Tessa Lynn Thompson, a talented actress, was born on October 3, 1983, in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, California. Her father, singer-songwriter Marc Anthony Thompson, and her mother, a woman of Mexican and British Isles ancestry, welcomed her into the world. Additionally, Tessa's paternal grandfather, actor-musician Bobby Ramos, was a significant influence on her life.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Tessa was exposed to the performing arts at a young age. She attended Santa Monica High School, where she was actively involved in various theatre productions. After graduating, she pursued higher education at Santa Monica College, earning a degree in cultural anthropology.
Tessa's passion for acting led her to the stage, where she played the iconic role of Juliet in a production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet at the Boston Court Theatre in Pasadena, California. Her outstanding performance earned her a NAACP Theatre nomination in the same year.
Before making it big on the big screen, Tessa made her television debut in 2005 with a role in the CBS series Cold Case. Her musical talents, inherited from her father, also came to the forefront as a member of the Electro Band. The band produced several songs, including one featured in her film Dear White People in 2017.
Since commencing her acting career in 2002, Tessa has appeared in a wide range of popular television series and films. Some of her notable roles include Murder on the 13th Floor, Make It Happen, Red & Blue Marbles, Selma, Creed, Creed II, War on Everyone, Thor: Ragnarok, Sorry to Bother You, Annihilation, Avengers: Endgame, Men in Black: International, Lady and the Tramp, and Sylvie's Love.