Tonya Staten

Born on May 23 1971 to young parents, Tonya was always somewhere "entertaining" singing, dancing or "just clowning". After small stints of Basketball & Track in High School, Loving Soap Operas, and being voted Senior Class Clown, she then followed her dream of going to college at North Carolina A&T State Univ. to pursue a Nursing Career. College was also where she would see her 1st live Standup Comedians Martin Lawrence & Bill Bellamy. While Hollywood didn't seem realistic, in 1994 she received her Bachelors degree & became a Registered Nurse & next stop was Baltimore, Maryland to fullfill a commitment at Liberty Medical Center. While growing in Nursing & enjoying her career, tragedy struck back home in Greensboro, North Carolina when a car accident had her bother in critical condition & had taken the life of her only sister. After the shock, she realized tomorrow is not promised, God is still great & it was time to live Life! Next stop January 1998, Los Angeles, California where she started hanging out at Celebrity parties, asking questions & hanging out at the Improv on Melrose where she met her first acting coach. After classes, headshots, & landing an Agent, she booked her 1st commercial & the opportunity to work alongside Superstar Jamie Foxx on the "Jamie Foxx Show". Then came the challenge from friends to do standup because she was "Comical". November 2003 she booked her first open mic at Comedy Union Comedy Club in Los Angeles & has been "Makin em Laugh" every since. Tonya has since booked small roles in TV, Film and a national commercial and has enjoyed working along such big names as Jamie Foxx, Kate Hudson, Ricky Schroder & Kevin Costner. She's also been "makin em laugh" in the College circuit while opening for the Katt Williams Tour at North Carolina A&T Homecoming 2006 and Hosting Elizabeth City State Univ. VikingFest 2007 feat. Platinum Rap artist T.I. She continues her 13th year & Love for Registered Nursing while pursuing her Acting career & "Makin em Laugh" at well-knowned comedy clubs in Los Angeles such as Laugh Factory, Melrose Improv & Comedy Store on Sunset.