Move over, June Cleaver

Though she's only 36, Tichina Arnold is a 25-year veteran of films, TV and music. Her name is being bandied about as a potential Emmy nominee for her delightfully funny turn as the strong-willed, no-nonsense Rochelle, the mother of a teenage Chris Rock on the acclaimed CW comedy series "Everybody Hates Chris."

In just two seasons, Arnold's Rochelle has found a place in the pantheon of such famous sitcom moms as Harriet Nelson of "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," June Cleaver of "Leave It to Beaver," Debra Barone of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and Lois from "Malcolm in the Middle."

Born to a middle-class family in Queens, Arnold made her film debut as Crystal in the 1986 musical "Little Shop of Horrors." She received an Emmy nomination at 17 as bad girl Zena Brown on ABC's daytime soap "Ryan's Hope." Arnold was also a regular on the network's "All My Children."

Arnold starred on the sitcoms "Martin" and "One On One" and in such films as "Big Momma's House" and "Wild Hogs."

Mother of a young daughter named Alijah Kai, Arnold also has her own company of designer headgear called China Moon Rags.

So you are already at work on the next season?

I think this is the sixth episode.

You are starting early because of the potential. . . .

Writers' strike and the kids, too. They are growing rapidly.

I can't believe how tall Tyler James Williams is.

He's a tall boy already. I told him if you get any taller, you are going to have to do all your scenes sitting down. Tyler is 13.

I forgot that you were in the 1986 movie musical "Little Shop of Horrors." You were just a baby when you did that.

It was the first huge experience for me as a child being in the industry. Prior to that I had done a bunch of theater, dinner theater, supper clubs, just a bunch of off-Broadway. But when I got "Little Shop of Horrors" that was the hugest event in my life.

And you shot that in London.

We lived in London for a year!