Tonya Renee Banks

Tonya Renee Banks is an actress, stuntwoman, and businesswoman, currently starring on groundbreaking reality TV-show Little Woman: LA. The show explored the lives and relationships of several little people making a living in the entertainment industry in LA. Despite her bubbly and fun on-screen persona, Banks has exhibited a more serious side; she is passionate about the visibility of little people on screen, and has spoken out on the difficulties she overcame being one of the first black actresses with dwarfism in Hollywood.

Born in Carson, California, Banks has had a long career, beginning in 1984. She first worked as an actress and a stuntwoman, working in films such as Death to Smoochy and Bad Santa, the latter of which grossed more than 70 million worldwide. She also appeared on popular shows such as Ally McBeal and Martin. Recently, she appeared in the movie The Internship Games (2015), achieving the accomplishment of becoming the first woman with dwarfism in a leading role.

She has shown keen business acumen, expanding into an untapped market with ventures such as Lil Boss Body Activewear, a line of sportswear for little people. In addition to this she has a line of red wine, and has also released a book: It’s Not What You’re Called, It’s What You Answer To. Banks has also expanded into production, creating and running the company One Bossey Productions LLC.