
and earned a Cable ACE Award for her role in the HBO
anthology presentation, Cosmic Slop.
television series The Wayans Bros.
opposite Shawn and Marlon Wayans
. Throughout the 1990s, she appeared in several short-lived shows, including 1997's The Weird Al Show
and David E. Kelley
's Snoops in 1999. Between television projects, she appeared in a number of films, including the Million Man March
docu-drama Get on the Bus
(1996), the urban comedy Sprung
(1997), the Frankie Lymon
biography, Why Do Fools Fall In Love
(1998), the ensemble comedy 30 Years to Life
(2001), Cover (playing a woman who is married to a bisexual man), and as a lesbian
in the LGBT
comedy-drama, She Hate Me
(2004).
In 2000, Parker voiced the sophisticated matriarch Trudy Proud in the popular animated
series The Proud Family
. The series became a success, and has continued to be produced by Disney
and gain a positive standing among television critics. Between voice sessions, Parker has continued to take supporting roles in films, though she has become type casted as urban characters, especially prostitutes (she portrayed such characters in 2002's "High Crimes
", 2003's Phone Booth
and 2005's Hustle & Flow
). A Proud Family film was released directly to DVD in late 2005. She also starred in My Baby's Daddy
as the trashy Rolanda. Parker was also featured in the show Touched By An Angel
. Parker played the role of Billie Holiday
on the episode entitled "God Bless The Child
" which is a song by Billie Holiday
.
In 2006, Parker starred in the feature film, The Genius Club
for writer/director Tim Chey
. She plays a genius with an IQ of 229 who must solve the world's problems in one night.
Paula Jai Parker appeared in music video I Belong To You by singer Rome and in music video Follow My Lead by 50 cent featuring Robin Thicke . In 1999, she made a cameo appearance in the music video "I Really Like It" by Harlem World with Tracy Bingham and Tia and Tamera Mowery. In 2001, Parker appeared in the music video for "Girls, Girls, Girls" by rapper and business mogul Jay-Z
with fellow actresses Tamala Jones
and Carmen Electra
.
They have one son.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress and comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
. She is best known of her roles as Lexus in Hustle & Flow
Hustle & Flow
Hustle & Flow is a 2005 independent drama film written and directed by Craig Brewer and produced by John Singleton. Terrence Howard stars as a Memphis hustler and pimp who faces his aspiration to become a rapper...
, Joi in Friday
Friday (film)
Friday is a 1995 stoner comedy-drama-buddy film directed by F. Gary Gray. Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Bernie Mac, Tommy Lister, Jr...
, and as the voice of matriarch Trudy Proud on the Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
animated sitcom The Proud Family
The Proud Family
The Proud Family is an American animated television series that premiered on Disney Channel from September 15, 2001 to August 19, 2005.-Production:...
.
Biography
Parker was born and raised in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, but moved to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in 1987 to study at Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, she moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and played a number of clubs. Her reputation as a comedian earned her a place on the FOX
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
comedy program "The Apollo Comedy Hour," filmed live at the legendary Apollo Theater
Apollo Theater
The Apollo Theater in New York City is one of the most famous, and older, music halls in the United States, and the most famous club associated almost exclusively with Black performers...
. She left the show after one year to pursue a film career, taking memorable roles in the F. Gary Gray
F. Gary Gray
Felix Gary Gray is an American music video and film director.-Life and career:Gray began his career in 1992 with his music video for Ice Cube's "It Was a Good Day." The video, a literal adaptation of the lyrics, was critically well received. He would go on to direct subsequent videos for Ice Cube,...
urban comedy Friday
Friday (film)
Friday is a 1995 stoner comedy-drama-buddy film directed by F. Gary Gray. Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Bernie Mac, Tommy Lister, Jr...
and earned a Cable ACE Award for her role in the HBO
Home Box Office
HBO, short for Home Box Office, is an American premium cable television network, owned by Time Warner. , HBO's programming reaches 28.2 million subscribers in the United States, making it the second largest premium network in America . In addition to its U.S...
anthology presentation, Cosmic Slop.
Career
Parker returned to television in 1995 in the WBThe WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
television series The Wayans Bros.
The Wayans Bros.
The Wayans Bros. is a situation comedy that aired from 1995 to 1999 on The WB. The series starred real-life brothers Shawn Wayans and Marlon Wayans. Both brothers were already well-known from the sketch comedy show In Living Color...
opposite Shawn and Marlon Wayans
Marlon Wayans
Marlon L. Wayans is an American actor, model producer, comedian, writer, and director of movies, beginning with his role as a pedestrian in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka in 1988...
. Throughout the 1990s, she appeared in several short-lived shows, including 1997's The Weird Al Show
The Weird Al Show
The Weird Al Show is a television show hosted by "Weird Al" Yankovic. Produced in association with Dick Clark Productions, it aired Saturday mornings on the CBS TV network from September to December 1997. The show was released on DVD on August 15, 2006...
and David E. Kelley
David E. Kelley
David Edward Kelley is an American television writer and producer, known as the creator of Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal and Harry's Law, as well as several films. Kelley is one of the only screenwriters to have had a show created by him run on...
's Snoops in 1999. Between television projects, she appeared in a number of films, including the Million Man March
Million Man March
The Million Man March was a gathering of social activists, en masse, held on and around the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on October 16, 1995...
docu-drama Get on the Bus
Get on the Bus
Get on the Bus is a 1996 film about a group of African-American men who are taking a cross-country bus trip in order to participate in the Million Man March. The film was directed by Spike Lee and premiered on the one-year anniversary of the march....
(1996), the urban comedy Sprung
Sprung (film)
Sprung is a 1997 comedy film, written and directed by Rusty Cundieff. This film stars Cundieff, Tisha Campbell, Joe Torry, and Paula Jai Parker. It grossed $7,575,028 at the US box office.- Plot :...
(1997), the Frankie Lymon
Frankie Lymon
Franklin Joseph "Frankie" Lymon was an American rock and roll/rhythm and blues singer and songwriter, best known as the boy soprano lead singer of a New York City-based early rock and roll group, The Teenagers. The group was composed of five boys, all in their early to mid teens...
biography, Why Do Fools Fall In Love
Why Do Fools Fall in Love (film)
Why Do Fools Fall in Love is an American romantic drama, directed by Gregory Nava and released by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film is a biographical film of the brief but intense life of R&B/Rock & Roll singer Frankie Lymon, lead singer of the pioneering rock and roll group Frankie Lymon & the...
(1998), the ensemble comedy 30 Years to Life
30 Years to Life
30 Years to Life is a 2001 American comedy film, written and directed by Vanessa Middleton. The film marks Middleton's directorial debut, and stars Allen Payne, Paula Jai Parker, and Tracy Morgan.-Plot:...
(2001), Cover (playing a woman who is married to a bisexual man), and as a lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
in the LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
comedy-drama, She Hate Me
She Hate Me
She Hate Me is a 2004 independent comedy-drama film directed by Spike Lee and starring Anthony Mackie, Kerry Washington, Ellen Barkin, Monica Bellucci, Brian Dennehy, Woody Harrelson, Bai Ling and John Turturro....
(2004).
In 2000, Parker voiced the sophisticated matriarch Trudy Proud in the popular animated
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
series The Proud Family
The Proud Family
The Proud Family is an American animated television series that premiered on Disney Channel from September 15, 2001 to August 19, 2005.-Production:...
. The series became a success, and has continued to be produced by Disney
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
and gain a positive standing among television critics. Between voice sessions, Parker has continued to take supporting roles in films, though she has become type casted as urban characters, especially prostitutes (she portrayed such characters in 2002's "High Crimes
High Crimes
High Crimes is a 2002 American thriller film directed by Carl Franklin. The screenplay by Yuri Zeltser and Grace Cary Bickley is based on a novel by Joseph Finder.-Plot:...
", 2003's Phone Booth
Phone Booth (film)
Phone Booth is a 2002 American suspense-thriller film about a man who is held hostage in a telephone booth by a sniper. It stars Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Katie Holmes, and Radha Mitchell. The film was directed by Joel Schumacher, with music composed by Harry Gregson-Williams...
and 2005's Hustle & Flow
Hustle & Flow
Hustle & Flow is a 2005 independent drama film written and directed by Craig Brewer and produced by John Singleton. Terrence Howard stars as a Memphis hustler and pimp who faces his aspiration to become a rapper...
). A Proud Family film was released directly to DVD in late 2005. She also starred in My Baby's Daddy
My Baby's Daddy
My Baby's Daddy is a 2004 comedy film, directed by Cheryl Dunye.-Plot:Childhood friends Lonnie , Dominic , and G have a rude awakening when they find out their girlfriends are pregnant....
as the trashy Rolanda. Parker was also featured in the show Touched By An Angel
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della...
. Parker played the role of Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
on the episode entitled "God Bless The Child
God Bless the Child
God Bless the Child may refer to:In music:* God Bless the Child , an album by Guerilla Black* God Bless the Child, an album by Kenny Burrell* "God Bless the Child" , covered by many artists...
" which is a song by Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
.
In 2006, Parker starred in the feature film, The Genius Club
The Genius Club
The Genius Club is a 2006 film from the United States written and directed by Tim Chey. The film was released on October 27, 2006 via the Cinemark Theaters....
for writer/director Tim Chey
Tim Chey
Timothy A. Chey is a feature film writer and director of Fakin' Da Funk, Gone, Impact: The Passion of the Christ, and The Genius Club.-Biography:...
. She plays a genius with an IQ of 229 who must solve the world's problems in one night.
Paula Jai Parker appeared in music video I Belong To You by singer Rome and in music video Follow My Lead by 50 cent featuring Robin Thicke . In 1999, she made a cameo appearance in the music video "I Really Like It" by Harlem World with Tracy Bingham and Tia and Tamera Mowery. In 2001, Parker appeared in the music video for "Girls, Girls, Girls" by rapper and business mogul Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
with fellow actresses Tamala Jones
Tamala Jones
Tamala R. Jones is an American actress. She is best known for her roles in the movies Booty Call, The Wood, Kingdom Come, The Brothers, and Two Can Play That Game...
and Carmen Electra
Carmen Electra
Tara Leigh Patrick , professionally known as Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, singer, and dancer...
.
Personal life
Parker married Forrest Martin in 2004. The couple met on the set of Hustle & Flow, where Forrest, who had just graduated with a Master of Fine Arts was working as an intern. Paula almost passed on shooting the critically acclaimed movie and only took the part at the urging of her friends.They have one son.
Filmography
- Tales From the HoodTales from the HoodTales From the Hood is a 1995 horror anthology film directed by Rusty Cundieff, and executive produced by Spike Lee. It presents four short African American-themed horror stories, presented within the frame story of three drug dealers buying some "found" drugs from an eccentric and story-prone...
(1995) - FridayFriday (film)Friday is a 1995 stoner comedy-drama-buddy film directed by F. Gary Gray. Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Bernie Mac, Tommy Lister, Jr...
(1995) - Get on the BusGet on the BusGet on the Bus is a 1996 film about a group of African-American men who are taking a cross-country bus trip in order to participate in the Million Man March. The film was directed by Spike Lee and premiered on the one-year anniversary of the march....
(1996) - Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the HoodDon't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the HoodDon't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood is a 1996 parody film by Shawn and Marlon Wayans. Similarly to I'm Gonna Git You Sucka, the film spoofs a number of black, coming-of-age, 'hood films' such as Juice, Jungle Fever, South Central, Higher Learning, Do the Right...
(1996) - SprungSprung (film)Sprung is a 1997 comedy film, written and directed by Rusty Cundieff. This film stars Cundieff, Tisha Campbell, Joe Torry, and Paula Jai Parker. It grossed $7,575,028 at the US box office.- Plot :...
(1997) - WooWoo (film)Woo is a 1998 romantic comedy film, directed by Daisy V.S. Mayer, and starring Jada Pinkett Smith in the title role. Tommy Davidson co-stars.-Plot:...
(1998) - Why Do Fools Fall In LoveWhy Do Fools Fall in Love (film)Why Do Fools Fall in Love is an American romantic drama, directed by Gregory Nava and released by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film is a biographical film of the brief but intense life of R&B/Rock & Roll singer Frankie Lymon, lead singer of the pioneering rock and roll group Frankie Lymon & the...
(1998) - The BreaksThe BreaksThe Breaks is an American 1999 comedy film written by and starring Mitch Mullany and directed by Eric Meza. The plot involves a day in the life of Derrick King, an Irish kid raised by a black family in Los Angeles, as he is kicked out of his house and suffers various other mishaps before eventually...
(1999) - High CrimesHigh CrimesHigh Crimes is a 2002 American thriller film directed by Carl Franklin. The screenplay by Yuri Zeltser and Grace Cary Bickley is based on a novel by Joseph Finder.-Plot:...
(2002) - Love ChroniclesLove ChroniclesLove Chronicles is the second studio album of Scottish folk artist Al Stewart, released in September 1969. It was also his first album to be released in the US...
(2003) - Phone BoothPhone Booth (film)Phone Booth is a 2002 American suspense-thriller film about a man who is held hostage in a telephone booth by a sniper. It stars Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Katie Holmes, and Radha Mitchell. The film was directed by Joel Schumacher, with music composed by Harry Gregson-Williams...
(2003) - 30 Years to Life30 Years to Life30 Years to Life is a 2001 American comedy film, written and directed by Vanessa Middleton. The film marks Middleton's directorial debut, and stars Allen Payne, Paula Jai Parker, and Tracy Morgan.-Plot:...
(2003) - My Baby's DaddyMy Baby's DaddyMy Baby's Daddy is a 2004 comedy film, directed by Cheryl Dunye.-Plot:Childhood friends Lonnie , Dominic , and G have a rude awakening when they find out their girlfriends are pregnant....
(2004) - She Hate MeShe Hate MeShe Hate Me is a 2004 independent comedy-drama film directed by Spike Lee and starring Anthony Mackie, Kerry Washington, Ellen Barkin, Monica Bellucci, Brian Dennehy, Woody Harrelson, Bai Ling and John Turturro....
(2004) - AnimalAnimal (2005 film)Animal is a 2005 direct-to-video film starring Ving Rhames, Terrence Howard, Jim Brown and Chazz Palminteri. It was directed by David J. Burke and written by David C. Johnson. The film's profits were the subject of a lawsuit against the film's distributor, DEJ Productions. The case was still active...
(2005) - Hustle & FlowHustle & FlowHustle & Flow is a 2005 independent drama film written and directed by Craig Brewer and produced by John Singleton. Terrence Howard stars as a Memphis hustler and pimp who faces his aspiration to become a rapper...
(2005) - IdlewildIdlewild (film)Idlewild is an American musical film, released August 25, 2006, written and directed by Bryan Barber. The film stars André 3000 and Big Boi of the hip hop duo OutKast, and Idlewild features musical numbers written, produced, and chiefly performed by OutKast...
(2006) - The Genius ClubThe Genius ClubThe Genius Club is a 2006 film from the United States written and directed by Tim Chey. The film was released on October 27, 2006 via the Cinemark Theaters....
(2006) - CoverCover (film)Cover is a drama thriller film starring Aunjanue Ellis, Razaaq Adoti, Vivica A. Fox, and Leon. The film was produced and directed by Bill Duke and open at selective theaters on February 22, 2008.-Plot synopsis:...
(2007)
Television Work
- The Apollo Comedy Hour (1992)
- Townsend TelevisionTownsend TelevisionTownsend Television is an American sketch comedy television show that aired on Fox on Sunday nights from September 12, 1993 to December 26, 1993.-Overview:Each episode featured stand up comedy from star Robert Townsend...
(1993) - NYPD BlueNYPD BlueNYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan...
(1993) - RocRoc (TV series)Roc is an American comedy-drama television series which ran on Fox from August 1991 to May 1994. The series stars Charles S. Dutton as Baltimore garbage collector Roc Emerson and Ella Joyce as his wife Eleanor.-Early episodes:...
(1994) - Comsic Shop (1994)
- PointmanPointmanPointman is a TV movie pilot and TV series on the Prime Time Entertainment Network in 1994 to 1995. The premise is the main character is framed and convicted of fraud while he was an investment banker...
(1995) - The Wayans Bros (1995-1996)
- The Weird Al ShowThe Weird Al ShowThe Weird Al Show is a television show hosted by "Weird Al" Yankovic. Produced in association with Dick Clark Productions, it aired Saturday mornings on the CBS TV network from September to December 1997. The show was released on DVD on August 15, 2006...
(1997) - RiotRiotA riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
(1997) - The Parent 'HoodThe Parent 'HoodThe Parent 'Hood is an American sitcom that aired on The WB airing from January 18, 1995 to July 25, 1999. The series starred Robert Townsend and Suzzanne Douglas....
(1997) - CosbyCosbyCosby is a situation comedy television series broadcast on CBS from September 16, 1996 to April 28, 2000, loosely based on the British sitcom One Foot in the Grave. The program starred Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashād...
(1997) - Snoops (1999-2000)
- Touched by an AngelTouched by an AngelTouched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della...
(2000) - The Proud FamilyThe Proud FamilyThe Proud Family is an American animated television series that premiered on Disney Channel from September 15, 2001 to August 19, 2005.-Production:...
(2001-2005) - The ShieldThe ShieldThe Shield is an American television drama series starring Michael Chiklis which premiered on March 12, 2002 on FX in the United States and concluded on November 25, 2008 after seven seasons...
(2004) - CSI: MiamiCSI: MiamiCSI: Miami is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation....
(2005) - CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationCSI: Crime Scene InvestigationCSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
(2006) - Lilo & Stitch: The SeriesLilo & Stitch: The SeriesLilo & Stitch: The Series is the animated television spinoff of the feature film, Lilo & Stitch and the follow-up to Stitch! The Movie.-Plot:...
(2005-2007) - Side Order of Life (2007)
- My Name Is EarlMy Name Is EarlMy Name Is Earl is an American television comedy series created by Greg Garcia that was originally broadcast on the NBC television network from September 20, 2005, to May 14, 2009, in the United States...
(2008) - Fear ItselfFear Itself (TV series)Fear Itself was a horror/suspense anthology television series shot in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with some additional shooting in the city of St. Albert and the town of Devon, Alberta. It began airing on June 5, 2008 on NBC....
(2009)
Awards and nominations
- Black Reel AwardsBlack Reel AwardsThe Black Reel Awards began in 2000 and were designed to annually recognize and celebrate the achievements of black people in feature, independent and television films...
: 2006, Best actress (nominated) - Screen Actor Guild Awards: 2006, Best actress (nominated)