Tamela Mann
Born: 1966-06-09 in Limestone County, Texas, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
Tamela Jean Mann (née Johnson) is an American gospel singer, songwriter, and actress. She is married to actor David Mann. She began acting in 1999 when she was discovered by Tyler Perry. She debuted in the stage play I Can Do Bad All By Myself in 2000. The following year, she appeared in the comedy film Kingdom Come. She went on to act in Perrys plays Meet the Browns, Madea's Family Reunion, Madea's Class Reunion, Diary of a Mad Black Woman and What's Done in the Dark. In 2005, she waa in the romantic comedy drama film Diary of a Mad Black Woman which was inspired by the play of the same name. She reprised her role in the 2008 film Meet The Browns. The following year, she began starring on the TBS sitcom Meet the Browns, which ran til 2011. She appeared in Madea Goes to Jail (2009) and Madea's Big Happy Family (2011). In 2012, she waa in the musical film Sparkle, a remake of the 1976 film of the same name, alongside Whitney Houston and singer Jordin Sparks (making her film debut). She co-starred in the 2014 drama film First Impression and starred and produced 2018 Christmas film Merry Wish-Mas with her husband. In 2021, she starred in the another holiday film, Soul Santa. From 2015 to 2017, she starred, along with her husband, in the Bounce TV comedy series, Mann & Wife. In 2020, she returned to her role as Cora Simmons in the BET sitcom Tyler Perry's Assisted Living. In 2022, she appeared in A Madea Homecoming on Netflix. She then was cast in The Color Purple, a film adaptation for the screen from the 2005 stage musical of the same name. Mann began her career as a singer with the gospel group Kirk Franklin and the Family. She was a featured soloist on several tracks while with Franklin's group, including "Now Behold the Lamb", and "Lean on Me", the latter of which also included Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, R. Kelly, and Bono. She began her solo career by releasing the albums Gotta Keep Movin (2005), and The Master Plan (2009). Her third studio album, Best Days reached No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel albums chart, and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The lead single "Take Me to the King" earned her a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance. Her fourth studio album One Way (2016), also reached No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart; and spawned the single "God Provides", which won her the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song in 2017. Along with her Grammy Award, she has earned many other accolades and honors, including multiple NAACP Image Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and a BET Award. In 2022, she was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. She has received a total of nine No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart singles; while "Take Me to the King" spent 25 weeks on the top.
Filmography
2025
- Madea's Destination Wedding as Cora
2023
- The Color Purple as First Lady
- Truth Be Told
2022
- Sherri as Self - Guest
- Tyler Perry's A Madea Homecoming as Cora
2021
- Soul Santa as Liz
2020
- Tyler Perry's Assisted Living
- Tyler Perry's Madea's Farewell - The Play as Cora Jean Simmons-Brown
2019
- Tamron Hall as Self - Guest
2018
- Merry Wishmas as Keneisha 'Kenni' Wright
2015
- Mann & Wife as Toni Mann
2012
- Sparkle as Ms. Sara Waters
2011
- Madea's Big Happy Family as Cora
2009
- Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns
- Madea Goes to Jail as Cora Simmons
2008
- NPR Tiny Desk Concerts as Self
- Meet the Browns as Cora Brown
2005
- Diary of a Mad Black Woman as Cora
- Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns - The Play as Cora Jean Simmons
2003
- Madea's Class Reunion - The Play as Cora Jean Simmons
- Whatcha Lookin' 4 as Self
2002
- Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion - The Play as Cora Jean Simmons
- Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman - The Play as Myrtle Simmons
- Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself - The Play as Cora
- The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin: Live as Self
2001
- Kingdom Come as Lady #2