Malinda Williams

Malinda Williams (born September 24, 1970 ) is an American actress and producer. She began her career on television, before appearing in films A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, High School High (1996), and The Wood (1999).

From 2000 to 2004, Williams starred as Tracy "Bird" Van Adams in the Showtime drama series Soul Food, for which she received three NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series nominations. After starring role in the short-lived NBC drama series Windfall, Williams returned to film playing supporting roles in Idlewild (2006), Daddy's Little Girls (2007), First Sunday (2008), and 2 Days in New York (2012).

Early life Raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, Williams moved to nearby Westfield at the age of 12 and graduated from Westfield High School.

Career Williams made her television debut in an episode of The Cosby Show in 1987. She guest starred on Miami Vice, Roc, My So-Called Life, Sister, Sister, Moesha, and NYPD Blue. In film, she made her debut in the 1996 black comedy-romance film A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. Later that year, she co-starred in Sunset Park and High School High. From 1997 to 1998, she had a starring role in The WB sitcom Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher. In 1999, she appeared in the romantic comedy film The Wood and the following year in the thriller Uninvited Guest.

Williams is best known for her role as Bird in the Showtime drama series Soul Food, a continuation of the successful 1997 film of the same name. While on Soul Food, Williams appeared Ruff Endz's music video "Someone to Love You" in 2002.

After Soul Food ended, the same year, Williams appeared rapper Young Buck's music video "Shorty Wanna Ride" playing the rapper's love interest.

She later guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and was a regular cast member on the short-lived NBC drama series Windfall in 2006.

In 2006, Williams appeared in the musical film Idlewild. The following year, she co-starred in the Tyler Perry's romantic comedy-drama Daddy's Little Girls. In 2008, she appeared in First Sunday opposite Ice Cube. She then starred in several independent films. In 2012, Williams co-starred as Chris Rock's sister in the romantic comedy film 2 Days in New York. Between 2013 and 2015, she played the leading role in the Up network's television film Marry Me for Christmas, and its two sequels Marry Us for Christmas and A Baby for Christmas. In 2013, she began hosting the Aspire network's television talk show Exhale. She also starred in two films for TV One: Girlfriends' Getaway and its sequel Girlfriends' Getaway 2 in 2014 and 2015, alongside Garcelle Beauvais, Terri J. Vaughn and Essence Atkins. In 2015, Williams also had a supporting role in David O. Russell's comedy film Accidental Love.

Personal life Williams was married to actor Mekhi Phifer from 1999 to 2003; they have a son named Omikaye.

In August 2008, she married rapper D-Nice; they separated in August 2009 and filed for divorce in February 2010; and it was finalized on June 14, 2010.

Williams married journalist Tariq Walker in 2020.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1996 A Thin Line Between Love and Hate Erica Wright Sunset Park Cheryl High School High Natalie Thompson 1997 Damn Whitey Malinda Short 1999 Uninvited Guest Tammy The Wood Alicia 2000 Dancing in September Rhonda 2005 Exposure Woman Short 2006 Idlewild Zora 2007 Daddy's Little Girls Maya 2008 First Sunday Tianna 2009 A Day in the Life Boopsy 2012 2 Days in New York Elizabeth Robinson Back Then Andrea 'Dre' Devine The Undershepherd Casandra A Cross to Bear Fae TV movie Side by Side Herself 2013 24 Hour Love PJ Marry Me for Christmas Marci Jewel TV movie 2014 Percentage Cassandra Girlfriends' Getaway Camille TV movie Marry Us for Christmas Marci Jewel TV movie 2015 Accidental Love Rakeesha Girlfriends Getaway 2 Camille TV movie A Baby for Christmas Marci Jewel TV movie 2016 Merry Christmas, Baby Marci Jewel TV movie 2018 War Paint Nancy Short Chandler Christmas Getaway Marci Jewel TV movie 2019 Loved To Death Monica A Second Chance Erica Styles

Television Year Title Role Notes 1987 The Cosby Show Althea Logan Episode: "Calling Doctor Huxtable" 1989 Miami Vice Lynette Episode: "Too Much, Too Late" 1990 The Cosby Show Shana Episode: "Denise Kendall: Singles Counselor" 1993 Loving Maya Regular Cast Roc Celina Episode: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Father" Laurel Avenue Sheila Arnett TV mini series 1994 South Central Candi Episodes: "Dad" & "Gun: Part 2" My So-Called Life Yvette Episode: "The Substitute" Me and the Boys Elizabeth Episode: "Bad Influence" 1994–95 Sister, Sister Tyra Episodes: "Get a Job" and "Field Trip" 1995 CBS Schoolbreak Special Alex Bing Episode: "What About Your Friends" Captain Planet and the Planeteers Michelle (voice) Episode: "In Zarm's Way" Under One Roof Tamika Episode: "Secrets" The Client Zora Ward Episode: "Them That Has..." 1996 Moesha Taylor Recurring cast: season 1, guest: season 2 NYPD Blue Annette Morris Episode: "Ted and Carey's Bogus Adventure" The John Larroquette Show Shanelle Episode: "When Yussel Learned to Yodel" 1997 Dangerous Minds Lashawn Episode: "The Feminine Mystique" 1997–98 Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher Tasha Morrison Main cast: season 2 2000 Movie Stars Bianca Episode: "La Vida Loca" 2000–04 Soul Food Tracy 'Bird' Van Adams Main cast 2003 Half & Half Myra Episode: "The Big Much 'I Do' About Nothing Episode" 2004 The Division Tanya Episode: "Play Ball" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Lori-Ann Dufoy Episode: "Careless" The District Rennee Episodes: "A.K.A" & "The Black Widow Maker" 2006 Windfall Kimberly George Regular Cast

Music videos "Many Styles" by Audio Two "Someone to Love You" by Ruff Endz "Back at you" by Mobb Deep "Shorty Wanna Ride" by Young Buck "What Could've Been" by Ginuwine "Until It's Gone" by Monica "Self Destruction" by Boogie Down Productions

Awards and nominations Year Awards Category Recipient Outcome 2000 Black Reel Awards Black Reel Award for Best Actress "The Wood" 2003 NAACP Image Award NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series "Soul Food" 2004 2005 2013 American Black Film Festival American Black Film Festival Award for Best Performance "The Undershepherd"