In 1982, Minter portrayed Angela in an episode of the third season of Fame called "Break Dance". In 1984, she portrayed Carla in the television short The Pilot. In 1985, Minter made her acting debut as the prostitute Lorrie in the drama film Mask. She starred alongside Cher, Sam Elliott, and Eric Stoltz. The film earned positive reviews and was a financial success. The same year, she portrayed Kelly on an episode of the television series T.J. Hooker called "Street Bait" and Rachel Torres in the television film Badge of the Assassin.

In 1986, Minter portrayed Toni in the television film Charley Hannah and Vicky in an episode of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color called "The Deacon Street Deer". In 1987, Minter portrayed Kathy in an episode of Hill Street Blues called "It Ain't Over Till It's Over" and Denise Green in the comedy film Summer School. The same year, Minter portrayed Maria in Joel Schumacher's cult horror comedy film The Lost Boys. She subsequently portrayed Treena Lester in The Principal. The following year, she portrayed Charlotta in Steve De Jarnatt's apocalyptic thriller Miracle Mile and Charisse in two episodes of the television series A Different World.

In 1989, Minter portrayed Yvonne Miller in Stephen Hopkins' fantasy horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child. She starred alongside Lisa Wilcox as Alice Johnson and Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. The same year, she portrayed Loret in the film Cat Chaser. The following year, Minter was cast as LaDonna in Reginald Hudlin's comedy film House Party. In 1991, she portrayed a recovering drug addict in New Jack City, Cheryl in Popcorn, Mulready in Doc Hollywood, and Ruby Williams in Wes Craven's The People Under the Stairs. The same year, she had guest appearances on a variety of television series such as Father Dowling Mysteries, WIOU, and Sibs.

In 1992, Minter portrayed Sharonda in the television film Murder Without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story. The following year, she portrayed Joanna in the film Sunset Grill and Rhodesia in an episode of Martin. In 1994, she was cast in the television film Cosmic Slop. In 1996, she portrayed a hooker in The Rich Man's Wife, a crack mom in an episode of ER, and Rita in the television film A Face to Die For. The following year, she portrayed Chrissie Brooks in Dead Men Can't Dance.

In 2001, Minter starred in the television film Stranger Inside and had a guest appearance in the televisions series Providence. The following year, she portrayed Vielle Montoya in an episode of Strong Medicine. In 2003, she portrayed Angie in the film Tapped Out. In 2008, she portrayed Karen in an episode of Zoey 101. In 2010, Minter appeared as herself in the documentary Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy. In 2012, she appeared as herself in the documentary After the Violence.