Ta-Tanisha facts for kids

Ta-Tanisha was born Shirley Cummings on January 15, 1953, in The Bronx, New York. She is an American character actress. She is well-known for playing Pam Simpson on the TV show Room 222. She was on the show 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. She had different roles each time. She also appeared on What's Happening!!. Her husband is the experienced actor Lee Weaver.

Ta-Tanisha's Acting Career

Ta-Tanisha moved to Los Angeles from Detroit, Michigan, in the 1960s. In the early 1970s, she started studying acting. She went to the Performing Arts Society Los Angeles (PASLA). There, she acted in many 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.

Soon, Ta-Tanisha started getting roles in TV shows and movies. She had a regular role as Pam Simpson in Room 222. She also appeared in Good Times, Sanford & Son, and Mod Squad. She played a deaf character in 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 Sting, which won an Academy Award.

Helping Young People with Media

Being part of movie and TV production inspired Ta-Tanisha. She wanted to help young people understand media. So, she created a media literacy program. It was for young people in inner-city areas. She called this program TechniVision.

TechniVision was offered at a local art center. It was also an after-school program. This program worked with Los Angeles City Schools and Girls, Inc.. Ta-Tanisha received an award from the City of Los Angeles. It was for "helping to heal the city." This was after the uprising in the early 1990s.

Current Projects and Activities

Today, Ta-Tanisha is part of the Repertory Dance Theater of Los Angeles. She is also part of a team. This team runs an after-school performance program. Ta-Tanisha has also written a play. It 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 since July 10, 1971. Her husband is actor Lee Weaver. They live in the Bronx. They have one child, a daughter named Leis La-Te.

Film and TV Roles

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TV Movies

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