Actor
Pernell Walker
September 19, 1980
Pernell Walker (born September 19, 1980) is an American actress known for her impactful performances in film, television, and theater. Hailing from the South Bronx, Walker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from City College and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School. Walker first garnered attention with her breakout role as Laura in Pariah (2011), an award-winning Focus Features film directed by Dee Rees. Her performance earned critical acclaim and established her as a compelling presence in independent cinema. She further showcased her versatility with roles in television series such as The Deuce (2017–2019), where she portrayed Ruby "Thunder Thighs," and City on a Hill (2021–2022), in which she played Grace Campbell.
Her Off-Broadway debut came with the world premiere of SEED (2011), and she has participated in stage readings like Accept/Except, directed by Tony and Emmy Award-winning George Faison. Her stage performances, including roles in Singin' Wid a Sword in Ma Hand and Post Prison Playdate, reflect her commitment to powerful storytelling across mediums.
Notable work
8Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)
as Kayla Price
7.3The Butler (2013)
as Lorraine
8The Night Of (2016)
as Rikers PO
6.2Annie (2014)
as Auditioning 'Mom'
7.7The Leftovers (2014)
as Celia Odalys
7.1Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015)
as Vonda
7.8The Knick (2014)
as Ida Harris
7.6The Deuce (2017)
as Ruby 'Thunder Thighs'
7.9RIPLEY (2024)
as SRO Clerk
7.3The Equalizer (2021)
as Celia
6.5Weekend in Taipei (2024)
as Charlotte Fields
Often works with
Full filmography · 15
RIPLEY
as SRO Clerk
20247.9
The Equalizer
as Celia
20217.3
City on a Hill
as Grace Campbell
20197.3
The Deuce
as Ruby 'Thunder Thighs'
20177.6
The Night Of
as Rikers PO
20168
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
as Vonda
20157.1
The Knick
as Ida Harris
20147.8
The Leftovers
as Celia Odalys
20147.7
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Kayla Price
19998