As the drama builds in season 13 of Grey’s Anatomy, we are being introduced to Maggie Pierce’s mom Diane, played by LaTanya Richardson (also known as LaTanya Richardson Jackson).
But who is LaTanya and where have we seen her before?
LaTanya was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1949. She attended Atlanta’s Spelman College and, in 1974, met a certain Samuel L. Jackson (who was then a student at the male-only Morehouse College).
The two began dating and then married a few years later in 1980. LaTanya became a mother in 1982, and their daughter Zoe is also in the film business (although Zoe works on the other side of the camera).
LaTanya is an actress and producer, beginning her career on Broadway before moving into film and TV. When her daughter Zoe was born, LaTanya no longer worked regularly but she’s still got an impressive CV.
Known for her supporting roles, you may have seen her in films such as Malcolm X, Sleepless in Seattle, and When a Man Loves a Woman.
TV appearances include guest roles on Party of Five, NYPD Blue and Chicago Hope in the mid-1990s, and a recurring role as an attorney in the hit show Ally McBeal.
More recently, in 2014, LaTanya was nominated for a Tony Award (for Best Lead Actress in a Play) for her performance as Lena Younger in A Raisin in the Sun.
LaTanya is a rare sight on our screens, but she is certainly a welcome one.
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 8/7c on ABC.