Tanner is mostly known by his role as Antwon "Skills" Taylor on the CW show One Tree Hill. Tanner had a starring role in the 2005 film Coach Carter, where he starred alongside Samuel L. Jackson and has appeared in TV series such as NYPD Blue, 413 Hope St., Sister, Sister, Moesha, The Parkers, and CSI. Tanner also had a role in the film The Wood. In 2007, he starred alongside Brian Hooks, Denyce Lawton, and Cherie Johnson in the horror film 7eventy 5ive.
Tanner was arrested on April 16, 2009, and was accused by federal authorities of "knowingly and intentionally" transferring Social Security cards "with intent to defraud". On August 20, 2009 he pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to selling more than a dozen Social Security numbers for $10,000. He was handed a prison sentence of 3 months for the offense and had to report to prison by April 30, 2010.
