Tawny Cypress is an American actress. She was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey and now lives in New York City. Her mother is of Hungarian and German origin and her father is of African-American, Native American and European American ancestry.

Tawny attended Boston University, as well as Westminster Choir College at Princeton and Mason Gross at Rutgers University. Her first major role was the minor character Melissa in the Richard Gere/Winona Ryder movie Autumn in New York (2000). She went on to appear in a variety of television programs in both guest parts (NYPD Blue, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) and recurring roles (Third Watch, Jonny Zero, Love Monkey) and had the role of 'Bleeding Woman' in the feature film "World Trade Center."

But it wasn't until 2006 that she truly gained mainstream attention. She is best known for her role as Simone Deveaux, an art dealer and gallery owner whose cynicism and problematical romantic life are tested on the NBC hit sci-fi drama "Heroes." She previously starred on Fox's drama K-Ville as Ginger "Love Tap" LeBeau, a police officer that suffers the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Tawny was married to Bill Charles from 2000 to 2004, and they have one child together.