Paula Jai Parker
- Actress
- Director
- Producer
Paula Jai Parker is from Cleveland, Ohio. She moved to Washington, D.C.
in 1987 to study at Howard University. After graduating with a Bachelor
of Arts degree, she moved to New York City and played a number of
clubs. Her reputation as a comedian earned her a place on the FOX
comedy program "The Apollo Comedy Hour," filmed live at the legendary
Apollo Theater. She left the show after one year to pursue a film
career, taking memorable roles in the F. Gary Gray urban comedy Friday
and earned a Cable ACE Award for her role in the HBO anthology
presentation, Cosmic Slop.
Parker returned to television in 1995 in the WB television series The
Wayans Bros. opposite Shawn and Marlon Wayans. Throughout the 1990s,
she appeared in several shows, including 1997's The Weird Al Show and
David E. Kelley's Snoops in 1999. Between television projects, she
appeared in a number of films, including the Million Man March
docudrama Get on the Bus (1996), the urban comedy Sprung (1997), the
Frankie Lymon biography, Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998), the ensemble
comedy 30 Years to Life (2001), Cover and in the comedy-drama, She Hate
Me (2004).
In 2000, Parker voiced the sophisticated matriarch Trudy Proud in the
popular animated series The Proud Family. The series became a success,
and has continued to be produced by Disney and gain a positive standing
among television critics. Between voice sessions, Parker has continued
to take supporting roles in films, in 2002's "High Crimes", 2003's
Phone Booth and 2005's Hustle & Flow. She also starred in My Baby's
Daddy. Parker was also featured in the television series Touched by an
Angel. In 2006, Parker starred in the feature film The Genius Club for
writer/director Tim Chey.
Paula Jai Parker appeared in music video "I Belong to You" by singer
Rome and in music video "Follow My Lead" by 50 Cent featuring Robin
Thicke. In 1999, she made a cameo appearance in the music video "I
Really Like It" by Harlem World with Tracy Bingham and Tia and Tamera
Mowery. In 2001, Parker appeared in the music video for "Girls, Girls,
Girls" by rapper and business mogul Jay-Z with fellow actresses Tamala
Jones and Carmen Electra.
Parker married Forrest Martin in 2004. The couple met on the set of
Hustle & Flow. Forrest had just graduated with a Master of Fine Arts.
They have one son.
Paula is starring in a TV One Production, "Hollywood Divas," to air
later in 2014. Forrest, a writer and producer, and Paula as the
director and actor, are collaborating on several projects including the
TV series "The White Sisters."
in 1987 to study at Howard University. After graduating with a Bachelor
of Arts degree, she moved to New York City and played a number of
clubs. Her reputation as a comedian earned her a place on the FOX
comedy program "The Apollo Comedy Hour," filmed live at the legendary
Apollo Theater. She left the show after one year to pursue a film
career, taking memorable roles in the F. Gary Gray urban comedy Friday
and earned a Cable ACE Award for her role in the HBO anthology
presentation, Cosmic Slop.
Parker returned to television in 1995 in the WB television series The
Wayans Bros. opposite Shawn and Marlon Wayans. Throughout the 1990s,
she appeared in several shows, including 1997's The Weird Al Show and
David E. Kelley's Snoops in 1999. Between television projects, she
appeared in a number of films, including the Million Man March
docudrama Get on the Bus (1996), the urban comedy Sprung (1997), the
Frankie Lymon biography, Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998), the ensemble
comedy 30 Years to Life (2001), Cover and in the comedy-drama, She Hate
Me (2004).
In 2000, Parker voiced the sophisticated matriarch Trudy Proud in the
popular animated series The Proud Family. The series became a success,
and has continued to be produced by Disney and gain a positive standing
among television critics. Between voice sessions, Parker has continued
to take supporting roles in films, in 2002's "High Crimes", 2003's
Phone Booth and 2005's Hustle & Flow. She also starred in My Baby's
Daddy. Parker was also featured in the television series Touched by an
Angel. In 2006, Parker starred in the feature film The Genius Club for
writer/director Tim Chey.
Paula Jai Parker appeared in music video "I Belong to You" by singer
Rome and in music video "Follow My Lead" by 50 Cent featuring Robin
Thicke. In 1999, she made a cameo appearance in the music video "I
Really Like It" by Harlem World with Tracy Bingham and Tia and Tamera
Mowery. In 2001, Parker appeared in the music video for "Girls, Girls,
Girls" by rapper and business mogul Jay-Z with fellow actresses Tamala
Jones and Carmen Electra.
Parker married Forrest Martin in 2004. The couple met on the set of
Hustle & Flow. Forrest had just graduated with a Master of Fine Arts.
They have one son.
Paula is starring in a TV One Production, "Hollywood Divas," to air
later in 2014. Forrest, a writer and producer, and Paula as the
director and actor, are collaborating on several projects including the
TV series "The White Sisters."