Tamala Jones Talks Breaking Down Racial Barriers in Hollywood and Her New Movie in the Works

Tamala Jones is one of the most humble people I have interviewed in my career. She has been a staple in Hollywood for Black actresses for over 2 decades. Her hit show "Castle" is now in its 8th season and I don't see her slowing down anytime soon. I remember the first time I saw Tamala on screen was in the film "Booty Call." I was so young and I shoudn't have even been watching that movie but still today it is one of my favorite films. On screen and off she is charismatic, witty and will have you laughing up a storm. Whether she is playing the girl who will bust out your car windows like she did Dada (played by Mike Epps) in "Next Friday" or Lannie the sassy medical examiner on ABC's hit show "Castle," her presence is undeniable. She is a honest actress and she explores that on screen in all the characters she portrays in these various roles.

Her character Lannie was originally written for a white woman but Tamala didn't let other people put her in a box so she auditioned anyway and nailed it!

“Castle came around right after the writer’s strike had just ended and for a lot of actors the writer’s strike just took the wind out of all of us. You couldn’t work and if you worked you got fined more than what you made so this was like the first thing, " said Tamala.

"There was really nothing for African- American actresses floating around at that time, there were very little jobs available so I was frustrated. I mean I was so bored I was doing people hair for free at my house (she laughs) I needed something to do!"

“They were coming with all these auditions and I was like look guys I’m not going to audition for something I’m not really passionate about, I need to step outside the box. Can’t you call some of the casting people that have cast me before?" said Tamala.

Her agents kept telling her there were only Caucasian and East Indian roles available but nothing for African-American actresses, but Tamala stayed persistent and she told her agent, " Well, see if they’ll let me come in any way.” After checking with ABC they decided to give Tamala a chance to audition for the role.

“So I get the audition, it’s bright and early, it’s 8 o'clock in the morning and I get there and I’m really the only brown spec in the room. It was just like three lines. It doesn’t matter how small its what you do with it so I go in there and knock it out . I felt good . Thirty minutes after I left they were like she’s got it. It was just God sent,” said Tamala.

Jones has been taking her talents off screen to behind the scenes. She teamed up with her cast member Jon Heurtas to create the provocative short film The Box, about a couple who find love in a desperate situation in the antebellum south. She recently co-produced the independent film "Nora’s Hair Salon" and is set to produce the Tammy Terrell biopic through her company Foxy Roxy Productions.

Tammy Terrell, the singer most know for her hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" with Marvin Gaye, died at the age of 24 from a brain tumor that ended her promising career. Her story is very similar to Tamala's dealing with a brain disease at such a young age. This lead me to ask her if that is why she decided to do this project.

She replied, “That was one of the reasons but I’ve always been obsessed with Tammy Terrell. I was named after Tamala Records which was a label under Motown. Iv’e always felt something between me and her, some sort of connection and after having the brain aneurysm and finding out why she died I was like this is not a coincidence. I have to tell this woman's story. And then her mom died of a brain aneurysm. On top of how incredible her story was and how short the amount of time she was here the woman accomplished so much and right when her star was just rising she left. My problem is we all sing her songs we all know her songs but we don’t know her face or her story. This woman opened up for James Brown back in the day and she was best friends with Patti Labelle. This is an adventurous life in such a short amount of time."

This film is being shopped around to a few people but Jones has Tammy's estate and family behind her.

“I have been talking with her sister Ludie and Ludie has shared some amazing stories. Ludie wrote her book with a lady named Vicki Write and we have been talking through out the year and really wanting to get this done. There was some legal things that really needed to be handled first, which are now handled so we are moving forward. But I am beyond excited to be able to tell this story and also have her estate backing me is like major for me," said Jones.

Tamala says she is going to play a role but it’s not Tammy. “Being an African -American or an actress of color like they say nowadays, I want to be responsible for ushering in other young and up and coming talent that I know that has it and is ready and needs to be given a chance like someone gave me a chance. That’s my motivation. I think that’s more important than highlighting my self in every project that I'm working on," said Jones. An inspiring statement from a strong woman who has made a permanent stamp on Hollywood and giving hope to all the little Black girls that one day want to become great actresses.

“I'm just trying to be a grown woman and do the right thing and not be greedy and be humble and always be open to learning from the youth and try to help them out too," said Jones.

How can you not respect a woman like this? Two decades in the industry and she is still paving the way for others to follow. Make sure you catch Tamala on her hit show Castle on ABC.

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