# Simbi Khali
**Simbi Khali** (also credited as **Simbi Kali**) is an American actress and singer born in 1971 in [Jackson, Mississippi](https://www.edgepedia.org/jackson-mississippi), best known for playing Nina Campbell on the NBC science fiction sitcom *3rd Rock from the Sun* from 1996 to 2001.[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Simbi-Khali) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/) Her screen work spans film, television, and voice acting in video games, and in 2016 the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a resolution recognizing her artistic accomplishments.[3](https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2016/pdf/HR/HR0011IN.pdf)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1971, Jackson, Mississippi, USA[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Simbi-Khali) |
| Signature role | Nina Campbell on *3rd Rock from the Sun*, 1996–2001, credited in 135 episodes[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/) |
| Other TV roles | Laquita on *Martin* (seasons 2–3); Mary on *Weeds*; Venus on *That '80s Show*; Therapist on *The Bernie Mac Show*[4](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=4001) • [5](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/29709/simbi-khali) |
| Film | Nikki in *Vampire in Brooklyn* (1995); Alma Givens in *We Were Soldiers* (2002)[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/) |
| Voice work | Amanda in *Detroit: Become Human* (2018); Varesh Ossa and additional voices in *Guild Wars: Nightfall* (2006)[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/) |
| Marriage | Married actor Cress Williams on October 14, 2000; divorced June 2011; two children[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/) |
## Name and early life
Sources give her name in two forms. IMDb titles her page "Simbi Kali" and lists "Simbi Khali" as an alternative name, while her *3rd Rock from the Sun* credits ran "as Simbi Khali" and her film credits after her marriage ran "as Simbi Kali Williams."[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/) • [6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115082/fullcredits/) She was born in 1971 in Jackson, Mississippi.[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Simbi-Khali)
## Television career
**Breakthrough on 3rd Rock from the Sun.** Khali's career began with a guest appearance on *The Sinbad Show*, followed by a small recurring role on *Martin*.[7](https://www.looper.com/248995/what-the-cast-of-3rd-rock-from-the-sun-is-doing-today/) In 1996 she joined *3rd Rock from the Sun*, the NBC sitcom about aliens disguised as a human family in an Ohio college town, playing Nina Campbell, a coworker of Dr. Mary Albright ([Jane Curtin](https://www.edgepedia.org/jane-curtin)) and administrative assistant to Mary and Dr. Dick Solomon ([John Lithgow](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-lithgow)).[8](https://www.tmz.com/2025/03/21/nina-on-3rd-rock-from-the-sun-memba-her/) TMZ described the character as "the level-headed and sarcastic earthling," and Looper noted that Nina serves as "a bit of a Swiss Army knife on the show," distinguished by her sardonic sense of humor.[8](https://www.tmz.com/2025/03/21/nina-on-3rd-rock-from-the-sun-memba-her/) • [7](https://www.looper.com/248995/what-the-cast-of-3rd-rock-from-the-sun-is-doing-today/) She appeared throughout the show's six-season run from 1996 to 2001; IMDb credits her in 135 episodes, while TVmaze lists 127.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/) • [5](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/29709/simbi-khali) She also performed songs on the series, including "Maybe God Is Tryin' To Tell You Somethin'" and "99 Bottles of Beer," in four episodes between 1996 and 1999.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/)
**Guest and recurring roles.** Her television credits beyond the sitcom include Laquita, a friend of Gina's, on *[Martin](https://www.edgepedia.org/martin-tv-series)* in seasons 2 and 3; Venus on *[That '80s Show](https://www.edgepedia.org/that-80s-show)* (2002); a therapist on *The Bernie Mac Show*; and Mary on the final season of *Weeds* (2012).[4](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=4001) • [5](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/29709/simbi-khali) Looper records that her later on-screen television appearance up to 2020 was a 2017 episode of *Better Things*.[7](https://www.looper.com/248995/what-the-cast-of-3rd-rock-from-the-sun-is-doing-today/)
## Film and voice work
Khali's film roles include Nikki in the [Eddie Murphy](https://www.edgepedia.org/eddie-murphy) horror-comedy *Vampire in Brooklyn* (1995) and Alma Givens in the [Mel Gibson](https://www.edgepedia.org/mel-gibson) war film *We Were Soldiers* (2002).[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/) She has done extensive voice work, especially in video games: she voiced Varesh Ossa and additional voices in *Guild Wars: Nightfall* (2006) and Amanda in the 2018 game *Detroit: Become Human*, and her credits also include *The Incredible Hulk*.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/) • [7](https://www.looper.com/248995/what-the-cast-of-3rd-rock-from-the-sun-is-doing-today/) Her more recent screen credits include the 2021 horror film *A Savannah Haunting*, in which she played Josephine.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/)
## Personal life
Khali married actor [Cress Williams](https://www.edgepedia.org/cress-williams) on October 14, 2000; the marriage ended in divorce in June 2011, and the couple had two children, Jory Holmes Khali and Courtney CoCo Khali.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/)
## Recognition
In 2016 the Mississippi House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 11, which recites the artistic accolades of Simbi Khali and extends recognition to her and her family.[3](https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2016/pdf/HR/HR0011IN.pdf)
## References
1. [Simbi Khali, Times of India topic page](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Simbi-Khali)
2. [Simbi Kali, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0451078/)
3. [Mississippi House Resolution 11 (2016)](https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2016/pdf/HR/HR0011IN.pdf)
4. [Simbi Khali, TVSA actor profile](https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=4001)
5. [Simbi Khali, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/29709/simbi-khali)
6. [3rd Rock from the Sun full cast and crew, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115082/fullcredits/)
7. [What The Cast Of 3rd Rock From The Sun Is Doing Today, Looper](https://www.looper.com/248995/what-the-cast-of-3rd-rock-from-the-sun-is-doing-today/)
8. [Nina on '3rd Rock From the Sun' 'Memba Her?!, TMZ](https://www.tmz.com/2025/03/21/nina-on-3rd-rock-from-the-sun-memba-her/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 1970s to 1990s › Surnames I to Kh*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license