Tessa Lynne Thompson (born October 3, 1983) is an American actress. She played Jackie Cook on the television noir Veronica Mars, Nyla Adrose in the film For Colored Girls, and civil rights activist Diane Nash in Selma (2014).
Early life
Thompson was born in Los Angeles, California. She made her stage debut in a fifth grade play, starring as a tap dancing wolf, opposite Amber Tamblyn. She attended Santa Monica High School and was in many high school theatre productions. Thompson is the daughter of singer/songwriter Marc Anthony Thompson of the New York-based band Chocolate Genius, Inc..
Career
Television
Thompson, who started in Los Angeles professional theater, may be best known for her role as Jackie Cook on the UPN/CW neo-noir drama series Veronica Mars, starring as a series regular for the show's second season. Additional television appearances include a guest spot on the Cold Case episode "Best Friends" as Wilhemenia "Billie" Ducette, and as Dr. Richard Webber's niece, Camille, on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy. In 2007, she was a part of the cast on the CW`s short-lived drama Hidden Palms, portraying Nikki Barnes. She most recently worked on guest star roles on Life and Private Practice, and appeared in the fourth season of Heroes. In 2010, she had a guest role as the wife of a detective on Detroit 187. In 2012, she had a guest role as Gavin Doran's daughter, Sasha, on 666 Park Avenue.
Film
Thompson's first feature film appearance was in the 2006 remake of the horror film When a Stranger Calls playing the role of Scarlet. Thompson will next be seen opposite Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the dancing film Make it Happen in 2008. She is also set to appear in four additional film projects. Two 2008 releases The Human Contract and Periphery, as well as two additional 2009 releases Red & Blue Marbles and Mississippi Damned.
She appeared in Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls in 2010, starred in Justin Simien's 2014 independent film Dear White People, and played civil rights activist Diane Nash in Selma, released in 2014.
Theater
Thompson was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for her stage performance as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet: Antebellum New Orleans 1836 with The Theatre at Boston Court in Pasadena, California which was her professional debut and her first professional Shakespeare production. Subsequently, she has appeared in many more plays in Los Angeles.
Music
Thompson worked with songwriter and producer Jesse Nolan and Stephen Edelstein titled "Caught A Ghost". She is listed in the bio page of the band's website as providing "sultry vocals and percussions". The band's sound is explained on their website to "feature elements of classic Motown and stax volt compositions with influences from dubstep, 90s rap, and contemporary electronica".
Filmography
Film
Television
Awards and nominations
- Won- 2011 Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance for For Colored Girls
- Won- 2011 Black Reel Award for For Colored Girls
References
External links
- Tessa Thompson at the Internet Movie Database
- Colony Theater Artist Bio
