Ta-Tanisha facts for kids

Ta-Tanisha (born Shirley Cummings on January 15, 1953, in The Bronx, New York) is an American actress. She is well-known for playing Pam Simpson on the TV show Room 222 from 1970 to 1972.

Ta-Tanisha also appeared in the 1973 movie The Sting. She played Janet Lawrence on Sanford and Son. She was also in Good Times three times and What's Happening!!. Her husband is the actor Lee Weaver.

Ta-Tanisha's Acting Journey

Ta-Tanisha moved to Los Angeles from Detroit, Michigan, in the 1960s. In the early 1970s, she started studying acting. She joined the Performing Arts Society Los Angeles (PASLA). There, she acted in several plays. These included Blues for Mister Charlie and A Raisin in the Sun. She also performed in The Black Girl in Search of God. This play was at the Mark Taper Forum.

Becoming a TV and Film Star

After her theater work, Ta-Tanisha began getting roles in TV shows and movies. She had a regular role as Pam Simpson on Room 222. She also appeared on Good Times, Sanford & Son, and Mod Squad. She played a deaf character on the popular show Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series). For this role, she was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Ta-Tanisha was also in the movie The Sting, which won an Academy Award.

Helping Young People Learn About Media

Being part of movie and TV production inspired Ta-Tanisha. She wanted to help young people learn about how media is made. So, she created a program called TechniVision. This program taught media literacy to kids in inner-city areas. It was offered at a local art center. It was also an after-school program. She worked with Los Angeles City Schools and Girls, Inc. to make it happen.

The City of Los Angeles gave Ta-Tanisha an award. They thanked her for "helping to heal the city." This was after the uprising in the early 1990s.

Current Activities and Projects

Today, Ta-Tanisha is part of the Repertory Dance Theater of Los Angeles. She helps lead an after-school performance program. She has also written a play. The play is about Biddy Mason. Biddy Mason was an enslaved African American woman. She never learned to read or write. The play is called Miz Biddy and is still being developed.

Ta-Tanisha's Family Life

Ta-Tanisha has been married to actor Lee Weaver since July 10, 1971. They live in the Bronx. They have one daughter named Leis La-Te.

Selected Film and Television Roles

Ta-Tanisha has appeared in many films and TV shows. Here are some of her notable roles:

Movies

• 1970: Halls of Anger as Claudine
• 1973: The Sting as Louise Coleman
• 1977: The Choirboys as Melissa

Television Shows

• 1969-1972: Room 222 as Pam Simpson (recurring role)
• 1970: Mission: Impossible as Maryana "Gabby" Renfrow (nominated for NAACP Image Award)
• 1975-1976: Sanford and Son as Janet Lawrence
• 1974-1979: Good Times (three different roles)
• 1976: What's Happening!! as Patrice Williams