Person · Producer
Lena Waithe
A determined Lena Waithe navigates the cutthroat world of Hollywood as she fights to bring authentic, diverse stories to the screen while challenging industry norms and redefining representation in entertainment.
- Also:
- Writer
- Actress
In short · Producing since 2003, 3 decades active, 36 credits, 1 Primetime Emmy Award win.
Known for
Ranked by community engagement + sustained interest across this person's credits in our database.
Now & next
- Upcoming
The Chi
- Award win
Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
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Biography
Lena Waithe is an American actress, producer, and screenwriter known for her work in television and film. She created the Showtime drama series *The Chi* (2018–present) and the BET comedy series *Boomerang* (2019–20) and *Twenties* (2020–21). In film, she wrote and produced the 2019 crime drama *Queen & Slim*, which received critical acclaim. She also serves as an executive producer for the horror anthology series *Them* (2021–present). Waithe is recognized for her contributions to storytelling that highlight diverse perspectives and contemporary social issues.
Filmography · 18 of 18
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Writer
5 credits
Actor
11 creditsHey A.J.!(2026)
Tanisha
TV
Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration(2022)
Actor
Film
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder(2022)
College Maya (voice) (1 Episode)
TV
Tab Time(2021)
Actor
TV
Onward(2020)
Officer Spector
Film
Bad Hair(2020)
Brook-Lynne
Film
Ready Player One(2018)
Aech, Helen
Film
Truth to Power(2018)
Guest
TV
Westworld(2016)
Actor
TV
Master of None(2015)
Denise
TV
Grey's Anatomy(2005)
Evynn Moore (2 Episodes)
TV
Producer
2 credits
Awards & Nominations
1 winPrimetime Emmy Award
- Won2017Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series — Lena Waithe
Originals
Streaming originals this person worked on.
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Additional credits18Show
Non-headline appearances — talk-show, awards-show, panel, and archive-footage credits, kept separate from the main filmography.
- Move Ya Body: The Birth of HouseSelf · 2025
- Seen & Heard: The History of Black TelevisionSelf · 2025
- It's Dorothy!Self · 2025
- Hollywood BlackSelf - Interviewee · 2024
- Twenties After-Show With B. ScottSelf - Guest · 2021
- The One and Only Dick GregorySelf · 2021
- Amend: The Fight for AmericaSelf · 2021
- You Ain't Got TheseSelf - Host · 2020
- Visible: Out on TelevisionSelf - Narrator (voice) (5 Episodes) · 2020
- Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerSelf · 2019
- Complex Con(versations)Self · 2018
- Ready Player One LIVE at SXSWSelf · 2018
- The ShopSelf · 2018
- Complex x FuseSelf · 2017
- Refinery 29: Love MeSelf · 2016
- Jimmy Kimmel Live!Self - Guest (1 Episode) , Self - Guest Host (1 Episode) · 2003
- Reclaim the FlagSelf
- Watch What Happens LiveSelf - Guest (2 Episodes)
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