Tamala R. Jones was born in Pasadena, California on November 12, 1974. She is best known for her roles in the movies Booty Call, The Wood, Kingdom Come, The Brothers, and Two Can Play That Game. She currently stars on the ABC television show Castle as Medical Examiner Dr. Lanie Parish. Her first acting role was as a guest appearance on the teen sitcom, California Dreams. She had her first major television role playing a student in the short-lived ABC drama, Dangerous Minds. Her film credits include Booty Call, The Wood, Blue Streak, Next Friday, Kingdom Come, Daddy Day Camp and a small, yet crucial role in the film Up in the Air. Tamala was voted as one of "The 10 Sexiest Women of the Year" in 2000 and 2001 by "Black Men Magazine".