N'Bushe Wright

N'Bushe Wright ( ; born September 7, 1969) is an American actress and dancer. She attended and trained as a dancer at the Alvin Ailey Dance Center and the Martha Graham School of Dance. She is known mainly for her roles as the drug-addicted older sister of twelve-year-old protagonist Michael in 1994's Fresh, and as Dr. Karen Jenson in the 1998 feature film Blade.

Career Within a year of attending Stella Adler's Studio, Wright was starring in Anthony Drazan's Zebrahead (1992). She received positive reviews for her portrayal of the drug-addicted older sister of the title protagonist in Boaz Yakin's Fresh (1994). The following year, Wright played an idealistic member of the Black Panther Party in the Hughes Brothers' feature film Dead Presidents (1995). Wright played Dr. Karen Jenson in Blade (1998).

In 1992, Wright played the recurring role of Claudia, a black civil rights activist fighting for equal opportunities in education in the acclaimed but short-lived NBC television drama I'll Fly Away. She has made guest appearances on several other television series, including New York Undercover, Homicide: Life on the Street, Chappelle's Show and Third Watch.

Wright also recorded a public service announcement for Deejay Ra's Hip-Hop Literacy campaign.

Personal life Wright attended the Manhattan High School for the Performing Arts.

Filmography

Film and TV movies Year Title Role Notes 1992 Zebrahead Nikki 1994 Fresh Nichole 1995 Dead Presidents Delilah Benson 1996 Johns X-Mas Junkie 1997 Close to Danger Detective Maggie Sinclair TV movie His and Hers Selena Squeeze Juliana A Woman Like That - 1998 Blade Dr. Karen Jenson 2000 3 Strikes Juanita 2002 Civil Brand Nikki Barnes Eight Legged Freaks Debra Griffith 2004 Joy Road Nia He Say... She Say... But What Does GOD Say? Alexandra Knight Video 2005 God's Forgotten House Ebony 2006 Restraining Order Carla 2018 A Talent for Trouble Marissa Montez

Television Year Title Role Notes 1992–93 I'll Fly Away Claudia Bishop Recurring cast: season 2 1993 Homicide: Life on the Street Loretta Kenyatta Episode: "Night of the Dead Living" 1994 Lifestories: Families in Crisis Laurette Episode: "P.O.W.E.R.: The Eddie Matos Story" 1995 American Gothic Cheryl Truelane Episode: "Eye of the Beholder" 1996 Swift Justice Sylvie Hodges Episode: "Takin' Back the Street" New York Undercover Carol Recurring cast: season 2 1997 Subway Stories: Tales from the Underground Young Girl Episode: "The Red Shoes" 1999 Third Watch Brenda Episode: "History of the World" 2001 UC: Undercover Keisha Recurring cast 2002 Widows Bella Main cast 2003 Platinum Maxine 'Max' Colt Recurring cast 2004 Chappelle's Show Calvin's Girlfriend Episode: "Negrodamus & The Niggar Family"