Acting Campbell's first television appearance was at the age of six, in an episode in 1974 of the PBS show
The Big Blue Marble. As a child, she won many
talent shows, going on to appear in such children's programs as
Kids Are People Too,
Unicorn Tales (played lead Daisy Bunsen in episode,
The Magnificent Major), and
Captain Kangaroo. At age 17, she performed in the musical feature film,
Little Shop of Horrors as Chiffon, one of
The Supremes-like
girl group Greek Chorus, along with future
Martin co-star and best friend,
Tichina Arnold. After graduating from the Arts High School in Newark, she moved to
Hollywood, where she became a star on the NBC musical comedy-drama series,
Rags to Riches (1987–88). She later starred in the musical comedy drama film
School Daze, directed by
Spike Lee, as Jane Toussaint. In 1989, Campbell costarred in the crime film
Rooftops. The following year, she starred alongside
Eddie Murphy in the action comedy
Another 48 Hrs.. She later appeared in a supporting role in the 1992 romantic comedy
Boomerang, also starring Murphy. Her most notable film credit is 1990 comedy
House Party for which she received
Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female nomination. She later co starred in its two sequels;
House Party 2 (1991), and
House Party 3 (1994). In 1997, she received her star billed role in the
Trimark Pictures' comedy film
Sprung. She later had the leading role in the independent drama film
The Last Place on Earth (2002), and appeared in
Kevin Smith's sex comedy film
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) playing the acerbic wife of
Craig Robinson's character. In 1992, Campbell was cast as Gina Waters-Payne in the
Fox comedy series
Martin. She left the show in November 1996, returning to work after settling a lawsuit accusing co-star
Martin Lawrence of sexual harassment. Campbell continued in the role until the series ended in 1997. The following year, she starred opposite
Diahann Carroll in the
Hallmark Hall of Fame film
The Sweetest Gift (1998). Campbell returned to television in 2001, starring opposite
Damon Wayans in the
ABC comedy series
My Wife and Kids. In 2003, she won
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role. The series ran for five seasons, ending in 2005. After
My Wife and Kids, Campbell was a regular in the Lifetime comedy series
Rita Rocks (2008–09). In 2011, she starred opposite
Ally Walker in the Lifetime police drama
The Protector. The series was canceled after a single season. Also in 2011, she starred in the acclaimed
Disney Channel original film Lemonade Mouth. In September 2015, she was cast in the ABC sitcom
Dr. Ken, starring
Ken Jeong. The series was cancelled after two seasons in 2017. In the beginning of 2018, she played Olympic gymnast
Simone Biles' mother in the
Lifetime movie
The Simone Biles Story: Courage to Soar. Later in 2018, Campbell starred on the ABC drama pilot
The Holmes Sisters about the lives of five African-American sisters, all officers in the
NYPD. It was produced by
Regina King and
Robin Roberts.
Music In 1993, Campbell released her debut album,
Tisha, which was a moderate success, selling 40,000 copies. Two singles received minor airplay on the
R&B stations: "Push", which was produced by Derek Bramble, and "Love Me Down". Campbell contributed vocals for the soundtrack of the 1997 film,
Sprung, in which she starred, singing a cover version of "
Don't Ask My Neighbor" with
Tichina Arnold. She appeared in several music videos in the 1990s and 2000s, including two for
Will Smith ("
Will 2K" and "
Wild Wild West") and one for
Toni Braxton ("You're Makin' Me High"). In 2012, Campbell starred in
Mindless Behavior's music video for "Hello". On September 21, 2015, she released the single, "Steel Here". On February 24, 2016, Campbell released the single, "Lazy Bitch", as well as an accompanying video, where she featured her friend,
Tasha Smith. On February 2, 2018, Campbell released the single, "I Don't Wanna Be Alone Tonight". On October 6, 2019, she released the single, "22 Summers," with an accompanying video.
Philanthropy In 2011, Campbell co-founded Colored My Mind, a non-profit foundation dedicated to raising awareness of childhood
autism in communities of color. She was inspired to start the organization by her son Xen, who was diagnosed with autism when he was 18 months old. ==Personal life==