Tammy Townsend
Tammy Townsend is a veteran performer with remarkable versatility and range whose acting and musical talents are showcased in a variety of notable projects.
Most recently, Townsend has landed a new series regular role on the sixth season of OWN's acclaimed drama series, "Queen Sugar," from Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay and executive producer Oprah Winfrey. Set in rural Louisiana and the fictional community of St. Josephine, the show focuses on the trio of Bordelon siblings (Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Rutina Wesley and Kofi Siriboe), and their extended family. Townsend portrays 'Billie,' the daughter of beloved Bordelon family friend 'Prosper Denton' (Henry G. Sanders), who returns to St. Josephine for the first time in 20 years to care for her ailing father. The new season is set to premiere on Tuesday, September 7 at 8/7c on OWN.
In addition, Townsend stars as 'Candace' opposite Timon Kyle Durrett in the ALLBLK series, "Stuck With You." The storyline revolves around celebrity couple 'Candace' and 'Luvell' as their model marriage falls apart, but they decide to try to protect their brand and status by holding off on divorce while living separate lives. Townsend is also a co-producer on the series, which was recently Emmy-nominated in the category of Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Fiction Program. Season Two premiered on the ALLBLK streaming service in May 2021.
Townsend has wrapped production, alongside Regina Taylor and Kim Coles, on the upcoming BET+ original holiday film, "The Jenkins Family Christmas." The film, directed by Robin Givens, is based on the Off-Broadway play "Chicken and Biscuits" and will premiere later this year. Townsend also recently guest-starred on the Disney+ series, "Big Shot," with John Stamos.
She previously starred as tough but loveable mom and veteran spy 'Kira Cooper' in Disney Channel's live-action spy comedy series, "K.C. Undercover," which revolved around high school student math whiz 'K.C. Cooper' (Zendaya) who trains to be an undercover super spy, following in the footsteps of her parents (mom played by Townsend and dad played by Kadeem Hardison).
An accomplished actress, singer and dancer, Townsend has been performing for audiences since the age of nine. She landed her first TV role at the age of 14 with a guest spot on "Diff'rent Strokes" with Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges. She soon found work on such series as "In the Heat of the Night" and "Quantum Leap."
Townsend made her feature film debut in Robert Townsend's cult classic, "The Five Heartbeats." Additional feature credits include "The Preacher's Kid," "Simone" starring Al Pacino and Evan Rachel Wood, "Playing Mona Lisa," "The Pest" with John Leguizamo and "The Brady Bunch Movie."
She went on to showcase her comedic and singing skills with her starring role on "Sherri," opposite Sherri Shepherd. She had memorable roles in such series as "9ine," "Rock Me Baby" and "Lincoln Heights." She has also starred in numerous television movies, including "The Mistle-Tones," "To Love and to Cherish," "Love Me or Leave Me" and "Home of the Brave."
As a singer, Townsend has worked with many of the music industry's more celebrated singers/musicians, including Branford Marsalis, R&B singer/songwriter Tank, Gerald Albright, Norman Connors, Tamia and guitarist Kevin Eubanks ("The Tonight Show"). She performed the hit single 'One Kiss' from the "Preacher's Kid" soundtrack and has toured with singer/songwriter Eric Benet.
Townsend is an outdoor enthusiast who lives for adventure! She loves participating in activities such as hiking, snowboarding, 4-wheel driving and fly boarding. When she's not working or outdoors, she enjoys watching documentaries of all kinds. Travel is also a huge passion of hers, and she most recently traveled to Croatia.