Rachel India TrueMcCann, Bob (2022). Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 327. .Gilbert, Ruth (March 18, 1991). "Theatre Listings: Off Off Broadway". New York Magazine. p. 94. Retrieved July 21, 2023. (born November 15, 1966) is an American actress best known for her roles in films such as The Craft (1996), Nowhere (1997), and Half Baked (1998). True is also known for her leading role as Mona Thorne on the UPN sitcom Half & Half (2002–2006).

Early life True was born in New York City, the middle of three children. Her father is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, whereas her mother is of African American heritage. Her younger sister, Noel, is also an actress. True attended New York University.

Career True made her television debut in 1991 on the Cosby Show episode "Theo's Final". In 1993, she moved to Los Angeles and made her feature film debut playing Chris Rock's character's girlfriend in the comedy CB4. On television, she appeared in episodes of Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Beverly Hills, 90210, Getting By, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, Dream On and well as made-for-television movies Moment of Truth: Stalking Back (1993) and A Walton Wedding (1995). In 1995, she had supporting role in the erotic horror film Embrace of the Vampire starring Alyssa Milano.

In 1996, True landed her breakthrough role as Rochelle Zimmerman in the supernatural horror film, The Craft, where she played a member of a teenage coven. True stated that she had to "fight" to audition for the part and was actively going up against her future co-stars Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell and Robin Tunney. Her role was originally written for a white actress, but that didn't deter her from auditioning. In 1997, she starred in the comedy-drama film, Nowhere alongside James Duval, the film received mixed reviews from critics. The following year, True starred as Dave Chappelle's romantic interest in the comedy film, Half Baked. Also from 1997 to 1998, she also had the recurring role of Janet Clemens on The Drew Carey Show. From 1999 to 2000, she appeared in the ABC drama series, Once and Again.

True appeared in a number of independent movies, include With or Without You (1999), The Big Split (1999), and Groove (2000). She starred alongside Monica and Essence Atkins in the 2000 romantic drama film Love Song. From 2002 to 2006, True starred with Essence Atkins in the UPN comedy series, Half & Half, as paternal half-sisters who barely knew each other until becoming adults. She returned to film, playing the supporting role in the 2007 comedy The Perfect Holiday. The following years, she appeared in a number of smaller and made-for-television films, include The Asylum productions Social Nightmare (2013), Blood Lake: Attack of the Killer Lampreys (2014), Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014), and Sharknado: Heart of Sharkness (2015). In 2017, True worked as a tarot-card reader in Echo Park.

True released her book, True Heart Intuitive Tarot, Guidebook And Deck in 2020. She appeared in horror films Agnes and Horror Noire in 2021. The following year, she joined the cast of the second season of Amazon Prime Video comedy series, Harlem. Also that year, True was cast in Half Baked 2, the sequel to the 1998 cult comedy, reprising her role as Mary Jane Potman.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1990 A Girls' Guide to Sex Bridget TV movie 1993 CB4 Daliha Moment of Truth: Stalking Back Katie TV movie 1995 A Walton Wedding Girl Student TV movie Embrace of the Vampire Nicole 1996 The Craft Rochelle Zimmerman 1997 Nowhere Mel 1998 Half Baked Mary Jane Potman With or Without You Misha 1999 The Big Split Jenny The Apartment Complex Tasha The Auteur Theory Sasha Swann 2000 Groove Beth Love Song Renee TV movie 2002 New Best Friend Julianne Livingston 2007 The Perfect Holiday Brenda 2009 The Killing of Wendy Ayanda Pink Eye Wygenia Short 2011 Thugs, the Musical! Lisa Rowlands Short 2012 Noah Temba (voice) Sugar Mommas Thomasina TV movie White Room: 02B3 Three Short 2013 Social Nightmare Mrs. Langran TV movie 2014 Blood Lake: Attack of the Killer Lampreys Marcy TV movie Sharknado 2: The Second One 1st Officer Jonni Valentine TV movie 2015 A House Is Not a Home Simi Valley 911 Operator (voice) Sharknado: Heart of Sharkness Herself 2017 Stage Fright Melissa Ameia TV movie Limelight Mrs. Roberts Good Grief Pepper 2018 The Manor Doctor Tryvniak 2021 Assault on VA-33 Sasha Agnes Sister Ruth Horror Noire Charlotte 2024 Half Baked: Totally High Mary Jane

Television Year Title Role Notes 1991–92 The Cosby Show Nicki Guest Cast: Season 7-8 1993 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Yvette Episode: "Boyz in the Hoodz" Getting By Andrea Episode: "The Suit" Renegade Dawn Episode: "Vanished" Beverly Hills, 90210 Jan Myler Recurring Cast: Season 4 Tall Hopes - Episode: "Scalped" Thea Candy Episode: "Artie's Party" The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Rhetta Episode: "Take My Cousin... Please" 1994–95 Dream On Linda Castorini Guest: Season 4, Recurring Cast: Season 6 1995 Family Matters Sue Episode: "What's Up Doc?" 1997 Boston Common Cheryl Episode: "To Bare Is Human" 1997–98 The Drew Carey Show Janet Clemons Recurring Cast: Season 3 1998 Damon Monique Episode: "The Last Cub Scout" 1999–2000 Once and Again Mali Recurring Cast: Season 1 2000 Providence Talia Weber Episode: "Family Ties" 2001 Dawson's Creek Kira Episode: "Hopeless" 2002–06 Half & Half Mona Rose Thorne Main Cast 2006 Noah's Arc Brooklyn Episode: "Give It Up" 2006–08 Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List Herself Recurring Cast: Season 2 & 5, Guest: Season 3-4 2007 E! True Hollywood Story Herself Episode: "Kathy Griffin" 2017 Being Mary Jane Tiffany Episode: "Feeling Seen" 2019 Better Things Pascal Episode: "Show Me the Magic" 2019–21 The Boulet Brothers' Dragula Herself/Guest Judge Episode: "Halloween Haunt" & "Monsters of Rock" 2020 History of Horror Herself Episode: "Witches" 2022 Queer for Fear Herself Episode: "Episode #1.2 & #1.4" Family Reunion Cheryl Episode: "Remember When the Raccoon Crashed the Wedding?" 2023 Harlem Aimee Recurring Cast: Season 2

Awards and nominations Year Awards Category Recipient Outcome 1997 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Supporting Actress "The Craft"

References

External links