Tonya Renee Banks

Tonya Renee Banks is an actress and producer, known for her roles in film and television and her entrepreneurial ventures. After establishing a career in the entertainment industry spanning over 30 years as an actress in both television and film, Tonya Renee Banks gained wider recognition for her participation in the Lifetime docu-series ‘Little Women: LA,’ which provided audiences a view into her personal and professional life as a little person in Hollywood. Banks made significant early contributions to various productions, including her acting roles in the feature films Death to Smoochy (2002) as Rhinette and Krinkle Kid #4, and later as a stunt performer in Bad Santa (2003). Her television appearances during this period included playing Mrs.

Johnson in the critically acclaimed series Martin (1994) and guest roles in shows such as The Hughleys (1999-2000) and Ally McBeal (1999). Banks achieved a significant milestone in her career by becoming the first little person female lead in the film The Internship Games (2015), showcasing her versatility and breaking new ground for representation in Hollywood. Her acting credits continued with roles in It’s Gawd! (2017), Genius (2021) as Sammie Bryant, and most recently in Hacks (2024) as a Dancing Elf 5.

Additionally, Banks will serve as executive producer for the anticipated project The Little Reunion, slated for release in 2025. Her ongoing work as both a performer and a producer highlights her sustained impact and evolving role as a leading figure in the entertainment industry.