Tammy Townsed with fellow actor Kadeem Hardison. (Disney Channel/Eric McCandless)
Tammy Townsend has made a career out of starring and appearing on top-notch TV shows over the years. After getting a break on ‘80s hits such as “Diff’rent Strokes” and “Charles in Charge,” Townsend became a regular on the beloved “Family Matters” series.
After doing film and appearing on “NCIS: Los Angeles,” Townsend has returned to the TV sitcom arena in Disney’s latest show, “K.C. Undercover.”
Townsend recently spoke with rolling out about her career in TV, her music, and working as Zendaya’s parent on “K.C. Undercover.”
What can you tell us about the new show, “K.C. Undercover”?
Well it’s about a young girl who finds out that her parents are undercover spies. I play the mom, Kira Cooper. Kadeem plays Craig Cooper, who is the father. So she [Zendaya] finds out that her parents are spies and they’ve been kind of grooming her the whole time to become a spy. After that, she’s trying to balance her life between being a regular kid and a spy. My character is basically the one who kind of grounds everybody. I’m the one that gives the support and the nurturing.
What’s it like working with Zendaya?
Zendaya is just a force to be reckoned with. She sings, she dances, she acts, she’s funny, and she’s beautiful. Not only that, she’s producing. She’s part of the whole producing team on “K.C. Undercover.” It has been great to work with her because she really looks out for the actors since she is on the acting side of it as well. She makes sure that we’re taken care of. I know, for me personally, if I had a little bit of problem with something, all I do is go to her and she’ll kind of sneak it as if it were her own idea. Like, “you know I don’t think Tammy may not need to wear that color because it’s not really that great for her.” She kind of takes care of everybody and I love that about her.
You’re also a singer. What have you done on the music side of entertainment?
I actually went on tour with Eric Benet and was with him for a little bit. I’ve sung with Gerald Albright on an album. So I’ve been doing this for a long time and it has been really fun. So when I’m not acting, I like to go into the studio and help out with friends or maybe they do like a little cabaret show here and there. I love doing it. I love being able to not just do one thing. It allows you to explore every facet and talent that you have. It’s nice. I love that.
