A sassy small-screen player who started out on stage, Arnold was still a teen when she began landing roles in TV-movies, daytime soaps and a handful of features, including the 1986 musical Little Shop of Horrors, which allowed her to show off her mighty vocal chops. An award-winning, five-year supporting stint on the sitcom Martin — as the wisecracking best buddy of the eponymous character's wife — led to roles in a number films (Big Momma's House) and television shows (One on One). During slow periods, Arnold reverted to stage work and also launched a line of accessories. In 2005 she landed a breakout part as Chris Rock's tough-talking but bighearted mama on the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris. After the show ended in 2009, Arnold returned to the stage as Evillene, the Wicked Witch, in an Encores! production of The Wiz.