Tessa Thompson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tessa Thompson
Thompson at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con
Born	Tessa Lynne Thompson (1983-10-03) October 3, 1983 (age 41) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater	Santa Monica College
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2002–present
Relatives	Zsela (half-sister)
Awards	Full list

Tessa Lynne Thompson (born October 3, 1983) is an American actress. She started her acting journey with the Los Angeles Women's Shakespeare Company while studying at Santa Monica College. There, she performed in plays like The Tempest and Romeo and Juliet.

After her role in the TV show Veronica Mars (2005–2006), she became well-known. This happened with her main roles in the independent film Mississippi Damned (2009) and For Colored Girls (2010).

Thompson received praise for her roles in the comedy-drama Dear White People (2014) and as civil rights activist Diane Nash in the historical drama Selma (2014). She became even more famous for her parts in big movie series. She played Bianca Taylor in the sports dramas Creed (2015), Creed II (2018), and Creed III (2023). She also played Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero movies, including Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). She also had a main role in Men in Black: International (2019).

She starred in independent films like Sorry to Bother You (2018) and Annihilation (2018). She also earned nominations for her work in Sylvie's Love (2020) and Passing (2021). Her TV roles include the drama series Copper (2012–2013) and the science fiction series Westworld (2016–2022).

Early Life and Education

Thompson was born on October 3, 1983, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up living between Los Angeles and Brooklyn, New York. Her father, Marc Anthony Thompson, is a singer-songwriter. He started the music group Chocolate Genius, Inc.. Her mother has both Mexican and white family roots. Her younger half-sister, Zsela, is also a singer and songwriter.

Thompson went to Santa Monica High School. There, she played the character Hermia in a student play of A Midsummer Night's Dream. She also attended Santa Monica College (SMC), where she studied cultural anthropology. While at SMC, she also went to classes taught by Lisa Wolpe from the Los Angeles Women's Shakespeare Company.

Tessa's Acting Career

Starting on Stage and TV

Thompson at the 46th NAACP Image Awards in 2014

In 2002, Thompson first performed on a professional stage. She played Ariel in a play called The Tempest. In 2003, she acted as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet: Antebellum New Orleans, 1836. This role earned her an NAACP Theatre Award nomination.

Thompson's first TV appearance was in 2005 on the crime drama Cold Case. That same year, she became more famous for her role as Jackie Cook on the TV series Veronica Mars. In 2006, she appeared on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy.

Thompson's first movie was the 2006 horror film When a Stranger Calls. In 2007, she was in the TV drama Hidden Palms. She then starred with Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the dance film Make it Happen in 2008. She also had guest roles on TV shows like Life and Private Practice. She also appeared in Heroes.

In 2010, Thompson appeared in the movie For Colored Girls. She also had a guest role on the drama series Detroit 187. In 2012, she was in the horror series 666 Park Avenue. In 2013, she starred in Copper, a show from BBC America.

Breakthrough Roles in Film

In 2014, Thompson starred as Samantha White in the comedy Dear White People. This film won an award at the Sundance Film Festival. That same year, Thompson played civil rights activist Diane Nash in the movie Selma, which was about Martin Luther King Jr.. In 2015, she appeared in Creed, a sequel to the Rocky movies.

In 2016, she started a main role in the HBO science fiction series Westworld as Charlotte Hale. Also in 2016, Thompson performed in the play Smart People in New York City.

Thompson attending the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con

In 2016, Thompson was chosen to play Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Thor: Ragnarok, which came out in 2017. She also appeared in the science fiction horror film Annihilation in 2018. In 2017, Thompson was cast in the science fiction comedy Sorry to Bother You, released in 2018. She played Bianca Taylor again in the sports drama Creed II (2018), which was very popular.

Thompson played Valkyrie again in the superhero film Avengers: Endgame (2019). She also starred as Agent M in the Men in Black spin-off movie, Men in Black: International. In this film, she worked with Chris Hemsworth, who was also her co-star in the Thor movies. The film was released in 2019. Also in 2019, she voiced the character Lady in the movie Lady and the Tramp.

At the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that Thompson would return as King Valkyrie "Val" in the superhero film Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).

Thompson helped produce and voiced the main character in the science fiction podcast series The Left Right Game (2020). In 2020, she starred in the romantic drama film Sylvie's Love. In 2021, she starred in the drama film Passing. In 2021, Thompson finished filming the drama movie The Listener, directed by Steve Buscemi. Thompson is the only actor seen on screen in this film. Thompson also played Bianca Taylor again in the sports drama Creed III (2023).

Music and Directing

Musical Contributions

Thompson is also a singer-songwriter. She has worked with the music group Caught a Ghost. She also helped create songs for the soundtracks of Creed and Creed II. She co-wrote and sang several songs with producer Moses Sumney for these films.

Directing Projects

Thompson directed her first music video for the song "Raat Ki Rani". This song is the main single from Arooj Aftab's 2024 album Night Reign.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Appearances

Theater Roles

Podcast Roles

Music Video Appearances

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Tessa Thompson para niños