Life in Film: Nicole Ari Parker

The actress's on-screen evolution.

Nicole Ari Parker - With an acting career that spans 20 years, Nicole Ari Parker has established herself as one of Hollywood's most note-worthy actresses. Besides snagging one of Tinsel Town's sexiest actors, Boris Kodjoe, as a husband she has also landed on-screen roles with Oscar-winning actors like Forest Whitaker. Here's a look Parker's evolution before our eyes.  (photo: John Ricard / BET)

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Nicole Ari Parker - With an acting career that spans 20 years, Nicole Ari Parker has established herself as one of Hollywood's most note-worthy actresses. Besides snagging one of Tinsel Town's sexiest actors, Boris Kodjoe, as a husband she has also landed on-screen roles with Oscar-winning actors like Forest Whitaker. Here's a look Parker's evolution before our eyes.  (photo: John Ricard / BET)

Boogie Nights (1997) - Three years after her breakout role in the indie film The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls In Love (1995), Nicole landed a part in the decadent hit Boogie Nights. In this drama about an adult film company in transition in the 1970s, she played porn actress Becky Barnett.  (Photo: New Line Cinema)

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Boogie Nights (1997) - Three years after her breakout role in the indie film The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls In Love (1995), Nicole landed a part in the decadent hit Boogie Nights. In this drama about an adult film company in transition in the 1970s, she played porn actress Becky Barnett.  (Photo: New Line Cinema)

200 Cigarettes (1999) - Nicole was cast as Bridget, a woman trying to ditch her boyfriend on New Year's Eve 1981 in 200 Cigarettes. The cast also included Dave Chappelle, Ben Afleck and Kate Hudson.  (Photo: Dogstar Films, Lakeshore Entertainment)

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200 Cigarettes (1999) - Nicole was cast as Bridget, a woman trying to ditch her boyfriend on New Year's Eve 1981 in 200 Cigarettes. The cast also included Dave Chappelle, Ben Afleck and Kate Hudson.  (Photo: Dogstar Films, Lakeshore Entertainment)

Remember the Titans (2002) - In the role of Denzel Washington's wife, Nicole starred in this drama about a newly desegregated high school football team in 1971. For her stoic portrayal, the actress was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.    (Photo: Jerry Bruckheimer films)

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Remember the Titans (2002) - In the role of Denzel Washington's wife, Nicole starred in this drama about a newly desegregated high school football team in 1971. For her stoic portrayal, the actress was nominated for an NAACP Image Award.    (Photo: Jerry Bruckheimer films)

Soul Food - Three years after the classic film Soul Food (1997) hit theaters, Nicole debuted in the TV series inspired by the movie. Her character, Teri, was played by Vanessa Williams in the film.  (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images).

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Soul Food - Three years after the classic film Soul Food (1997) hit theaters, Nicole debuted in the TV series inspired by the movie. Her character, Teri, was played by Vanessa Williams in the film.  (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images).

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Brown Sugar (2002) - Two friends — Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs — peel back the layers of their love for each other after years of dismissing it. It all ends with one loaded question: "When did you fall in love with hip hop?"(Photo: Fox Search light Pictures)

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Brown Sugar (2002) - Nicole received another nod for an NAACP Image Award for her role as Reese, an entertainment lawyer engaged to a music executive. The cast included Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs and Queen Latifah.  (Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, Saturday at 4:30P/3:30C - It's the holidays and Martin's home. (Photo: Universal Pictures)

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Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins (2008) - Exercising her comedic chops, Nicole starred as Martin Lawrence's past love interest in the comedy Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins. Cedric the Entertainer, James Earl Jones and the late Michael Clarke Duncan also starred. (Photo: Universal Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment)

Photo By Universal Pictures

Black Dynamite Premieres, Thursday at 8P/7C - Michael Jai White wrote this film for the people!(Photo: Goliath Entertainment)

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Black Dynamite (2009) - In this karate-themed, blaxploitation spoof, Nicole played the Pam Grier-inspired character Mahogany Black.  (Photo: Destination Films)

Imagine That - Saturday at 8A/7C!(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

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Imagine That (2009) - Nicole landed in this Eddie Murphy-lead comedy as the character Trish. Also starring in the film were Martin Sheen and Thomas Haden Church.(Photo: Paramount Pictures)

Vipaka (2013) - Playing the part of Sophie, Nicole will venture into thrillers in this upcoming film about a life-coach who gets abducted by an insane client. Vipaka premiered at Sundance, and stars were Forest Whitaker and Anthony Mackie.  (Photos from Left to Right: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images, Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images For Bloomingdale's)

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Vipaka (2013) - Playing the part of Sophie, Nicole will venture into thrillers in this upcoming film about a life-coach who gets abducted by an insane client. Vipaka premiered at Sundance, and stars were Forest Whitaker and Anthony Mackie.  (Photos from Left to Right: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images, Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images For Bloomingdale's)