Aisha Tyler is probably one of the names that come to mind when discussing the multifaceted talent in entertainment history, as she’s not just an actor and a comedian but also a powerhouse of creativity and a proud self-proclaimed nerd. She does just about anything, from hosting shows, podcasts, and stand-up to playing roles that make our nerd senses tingle. Here are five roles from Aisha Tyler that really showcase her diverse talent and passion for all things nerd.
Lana Kane — Archer
There’s little doubt that Archer is a show made for nerds, as it has all the references to classic spy films, sharp wit, and an obsession with pop culture. In the series, Aisha Tyler voices Lana Kane, a highly skilled, intelligent, and fearless field agent. However, Lana is a very complex character. What makes this role particularly exciting is the actress’s ability to capture Lana’s tough-as-nails exterior while also infusing the character with depth and emotion.
Archer is a very offensive, non-PC show, and Aisha’s character tends to be the most politically correct character, but she’s also prone to extreme acts of unnecessary violence, as she gave her boyfriend a black eye just for implying that she’s jealous of a rival agent — so, Aisha’s performance fits perfectly into the series’ narrative.
Andrea Marino — The Ghost Whisperer
Tyler portrayed the character Andrea Marino in The Ghost Whisperer, a television show starring Jennifer Love Hewitt as the protagonist, Melinda Gordon. Andrea was a recurring character throughout the entire first season of the show and was introduced as Melinda’s close friend and business partner, with whom she co-owned and operated an antique store called The Same As It Never Was.
Tyler’s acting prowess made Andrea one of the fan-favorites of the show. Unfortunately, the character met a tragic end in the Season 1 finale, and her death became a significant plot device and a source of emotional depth for The Ghost Whisperer. Aisha Tyler reprised her role a few more times throughout the series, but mostly in flashback scenes.
Dr. Charlie Wheeler — Friends
Aisha Tyler portrayed the character of Dr. Charlie Wheeler in one of the best-known shows in the history of television, Friends. Her character appeared in the ninth season of the show as one of Ross’ coworkers and potential love interest before Joey swooped in and swept her off her feet. They dated for about four episodes, after which the relationship ran its course, after which she actually started a relationship with Ross.
Tyler reprised her role in Season 10 of Friends, with her character adding an interesting dynamic with the group as both Ross’ intellectual equal and a romantic interest. Tyler’s appearance on the show is memorable for Friends fans; the role of Dr. Charlie Wheeler remains one of her best-known performances.
Dr. Tara Lewis — Criminal Minds
In June 2015, more than a decade following the conclusion of Friends, CBS announced that Aisha Tyler landed a recurring role on the eleventh season of Criminal Minds as Dr. Tara Lewis. In the narrative, Lewis was a temporary replacement for Kate Callahan and Jennifer Jareau while they were both on maternity leave. Lewis’ job was to interview some of the nastiest cases the FBI dealt with in order to determine whether the perpetrators were fit to stand trial.
Lewis was yet another complex character who had to find a shred of humanity inside monsters to determine whether there was any conscience behind their brutal crimes. Aisha Tyler performed the role so admirably that showrunners decided to elevate her to a main cast member for Season 12 of Criminal Minds.
Commander Walker — Gears of War 3: RAAM’s Shadow DLC
Halo might’ve revolutionized the first-person shooter genre, but the Gears of War franchise also played a prominent part in the modernization of the genre. It’s a classic tale of alien invasion, except that the Locust aren’t aliens but genetically altered humans who don’t want their non-genetically altered brethren on their planet. The third installment in the series continues the well-established narrative, with Aisha Tyler voicing Commander Walker in the game’s DLC.
The DLC is set nine years after the Emergence Day (five years before the events of the main game), with the narrative following the Zeta-Six squad as they help evacuate the city of Ilima. Commander Walker was a CIC controller in the Coalition of Ordered Governments army who helped strategize, organize, and execute the evacuation of Ilima. Though she doesn’t directly appear in the game, she maintains a radio connection with the Zeta-Six squad throughout the entire DLC gaming campaign.
Working behind the scenes, Commander Walker not only managed to successfully execute the evacuation of the city, but she also saved the Zeta-Six team by sending an assault carrier to their extraction point after the city was evacuated. Tyler’s vocal portrayal of Walker as a determined leader responsible for making critical decisions only showcased her fantastic range as an actor, regardless of the medium.
Honorable Mentions: Halo Reach and Watch Dogs
Besides her fantastic performance as Walker in 2011’s RAAM’s Shadow DLC, Aisha Tyler also had several smaller voice roles in other games, including a female trooper in Halo: Reach and several cameo appearances in 2014’s Watch Dogs, where she portrayed herself talking to another NPC, in several easter-egg appearances within the game.
Aisha Tyler’s roles in Archer, hosting Whose Line Is It Anyway, her Talking Toons podcast, and her involvement with fan conventions highlight her talents and make her a nerd icon whose work we can’t resist. And while we don’t know what geekery her career will take her to next, one thing is sure — thanks to her appreciation of all things nerd and her awesome performances, our nerd senses continue to be abuzz with excitement every time she’s mentioned.