Tichina Arnold

A sassy small-screen player who started out on stage, Arnold was still a teen when she began landing roles in TV-movies, daytime soaps and a handful of features, including the 1986 musical Little Shop of Horrors, which allowed her to show off her mighty vocal chops. An award-winning, five-year supporting stint on the sitcom Martin — as the wisecracking best buddy of the eponymous character's wife — led to roles in a number of black-oriented films (Big Momma's House) and television shows (One on One). During slow periods, Arnold reverted to stage work and also launched a line of accessories. Then in 2005 she landed a breakout part as Chris Rock's tough-talking but bighearted mama on the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris.