April 13, 2023

By Keith L. Underwood

 

“I am all about life moment by moment,” says actress April Parker Jones.

Some of the “moments” Parker-Jones has captured on the screen are television roles like Natalie on “Tyler Perry’s If Loving You Is Wrong,” Col. Lauren Haley on “Supergirl,” Winnie Harrelson on “S.W.A.T.,” Viola “Vy” Smith on “Bel-Air,” and Lorraine Smith in “Tom Swift.”

Parker Jones, a self-proclaimed “Southern Girl” was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. “Since I was a little girl, I was always on a constant quest for what feeds my soul,” said Parker Jones.

She was introduced to acting at five-years-old when her mother enrolled her at the W.D. Hill Recreational Center. Parker Jones said, “They had a drama program there, and my first role was in ‘The Tortoise and the Hare.’”

Parker Jones says she also discovered basketball at W. D. Hill. “Athletics was always a big part of my upbringing too,” she said.

She was brought up with her two older sisters and a younger brother. “My mother had to raise us by herself for the most part,” said Parker Jones.

“Four different kids, that’s why having artistry, creativity and sports as an outlet was so important to me. It really helped to shape who I am today,” she concluded.

Raised in the church, Parker Jones said, “My mom made sure we were introduced to God. It was a vital part of my spiritual journey.”

She continued acting at Hillside High School and into her college years at North Carolina Central University. However, at 19, Parker Jones left NCCU for greater aspirations.

“I decided to drop out of college and make my mama mad,” she said. “I’m going to New York because I want to be on Broadway.

“I left Durham at 19-years-old to be a Broadway sensation,” continues Parker Jones. “But it didn’t happen that way.”

She says that she never got a chance to be on Broadway, but she did get the opportunity to do a couple of plays on Off-Off Broadway. “I’m so grateful for the journey,” said Parker Jones.

April made the transition into television after she met her husband, actor Jay Jones. She describes her spouse as “a great man who changed” her life.  The couple have two daughters together and a grandchild.

They did a play together on Off-Off Broadway in New York called, “Plenty of Time” written by Dr John Shevin Foster. “It was a two-character love story and go figure Jay was the other character,” said Parker Jones. “We fell in love.”

After the duo did a second run of the play, Parker Jones says that was when they decided to make the transition to Hollywood to “try our hand at film and television.” In 2005, they moved and having the support of a partner who was also in show biz made the decision an easy one.

“Jay was the first actor I ever dated. It was like the missing component,” said Parker Jones. “It was vital to have a partner who understands the specificity of this industry, and to be on the same course.  It made it much easier to make the transition.”

Parker Jones’ first standout role was in the post-apocalyptic action-drama television series, “Jericho.” She recalled, “Working on Jericho was amazing!  It was terrifying, it was intimidating, and it was life changing.

“That was my first real acting work in front of a camera,” she continued. “I had to learn so much on the spot, and Lennie James, my costar, was so gracious. I’m so grateful for him and so grateful for that experience.”

Parker Jones calls her next major role “invigorating!” It was the series regular role of Natalie on “Tyler Perry’s If Loving You Is Wrong.”

She said, “Auditioning for a callback in front of Tyler Perry I felt at home and at peace. Even though he didn’t say anything, I felt he was rooting for me to do well.” She noted that Perry “said some awesome things” to her that she will “never forget.”

“The main thing he said to me was, ‘April, you do not look like how I imagined this character to look. Your voice does not sound like I imagine her voice to sound, but you are her,’” said Parker Jones.

Describing her role on the CW series “Supergirl,” she said that “started out as a fractional regular” and she remembered, “What a great experience it was to play Colonel Haley. It paved the way for more roles in Hollywood.”

However, leaving a predominately Black production like “If Loving You Is Wrong” to a mainstream show like “Supergirl” was an adjustment for Parker Jones.

She said, “When it comes to hair and makeup, finding a team of stylists and makeup artists who are familiar with Black hair and Black skin was one of the major differences.

“Now, things have changed quite a bit with Hollywood, and I am happy to witness how there is more support when it comes to Black hair and Black skin care.

After Parker Jones spoke to production about the issue, she says that “they were very gracious” and they made sure she had what she needed.

One of Parker’s more recent roles is in the re-imagining of Will Smith’s “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” that is simply called “Bel-Air” on the Peacock streaming service.

“Without sounding egotistical, but what great casting,” said Parker Jones. “When I think about that young man, Jabari…. I don’t have any sons but if I did, I believe he would be a lot like Jabari.”

Cast in the iconic role of Viola “Aunt Vy” Smith, Parker Jones said, “I can’t wait to see where they go with the storylines.  I heard they were picked up for season 3 and I hope they will have my character back even more.”

Around this same time, Parker Jones also had a role on another TV remake, “SWAT” on CBS. She plays the sister of actor Shemar Moore’s character on the procedural action-drama series.

“What woman doesn’t want to play alongside Shemar Moore,” said Parker Jones.  “Even though I’m playing his sister, that’s fine I’ll take the sister.”  She also noted entertainment legends Obba Babatunde and Debbie Allen play their parents, although she hasn’t shared any scenes with Allen yet.

“‘Tom Swift’ was very short-lived.  It was on for only one season on the CW, but you can still watch it on HBO Max,” said Parker Jones, referring the groundbreaking action/adventure show and the first in the network’s history to feature a Black gay male as the protagonist.

“I played his mom, and it was an awesome thing to be a part of,” said Parker Jones. “We got to exude Black excellence.  This was a family who were billionaires on the money they earned from the tech industry. It was so different, and I hate that it was so short lived.”

At this stage in April Parker Jones’ career and life, she said, “I would love to be a series regular on another show, and a constant working actress, and I know that’s coming, but I’m focused on parenting, grandparenting and being a great wife.”

Keith L. Underwood is the host of the KBLA Talk 1580 entertainment radio show, "Black In The Green Room."  A former entertainment publicist, he currently develops platforms for performers, creatives and Hollywood execs to shine and inspire. IG: @umaworldwide

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