{{Short description|American actress and producer (born 1970)}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Malinda Williams | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|9|24}} | birth_place = | occupation = Actress, producer | years_active = 1987–present | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Mekhi Phifer|1999|2003|end=div}} * {{marriage|D-Nice|2008|2010|end=div}} * {{marriage|Tariq Walker<br>|2020}} }} | children = 1 | other_names = Malinda Williams-Phifer | website = }}
'''Malinda Williams''' (born September 24, 1970<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/MalinsWorld/status/647085856315035648|title=Twitter|website=mobile.twitter.com|access-date=2019-02-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CFg9Xx2AfZy/|title=Instagram|website=instagram.com|access-date=2023-02-14}}</ref>) is an American actress and producer. She began her career on television, before appearing in films ''A Thin Line Between Love and Hate'' (1996), ''High School High'' (1996), and ''The Wood'' (1999).
From 2000 to 2004, Williams starred as Tracy "Bird" Van Adams in the Showtime drama series ''Soul Food'', for which she received three NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series nominations. After starring role in the short-lived NBC drama series ''Windfall'', Williams returned to film playing supporting roles in ''Idlewild'' (2006), ''Daddy's Little Girls'' (2007), ''First Sunday'' (2008), and ''2 Days in New York'' (2012).
==Early life== Raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, Williams moved to nearby Westfield at the age of 12 and graduated from Westfield High School.<ref>Paglia, Bernice. [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-news-profile-of-actress-mali/186333059/ "Actress helps out Plainfield students"], ''Courier News'', June 6, 2002. Accessed December 6, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "Her family moved to Westfield when she was about 12 she said and she graduated from Westfield High School."</ref>
==Career== Williams made her television debut in an episode of ''The Cosby Show'' in 1987.<ref name=bios>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Malinda_Williams.aspx|title=Malinda Williams|access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref>{{tertiary source inline|date=January 2019}} She guest starred on ''Miami Vice'', ''Roc'', ''My So-Called Life'', ''Sister, Sister'', ''Moesha'', and ''NYPD Blue''. In film, she made her debut in the 1996 black comedy-romance film ''A Thin Line Between Love and Hate''. Later that year, she co-starred in ''Sunset Park'' and ''High School High''. From 1997 to 1998, she had a starring role in The WB sitcom ''Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher''. In 1999, she appeared in the romantic comedy film ''The Wood'' and the following year in the thriller ''Uninvited Guest''.
Williams is best known for her role as Bird in the Showtime drama series ''Soul Food'', a continuation of the successful 1997 film of the same name.<ref name=bios/>{{tertiary source inline|date=January 2019}} It also starred Nicole Ari Parker and Vanessa Estelle Williams. For her performance, Williams received three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series nominations.{{citation needed|date=January 2019|reason=IMDb is not considered to be a reliable source for this kind of claim. See :WP:RS/IMDB for more information}} The series aired from 2000 to 2004. ''Soul Food'' went on to be the longest running drama with a predominantly black cast in the history of American prime-time television.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/no-black-dramas-left-television-wbna5054030|title=No black dramas left on television|work=TODAY.com|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> While on ''Soul Food'', Williams appeared Ruff Endz's music video "Someone to Love You" in 2002.
After ''Soul Food'' ended, the same year, Williams appeared rapper Young Buck's music video "Shorty Wanna Ride" playing the rapper's love interest.
She later guest-starred on ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', and was a regular cast member on the short-lived NBC drama series ''Windfall'' in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/showatch/windfall/dvd/|title=Shows A-Z - windfall on nbc - TheFutonCritic.com|access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref> In 2006, Williams appeared in the musical film ''Idlewild''. The following year, she co-starred in the Tyler Perry's romantic comedy-drama ''Daddy's Little Girls''. In 2008, she appeared in ''First Sunday'' opposite Ice Cube. She then starred in several independent films. In 2012, Williams co-starred as Chris Rock's sister in the romantic comedy film ''2 Days in New York''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/2_days_in_new_york/|title=2 Days in New York|website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=10 August 2012|access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref> Between 2013 and 2015, she played the leading role in the Up network's television film ''Marry Me for Christmas'', and its two sequels ''Marry Us for Christmas'' and ''A Baby for Christmas''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackfilm.com/read/2015/10/malinda-williams-victoria-rowell-start-production-on-ups-a-baby-for-christmas/|title=Malinda Williams, Victoria Rowell Start Production On UP's A Baby for Christmas|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> In 2013, she began hosting the Aspire network's television talk show ''Exhale''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/issa-rae-malinda-williams-will-co-host-new-aspire-talkshow-modeled-after-the-view|title=Issa Rae, Malinda Williams Will Co-Host New ASPiRE Talksh - Shadow and Act|author=Tambay A. Obenson|date=26 April 2013|work=Shadow and Act|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> She also starred in two films for TV One: ''Girlfriends' Getaway'' and its sequel ''Girlfriends' Getaway 2'' in 2014 and 2015, alongside Garcelle Beauvais, Terri J. Vaughn and Essence Atkins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/tv-one-gets-into-original-movies-will-premiere-girlfriends-getaway-starring-garcelle-beauvais-terri-j-vaughn-20140723|title=TV One Gets Into Original Movies. Will Premiere 'Girlfrie - Shadow and Act|author=Tambay A. Obenson|date=23 July 2014|work=Shadow and Act|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/tv-ones-original-movie-girlfriends-getaway-2-reunites-original-cast-august-premiere-set-20150727|title=TV One's Original Movie 'Girlfriends Getaway 2' Reunites - Shadow and Act|author=Tambay A. Obenson|date=27 July 2015|work=Shadow and Act|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> In 2015, Williams also had a supporting role in David O. Russell's comedy film ''Accidental Love''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/2015/06/18/accidental-love-review/|title=Accidental Love Review|author=Luke Ryan Baldock|date=18 June 2015|work=The Hollywood News|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>
==Personal life== Williams was married to actor Mekhi Phifer from 1999 to 2003; they have a son named Omikaye.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-press-update-on-mekhi-phifer/186333436/ "'ER' Star Mekhi Phifer Becomes A Dad"], ''Daily Press'', November 1, 2007. Accessed December 6, 2025, via Newspapers.com. "Phifer already has an 8-year-old son, Omikaye, from his previous marriage to actress Malinda Williams."</ref>
In August 2008, she married rapper D-Nice; they separated in August 2009 and filed for divorce in February 2010;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Malinda x D-Nice: We Wanted This One To Last|url=https://www.vibe.com/2010/02/malinda-x-d-nice-we-wanted-one-last|date=2010-02-24|website=Vibe|language=en|access-date=2020-05-13}}</ref> and it was finalized on June 14, 2010.
Williams married journalist Tariq Walker in 2020.<ref>[https://www.heartandsoul.com/celebrity/malinda-williams-and-tariq-walkers-wedding/ "Malinda Williams and Tariq Walker’s Wedding"], Heart and Soul, January 29, 2020. Accessed December 6, 2025.</ref>
==Filmography==
===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- |rowspan=3| 1996 | '' A Thin Line Between Love and Hate'' | Erica Wright | |- | ''Sunset Park'' | Cheryl | |- | ''High School High'' | Natalie Thompson | |- | 1997 | ''Damn Whitey'' | Malinda | Short |- |rowspan=2| 1999 | ''Uninvited Guest'' | Tammy | |- | ''The Wood'' | Alicia | |- | 2000 | ''Dancing in September'' | Rhonda | |- | 2005 | ''Exposure'' | Woman | Short |- | 2006 | ''Idlewild'' | Zora | |- | 2007 | '' Daddy's Little Girls'' | Maya | |- | 2008 | ''First Sunday'' | Tianna | |- | 2009 | ''A Day in the Life'' | Boopsy | |- |rowspan=5| 2012 | ''2 Days in New York'' | Elizabeth Robinson | |- | ''Back Then'' | Andrea 'Dre' Devine | |- | ''The Undershepherd'' | Casandra | |- | ''A Cross to Bear'' | Fae | TV movie |- | ''Side by Side'' | Herself | |- |rowspan=2| 2013 | ''24 Hour Love'' | PJ | |- | ''Marry Me for Christmas'' | Marci Jewel | TV movie |- |rowspan=3| 2014 | ''Percentage'' | Cassandra | |- | ''Girlfriends' Getaway'' | Camille | TV movie |- | ''Marry Us for Christmas'' | Marci Jewel | TV movie |- |rowspan=3| 2015 | ''Accidental Love'' | Rakeesha | |- | ''Girlfriends Getaway 2'' | Camille | TV movie |- | ''A Baby for Christmas'' | Marci Jewel | TV movie |- | 2016 | ''Merry Christmas, Baby'' | Marci Jewel | TV movie |- |rowspan=2| 2018 | ''War Paint'' | Nancy | Short |- | ''Chandler Christmas Getaway'' | Marci Jewel | TV movie |- |rowspan=2| 2019 | ''Loved To Death'' | Monica | |- | ''A Second Chance'' | Erica Styles | |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1987 | '' The Cosby Show'' | Althea Logan | Episode: "Calling Doctor Huxtable" |- | 1989 | ''Miami Vice'' | Lynette | Episode: "Too Much, Too Late" |- | 1990 | '' The Cosby Show'' | Shana | Episode: "Denise Kendall: Singles Counselor" |- |rowspan=3| 1993 | '' Loving'' | Maya | Regular Cast |- | '' Roc'' | Celina | Episode: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Father" |- | ''Laurel Avenue'' | Sheila Arnett | TV mini series |- |rowspan=3| 1994 | '' South Central'' | Candi | Episodes: "Dad" & "Gun: Part 2" |- | '' My So-Called Life'' | Yvette | Episode: "The Substitute" |- | ''Me and the Boys'' | Elizabeth | Episode: "Bad Influence" |- | 1994–95 | ''Sister, Sister '' | Tyra | Episodes: "Get a Job" and "Field Trip" |- |rowspan=4| 1995 | ''CBS Schoolbreak Special'' | Alex Bing | Episode: "What About Your Friends" |- | ''Captain Planet and the Planeteers'' | Michelle (voice) | Episode: "In Zarm's Way" |- | ''Under One Roof'' | Tamika | Episode: "Secrets" |- | ''The Client'' | Zora Ward | Episode: "Them That Has..." |- |rowspan=3| 1996 | ''Moesha'' | Taylor | Recurring cast: season 1, guest: season 2 |- | ''NYPD Blue'' | Annette Morris | Episode: "Ted and Carey's Bogus Adventure" |- | ''The John Larroquette Show'' | Shanelle | Episode: "When Yussel Learned to Yodel" |- | 1997 | ''Dangerous Minds'' | Lashawn | Episode: "The Feminine Mystique" |- | 1997–98 | ''Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher'' | Tasha Morrison | Main cast: season 2 |- | 2000 | ''Movie Stars'' | Bianca | Episode: "La Vida Loca" |- | 2000–04 | ''Soul Food'' | Tracy 'Bird' Van Adams | Main cast |- | 2003 | ''Half & Half'' | Myra | Episode: "The Big Much 'I Do' About Nothing Episode" |- |rowspan=3| 2004 | ''The Division'' | Tanya | Episode: "Play Ball" |- | ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'' | Lori-Ann Dufoy | Episode: "Careless" |- | ''The District'' | Rennee | Episodes: "A.K.A" & "The Black Widow Maker" |- | 2006 | ''Windfall'' | Kimberly George | Regular Cast |}
===Music videos=== *"Many Styles" by Audio Two *"Someone to Love You" by Ruff Endz *"Back at you" by Mobb Deep *"Shorty Wanna Ride" by Young Buck *"What Could've Been" by Ginuwine *"Until It's Gone" by Monica *"Self Destruction" by Boogie Down Productions
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Awards ! Category ! Recipient ! Outcome |- | 2000 | Black Reel Awards | Black Reel Award for Best Actress | "The Wood" | {{nom}} |- | 2003 |rowspan=3| NAACP Image Award |rowspan=3| NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series |rowspan=3| "Soul Food" | {{nom}} |- | 2004 | {{nom}} |- | 2005 | {{nom}} |- | 2013 | American Black Film Festival | American Black Film Festival Award for Best Performance | "The Undershepherd" | {{won}} |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|0931227}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Malinda}} Category:20th-century African-American actresses Category:20th-century American actresses Category:21st-century African-American actresses Category:21st-century American actresses Category:Actors from Union County, New Jersey Category:American child actresses Category:Place of birth missing (living people) Category:American film actresses Category:American television actresses Category:Living people Category:People from Plainfield, New Jersey Category:People from Westfield, New Jersey Category:Westfield High School (New Jersey) alumni Category:1970 births