Walker, Tonja 1960– (Tonja Walker Davidson, Tonja Walker–Davidson)

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WALKER, Tonja 1960–
(Tonja Walker Davidson, Tonja Walker–Davidson)

PERSONAL

Born September 19, 1960, in Huntington, NY; sister of Tamara Walker (an actress); married Edward J. Davidson (an executive), December 20, 1997; children: Isabella Grace, Abrianna Elaine; (stepchildren) Evan, Samantha, Alec. Education: Attended Towson State University and University of California, Los Angeles; studied at Peabody Conservatory of Music; studied voice with Hank Hammett in New York City; also studied acting with various instructors, including Lilyan Chauvin, Jeff Corey, and David Craig. Avocational Interests: Sports, equestrian events, interior decorating, gardening, antiques, cooking, animals, outdoor activities.

Career: Actress, singer, director, and producer. TWD Enterprises, principal and producer; also video producer and director. Performed as a singer; toured with Hoyt Axton and his band in the 1980s; appeared in commercials. Great Lakes Theatre Festival, member of board of directors. Pageant contestant, Miss Teen All– American, 1979, Miss Maryland, 1980, finalist at Miss USA pageant, 1980. Partners for Potential (charity), cofounder; Davidson Foundation for Charitable Giving, cochair; Scarborough House (recovery facility for women), Cleveland, OH, honorary member of board of directors; volunteer with other charitable and philanthropic organizations, including Actors' Fund of America, American Cancer Society, American Cinema Awards Foundation, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Jewish Federation, March of Dimes, Starlight Foundation, United Cerebral Palsy, and United Way, and has helped throw holiday parties for children. Also known as Tonja Walker Davidson.

Member: Women's City Club of Cleveland.

Awards, Honors: Daytime Emmy Award nomination, outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, 1993, and Soap Opera Digest Award nominations, outstanding comic performance, 1993, and outstanding female scene stealer, 1995, all for One Life to Live; several soap opera awards, fan favorite, for General Hospital and One Life to Live; soap opera award nominations, best villain; Antoinette Perry Award nomination (with others), best play, 2003, for Enchanted April.

CREDITS

Television Appearances; Series:

Lizbeth Bachman, Capitol, CBS, 1982–1986.

Olivia St. John Jerome, General Hospital, ABC, 1988–1990.

Mayor Alexandra "Alex" Olanov Hesser Buchanan Buchanan, One Life to Live, ABC, 1990–1997, 2001, 2002.

Host, The Image Workshop, 1991.

(As Tonja Walker–Davidson) Marie Green, Guiding Light, CBS, 2003, 2004.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Alma Rockwell, Making of a Male Model, ABC, 1983.

Nancy Bosca, T. J. Hooker: Blood Sport (also known as Blood Sport ), CBS, 1986.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Halftime performer, The Aloha Bowl, 1994.

Song performer, The 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (awards presentation), 1995.

Song performer in The Daytime Emmy Awards.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

"Star Sand," Mr. Merlin, CBS, 1981.

"Rich Girl," Hunter, NBC, 1985.

Lana Avery, Spies, CBS, 1987.

Also appeared in Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, syndicated.

Television Appearances; Pilots:

Jenny Parsons, The Hoyt Axton Show, NBC, 1981.

Television Work:

Director and producer of the cable series Principals.

Film Appearances:

Karen Covucci, Liar's Moon, Crown International, 1982.

Claudia, Kidnapped, Fries Entertainment, 1986.

Clear Cut, 1994.

Yvonne Hayworth, Spy (also known as Spy: The Movie ), ShootingDV.com/Spy Productions, 2004.

Stage Appearances:

Sing Happy: The Words and Music of John Kander and Fred Ebb (benefit concert), Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Los Angeles, 2003.

A Night of Healing (benefit performance), Lyric Theatre, Stuart, FL, 2004.

Appeared as Alaura Kingsley/Carla in City of Angels (musical), Halle Theatre, Cleveland, OH; performed in the production A Salute to LeRoy Neiman, Friars Club, and in the benefit concert Wings over Wall Street; performer at concert venues, nightclubs, casinos, and other places, including solo shows at Arci's Place, New York City, and Tangier Restaurant and Cabaret, Akron, OH, both 2002, and performances in Las Vegas, NV, and Atlantic City, NJ.