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Tracie Thoms

Tracie Thoms
Thoms at the L.A. Confidential/Belvedere/Water Club/Sapporo Emmy party, September 20, 2008
Born
Baltimore, Maryland, US
EducationHoward University (BFA)
Juilliard School (GrDip)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active2002–present

Tracie Thoms is an American television, film, and stage actress and singer. She is known for her roles in Rent, Cold Case, The Devil Wears Prada, Death Proof, the Fox television series Wonderfalls; as of 2018 she has been a recurring cast member of the police and firefighter TV drama 9-1-1.

Early life and education

Thoms was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of Donald H. Thoms, a VP of Programming at PBS and television director, and wife Mariana Davis.[1][2][3] She has a younger brother, Austin. She started studying acting at age ten and later on attended the Baltimore School for the Arts.[4]

She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Howard University in 1997.[5] She then attended the Juilliard School's Drama Division as a member of Group 30 (1997–2001), which also included actors Lee Pace and Anthony Mackie.[6]

Career

Thoms is known for her role of Mahandra McGinty in the television show Wonderfalls. She also played the part of Sasha in the US version of the television series As If, which was cancelled after three episodes. In 2005, she was added to the cast of the CBS crime drama Cold Case, as the homicide detective, Kat Miller. Thoms has also made guest appearances on Law & Order and The Shield.

Thoms has appeared in several movies, most notably in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Rent in which she plays Joanne Jefferson, lawyer and lover of Maureen Johnson (Idina Menzel). She took over the role from Fredi Walker, who played Joanne in the original Broadway production of Rent but, at age 43, was deemed too old to reprise the role.[citation needed] Prior to being cast as Joanne, Thoms had considered herself a fan of the show, having seen it on Broadway several times.

She was featured in the 2002 Comedy Central film Porn 'n Chicken and the 2004 films Brother to Brother and The Warrior Class. Thoms appeared in the 2006 film version of The Devil Wears Prada as Lily. Thoms has completed filming on the City Lights Pictures movie Descent along with Rent co-stars Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Rosario Dawson and will soon begin filming Jimmie with co-stars Vanessa Williams and Brian McKnight. She appeared in Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof, alongside Zoë Bell, Rosario Dawson and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.

Thoms made her Broadway debut in Regina Taylor's Drowning Crow. She has also appeared in several off-Broadway and regional productions, including Up Against the Wind (New York Theatre Workshop), The Oedipus Plays (The Shakespeare Theater), A Raisin in the Sun (Baltimore CenterStage) Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Missouri Rep), The Exonerated (Off Broadway's The Culture Project) and The Antigone Project (The Women's Project). On July 18, 2008, she joined the final cast of Rent starting July 26, 2008, reprising the character of Joanne, replacing Merle Dandridge. The final performance was made into a DVD: Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway.

Thoms reprised her role as Joanne for another production of Rent, directed by Neil Patrick Harris, at the Hollywood Bowl from August 6–8, 2010.[7]

In the fall of 2010 she appeared in the concert revue For The Record: Quentin Tarantino in Los Angeles, presented by ROCKLA for Show at Barre. It ran from August 12, 2010, to October 30, 2010, and also starred Jenna Leigh Green, Autumn Reeser, Ty Taylor, and Audra Mae. From November 2010 through January 2011, Thoms starred in Show at Barre's For The Record: John Hughes, alongside Barrett Foa, Von Smith and Ty Taylor. In 2011 she appeared at Show at Barre in the revue For the Record: Baz Luhrmann, from February 12, 2011, to June 30, 2011, with Jenna Leigh Green, Arielle Jacobs, Tinuke Oyefule and Kate Reinders.

She played Etta, Diana Prince's personal assistant, in NBC's Wonder Woman pilot.[8]

Thoms had a role in the 2014 version of Annie, playing Annie's "fake mother", a character based on Lily St. Regis in the original musical.[citation needed]

In 2016, she appeared in the Broadway revival of Falsettos as Dr. Charlotte.[9]

Since 2018, Thoms has played the recurring role of Karen Wilson in the Los Angeles first responders drama 9-1-1.

Awards

In 2016, Thoms was Emmy nominated in the Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series category for "Send Me: An Original Web Series" which was released on BET.com.[10][11][12]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Porn 'n Chicken Andrea TV movie
America's Most Terrible Things Terri TV movie
2004 Brother to Brother Mother
2005 Everyone's Depressed Crystal Short
Rent Joanne Jefferson
2006 The Devil Wears Prada Lily
2007 The Warrior Class Thelma Rosbach Video
Descent Denise
Death Proof Kim Mathis
Sex and Breakfast Sarah, Female Tenant
2008 Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway Joanne Jefferson TV movie
2009 Peter and Vandy Marissa
2010 I Will Follow Tiffany
RENT at the Hollywood Bowl Joanne Video
2012 Safe House CIA Analyst
Meeting Evil Latisha Rogers
Looper Beatrix, The Waitress
2013 Raze Teresa
McCanick Sister Alice
A Different Tree Jada Short
2014 Annie Annie's "Mom"
2015 Fun Size Horror: Volume One Karen
Fun Size Horror: Volume Two Tommy
2016 Equity Melanie
The Drowning Angela
The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story Demetria TV movie
No Touching Blair Short
Injection Sarah Wenscombe Short
Divorce: The Greatest Hits Helen Short
The Watcher Amanda
A Christmas in New York Katherine Taylor
2017 The Concessionaires Must Die! Church Lady
2018 Are We Good Parents? Lauren Short
Top Ramen Opal Short
The Basement Lauren
Pipe Bliss Short
2019 Emmett Sandra
Straight Up Dr. Larson
2020 The California No Samantha
Boss Bitch Fight Challenge Tracie Short
aTypical Wednesday Jason's Mom
(home)Schooled Roberta TV movie
BTSD Lia Lasley Short
2021 Yes Day Billie/Concert Coordinator
Bolivar Susan Woods
2022 Back to Lyla Dr. Nolan
Elevate Tiffany Short
Paulie Go! Cheryl
Jerry & Marge Go Large Maya
Blood Relatives Ms. Shelling

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2002 As If Sasha Main cast
2003 The Shield Bonnie Episode: "Dominoes Falling"
2004 Wonderfalls Mahandra McGinty Main cast
2005 Law & Order Linda Ziman Episode: "Mammon"
Independent Lens Mom On Subway Episode: "Brother to Brother"
2005–10 Cold Case Kat Miller Main cast: seasons 3–7
2008 This Can't Be My Life Rachel Brooks Episode: "The Pink Pages"
2009 Private Practice Colette Episode: "Pushing the Limits"
2010 Human Target Michelle Episode: "Dead Head"
2011 Suits Becky Episode: "Tricks of the Trade"
Harry's Law A.D.A. Katherine Kepler Recurring cast: season 1, guest: season 2
Wonder Woman Etta Candy Episode: "Pilot"
Bandwagon: The Series Tracie Thoms Main cast
2012 My America Herself Episode: "The Author's America"
2013 Emily Owens M.D. Natalia Gorgia Episode: "Emily and... The Teapot"
The Good Wife Judy Bishop Episode: "Runnin' with the Devil"
Person of Interest Monica Jacobs Episode: "Trojan Horse"
2014 Veep Alicia Bryce Episode: "Alicia"
Songbyrd Clara Frye Episode: “Pilot”
Catfish: The TV Show Herself Episode: “Tracie & Sammie”
2015–16 He's with Me Naomi Recurring cast: season 2
2016 Send Me: An Original Web Series Gwen Main cast
Living with Models Hatch Girl Recurring cast: season 3
The Mindy Project Kathy Episode: "My Kid Stays in the Picture"
BrainDead Ashley Cook Episode: "Taking on Water: How Leaks in D.C. Are Discovered and Patched"
2016–18 Love Susan Cheryl Recurring cast
2017 American Gods Buffer Episode: "Lemon Scented You"
Live from Lincoln Center Dr. Charlotte Episode: "Falsettos"
Criminal Minds Monica Walker Episode: “Unforgettable” & “Wheels Up”
Wisdom of the Crowd Special Agent Lydia Driscoll Episode: "Denial of Service"
2017–18 Gone FBI Agent Maya Kennedy Main cast
2018 UnREAL Fiona Berlin Recurring cast: seasons 3-4
The First Nancy Recurring cast
Grey's Anatomy Roberta Gibbs Episode: "Flowers Grow Out of My Grave"
2018–present 9-1-1 Karen Wilson Recurring cast
2019 Abby's Emily Episode: "Book Club"
The Good Doctor Patricia Reynolds Episode: "Claire"
The Affair Joyce Episode: "Episode #5.8"
Mad About You Dean Calhoun Episode: "Restraining Orders and Puppies"
2019–23 Truth Be Told Desireé Scoville Main cast
2020 Curb Your Enthusiasm Female Traveler Episode: "Elizabeth, Margaret and Larry"
Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector FBI Agent Cutter Episode: "Game On" & "Open Warfare"
Blindspot FBI Director Arla Grigoryan Recurring cast: season 5
NCIS: Los Angeles Lt. Col. Lucilla Catro Episode: "War Crimes"
2020–23 Station 19 Dr. Diane Lewis Recurring cast
2021 Behind the Monsters Herself Main cast
Sidetracked Leigh Main cast
2021–22 Family Guy Pouncy/Beautiful Woman (voice) Episode: "Family Cat" & "The Lois Quagmire"
2022 The Legend of Vox Machina The Everlight (voice) Episode: "A Silver Tongue" [13]
Love, Victor Naomi Episode: "It's You"
Tab Time Frieda Fraidy Cat Episode: "When We Feel Afraid"
Queen Sugar Camille Episode: "Never to Be the Same" & "Whisper to Us"
Central Park - Episode: "The Puffs Go Poof"
Beyond the Dark Bliss Episode: "Pipe"

Documentary

Year Title
2009 Good Hair

Radio

Year Title Role
2021 Marvel's Wastelanders: Hawkeye Kate Bishop

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Drowning Crow Mary Bow
2008 Rent Joanne Jefferson Broadway; Replacement[14]
2010 Rent Joanne Jefferson Hollywood Bowl
2011–2012 Stick Fly Taylor
2014 Lost Lake Veronica
2016–2017 Falsettos Dr. Charlotte Broadway revival

References

  1. ^ Rousuck, J. Wynn (November 24, 2005). "After years of auditions, Baltimore-born actress Tracie Thoms finally gets her dream job.; 'Rent' check". The Sun. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
  2. ^ "McKinley Thoms, 92, machinist, caterer". The Baltimore Sun. May 7, 2006. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  3. ^ "Thoms, Donald H - Who's Who Among African Americans | Encyclopedia.com". Archived from the original on October 27, 2014.
  4. ^ "Baltimore School For The Arts Remains A Magnet For Young Talent - CBS Baltimore". www.cbsnews.com. April 26, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  5. ^ "Photos: Famous Howard University Alumni and Former Students". nbc4Washington. March 2, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  6. ^ "Alumni News for May 2008". The Juilliard Journal. May 2008. Archived from the original on December 11, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2013.
  7. ^ Piane, Charlie (April 30, 2010). "Brady, Tveit, Astin And Thoms Join RENT at Hollywood Bowl". BroadwayWorld.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 3, 2011). "Elizabeth Hurley & Tracie Thoms Join NBC's 'Wonder Woman'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 4, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  9. ^ Gans, Andrew (September 6, 2016). "Box Office Opens Today for Broadway Falsettos Revival". Playbill. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  10. ^ "Tracie Thoms". Television Academy. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  11. ^ Hipes, Patrick (July 14, 2016). "The 68th Annual Emmy Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  12. ^ Prudom, Laura (July 14, 2016). "Emmy Nominations 2016: Full List of Nominees". Variety. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  13. ^ Moreau, Jordan (January 20, 2022). "Critical Role's 'Legend of Vox Machina' Adds Stephanie Beatriz, David Tennant, Tony Hale and More as Guest Stars". Variety. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  14. ^ Varley, Eddie. "Tracie Thoms: RENT's 'Dream Girl'". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved November 15, 2020.