Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Erika Alexander
How Erika Alexander built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Erika Rose Alexander is an accomplished American actress, writer, producer, entrepreneur, and activist. She is widely recognized for her roles as Pam Tucker on The Cosby Show and Maxine Shaw on Living Single, earning two NAACP Image Awards for the latter. Alexander's film career includes roles in movies like The Long Walk Home, Déjà Vu, Get Out, and American Fiction, for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination. Beyond acting, she is involved in producing, writing, entrepreneurship and activism.
1986: First Major Film Role in My Little Girl
In 1986, Erika Alexander's first major film role was that of Joan in 'My Little Girl'.
1989: Acted in The Mahabharata
In 1989, Erika Alexander played Madri/Hidimbaa in Peter Brook's nine-hour play adaptation of 'The Mahabharata'.
1990: Starred in The Long Walk Home and The Cosby Show
In 1990, Erika Alexander starred opposite Whoopi Goldberg in the civil rights film 'The Long Walk Home'. Also in 1990, she was cast as Pam Tucker on the NBC sitcom 'The Cosby Show'.
1992: Starred in The Cosby Show Finale
In 1992, Erika Alexander starred on 'The Cosby Show' until its finale. Also in 1992, Alexander starred in the ABC comedy-drama series 'Going to Extremes'.
1993: Starred in Living Single
In 1993, Erika Alexander began starring as Maxine Shaw in the Fox sitcom 'Living Single'.
1993: Going to Extremes Cancelled
In early 1993, the ABC comedy-drama series 'Going to Extremes', in which Erika Alexander starred, was canceled after one season.
1996: Appeared in Toni Braxton's Music Video
In 1996, Erika Alexander made a cameo appearance in Toni Braxton's music video for her song "You're Makin' Me High".
1998: Starred in Mama Flora's Family
In 1998, Erika Alexander starred as Young Flora alongside Cicely Tyson and Queen Latifah in the CBS miniseries 'Mama Flora's Family'. She also appeared in the drama film 54.
1998: Won NAACP Image Award
In 1998, Erika Alexander won a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in 'Living Single'.
1998: Ended Living Single
In 1998, Erika Alexander's role as Maxine Shaw in the Fox sitcom 'Living Single' ended after five years.
2001: Starred in 30 Years to Life
In 2001, Erika Alexander starred in the comedy film '30 Years to Life', receiving a Black Reel Award for Best Independent Actress for her performance.
2002: Played Dee Mulhern in Street Time
In 2002, Erika Alexander played probation officer Dee Mulhern in the Showtime drama series 'Street Time'.
2006: Played Shanti in Deja Vu
In 2006, Erika Alexander played the role of Shanti in the science fiction action film 'Deja Vu'.
2006: Starred in Déjà Vu
In 2006, Erika Alexander played the role of Shanti in the science fiction action film 'Déjà Vu'.
2008: Campained for Hillary Clinton
In 2008, Erika Alexander campaigned for Hillary Clinton and toured college campuses with Chelsea Clinton during the Democratic Party primary.
2009: Starred in La Mission
In 2009, Erika Alexander starred in the drama film 'La Mission'.
2012: Recurring Role in Last Man Standing
From 2012, Erika Alexander had a recurring role as Carol Larabee in the ABC comedy series 'Last Man Standing'.
2012: Co-created Concrete Park
In 2012, Erika Alexander co-created and co-wrote the science-fiction graphic novel 'Concrete Park' with Tony Puryear.
2014: Supporting Role in Elsa & Fred
In 2014, Erika Alexander had a supporting role in the comedy-drama 'Elsa & Fred'.
2015: Erika Alexander's Role in Last Man Standing Ends
In 2015, Erika Alexander's recurring role as Carol Larabee in the ABC comedy series 'Last Man Standing' came to an end.
2016: Starred in Bosch and Queen Sugar
From 2016, Erika Alexander starred as Constance Irving in the Amazon original drama 'Bosch' and had a recurring role in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series 'Queen Sugar'.
2017: Recurring Role in Beyond
From 2017, Erika Alexander had a recurring role in the Freeform fantasy drama 'Beyond'.
2017: Played Detective Latoya in Get Out
In 2017, Erika Alexander played Detective Latoya in the critically acclaimed horror film 'Get Out'.
2017: Starred in Get Out
In 2017, Erika Alexander played Detective Latoya in the horror film 'Get Out'.
2018: Penned Buffy the Vampire Slayer Comic
In 2018, Erika Alexander penned season eleven of the 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' comic Giles with Joss Whedon.
2018: Recurring Role in Black Lightning
In 2018, Erika Alexander was cast in a recurring role as Perenna in the CW superhero series 'Black Lightning'.
2019: Appeared in I See You
In 2019, Erika Alexander appeared in the horror-thriller film 'I See You'.
2019: Nomination and Starred in Wu-Tang: An American Saga
In 2019, Erika Alexander received an NAACP Image Award nomination for 'Black Lightning'. Also in 2019, she began starring in the Hulu drama series, 'Wu-Tang: An American Saga'.
2020: Released John Lewis: Good Trouble
In 2020, Color Farm Media, co-founded by Erika Alexander, released 'John Lewis: Good Trouble', a documentary focusing on civil rights leader John Lewis.
2021: Recurring Role in Run the World
In 2021, Erika Alexander began appearing in a recurring role in the Starz comedy series, 'Run the World'.
2021: Lead Role in American Refugee
In 2021, Erika Alexander played the lead role in the Blumhouse horror-thriller 'American Refugee'.
2023: Created Finding Tamika
In 2023, Erika Alexander created and co-wrote the Dupont Columbia Award-winning Audible true-crime series 'Finding Tamika'.
2023: Starred in Earth Mama and American Fiction
In 2023, Erika Alexander starred in 'Earth Mama' and 'American Fiction', receiving an Independent Spirit Award nomination for the latter.
2023: Starred in American Fiction
In 2023, Erika Alexander starred in the drama film 'American Fiction' and received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her performance.
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