LaTanya Richardson Jackson

LaTanya Richardson Jackson is an American actress. She began her career appearing in off-Broadway productions, before playing supporting roles on television and film. Her performances are credited to her birth name, LaTanya Richardson, from 1989 to 2013. Richardson has appeared in films including Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Malcolm X (1992), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), When a Man Loves a Woman (1994), Losing Isaiah (1995), Lone Star (1996), U.S. Marshals (1998), and The Fighting Temptations (2003). Her television credits include 100 Centre Street (2001–2002), Show Me a Hero (2015), Luke Cage (2016–2018), and Rebel (2017).

Infobox

Born

LaTanya RichardsonAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Other names

LaTanya Jackson

Education

Spelman College (BA)

Occupation

Actress

Years active

1989–present

Spouse

mw- Samuel L. Jackson (m. 1980)

Children

Tables

· Filmography › Film

1991

Hangin' with the Homeboys

Role(s)

Caseworker

The Super

Role(s)

Judge Smith

Fried Green Tomatoes

Role(s)

Janeen

1992

Juice

Role(s)

Steel's Mother

Malcolm X

Role(s)

Lorraine

Lorenzo's Oil

Role(s)

Nurse Ruth

1993

Sleepless in Seattle

Role(s)

Harriet

1994

The Last Laugh

Role(s)

Elaine

Notes

Short film

When a Man Loves a Woman

Role(s)

Dr. Gina Mendez

1995

Losing Isaiah

Role(s)

Caroline Jones

1996

Lone Star

Role(s)

Priscilla Worth

1997

Loved

Role(s)

Attorney Rose Jackson

Julian Po

Role(s)

Darlene

1998

U.S. Marshals

Role(s)

Deputy Marshal Savannah Cooper

Secrets

Notes

Short film

2003

The Fighting Temptations

Role(s)

Paulina Pritchett

2006

Freedomland

Role(s)

Marie

Notes

First film credit as LaTanya Richardson Jackson

2007

All About Us

Role(s)

Cousin Bernice

Blackout

Role(s)

Mrs. Thompson

2009

Mother and Child

Role(s)

Carol

Notes

Last film credit as LaTanya Richardson

2019

Juanita

Role(s)

Kay-Rita

Notes

Second (hereafter continuous) film credit as LaTanya Richardson Jackson

2023

You Hurt My Feelings

Role(s)

Sylvia

TBA

Role(s)

Diamond

Notes

TBA

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1991	Hangin' with the Homeboys	Caseworker
1991	The Super	Judge Smith
1991	Fried Green Tomatoes	Janeen
1992	Juice	Steel's Mother
1992	Malcolm X	Lorraine
1992	Lorenzo's Oil	Nurse Ruth
1993	Sleepless in Seattle	Harriet
1994	The Last Laugh	Elaine	Short film
1994	When a Man Loves a Woman	Dr. Gina Mendez
1995	Losing Isaiah	Caroline Jones
1996	Lone Star	Priscilla Worth
1997	Loved	Attorney Rose Jackson
1997	Julian Po	Darlene
1998	Marshals	Deputy Marshal Savannah Cooper
1998	Secrets		Short film
2003	The Fighting Temptations	Paulina Pritchett
2006	Freedomland	Marie	First film credit as LaTanya Richardson Jackson
2007	All About Us	Cousin Bernice
2007	Blackout	Mrs. Thompson
2009	Mother and Child	Carol	Last film credit as LaTanya Richardson
2019	Juanita	Kay-Rita	Second (hereafter continuous) film credit as LaTanya Richardson Jackson
2023	You Hurt My Feelings	Sylvia
TBA	Diamond	TBA	Filming

· Filmography › Television

1989

A Man Called Hawk

Role(s)

Doris Gilbert

Notes

Episode: "Life After Death"

1991

Law & Order

Role(s)

Lorraine

Notes

Episode: "Life Choice"

1992

Law & Order

Role(s)

Anne Houston

Notes

Episode: "Sisters of Mercy"

The Nightman

Role(s)

Emily

Notes

TV film

Frannie's Turn

Role(s)

Vivian

Notes

Episodes: "Pilot", "Frannie and the Kitchen Sink"

One Life to Live

Role(s)

Rodi

Notes

TV series

1993

Civil Wars

Role(s)

Van Beechley

Notes

Episode: "Hit the Road, Jack"

Shameful Secrets

Role(s)

Louise Levy

Notes

TV film

Cheers

Role(s)

Moderator

Notes

Episode: "Woody Gets an Election"

1994

Midnight Run for Your Life

Role(s)

Det. Dixon

Notes

TV film

Party of Five

Role(s)

Jane Gideon

Notes

Episode: "Private Lives"

Earth 2

Role(s)

Alex Wentworth

Notes

Episode: "A Memory Play"

1995

Chicago Hope

Role(s)

Mrs. Parnett

Notes

Episode: "Cutting Edges"

NYPD Blue

Role(s)

Sister Cecilia

Notes

Episode: "Heavin' Can Wait"

1996

The Deliverance of Elaine

Role(s)

Edna

Notes

TV film

1997

Homicide: Life on the Street

Role(s)

Lynette Thompson

Notes

Episode: "Betrayal"

1998

Any Day Now

Role(s)

Mrs. Walker

Notes

Episode: "Call Him Johnny"

1998–1999

Role(s)

Ally McBeal

Notes

Attorney Yvette Rose

1999

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

Role(s)

Auntie

Notes

TV film

Judging Amy

Role(s)

Lena Railsback

Notes

Episode: "Pilot"

Once and Again

Role(s)

Counselor

Notes

Episode: "Boy Meets Girl"

2000

Hairstory

Notes

TV film

2001

Within These Walls

Role(s)

Melinda Donovan

Notes

TV film

2001–2002

Role(s)

100 Centre Street

Notes

Atallah Sims

2003

Boston Public

Role(s)

Sheila

Notes

Episode: "Chapter 62"

2006

The Water Is Wide

Role(s)

Edna

Notes

TV film

2011

Harry's Law

Role(s)

Noreen

Notes

Episode: "In the Ghetto"

2012

Damages

Role(s)

Judge Jaclynn Ellis

Notes

Episode: "You Want to End This Once and for All?";first TV credit as LaTanya Richardson Jackson

2013

The Watsons Go to Birmingham

Role(s)

Grandma Sands

Notes

TV film;last TV credit as LaTanya Richardson

2014–2015

Role(s)

Blue Bloods

Notes

Lt. Dee Ann Carver

2015

Show Me a Hero

Role(s)

Norma O'Neal

Notes

TV miniseries

2016–2018

Role(s)

Luke Cage

Notes

Maybelline "Mama Mabel" Stokes

2017

Rebel

Role(s)

Detective Traylynn Jones

Notes

2 episodes

2017–2023

Role(s)

Grey's Anatomy

Notes

Diane Pierce

2018

American Masters

Role(s)

Narrator

Notes

Episode: "Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart"

2022

The Last Movie Stars

Role(s)

Maude Brink (voice)

Notes

3 episodes

2025

Criminal Minds

Role(s)

Caroline Lewis

Notes

Episode: "Tara"

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1989	A Man Called Hawk	Doris Gilbert	Episode: "Life After Death"
1991	Law & Order	Lorraine	Episode: "Life Choice"
1992	Law & Order	Anne Houston	Episode: "Sisters of Mercy"
1992	The Nightman	Emily	TV film
1992	Frannie's Turn	Vivian	Episodes: "Pilot", "Frannie and the Kitchen Sink"
1992	One Life to Live	Rodi	TV series
1993	Civil Wars	Van Beechley	Episode: "Hit the Road, Jack"
1993	Shameful Secrets	Louise Levy	TV film
1993	Cheers	Moderator	Episode: "Woody Gets an Election"
1994	Midnight Run for Your Life	Det. Dixon	TV film
1994	Party of Five	Jane Gideon	Episode: "Private Lives"
1994	Earth 2	Alex Wentworth	Episode: "A Memory Play"
1995	Chicago Hope	Mrs. Parnett	Episode: "Cutting Edges"
1995	NYPD Blue	Sister Cecilia	Episode: "Heavin' Can Wait"
1996	The Deliverance of Elaine	Edna	TV film
1997	Homicide: Life on the Street	Lynette Thompson	Episode: "Betrayal"
1998	Any Day Now	Mrs. Walker	Episode: "Call Him Johnny"
1998–1999	Ally McBeal	Attorney Yvette Rose	Episodes: "Story of Love", "Let's Dance"
1999	Introducing Dorothy Dandridge	Auntie	TV film
1999	Judging Amy	Lena Railsback	Episode: "Pilot"
1999	Once and Again	Counselor	Episode: "Boy Meets Girl"
2000	Hairstory		TV film
2001	Within These Walls	Melinda Donovan	TV film
2001–2002	100 Centre Street	Atallah Sims	Recurring role (8 episodes)
2003	Boston Public	Sheila	Episode: "Chapter 62"
2006	The Water Is Wide	Edna	TV film
2011	Harry's Law	Noreen	Episode: "In the Ghetto"
2012	Damages	Judge Jaclynn Ellis	Episode: "You Want to End This Once and for All?";first TV credit as LaTanya Richardson Jackson
2013	The Watsons Go to Birmingham	Grandma Sands	TV film;last TV credit as LaTanya Richardson
2014–2015	Blue Bloods	Lt. Dee Ann Carver	Recurring role, Season 5;second (hereafter continuous) TV credit as LaTanya Richardson Jackson
2015	Show Me a Hero	Norma O'Neal	TV miniseries
2016–2018	Luke Cage	Maybelline "Mama Mabel" Stokes	Episodes: "Manifest", "The Creator"
2017	Rebel	Detective Traylynn Jones	2 episodes
2017–2023	Grey's Anatomy	Diane Pierce	Guest star (5 episodes; season 13, 18, and 19)
2018	American Masters	Narrator	Episode: "Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart"
2022	The Last Movie Stars	Maude Brink (voice)	3 episodes
2025	Criminal Minds	Caroline Lewis	Episode: "Tara"

· Filmography › Theatre

2009

Joe Turner's Come and Gone

Role(s)

Bertha Holly

Notes

August Wilson

2014

A Raisin in the Sun

Role(s)

Lena Younger

Notes

Lorraine Hansberry

2018–2019

Role(s)

To Kill a Mockingbird

Notes

Calpurnia

2022

The Piano Lesson

Role(s)

—

Notes

August Wilson

2025

Purpose

Role(s)

Claudine Jasper

Notes

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins

Year	Title	Role	Playwright	Venue
2009	Joe Turner's Come and Gone	Bertha Holly	August Wilson	Belasco Theatre, Broadway
2014	A Raisin in the Sun	Lena Younger	Lorraine Hansberry	Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway
2018–2019	To Kill a Mockingbird	Calpurnia	Aaron Sorkin	Shubert Theatre, Broadway
2022	The Piano Lesson	—	August Wilson	Director; Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway
2025	Purpose	Claudine Jasper	Branden Jacobs-Jenkins	Hayes Theater, Broadway

· Awards and nominations

2010

Year

2010

Award

Audie Award

Category

Audiobook of the Year

Project

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales

Result

Won

Multi-Voiced Performance

Year

Multi-Voiced Performance

2014

Year

2014

Award

Tony Award

Category

Best Actress in a Play

Project

A Raisin in the Sun

Result

Nominated

2014

Year

2014

Award

Black Reel Awards

Category

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a TV Movie

Project

The Watsons Go to Birmingham

Result

Nominated

2016

Year

2016

Award

Image Award

Category

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie or Limited Series

Project

Show Me a Hero

Result

Nominated

2025

Year

2025

Award

Tony Award

Category

Best Actress in a Play

Project

Purpose

Result

Nominated

Year	Award	Category	Project	Result	Ref.
2010	Audie Award	Audiobook of the Year	Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales	Won
2010	Audie Award	Multi-Voiced Performance	Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales	Won
2014	Tony Award	Best Actress in a Play	A Raisin in the Sun	Nominated
2014	Black Reel Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a TV Movie	The Watsons Go to Birmingham	Nominated
2016	Image Award	Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie or Limited Series	Show Me a Hero	Nominated
2025	Tony Award	Best Actress in a Play	Purpose	Nominated

References

"Rebel: John Singleton Scripted Drama Coming to BET in March"
http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/rebel-john-singleton-scripted-drama-coming-bet-march/
"How Samuel L. Jackson Became His Own Genre"
https://web.archive.org/web/20120502023724/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/magazine/how-samuel-l-jackson-became-his-own-genre.html
"The Tony Award Nominees - All Categories"
https://web.archive.org/web/20080511033910/http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/index.html
TonyAwards.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20141006063803/http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/artists/B28C03B6-CB5E-47CA-F7CE86C0A49091E5.html
Playbill.com
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/latanya-richardson-jackson-and-kenny-leon-discover-the-dream-in-broadways-a-217162
LaTanya Richardson Jackson at the Internet Broadway Database
https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/483103
Observer.com
https://observer.com/2017/03/latanya-richardson-jackson-on-joining-greys-anatomy/
Etonline.com
https://www.etonline.com/greys-anatomy-kelly-mccreary-on-maggies-full-circle-goodbye-and-those-surprise-cameos-exclusive
CBSNews.com
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/samuel-l-jackson-the-piano-lesson-broadway-august-wilson-latanya-richardson-jackson/
"2010 audie-awards"
https://web.archive.org/web/20230227212603/https://www.audiopub.org/2010-audies
"Mandelas Favorite Folktales – Performers"
https://www.mandelasfavoritefolktales.com/landing-page/mandelas-favorite-folktales-performers/
Playbill
https://playbill.com/article/tony-nominations-2025