Paula Jai Parker

Paula Jai Parker built up an impressive resume of film and television work before landing a high-profile regular role on David E Kelley's detective series "Snoops" (ABC, 1999-2000). A spirited comedic performer with a powerful and uncompromising presence, Parker proved her skills as a regular on one season of the syndicated "Apollo Comedy Hour" before landing a featured starring role on Robert Townsend's short-lived variety series "Townsend Television" (Fox, 1993). The versatile, actress compellingly took on a more dramatic role in "Tang," an installment of the 1994 HBO anthology special "Cosmic Slop," for which she earned a CableACE Award as Best Actress in a Dramatic Special or Series. On the big screen, Parker could be seen in supporting roles in F Gary Gray's "Friday" and Rusty Cundieff's horror anthology "Tales From the Hood" in 1995, followed by a 1996 appearance in Spike Lee's "Get on the Bus." She also stayed busy with a recurring role on The WB comedy series "The Wayans Bros." from 1995 to 1996.