Tamara Tunie Headshot

Tamara Tunie

Also Credited As: Tamara Tunie Bouquett

Birth Place: McKeesport, PA, USA

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Tamara Tunie BIO

Tamara Tunie (born March 14, 1959) is an American film, stage, and television actress, director, and producer. She is best known for her roles as attorney Jessica Griffin on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns (1987–1995, 2000–2007, 2009) and as medical examiner Melinda Warner in the NBC police drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2000–2021). Tunie also appeared in films such as Rising Sun (1993), The Devil's Advocate (1997), The Caveman's Valentine (2001) receiving Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female nomination, Flight (2012), and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022).

Tamara Tunie Photos

Tamara Tunie STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
The New Group and National Black Theatre Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2023
Florence Delva

[West End]
London Production, 2022
Kamala Harris

[Off-Broadway]
New York Premiere at New World Stages, 2017
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Invictus Theater Company Reading, 2017
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2014
Detective Gwen Washburn

[Off-Broadway]
2006
Father [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2005
Calpurnia

Ensemble

[Off-Broadway]
2002
Performer

[Broadway]
New York Concert, 2001
Michelle Morris

[Off-Broadway]
1996
Ni-Caul

[Off-Broadway]
1995
Helen

[Off-Broadway]
1993
Paulie

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1985
Sister

Tamara Tunie Productions

 
[Broadway, 2007]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Producer

Tamara Tunie Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Musical

Tamara Tunie, Spring Awakening

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Play

Tamara Tunie, Radio Golf

Tamara Tunie Videos

Tamara Tunie News


Steppenwolf Theatre's PURPOSE Extends Through Mid May


Steppenwolf Theatre Company will present two additional weeks of performances for its world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ epic family drama Purpose. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Video: Get a First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre's PURPOSE


Steppenwolf Theatre Company is continuing its 48th season with the world premiere of Purpose. Check out footage!

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of PURPOSE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company


Check out photos from opening night of Purpose at Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Photos: First Look at Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE at Steppenwolf


Steppenwolf Theatre Company is continuing its 48th season with the world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Get a first look at photos.

Review: PURPOSE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company


Branden Jacobs-Jenkins has set the table for one hell of a family dinner in PURPOSE. Directed by Phylicia Rashad in a world premiere for Steppenwolf, this family drama keenly focuses on the privileged Jasper family, whose patriarch is a Civil Rights icon. The first act moves at a brilliant clip with lots of darkly funny moments during a contentious family drama, then unspools into a more serious and somber contemplation of the skeletons in the family’s closet in the second. 

Video: First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Phylicia Rashad-Directed PURPOSE


Get a first look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad. Check out the video!

Video: Watch a Trailer for Steppenwolf's PURPOSE, Directed by Phylicia Rashad


Steppenwolf Theatre Company has released a trailer for their production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE. Watch video footage here!

Steppenwolf Theatre's PURPOSE World Premiere Extends Through Late April


Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ epic family drama Purpose has added one additional week of performances. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre Company's PURPOSE in Rehearsal


Check out rehearsal photos for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, here!

Photos: Phylicia Rashad Directs the World Premiere of PURPOSE By Branden Jacobs- Jenkins At Steppenwolf Theatre Company


Steppenwolf Theatre Company will continue its 48th season with the world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad. See photos of the company! Purpose will play March 14 – April 21, 2024 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater.

Video: Glenn Davis on PURPOSE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company


Watch as Steppenwolf Artistic Director Glenn Davis talks about bringing Purpose to Steppenwolf. 'That's what Steppenwolf does best!' Davis can’t say enough about the world premiere of PURPOSE and the incredible lineup of artists assembling to create this incendiary theatrical event.

Tamara Tunie & More to Star in THE TASTERS Industry Reading


Tamara Tunie, Colby Minifie, Kaley Ronayne, Babak Tafti, and Rad Pereira star in an industry reading of Meghan Brown's new play, The Tasters.

Video: Phylicia Rashad on PURPOSE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company


Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad returns to Steppenwolf to direct the world premiere of PURPOSE, a epic family drama by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. In all new video, Rashad discusses this powerful show, the exciting process and why she's glad to be back at Steppenwolf.

Harry Lennix and Tamara Tunie Join the Cast of Steppenwolf's PURPOSE


Harry Lennix (The Blacklist, The DC Universe) and Tamara Tunie (Law & Order: SVU, I Wanna Dance with Somebody) will join the cast of its world premiere of Steppenwolf Theatre Company's Purpose.

DOROTHY DANDRIDGE! THE MUSICAL Comes to Latea Theater This Week


Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical is being presented at the New York Theater Festival on December 11, 15 and 17 after a successful debut at Carnegie Hall in 2022.

New Musical MARIAN Holds Residency at The University of Michigan This Month


The University Of Michigan Department of Musical Theatre will be hosting a two week writer’s residency this November for the creative team of MARIAN, a new musical about the renowned opera singer and activist, Marian Anderson. 

Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet for Black Theatre United's Inaugural Gala


Just last night, Black Theatre United (BTU) held its inaugural Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Supported by Business for Good (BFG), the evening in celebration of the indelible mark that Black culture has had and continues to have on Broadway. Check out photos from inside the big night!

Photos: On the Red Carpet at The Dramatists Guild Foundation 2023 Gala


The Dramatists Guild Foundation 2023 Gala took place last night, October 24. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out all the photos here!

N'Kenge to Star in DOROTHY DANDRIDGE! THE MUSICAL Directed by Tamara Tunie at the New York Theater Festival


Experience the power and talent of N'Kenge in Dorothy Dandridge! The Musical at New York Winter Theater Festival. Celebrate the legacy of a fearless pioneer and the first African-American Woman to receive an Oscar Nomination. Get your tickets now!

Black Theatre United Announces Star-Studded Honorary Co-Chair Lineup For Inaugural Gala!


Black Theatre United (BTU) announced today a star-studded lineup of honorary co-chairs for its upcoming inaugural Gala on Monday, October 30 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, which includes Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Cookie Johnson, Al Roker & Deborah Roberts, Blair Underwood, Congresswoman Ayanna Presley, Tommi A. Vincent and Troy Vincent Sr.

Tamara Tunie FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Tamara Tunie next theatre project?

Tamara Tunie's next show will be Bernarda's Daughters which opens on 5/23/2023 on Off-Broadway.

How many Broadway shows has Tamara Tunie been in?

Tamara Tunie has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Tamara Tunie been in?

Tamara Tunie has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Tamara Tunie's first West End show?

Tamara Tunie's first West End show was The 47th which opened in 2022

What awards has Tamara Tunie been nominated for?

Tamara Tunie has been nominated for the Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Spring Awakening" and for the Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Radio Golf."

What awards has Tamara Tunie won?

Tamara Tunie has won the Tony Award for Best Musical for Spring Awakening.

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