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Tina Lifford

Tina Lifford

Actor · Born May 1, 1966 (60) · Evanston, Illinois

Tina Lifford emerged as an actress in 1994 as series lead in the critically acclaimed FOX comedy-drama South Central. In a career of more than twenty-five years, notable credits include Grand Canyon (1991), Mandela and De Klerk (1997), Blood Work (2002), Hostage (2005), Parenthood (2011-2015) and Scandal (2015). Her humanitarian work focuses on the importance of inner fitness.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 1, 1966 (60)
From
Evanston, Illinois
Works as
Actor
Titles
60 on MovieCove · 74 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 27% in 30 days

What are Tina Lifford's films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 74th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 7th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
25%
Bonds
23%
Society
16%
Survival
13%
Self
12%
Power
6%
Ideas
5%
Justice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeHope4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 19 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 7 · Charged 11 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 11 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 6 of 9 analyzed roles.

Mentor
6 of 9
Ally
2 of 9
Threshold guardian
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Warm
8
Hopeful
8
Melancholic
9
Contemplative
7
Other
17

How their films linger

Hopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy15
  • Bittersweet7
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Tina Lifford's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 44 of their 60 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Tina Lifford's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

74 credits, 60 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • We Strangers(2024)

    as Willie Martin

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Heaven Down Here(2023)

    as Clara

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Lawmen: Bass Reeves(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Moody O'Neil

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • A Holiday in Harlem(2021)

    as Mama Belle

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • A Christmas to Cherish(2019)

    as Mrs. Henley

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Rookie(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Warden Miller

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • A Gift for Christmas(2017)

    as Mrs. Henley / Landlord

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Queen Sugar(2016)

    Show 88 episodes · as Violet Bordelon

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • The Devil's Dolls(2016)

    as Della DeGracie

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Minority Report(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lily Vega

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Scandal(2012)

    Show 6 episodes · as CIA Director Lowry

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Friends with Benefits(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Marsha

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Parenthood(2010)

    Show 15 episodes · as Renee Trussell

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Drop Dead Diva(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Nora Lafford

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • In Plain Sight(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Denise McBride / Denise Morris

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Mystery Woman: Redemption(2006)

    as Bonnie

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Catch and Release(2006)

    as Eve

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Heroes(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Paulette Hawkins

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Nora

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Urban Legends: Bloody Mary(2005)

    as Grace Taylor

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Hostage(2005)

    as Laura Shoemaker

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Mystery Woman: Sing Me a Murder(2005)

    as Bonnie

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Pamela Fox

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Threat Matrix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as The female pathologist

  • Nip/Tuck(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Warden DeMarco

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Blood Work(2002)

    as Detective Jaye Winston

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • For the People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Joe Somebody(2001)

    as Cassandra Taylor

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Amy's Orgasm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Irene Barris

  • Panic(2000)

    as Dr. Leavitt

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Pay It Forward(2000)

    as Principal

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 3 episodes · as Judge Witherspoon

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Strong Medicine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Brenda Babson

  • The '70s (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Aunt Olavee

  • The Loretta Claiborne Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Rita Claiborne

  • Family Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 8 episodes · as Judge Alice Kingston

  • The Temptations(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Haze

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Martial Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Halle Winship

  • Letters from a Killer(1998)

    as Elizabeth

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Cloned(1997)

    as Claire Barnes

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Gun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Sally

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Johnson

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Mandela and de Klerk(1997)

    as Winnie Mandela

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • After Jimmy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Susan Johnson

  • Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story(1996)

    as Jackie Joyner-Kersee

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • America's Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Sarah (segment "Long Black Song")

  • JAG(1995)

    Show 2 episodes · as Juanita Ressler

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Divas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Geraldine

  • Babe(1995)

    as Sheep (voice)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Sis

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • ER(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as Evelyn Pratt

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance(1994)

    as Jean

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Born Too Soon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Latanya

  • The Ernest Green Story(1993)

    as Mrs. Green

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lee

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Love & War(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Bebe's Kids(1992)

    as Additional Voices (voice)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Grand Canyon(1991)

    as Deborah

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Rape of Doctor Willis(1991)

    as Rollins

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Wedlock(1991)

    as Policewoman

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Paris Trout(1991)

    as Mary Sayers

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • New Jack City(1991)

    as Recovering Addict

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Beverly Hills, 90210(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Felicity Ashe

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Hoover

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Moe's World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • The Fabulous Baker Boys(1989)

    as Background Voice (voice)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Colors(1988)

    as Mrs. Craig

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Nuts(1987)

    as Lawyer #2

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • It's Garry Shandling's Show.(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Nurse Helen

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The Ladies Club(1985)

    as Patty

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Leora Cargill

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Frankie Mason

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Lorraine · as Nurse

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Knots Landing(1979)

    Show 7 episodes · as Floor manager · as Tina · as Washroom Attendant

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 74 titles from 1979 to 2025; peak year 2001.

Biggest box office

Grand Canyon (1991)

$41M worldwide

Highest rated

The Temptations (1998)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Queen Sugar (2016)

Film career

19792025

Peak 2001 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1979Screen debut· Knots Landing
  • 1989First film· The Fabulous Baker Boys
  • 2002Career best· Blood Work
  • 2016Career best· Queen Sugar

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting74 of 74: 74 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score66th

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s8 · acting1990s30 · acting2000s22 · acting2010s9 · acting2020s4 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
8904

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Tina Lifford's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 32; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 57th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 60 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up21
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th16
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

29 of their 60 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser29
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

We Strangers (2024)

90th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Parenthood (2010)

Midcredits 93rd · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 63/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 40. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Tina Lifford's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 2 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 80 · severeMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles29–45 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Tina Lifford work with?

People who share at least 2 of Tina Lifford's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kevin Fair shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers