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Paula Jai Parker

Paula Jai Parker

Actor, also producer · Born August 19, 1969 (57) · Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Paula Jai Parker (born August 19, 1969) is an American actress. She is best known for her supporting roles in the films Friday (1995), Sprung (1997), Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998), Phone Booth (2002), Hustle & Flow (2005) and Idlewild (2006). Description above from the Wikipedia article Paula Jai Parker, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 19, 1969 (57)
From
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
64 on MovieCove · 81 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 64 days to Oct 27Down 14% in 30 days

What are Paula Jai Parker's films like?

Across their 28 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
39%
Self
27%
Morality
17%
Society
9%
Ideas
4%
Power
3%
Survival
1%
Family bonds11 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship8 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 23 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 15 · Serious 3 · Dark 5

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 19 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 8 · Charged 11 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 10

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 16 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 18 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 11 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 11
Shadow
2 of 11
Mentor
2 of 11
Herald
1 of 11
Trickster
1 of 11
Hero
1 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
12
Tense
13
Warm
9
Absurd
9
Hopeful
6
Other
17

How their films linger

Feel-good17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Paula Jai Parker's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 46 of their 64 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (20).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Paula Jai Parker's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

81 credits, 64 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • A Proud Family Wizmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Trudy (voice)

  • Soul of A Sister (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Head Therapist

  • Temperature Rising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Marie

  • The Furry Fortune(2023)

    as June

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Kings of L.A.(2023)

    as Mason

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Conundrum: Secrets Among Friends(2027)

    as Victoria

  • A Miracle Before Christmas(2022)

    as Martha

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • American Gigolo(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Diamond

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder(2022)

    Show 39 episodes · as Trudy (voice)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • Colin in Black & White(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Aunt Zora

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • Them(2021)

    Show 3 episodes · as Hazel Emory

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Stalker(2020)

    as Evelyn

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Etheria(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Karen

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all shows

  • All Rise(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlene Addison

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • A House Divided(2019)

    Show 36 episodes · as Stephanie Sanders

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Crown Lake(2019)

    Show 8 episodes · as Headmistress Merriweather

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Hey, Mr. Postman!(2018)

    as Ms. Kelly

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Taco Shop(2018)

    as Eve

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • 9-1-1(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Judith Spivey

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Insecure(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheryl

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • She's Got a Plan(2016)

    Producer · as Rhonda

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Last Call at Murray's(2016)

    as Danice

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Recovery Road(2016)

    Show 6 episodes · as Margarita Jean-Baptiste

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • The Summoning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Angela

  • Hollywood Divas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 25 episodes · Actor

  • How to Get Away with Murder(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Yvonne

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • You, Me & Her (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Karen

  • Assistant Motives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Joyce Miller

  • Act of Faith(2014)

    as Shartruce

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • 4Play(2014)

    as Linda

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Patterns of Attraction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Desiree Stewart

  • Pastor Shirley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Pastor Shirley

  • Ray Donovan(2013)

    Show 3 episodes · as Sylvie Starr

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Life of a King(2013)

    as Gina Sanders

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • When a Woman's Fed Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Laticious

  • The Soul Man(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Drew

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • The Exes(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Amelia

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • King of the Underground(2011)

    as Elizabeth Gayle

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Fish Hooks(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Yolanda (voice)

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • NCIS: Los Angeles(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Ellie

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Something with Bite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Patty Orwell

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Astrid

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • True Blood(2008)

    Show 5 episodes · as Karen

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Fear Itself(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Patty Orwell

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Cover(2007)

    as Monica Wilson

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Genius Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Tatiana Williams

  • Idlewild(2006)

    as Rose

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Vivian Paige

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • My Name Is Earl(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Sylvia

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • The Proud Family Movie(2005)

    as Trudy Parker-Proud (voice)

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Hustle & Flow(2005)

    as Lexus

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Animal(2005)

    as Reecy

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Ray(2004)

    as Ruth Brown

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • She Hate Me(2004)

    as Evelyn

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • My Baby's Daddy(2004)

    as Rolonda

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Lilo & Stitch: The Series(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Trudy Parker-Proud (voice)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Love Chronicles(2003)

    as Sara

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Phone Booth(2002)

    as Felicia

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Deana Walters / D-Nasty

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • High Crimes(2002)

    as Gracie

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Shield(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Desirae

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Proud Family(2001)

    Show 52 episodes · as Trudy Parker-Proud (voice)

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • 30 Years to Life(2001)

    as Stephanie

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Julia Beltran

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Snoops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 10 episodes · as Roberta Young

  • The Breaks(1999)

    as Ann

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Why Do Fools Fall in Love(1998)

    as Paula King

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Woo(1998)

    as Claudette

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Always Outnumbered (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Melodie

  • The Weird Al Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 13 episodes · as Val Brentwood, Gal Spy

  • Sprung(1997)

    as Adina

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Riot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Lisa

  • Get on the Bus(1996)

    as Jamilia

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood(1996)

    as Drunk Party Girl

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Hood(1995)

    as Sissy Johnson (segment "Boys Do Get Bruised")

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Friday(1995)

    as Joi

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Parent 'Hood(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • The Wayans Bros.(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Mia

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Cosmic Slop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Tang (segment 'Tang')

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Billie Holiday

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Roc(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Jill

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 81 titles, 80 of them dated from 1991 to 2025; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

Phone Booth (2002)

$98M worldwide

Highest rated

Hustle & Flow (2005)

Midcredits 89th

Most popular right now

The Proud Family (2001)

Film career

19912025

Peak 2004 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1995Screen debut· Friday
  • 2001Career best· The Proud Family
  • 2003Career best· Phone Booth

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting81 of 81: 81 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score46th

By decade

1990s17 · acting2000s25 · acting2010s26 · acting2020s12 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
950005

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Paula Jai Parker's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 43rd percentile, the median of the 32 of 33 with a score; across their 23 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 32nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Reach · how many have seen their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Midcredits score across 63 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th21
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 63 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive10
  • Cult Classic9
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

Kings of L.A. (2023)

98th percentile spread · 46% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Ray (2004)

Midcredits 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Paula Jai Parker's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles24–60 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles22–43 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles27–89 · median 63 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 64 · intenseMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 59 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Paula Jai Parker work with?

People who share at least 2 of Paula Jai Parker's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jo Marie Payton shares the most, 4.

Actors

Composers

Producers