Tamara Tunie

Tamara Tunie, born March 14, 1959, is an accomplished American film, stage, and television actress, director, and producer known for a variety of roles. She is most recognized for her role as attorney Jessica Griffin on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns and as medical examiner Melinda Warner in the NBC police drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Tunie, a versatile actress, has also appeared in landmark films such as Rising Sun, The Devil's Advocate, and Flight, showcasing her talent with challenging roles. In her early life, Tunie was the fourth of six children, brought up in Homestead, Pennsylvania, where her industrious upbringing prepared her for subsequent challenges. Graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with a BFA in Musical theatre, she was elected to the University's Board of Trustees in 2020. Her Broadway debut came with Lena Horne's The Lady and Her Music in 1981, establishing a career trajectory that remains upward to date. She has received multiple nominations for her work, impressing audiences with roles in NYPD Blue, New York Undercover, and Sex and the City, further solidifying her foothold in the industry. She has been lauded for her dynamic roles, bagging a nomination for the Independent Spirit Awards for The Caveman's Valentine. Her work extends from cinema to television, with notable roles in Fox thriller series 24 and CBS's Blue Bloods. Hamara Tunie has also made significant strides behind the camera, making her directorial debut with See You in September in 2010. Her performance in Familiar won her the Obie award for distinguished performance, and her role in the musical Spring Awakening bagged a Tony Award. In her personal life, Tunie was previously married to Greg Bouquett and later to jazz musician Gregory Generet. She is active in philanthropic activities, recognized by Mayor Michael Bloomberg for her commitment to film, television and theatre.