To those of us who still remember Pittsburgh in its steel production heyday, the Homestead Waterfront’s 12 smoke stacks are not merely a powerful testament of our industrial past, but also a salute to the bright resourcefulness that change can bring about. Nowhere is this view more optimum or appreciated than from the houses nestled just above Eighth Avenue in Homestead. Just ask actress and Pittsburgh native Tamara Tunie. Although she was born in McKeesport, Tamara lived with her family in Homestead during her college years, and it is this place that she holds close to her heart as her true Pittsburgh home.

Recently, I had the chance to speak with Tamara about her upbringing as a Homestead native and her current life working as a multi-talented actress in New York City. What I discovered was a very talented woman with an unpretentious attitude that symbolizes the honorable standards of true grit and sincerity with which she was reared. Once you meet her, it’s obvious that Tamara’s empowering dialogue, virtual enthusiasm and sheer talent have equipped her to take on just about anything.

Tamara Tunie is known and respected in her profession for her tenacious work ethic and drive. It’s these qualities that make her one of the most highly sought after actresses in the business. Currently, she stars in not just one, but two successful television series’ simultaneously, often trekking back and forth to each set in the same day.

In her one role, Tamara plays Medical Examiner Dr. Melinda Warner on the hit drama series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” She also portrays the character of Jessica Griffin on the daytime drama “As the World Turns.”

Even though she maintains a rather hectic schedule, Tamara is candidly upbeat and exudes a calm collectiveness.

Tamara currently plays Medical Examiner, Dr. Melinda Warner on the hit drama series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

“I feel blessed to have the opportunity and support to engage in both television series’,” she said. “Having the support of my producers and fellow cast members is key as to how and why I am able to do what I love doing. It is hard work, but it is work that I love.”

Tamara was first introduced to drama while in high school at Steel Valley.

“I enjoyed being active,” she said. “I was also the captain of the girl’s volleyball and the girl’s basketball team.

My theater instructor went to Carnegie Mellon University and of course, the seed was planted for my interest there. I originally wanted to become a doctor!”

In addition to her athletics, Tunie maintained a 4.0-plus grade point average at Steel Valley and sought out scholarships. Her ultimate choice to obtain a degree in Fine Arts at CMU was almost done as an aside.

“It wasn’t until my senior year that I decided to apply to CMU. I remember driving myself down for my interview. When I got there, there were kids from all over the country, with their parents, and they,” she laughed, “had resumes!”

“Ignorance is bliss, as they say! I still had the gumption to complete my paper work and went on to interview with the various departments and that was that.

I waited and hoped and then the word came. I remember one day when I got home my mother said that a letter from CMU had arrived. She didn’t probe me but just let me be. I took it up to my room, opened it and read that I had been accepted. I was in!”

Since then, Tamara hasn’t stopped, accomplishing many outstanding performances in theater, film and television.

Tamara doesn’t just limit her reach to just “remote-control” viewing. On occasion, she’s also taken on film and theater productions. She does this all the while simultaneously keeping up with her normal everyday work schedule.

Tamara’s love encompasses all of her college training, and she is not willing to stifle her creativity by exclusivity to one genre or another.

“Theater is most energizing,” said Tamara, “simply because of the engagement factor with the audience. Television and film likewise have unique aspects, both of which are endearing as an actor.”

Tamara Tunie as Jessica Griffin on the daytime drama “As the World Turns”

Tamara’s success in making the most of her talents on stage, in film and on television is ongoing. Her career highlights include starring opposite Denzel Washington as Calpurnia in the critically acclaimed “Julius Caesar.” She has also worked with respected directors like Oliver Stone, and even had the unique opportunity to work onscreen with legendary actor Al Pacino in the films “The Devil's Advocate” and “City Hall.”

Tamara is bluntly honest and emphatic in her own assessment of her accomplishments as it relates to advice.

“I let young people know, ‘Look, there are occasional breaks, but at the end of the day it’s still you who has to get the work done.’ And it is work…hard work!” Tried and proven, this adequately describes Tamara’s real life experience early on in her own career.

“I got a big break singing backup in the Tony-winning Broadway smash ‘Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music.’ A New York agent caught one of my performances at the Civic Light Opera in Pittsburgh and I went on from there.” In speaking of the CLO, it is evident that Tamara takes great delight in talking about her Pittsburgh home.

“I grew up in a funeral home. My father owns a funeral home in Homestead. It’s still there and he and my mom are still running things.”

Tamara’s family members remain active residents in the Pittsburgh area, and she welcomes the opportunity to visit them regularly.

“I grew up around hard working parents,” she boasted. “What I knew of growing up in Homestead in a funeral home as a little ‘black’ girl, was that I have two dedicated parents who were the model of hard work and social respect. I was not raised with bigotry or racism. We were certainly aware of it because we didn't live in a bubble. My family embraced anyone I cared about, regardless. Their attitude was always supportive and very much set the tone for us kids. ‘If this is a good person and you embrace them,’ they’d say, ‘then we do too.’ This, of course, was very healthy.”

Tamara, who is the fourth of five children, pointed out that times were not always easy.

“My mom and dad divorced and remarried each other twice. My sister suffered with childhood diabetes and required strict care in that area. It even became the norm to come home and see the ambulance at our house.” Sadly, Tamara’s sister died as a result of her condition as a young adult.

“We just handled life like families do.” Her mother Evelyn is her inspiration.

“My mother took care of us kids and then in later years when back to school to become a mortician and worked alongside of my dad.”

Today, Tamara’s parents, now separated, still work together and maintain an affable relationship with each other. Tamara welcomes the opportunity to visit them several times throughout the year.

“I love Pittsburgh! My mother says that I am simply a New Yorker born in Pittsburgh.”

Among Tamara’s most endeared credits of success is serving as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Figure Skating in Harlem, Inc., a non-profit organization that teaches education and life skills to young girls in the Harlem community through the art of figure skating.

“It provides an opportunity for the girls to be esteemed in discovering their potential and self worth. When I first came on board, it was just a local project; however, its popularity and success has made it a model for cities across the country, which is very exciting. Beginning in 2005, we announced an annual event called “Skating With the Stars, Under the Stars,” which is a great opportunity for celebrity involvement. This event, of course, brings about greater awareness and opportunities for the program, as well as an opportunity for our girls to be celebrated for their accomplishments.”

Tamara and her husband Gregory Generet, jazz vocalist and post editor, also make their home in Harlem.

Tamara and husband Gregory Generet

“I believe it is important to be a viable part of your community,” said Tamara. “My involvement with Figure Skating in Harlem, provides for me a wonderfully enriching opportunity. These young ladies are amazing!”

Tamara also extends her community-involvement reach to her hometown of Homestead.

“My mother and I attended an annual event at the Carnegie Library called ‘The Taste of the Valley,’ which she helped to organize. This annual event showcases the best of the best eateries in the Steel Valley and helps to raise support for the library. I was always at the Carnegie Library when I was growing up! I loved to read and find it very gratifying to lend my time and financial support.”

It is Tamara’s profound sense of gratitude that is most revealing. Perhaps there is no real mystery why her life emulates such creative zeal and resourcefulness. In fact, the Carnegie Library of Homestead is the first opportunity that Tamara thought to pursue early on. It is, after all, far more Romantic in stature than the twelve stacks were back then, and it remains faithful in both appearance and in service as a monument of opportunity.

And as a young a Tamara Tunie discovered while growing up just three blocks away, imaginations and curious minds have no better place to roam while home in Homestead.