Tisha Campbell-Martin has distinguished herself by her many diverse achievements in film, television, theatre, and music. In an accomplished career that has maintained longevity over the years, Campbell-Martin has acted in, directed, produced various films and television projects, starred on Broadway, and recorded hit records.
Campbell-Martin starred opposite Damon Wayans in ABC’s sitcom, “My Wife and Kids.” Campbell-Martin co-wrote the movie “The Seat Filler,” along with actor/husband Duane Martin (UPN’s “All of Us”). Tisha produced a film short, “A Luv Tale,” about two women who fall in love with each other. She also directed a comedy presentation/pilot “Get Up Stand Up” as well as episodes of “My Wife and Kids” in the final season. Campbell-Martin is still recognizable from her five-year stint as Gina on the FOX hit sitcom, “Martin.” Tisha’s career has garned great press and awards including an NAACP Image award and festival awards.
Raised in Newark, Campbell-Martin is the daughter of two singers who nurtured her love for music. She entered her first talent contest at the age of five and won first prize: a car. She began to work “The Kiddy Circuit,” appearing on children’s television shows such as, “Wonderama,” “Kids are People Too,” and “Captain Kangaroo.”
At the age of sixteen, she traveled to London to star in her first film role as one of the three singers/narrators in the “Little Shop of Horrors” opposite Rick Moranis and Steve Martin. She then set her sights on Hollywood and at age 18 co-starred on the NBC series, “Rags To Riches,” which appeared on NBC for two seasons. During this time, Spike Lee was auditioning actresses for his second movie, “School Daze.” After what she thought was a disastrous audition, she received a phone call from Lee asking her to play the lead.
“School Daze” was followed by numerous film and television roles including “House Party,” “Homeward Bound,” “Getting Personal,” “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and “Moe’s World,” a television pilot where she met her future husband, Duane Martin.
Most recently, she appeared in “All of Us,” produced by Will and Jada Smith while also active in the theater world: Tisha will star in the upcoming Debbie Allen/James Ingram penned production, The Bayou Legend.
Helping others had always been a passion of Campbell-Martin’s since she was a young girl growing up with wants that she could not have. “Children can’t vote, they can’t lobby for themselves. It’s up to us to lobby for them’. She performs charitable work including an annual performance at “Divas Simply Singing!”- A musical evening, which benefits AIDS charities. She is developing a project to benefit her alma-mater, Arts High School, providing desperately needed supplies to the inner-city school and keeping music in its curriculum. She’s joined forces with Chaka Khan, and Cure Autism Now sponsoring and co-chairing “Walk Now LA,” a walk-a-thon and resource benefit for children with autism. She’s worked with Project Angel Food both behind the scenes and in the performance of benefit concerts at the Howard Fine Theater.