Tangi Miller facts for kids

Tangi Miller (born February 28, 1970) is an American actress, model, director, and dancer. She is best known for playing Elena Tyler in the popular TV show Felicity. For her acting, Miller has been nominated for two NAACP Image Awards. Since the mid-2000s, she has focused on making indie films, where she has also worked as a producer and director.

Early Life and Education

Tangi Miller was born in Miami, Florida. She is the oldest of six children. Because of their parents' religious beliefs, Miller and her siblings were not allowed to watch television when they were young.

In high school, Miller started acting in plays. At first, she didn't plan to be an actress. She studied marketing at Alabama State University. However, she spent all her free time acting. After graduating, she decided to study acting more seriously. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of California, Irvine. She also studied at the famous Royal National Theatre in London and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Acting Career

Television Roles

Miller's career began with roles on the HBO comedy Arli$$ in 1996 and the CBS drama Michael Hayes in 1997. Her big break came when she was cast in the hit TV show Felicity (1998–2002). She played Elena Tyler, a smart and stylish student who wanted to be a doctor.

Her work on Felicity earned her a nomination for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series in 2002. TV Guide also named her one of its "Most Attractive Faces." In 1999, she appeared as a dancer in the music video for Ol' Dirty Bastard's song "Got Your Money".

Miller has also appeared in other TV shows. She played the daughter of CCH Pounder's character on The Shield in 2002. She had guest roles on crime dramas like The District (2003) and The Division (2004). She also appeared in the sitcom Half & Half in 2005.

Movie Roles

Miller has acted in many movies. She played the lead role in the BET movie Playing with Fire. She also starred with Mekhi Phifer in the film The Other Brother (2002). In 2001, she played Stephanie, the wife of MC Hammer, in the VH1 movie Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story.

She was the main character in the horror movie Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood (2003). In 2006, she played the character Donna in Tyler Perry's popular film Madea's Family Reunion. For her role in the science-fiction movie Phantom Force, she received her second NAACP Image Award nomination in 2005.

Since Madea's Family Reunion, Miller has mostly worked on indie films. These include movies like Hurricane in the Rose Garden, Guardian of Eden, and Diva Diaries.

Work as a Producer and Director

Besides acting, Tangi Miller also works behind the camera. She has produced several films, including Police Officer 3, which was made in Ghana, and the 2008 movie After School.

In 2017, Miller directed her first movie, Diva Diaries. She also produced and acted in the film. It was first shown at the Pan African Film Festival in 2017.

Filmography

Film

Television