Tamela Mann

Acting

Tamela Mann

Born 1966-06-09 · Limestone County, Texas, USA

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.

Acting credits

Diary of a Mad Black Woman poster
6.5

Charles, an attorney, and Helen, his devoted wife, seem to have everything – money, a beautiful mansion – the American Dream. However, as Helen prepares to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary, her life takes an unexpected twist when she comes home to find her clothes packed up in a U-Haul van parked in the driveway. Charles is divorcing her and kicks her out. Helen moves in with her grandmother Madea, an old woman who doesn't take any lip from anyone. Madea helps Helen through these tough times by showing her what is really important in life. Helen is forced to rediscover love, life, and religion in her pursuit for happiness.

Diary of a Mad Black Woman

2005

The Color Purple poster
7.0

A decades-spanning tale of love and resilience and of one woman's journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

The Color Purple

2023

Madea's Destination Wedding poster
6.2

Madea packs her best floral dresses and a whole lot of chaos when the Simmons family heads to the Bahamas for her grandniece's whirlwind wedding.

Madea's Destination Wedding

2025

Kingdom Come poster
6.6

When her husband keels over from a stroke, Raynelle Slocumb calls the entire clan together to remember their dearly departed. Family tensions reach a comedic boil as the wildly dysfunctional Slocumbs squabble and fight their way to the funeral.

Kingdom Come

2001

Tyler Perry's A Madea Homecoming poster
6.7

Madea's back - hallelujer! And she's not putting up with any nonsense as family drama erupts at her great-grandson's college graduation celebration.

Tyler Perry's A Madea Homecoming

2022

Meet the Browns poster
6.7

A single mother living in inner city Chicago, Brenda has been struggling for years to make ends meet and keep her three kids off the street. When she's laid off with no warning, she starts losing hope for the first time - until a letter arrives announcing the death of a father she's never met. Desperate for any kind of help, Brenda takes her family to Georgia for the funeral, but nothing could have prepared her for the Browns, her father's fun-loving, crass Southern clan. In a small-town world full of long afternoons and country fairs, Brenda struggles to get to know the family she never knew existed... and finds a brand new romance that just might change her life.

Meet the Browns

2008

Madea Goes to Jail poster
6.5

After a high-speed car chase, Madea winds up behind bars because her quick temper gets the best of her. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Josh Hardaway lands a case that's too personal to handle: that of a young prostitute and former drug addict named Candace, also a childhood friend. When Candace winds up in jail, Madea takes the young woman under her protective wing.

Madea Goes to Jail

2009

Sparkle poster
6.2

Musical prodigy, Sparkle struggles to become a star while overcoming issues that are tearing her family apart. From an affluent Detroit area and daughter to a single mother, she tries to balance a new romance with music manager Stix while dealing with the unexpected challenges her new life will bring as she and her two sisters strive to become a dynamic singing group during the Motown-era.

Sparkle

2012

Madea's Big Happy Family poster
6.7

When Shirley, Madea's niece, receives distressing news about her health, the only thing she wants is her family gathered around her. However, Shirley's three adult children are too preoccupied with their own troubled lives to pay attention to their mother. It is up to Madea, with the help of rowdy Aunt Bam, to bring the clan together and help Shirley deal with her crisis.

Madea's Big Happy Family

2011

Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion - The Play poster
6.6

The fireworks begin when Madea’s family gathers for her granddaughter’s wedding. As usual, Madea rules the roost, as she and her neighbor, the wacky Mr. Brown, deliver nonstop laughs. Live, love, rejoice...it’s Madea’s Family Reunion!

Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion - The Play

2002

No artwork available
NR

When a family celebration brings relatives and friends together for a weekend, old secrets, unexpected relationships, and long-standing grudges quickly turn the gathering upside down. As tensions rise and drama unfolds, Madea steps in to set everyone straight before the family's biggest secret tears them apart.

Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Affair

Madea's Class Reunion - The Play poster
6.8

When Madea shows up for her 50th class reunion, you know it’s going to be a whopper! Between the belly laughs and the soulful songs are life lessons. Thanks to Madea’s wisdom, the message is clear: Learn to forgive and begin with yourself.

Madea's Class Reunion - The Play

2003

Merry Wishmas poster
5.3

A successful Atlanta businesswoman reunites with an old high school friend at his wellness facility. She is reminded of the transformational power of love, hope and faith, all amplified by the spirit of the holidays.

Merry Wishmas

2018

Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman - The Play poster
7.1

Before it was a movie, it was a theatrical phenomenon! When Helen learns that her husband is leaving her for her best friend, the women in her family are ready with advice. Her devout mother preaches strength and forgiveness, while her parolee grandmother shows up with a gun! Acclaimed African-American playwright Tyler Perry dares to mix sacred and secular humor with riotous results. Experience his most famous morality tale, now a major motion picture, in its original stage format...complete with live musical numbers!

Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman - The Play

2001

Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself - The Play poster
6.9

When Madea gets sick, her family comes to her aid. What they don't realize is that they're the ones who need her help. As always, Madea's cockeyed outlook on life saves the day and guarantees side-splitting laughs along the way.

Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself - The Play

2002

Truth Be Told poster
NR

While an important cultural epicenter with a rich political history of antiracist organizing, the Black church has historically fallen short when it comes to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and its queer members. Equal parts healing journey and incisive examination, this essential, extremely necessary portrait critiques the Black community lovingly, balancing the beauty of fellowship within the church against the damaging legacy it must work to undo.

Truth Be Told

2023

Whatcha Lookin' 4 poster
NR

As you view this project, it is our prayer that you experience the outpouring of the Spirit that fell over the crowd during this recording. From beginning to end - Kirk and the family continuously express their love for the Lord and introduce a fresh, new sound that will definitely deliver what you are looking 4.

Whatcha Lookin' 4

2003

Soul Santa poster
7.0

When a down-on-his-luck businessman gambles away the mob's money, he is forced to go on the run and hide out as a shopping mall Santa Claus.

Soul Santa

2021

Madea’s Christmas Special poster
NR

After winning a TBN Christmas contest, Mr. Brown gathers Madea and Cora to dine with the Vanderherst family—the hosts of the dinner.

Madea’s Christmas Special

2004

Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns - The Play poster
5.1

A funeral can be a time for laughter (and lessons) when the kooky Brown family gathers to bury Brown's 107-year-old father. It's a foot-stomping sound-stirring send-off and a great reminder--"Ain't nothin' like family, ain't nothin' like love!"

Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns - The Play

2005

Tyler Perry's Madea's Farewell - The Play poster
7.8

In Tyler Perry's final performance as Madea, the beloved matriarch will grace the stage to help her family navigate their greatest challenge yet: each other. Madea’s great-grandson graduates from law school and the entire family gathering to celebrate the occasion. However, chaos ensues as some unexpected folks show up and Madea morphs into a life coach. It's sure to be a turbulent time but one filled with fun, laughter and perhaps even some tears.

Tyler Perry's Madea's Farewell - The Play

2020

Kirk Franklin and the Family: Live poster
NR

A collection of eight rousing spiritual hits recorded at the Grace Temple in Fort Worth Texas in 1994. Selections include He's Able, Real Love and Silver and Gold among others.

Kirk Franklin and the Family: Live

1998

The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin: Live poster
10.0

Recorded live at Houston's Lakewood Church, this collection of live performances and video clips features guest appearances by Bishop T.D. Jakes, Shirley Caesar, Crystal Lewis, Donnie McClurkin and more

The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin: Live

2002