BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Rutina Wesley (born December 21, 1979) is an American film, stage, and television actress best known for her role as Tara Thornton on the HBO series True Blood.
Early life and education
Wesley was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada.[1] Wesley's father, Ivery Wheeler, is a professional tap dancer and her mother, Cassandra Wesley, was a showgirl.[2] She attended high school at the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts. She studied dance at Simba Studios and the West Las Vegas Arts Center.[3]
While at the Las Vegas Academy, Wesley missed several other auditions for college training programs and was finally accepted by the University of Evansville in Indiana. She was hesitant in joining the university because of a lack of minorities in the state.[4] After earning her undergraduate degree in Theatre Performance (B.F.A. 2001),[5] her grandmother suggested that she do a nursing course, but Wesley insisted on pursuing her education.[4] She joined the Juilliard School in 2001[6] and graduated in May 2005 (Group 34),[7] which included a summer spent at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.[1] At Juilliard, she became close friends with her future co-star Nelsan Ellis[8] (Group 33: 2000–2004).[9]
Career
In December 2006, Wesley was featured in David Hare's Broadway play The Vertical Hour.[2] In 2007, Wesley also appeared in The Public Theater production of In Darfur by playwright Winter Miller, co-starring Heather Raffo, Aaron Lohr among others.[10]
Wesley had a minor role in 2005 film Hitch, which was edited in the final cut.[3] However, she made her on screen debut in the lead role in 2007 film How She Move, from British director Ian Iqbal Rashid. The character Raya Green, who enters a step dancing competition to secure funds for her education, was inspired by Tony Manero, portrayed by John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.[11] Prior to the shooting of the film, Wesley underwent a five-week dance rehearsal period.[3] Portraying a woman of Jamaican descent, she also took dialect coaching for the role.[1] Wesley auditioned for the role Tara Thornton in the HBO series True Blood in 2007 and secured the part after creator Alan Ball chose her because "[she] was the first person who showed [Tara's] vulnerable side".[2]
In June 2011, it was reported that Wesley will star in the biopic Left To Tell based on Immaculée Ilibagiza's bestselling memoir about the Rwandan Genocide.[12]
Personal life
Wesley divides her time between Los Angeles and Astoria, Queens. In 2005 she married her former Juilliard classmate Jacob Fishel, an actor. Wesley filed for divorce on August 16, 2013 citing irreconcilable differences.[13]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | How She Move | Raya Green | Film debut |
| 2012 | California Winter | Marcy Sanchez | |
| 2014 | Last Weekend | Nora Finley-Perkins | |
| 2014 | 13 Sins | Shelby |
Short
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Championship Rounds | Tina |
Television
Series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | True Blood | Tara Thornton | 2008–2014 |
| Numb3rs | Jenny Calandro/Sarah | Episode: "Magic Show" | |
| 2011 | Bandwagon: The Series | 1 episode |
Telefilm
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Top 100 Number Ones |
Voice
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–2012 | The Cleveland Show | Yvette / Tori | 2 episodes |
| 2010–2011 | Generator Rex | Agent Kenwyn Jones | 2 episodes |
Awards/Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Satellite Awards | Best Casting Television | True Blood | Won |
| 2010 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series | True Blood | Nominated |
| 2013 | NAACP Image Award | Best Supporting Actress | True Blood | Nominated                                                                                                                                                                 |
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