Actress Tika Sumpter has grown a reputation for starring in several African-American-based projects. In addition to her credits as an actress, Sumpter has worked behind the scenes as a producer. Although she has played a few lead roles, she is often cast in supporting roles.
Born in Queens, New York City, Tika Sumpter spent all her growing years in the city. Before landing her big acting break, Sumpter made her debut in commercials and worked as a waitress. Since her acting debut in the mid-2000s, these have been Tika Sumpter’s most memorable roles in film and television.
One Life to Live
The then-ABC soap opera One Life to Live was Tika Sumpter’s first major project. The actress joined the show in 2005 and was cast as Layla Williamson. Although introduced as a waitress, she becomes the co-founder of a fashion line, Exposed. Layla Williamson was Evangeline “Vange” Williamson’s (Renée Elise Goldsberry) younger sister.
Over time, Layla became involved in various romantic and dramatic storylines. Tika Sumpter played Layla Williamson from July 15, 2005, to January 24, 2011. Her performance earned her a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series.
Sparkle
The 2012 musical film Sparkle was created as a remake of the 1976 film. It centers around three sisters trying to make it in the music industry while dealing with family and personal challenges. Tika Sumpter was cast as Delores “Dee” Anderson, the middle sister in the film’s trio Anderson sisters. Sumpter portrayed the character as intelligent, outspoken, and determined to pursue a medical career.
This set her apart from her sisters, with her ambition far beyond the music scene. Dee is eventually offered a scholarship at Meharry Medical College. Although it was Dee who fatally struck Satin Struthers (Mike Epps) with a fireplace poker, Tammy “Sister” Anderson (Carmen Ejogo) chose to take the fall and served jail time. Sparkle also starred Jordin Sparks, Whitney Houston, and Derek Luke.
A Madea Christmas
In Tyler Perry’s 2013 A Madea Christmas, Tika Sumpter played Lacey Williams. Her character is a schoolteacher in a school in Bucktussle, Alabama. The movie’s storyline revolves around Tika Sumpter’s character trying to keep a secret about her marriage to Connor (Eric Lively), a white man. However, when Madea (Tyler Perry) arrives with Lacey Williams’ mother, Eileen Murphy (Anna Maria Horsford), for a surprise Christmas visit, truths start to unravel. Like several other Tyler Perry films, A Madea Christmas was a commercial success, although critically panned.
The Haves and the Have Nots
As a frequent collaborator of Tyler Perry, Tika Sumpter was also cast in his crime drama and soap opera series The Haves and the Have Nots. Cast as Candace Young, Sumpter is a central character in the series. She’s part of the Young family, considered the “poor, destitute Have Nots.” Sumpter’s Candace Young was known for being cunning and ambitious. The character is manipulative, intelligent, and always plotting to ride in social and financial status. To achieve this, Candace Young often uses deceit and seduction to get what she wants
Ride Along Films
Tika Sumpter played Angela Payton in a supporting role in the Ride Along films. Her character is introduced as Ben Barber’s (Kevin Hart) fiancée. Angela is also James Payton’s (Ice Cube)younger sister. Sumpter’s character adds depth to the movie’s storyline as Ben tries to prove himself worthy of marrying Angela by earning James’s approval. Tika Sumpter reprised the role in the 2016 sequel, Ride Along 2.
Southside with You
Tika Sumpter portrayed Michelle Robinson (later Michelle Obama) in the biographical romantic drama Southside with You. The movie depicts the first date between a young Barack Obama (Parker Sawyers) and Michelle Robinson in the summer of 1989 in Chicago. Tika Sumpter’s portrayal focuses on Michelle’s professionalism, intelligence, and initial reluctance to date Obama. Southside with You was a critic’s delight, generally receiving positive reviews.
Nobody’s Fool
In Nobody’s Fool, Tika Sumpter played the lead character Danica. The character is introduced as a successful businesswoman with a seemingly perfect life. However, Danica’s life becomes complicated when her sister, Tanya (Tiffany Haddish), is released from prison and moves in with her. Nobody’s Fool follows Danica’s journey as she navigates her relationship with her sister and a romantic entanglement. Her story arc centered around dealing with being “catfished” by an online boyfriend.
An Acceptable Loss
Although panned by critics, Joe Chappelle’s 2019 political thriller, An Acceptable Loss, was another film that cast Tika Sumpter in the lead role. Sumpter played Elizabeth “Libby” Lamm, a former national security adviser to U.S. Vice President Rachel Burke (Jamie Lee Curtis).
In the film’s timeline, Libby is an adjunct foreign policy professor and national security expert. She grapples with the consequences of a major and morally questionable military decision she was involved in. Burden by guilt, Libby tries to bring the truth to light, damning the consequences of such action.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Tika Sumpter is one of the live-action casts in Sonic the Hedgehog films. She plays Maddie Wachowski, the wife of Green Hills’ Sheriff Tom Wachowski (James Marsden). Maddie supports Tom in helping Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) escape Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) and plays a key role in aiding Sonic throughout his journey. Tika Sumpter reprised the role in two sequels, the 2022 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and 2024 Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Mixed-ish
ABC’s Mixed-ish was created as a prequel spin-off of Black-ish. Although short-lived with only 2 seasons, it is still one of Tika Sumpter’s memorable roles. Sumpter was cast as Alicia Johnson, Rainbow Sojourner “Bow” Johnson’s (Arica Himmel, Tracee Ellis Ross) mother. The character was portrayed as a smart, confident, and progressive lawyer who navigated raising her family in the 1980s while dealing with race, identity, and cultural dynamics. As a major character, Sumpter appeared in all 36 episodes. Besides these Tika Sumpter roles. Check out Canadian actress Catharine O’Hare’s memorable roles.
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