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Tonya Pinkins

Tonya Pinkins

Actor, also director, producer and writer · Born May 30, 1962 (64) · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Tonya Pinkins was born in Chicago, Illinois. She has four children. Her father was a police officer and insurance salesman and her mother is a former postal worker. She has two brothers, Eric Swoope and Thomas Swoope and a sister Tamera Swoope from whom she is estranged. She was interested in the arts from a young age. In high school, she studied acting at the Goodman Theatre Young People's Program. Aged 18, she briefly attended college and decided to pursue an acting career instead. She later returned to college, earning an undergraduate degree from Columbia College in Chicago, followed by graduate work at Carnegie Mellon's music theater program, and a year at California Western School of Law in San Diego. Pinkins is probably most admired for her stage work. She won a Tony Award for her performance as Sweet Anita in Jelly's Last Jam. She was nominated for her roles in Play On! and in Caroline, or Change, where she played the title role. Her additional Broadway credits include Merrily We Roll Along, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, The Wild Party, House of Flowers, Radio Golf, A Time To Kill and Holler If Ya Hear Me. Pinkins has performed in several Off Broadway productions, including the comic role of Mopsa, the Shepherdess, in The Winter's Tale produced by the Riverside Shakespeare Company at The Shakespeare Center in 1983. In 2011, Pinkins starred in the world premiere of Kirsten Greenidge’s Milk Like Sugar at La Jolla Playhouse, and received a 2012 Craig Noel nomination for Best featured Actress in a Play. She reprised her role in the Playwrights Horizons in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater, and garnered a 2012 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play. In 2012 Pinkins starred in Katori Hall's play Hurt Village, the gritty drama about life and change in a Memphis housing project made its world-premiere at Off-Broadway's Signature Theatre Company as part of the theatre's inaugural season. The play also Marsha Stephanie Blake, Ron Cephas Jones, Saycon Sengbloh, Lloyd Watts, Charlie Hudson III, Nicholas Christopher, Corey Hawkins, Ron Cephas Jones and Joaquina Kalukango. In 2014, Pinkins appeared in New Federal Theatre's revival of Ed Bullins' The Fabulous Miss Marie opposite Roscoe Orman; in the Broadway production of Holler If Ya Hear Me; and the world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' War at Yale Repertory. She has also had a prolific television career making guest appearances on such television shows as Army Wives, 24, Law & Order, The Cosby Show, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, and The Guardian among others. During the mid-1980s Pinkins created the role of Heather Dalton on the CBS soap, As the World Turns. In 1991 she was cast as Livia Frye in All My Children. Pinkins left All My Children in 1995 but returned to her role in 2003. She was later put on contract with the show from March 2004 until June 2006, when she was downgraded to recurring status. She has played Amala Motobo on the popular television show 24. She has appeared in several films in supporting roles, including Newlyweeds, Home, Fading Gigolo opposite Woody Allen, Enchanted, Premium, Romance & Cigarettes, Noah's Arc: Jumping The Broom and Above the Rim among others.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 30, 1962 (64)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor, also director, producer and writer
Titles
39 on MovieCove · 55 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 44% in 30 days

What are Tonya Pinkins' films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th 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
Self
35%
Bonds
23%
Morality
18%
Survival
14%
Society
8%
Power
2%
Identity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMental illness2 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 2 · Dark 6

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

Grounded 10 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 8 · Intense 3

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

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 7 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 4 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 2 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 7

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 7 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Melancholic
5
Contemplative
5
Hopeful
4
Bittersweet
4
Other
7

How their films linger

Thought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous3

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 Tonya Pinkins' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 32 of their 39 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Tonya Pinkins' 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

55 credits, 39 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Life of Peter Gottlieb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Dean Fendleman

  • Infidelity(2023)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • East New York(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Shirley Haywood

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Women of the Movement(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as Alma

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • The Hunt for the Chicago Strangler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 4 episodes · as Narradora

  • The Surrogate(2020)

    as Karen Weatherston-Harris

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Run the World(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Gwen Greene

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Red Pill(2021)

    Director · Writer · as Cassandra

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The School for Wives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Arnolphe

  • The Artist's Wife(2019)

    as Liza Caldwell

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Wu-Tang: An American Saga(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Burgess

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • God Friended Me(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · as Marsha

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Mr. Talented (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Valerie Brown

  • Random Acts of Flyness(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ripa The Reaper

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • Aardvark(2017)

    as Abigail

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • My Days of Mercy(2017)

    as Agatha

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Book of Henry(2017)

    as Principal Wilder

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • An Act of Terror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Mary Church Terrell

  • Bull(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Maynard

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Collective: Unconscious (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Ripa the Reaper

  • Everybody Dies! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Ripa the Reaper

  • 11.22.63(2016)

    Show 4 episodes · as Mia Mimi Corcoran

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Rasheeda Speaking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Jaclyn

  • Fear the Walking Dead(2015)

    Show 6 episodes · as Martha

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Gotham(2014)

    Show 11 episodes · as Ethel Peabody

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Madam Secretary(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Susan Thomas · as Susan Thompson

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Strain(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Francis

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Home(2013)

    as Esmin

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Hostages(2013)

    Show 15 episodes · as Beth Nix

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Newlyweeds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Patrice

  • Elementary(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Marilyn Whitfield

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Scandal(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Sandra

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Nurse Jackie(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · as Charlane

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom(2008)

    as Mrs. Robinson

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Enchanted(2007)

    as Phoebe Banks

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Army Wives(2007)

    Show 5 episodes · as Viola Crawford

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Premium(2006)

    as Marva

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Det. Nora Bennett

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Romance & Cigarettes(2005)

    as Female Medic

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Closer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Donna Taft

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Dina Miller

  • 24(2001)

    Show 4 episodes · as Alama Matobo

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • The Guardian(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Melinda Tralins

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • University Hospital (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 9 episodes · Actor

  • Against Their Will (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Sondra

  • Above the Rim(1994)

    as Mailika

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Angela Young · as Woman

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • See No Evil, Hear No Evil(1989)

    as Leslie

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Hotshot(1986)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Crime Story(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Junkie Prostitute

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Cosby Show(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Iris

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • American Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • All My Children (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • Angel City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Mam

  • Tango (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Vivian

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 53 titles, 51 of them dated from 1970 to 2024; peak year 2018.

Biggest box office

See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)

$47M worldwide

Highest rated

Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (2016)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)

Film career

19702024

Peak 2018 · their film career is on the way up. 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting53 of 53: 53 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score68th

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s5 · acting1990s4 · acting2000s10 · acting2010s22 · acting2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 6 roles

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.

How do Tonya Pinkins' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 15; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 39 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 39 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Divisive4
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor, director, writer

Red Pill (2021)

99th percentile spread · 51% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

24 (2001)

Midcredits 94th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 84, detractors 54. 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 Tonya Pinkins' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 31 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 34 · mildMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 68 · intenseMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 39 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Tonya Pinkins work with?

People who share at least 2 of Tonya Pinkins' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Catherine Curtin shares the most, 2.

Actors

Producers