After leaving Talk Soup, Tyler moved quickly into television and film roles, enjoying another first—the first African American to play an extended character arc on NBC’s Friends. She co-starred with Jennifer Love Hewitt in the CBS hit Ghost Whisperer, had recurring roles on two of television’s top dramas—CSI and 24—and has made numerous appearances on such TV shows as Nip/Tuck, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Reno 911, and The Boondocks. She is currently voicing the character of sexy superspy “Lana Kane” on FX’s new hit animated series Archer, which debuted in January 2010 as the highest rated new show in FX history.

In 2009, Tyler returned to her stand-up comedy roots, starring in a hilarious one-hour special for Comedy Central, Aisha Tyler Is Lit: Live at the Fillmore. She has used her trademark wit in multiple appearances on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Today Show, Politically Incorrect, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Late Show, and more.

Tyler has had roles in Adam Sandler’s hit Bedtime Stories, the crime drama Death Sentence opposite Kevin Bacon, and the Universal comedy Balls of Fury with Christopher Walken. She completed filming Black Water Transit, a film set in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, directed by iconic Brit Tony Kaye and starring Laurence Fishburne. Tyler also had roles in .45, opposite Milla Jovovich, and Santa Clause III with Tim Allen.

Tyler is a celebrated author, having released the successful Swerve: Reckless Observations of a Post-Modern Girl in 2004. A collection of hilarious comic essays on pop culture, the book has been praised for its frank and funny look at what it’s like to be a girl. Tyler is also a frequent contributor to Glamour magazine, for which she has written pieces about the media’s unrealistic portrayal of feminine beauty.

Aisha Tyler has many additional interests. An avid video game player, she was named to the exclusive seven-member Halo game counsel. She does a substantial amount of charitable work as well, acting as a spokesperson for the American Red Cross, teaching Dove self-esteem workshops for teenage girls, consulting with the Trust for Public Land’s Parks for People project, and fundraising for Doctors Without Borders, the Family Violence Prevention Fund, and the International Rescue Committee. She’s also the reigning Celebrity Jeopardy champ.

Critical acclaim for Tyler has been effusive. Esquire called her “sweetly wicked,” designating her one of its “Women We Love.” TV Guide called her one of television’s “In Crowd.” Maxim anointed her one of its “Hot 100” two years in a row. Read Less ^