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Pernell Walker
ActorBorn September 19, 1980 (44 years)
Pernell Walker (born September 19, 1980) is an American actress known for her impactful performances in film, television, and theater. Hailing from the South Bronx, Walker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from City College and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School. Walker first garnered attention with her breakout role as Laura in Pariah (2011), an award-winning Focus Features film directed by Dee Rees. Her performance earned critical acclaim and established her as a compelling presence in independent cinema. She further showcased her versatility with roles in television series such as The Deuce (2017–2019), where she portrayed Ruby "Thunder Thighs," and City on a Hill (2021–2022), in which she played Grace Campbell.
Her Off-Broadway debut came with the world premiere of SEED (2011), and she has participated in stage readings like Accept/Except, directed by Tony and Emmy Award-winning George Faison. Her stage performances, including roles in Singin' Wid a Sword in Ma Hand and Post Prison Playdate, reflect her commitment to powerful storytelling across mediums.
Walker’s television credits include notable appearances in When They See Us (2019), directed by Ava DuVernay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2018), and Dietland (2018). She has also appeared in films like Lost Cat Corona (2017) and Ambition’s Debt (2017). In recent years, her work has continued to expand, with roles in the Netflix series Ripley (2024) and the feature film Weekend in Taipei (2024).
Her Off-Broadway debut came with the world premiere of SEED (2011), and she has participated in stage readings like Accept/Except, directed by Tony and Emmy Award-winning George Faison. Her stage performances, including roles in Singin' Wid a Sword in Ma Hand and Post Prison Playdate, reflect her commitment to powerful storytelling across mediums.
Walker’s television credits include notable appearances in When They See Us (2019), directed by Ava DuVernay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2018), and Dietland (2018). She has also appeared in films like Lost Cat Corona (2017) and Ambition’s Debt (2017). In recent years, her work has continued to expand, with roles in the Netflix series Ripley (2024) and the feature film Weekend in Taipei (2024).
Filmography
| 2024 | Weekend in Taipei · as Charlotte Fields |
| 2024 | RIPLEY (TV Series) · as Sro Clerk |
| 2021 | The Equalizer (2021) (TV Series) · as Celia |
| 2019 | City on a Hill (TV Series) · as Grace Campbell |
| 2019 | When They See Us (TV Series) · as Gina Smith |
| 2018 | One Dollar (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 2018 | Dietland (TV Series) · as Tiana |
| 2017 | The Deuce (TV Series) · as Ruby 'thunder Thighs' |
| 2017 | When We Rise (TV Series) · as Gwenn Craig |
| 2017 | Lost Cat Corona · as Sales Clerk |
| 2017 | Ambition's Debt · as Cinna |
| 2016 | The Night Of (TV Series) · as Rikers Po |
| 2016 | Money Monster · as Laquishe |
| 2016 | Vinyl (TV Series) · as Smiling Sedgwick Hooker |
| 2015 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (TV Series) · as Vonda |
| 2014 | Annie · as Auditioning 'mom' |
| 2014 | The Knick (TV Series) · as Ida Harris |
| 2014 | The Leftovers (TV Series) · as Celia Odalys |
| 2013 | The Butler · as Lorraine |
| 2011 | Pariah · as Laura |
| 2010 | Blue Bloods (TV Series) · as Medic |
| 2010 | Boardwalk Empire (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1999 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) · as Kayla Price |