Ta-Tanisha

Ta-Tanisha (born Shirley Cummings on January 15, 1953 in The Bronx, New York) is an American character actress, best known for her role as Pam Simpson on the television series Room 222, which she played from 1970 to 1972.

Ta-Tanisha later appeared in the 1973 film The Sting, and appeared on Sanford and Son as "The Sanford Arms" tenant Janet Lawrence. Ta-Tanisha also appeared on Good Times three times (in three separate roles) as well as on What's Happening!!. Her husband is veteran actor Lee Weaver.

Career Ta-Tanisha arrived in Los Angeles from Detroit, Michigan in the 1960s. In the early 1970s Ta-Tanisha began studying theatre at the Performing Arts Society Los Angeles (PASLA) where she performed in several plays including Blues for Mister Charlie and A Raisin in the Sun. Ta-Tanisha also appeared in The Black Girl in Search of God at the Mark Taper Forum.

After a while, Ta-Tanisha began to get roles in television shows and films such as Room 222, in a recurring role as Pam Simpson, Good Times, Sanford & Son and the Mod Squad. She co-starred as a deaf mute on the hit show Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series) and was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for this performance. Ta-Tanisha was also in the Academy Award-winning movie, The Sting.

This exposure to the production process inspired Ta-Tanisha to create a Media literacy program for inner-city youth, Ta-Tanisha named this program TechniVision and it was presented at a local art center and as an after school program in conjunction with Los Angeles City Schools and Girls, Inc.

Ta-Tanisha received an award from the City of Los Angeles for “helping to heal the city” after the uprising of the early '90s in the city.

Currently Ta-Tanisha is part of the Repertory Dance Theater of Los Angeles and is part of a team that is conducting an after school performance program. Ta-Tanisha has also written a play about Biddy Mason, an enslaved African American woman who never learned to read or write; Miz Biddy. The play is currently in development.

Personal life From July 10, 1971, until his death in September 2025, she was married to actor Lee Weaver. They resided in the Bronx and have one child, Leis La-Te, a daughter.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes 1970 Halls of Anger Claudine 1970 Like It Is Randy 1973 Frasier, the Sensuous Lion Also known as Frasier, the Lovable Lion 1973 The Stone Killer Salesgirl 1973 The Sting Louise Coleman 1977 The Choirboys Melissa 1991 The Whereabouts of Jenny Scranton's Secretary 1995 Days of the Pentecost Melena's mother

Television film

Year Title Role Notes 1971 Crosscurrent Rainie Lewis 1983 Baby Sister Night Nurse 1982 The First Time Shari 1985 Star Fairies Nightsong Voice role 1987 Convicted: A Mother's Story 1989 The Women of Brewster Place Tenant #1 2017 Last Resort: Sleep Tight

Television series Year Title Role Notes 1969 Leora Little Season 2, Episode 7: Confrontation! 1969 Pam Arnold Season 1, Episode 13: Seventeen Going on Twenty-Eight 1970 Pam Arnold Season 1, Episode 17: Operation Sandpile 1970 Pam Simpson Season 2, Episode 7: Only a Rose 1970 Pam Arnold Season 2, Episode 8: The Fuzz That Grooved 1970 Pam Arnold Season 2, Episode 15: Now, About That Cherry Tree 1970 Georgianna Jones Season 2, Episode 4: There Must Be a Party 1970 Mission: Impossible Maryana "Gabby" Renfrow Season 5, Episode 10: Hunted Nominated: NAACP Image Award 1971 Pam Simpson Season 2, Episode 20: Hip Hip Hooray 1971 Pam Simpson Season 3, Episode 1: K-W-W-H] 1971 Pam Simpson Season 3, Episode 6:Suitable for Framing 1971 Judy Season 1, Episode 3: Mid-term Dinner 1972 Pam Simpson Season 3, Episode 18: We Hold These Truths 1972 Gloria Logan Season 5, Episode 21: Lifeline 1972 Mary Lou Trimper Season 3, Episode 10: Ain't Love Grand 1972 Rosie Season 2, Episode 16: Syndrome 1973 Lizzie Season 5, Episode 23: Keeping Tabs 1974 Cannon Miranda Season 3, Episode 23: Triangle of Terror 1975 Jean Season 1, Episode 15: What's wrong with Bobby? 1975 Janet Lawrence Season 5, Episode 4: The Sanford Arms 1976 Janet Lawrence Season 5, Episode 14: Can You Chop This? 1976 Melida Season 1, Episode 10: The Sounds of Silence 1976 Patrice Williams Season 1, Episode 10: Puppy Love 1974 Marcy Season 1, Episode 13: My Son, the Lover 1976 Mary Ann Season 3, Episode 21: J.J. in Trouble 1979 Zodiac Girl Season 6, Episode 18:J.J. and T.C. 1980 Nurse #3 Season 6, Episode 16: The Arrival: Part 2 1985 Unknown Season 5, Episode 9: Old Ghosts 1986 Pregnant Lady Season 6, Episode 18: Iced Coffey 1987 Amen Mrs. Gordon Season 2, Episode 4: Dueling Ministers