Tanya Wright
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harvard University (MEd)
- Actress
- entrepreneur
- author
Tanya Wright | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 3, 1971 Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Vassar College (AB) Harvard University (MEd) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Relatives | Sheena Wright (sister) Philip Banks III (brother-in-law) Terence Banks (brother-in-law) David C. Banks (brother-in-law) |
Tanya Wright (born May 3, 1971)[1] is an American actress. Born and raised in South Bronx, New York, Wright studied Comparative Literature at Vassar College. After her graduation, she joined the cast of The Cosby Show as Tanya Simpson. She is known for her role as Phyllis Brooks on Buddies, 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.[2]
Wright was born on May 3, 1971 in the Bronx[1][3] to a 15-year-old mother, Debra Fraser-Howze, who later became an AIDS activist.[4][5]
Wright is an alumna of the Oliver Scholars Program and graduated high school from George School, a private Quaker school in Pennsylvania. She received a degree in Independent Studies/Comparative Literature at Vassar College.[6] She earned an master's of education from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education in 2022.[7] Her sister, Sheena Wright, is the First Deputy Mayor of New York City and formerly the president of the United Way of New York City.