Tonye Patano, born on October 16, 1961, in the United States, is an accomplished American actress known for her versatile roles in television, film, and theater. Raised in California, she grew up in a family that appreciated the arts, which paved the way for her eventual career in acting.

Her passion for performing began at an early age, and she pursued her love of the craft by studying theater. Her television career took off with guest appearances on various popular shows, including Sex and the City, Monk, Third Watch, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

She is perhaps best known for her role as Heylia James on the Showtime series Weeds from 2005 to 2008, and returned on a recurring basis in 2011. Her portrayal of the stern yet loving marijuana dealer earned her nominations for both the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2006 and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2008.

In film, Tonye Patano has played roles in The Jesse Owens Story (1984), The Hurricane (1999), Little Manhattan (2005), The Savages (2007), The Company Men (2010), and Jack of the Red Hearts (2015).

Her stage career is equally impressive, with performances in the Broadway play 45 Seconds from Broadway by Neil Simon and her role as Mama Nadi in Ruined for the Huntington Theater, both of which received positive reviews. She was awarded the Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Best Ensemble for her work in From the Mississippi Delta in 2000.

Tonye Patano was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 35 and suffered a stroke in 2005.