Jay Ellis

Last updated

Jay Ellis
Jay Ellis 2022 Cropped.jpg
Ellis in 2022
Born
Wendell Ramone Ellis Jr.

(1981-12-27) December 27, 1981 (age 42)
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater Concordia University (Oregon)
OccupationActor
Years active2005–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2022)​
ChildrenNora, Noa

Wendell Ramone "Jay" Ellis Jr. [1] (born December 27, 1981 [2] ) is an American actor. In 2013, Ellis received his first major role on BET's series The Game . His role as Martin "Lawrence" Walker in the HBO series Insecure (2016-2021), earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series. He later starred in the horror film Escape Room (2019), and appeared in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Ellis' father, Wendell Ramone Ellis Sr., worked for the Air Force, while his mother, Paula Bryant-Ellis, worked as a chief financial officer. [4] [5] He is the only child of the family. [6] He went to 12 schools in 13 years, before attending Concordia University in Oregon, where he played basketball. [7] [8]

Career

Ellis worked as a public relations intern for the Portland Trail Blazers during their infamous "Jail Blazers" era. [9] After completing his internship, Ellis switched his focus to modeling and started working with Portland-based sportswear companies such as Nike, Adidas and Columbia Sportswear. [10]

Acting

In 2004, Ellis moved to Los Angeles to focus on his acting career. [10] He launched his career as a professional actor in 2005, when he appeared briefly in single episodes of the television series Invasion and Related . In 2011–2012, he made appearances on the series Grey's Anatomy , NCIS and How I Met Your Mother . [11] [12]

His first major acting role was in 2013, starring in BET's series The Game . [10] In August 2015, it was announced that Ellis has joined the cast of HBO's comedy series Insecure , which premiered in October 2016. [13] He plays the role of Lawrence Walker, who has a long-term relationship with main character Issa Dee played by Issa Rae. [10] For his work on the show, Ellis received the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series award at the 49th NAACP Image Awards. [14]

He starred as Reuben "Payback" Fitch in Top Gun: Maverick. [3]

The Untold Story: Policing

In 2020, Ellis started hosting The Untold Story: Policing , a four-part podcast series co-produced by Campaign Zero [15] and Lemonada Media. Through interviews with academics, data scientists, and community organizers, the podcast demystifies police union contracts and investigates how they contribute to violent police misconduct across the United States. Ellis serves as the series’ host, as well as an executive producer alongside DeRay Mckesson, Stephanie Wittels Wachs, and Jessica Cordova Kramer. [16]

Philanthropy

In 2017, Ellis partnered with leading HIV/AIDS research organization, amfAR. [17]

Personal life

Ellis has been in a relationship with Serbian model and actress Nina Seničar since 2015. Their daughter Nora was born in November 2019. [18] On July 9, 2022, they married in Italy. [19] On 11 July 2024 their son Noa was born. [20]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010Triple StandardLewisShort film
2011Hatched: A Tale of Great Egg-spectationsJayShort film
2012Election EveJeffShort film
2013 Movie 43 LuciousSegment: "Victory's Glory"
2014Mass Shooting News TeamUnknownShort film
2014The Black BachelorUnknownShort film
2015My Favorite FiveJonathan Colburn
2015November RuleJames Avedon
2015 Breaking Through Quinn [21]
2015Twelve StepsRayShort film
2016 Like Cotton Twines Micha Brown
2016ShortwaveRobert
2018 In a Relationship Dexter
2019 Escape Room Jason Walker [22]
2020ThirstyThe young manShort film
2021 Escape Room: Tournament of Champions Flashback - Jason Walker
2022 Top Gun: Maverick Lieutenant Reuben "Payback" Fitch
2023 Somebody I Used to Know Sean
2024 Freaky Tales Sleepy Floyd
2024 The Gutter Lil PatienceComedy

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005 Invasion Soldier (uncredited)Episode: "Watershed"
2005 Related College studentEpisode: "Hang in There, Baby"
2010 The Bold and the Beautiful OrderlyEpisode: "Episode #1.5922"
2011 Grey's Anatomy DJEpisode: "White Wedding"
2011 NCIS Marine PFC Thomas 'Tommy' HillEpisode: "Restless"
2011Let's Do This!Ugandan Thug #1 / Ceiling Mop UgandanTV movie
2012 How I Met Your Mother Sound GuyEpisode: "Tailgate"
2012 Hart of Dixie ResidentEpisode: "Heart to Hart"
2012 iCarly Friend #1Episode: "iFind Spencer Friends"
2012 Crash & Bernstein DerekEpisode: "Coach Crash"
2013Dear Secret SantaBradTV movie
2013–15 The Game Bryce "Blueprint" WestbrookMain, 45 episodes
2013 NCIS: Los Angeles Naval Flight Officer Randall BakerEpisode: "Purity"
2014 Masters of Sex Dr. Cyril FranklinEpisode: "Giants"
2016 Grace and Frankie DanEpisode: "The Anchor"
2016–21 Insecure Martin "Lawrence" WalkerMain (season 1–2, 4–5); guest (season 3) [18]
2020 Mrs. America Franklin Thomas Recurring role
2023 History of the World, Part II Jesus Christ Recurring role
TBA All Her Fault ColinIn production

Producer

YearTitleNotes
2020 Black Box Feature film [23]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardsCategoryNominated workResult
2017 Black Reel Awards for Television [24] Outstanding Supporting Actor, Comedy SeriesInsecureNominated
2018 NAACP Image Awards [14] Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Won

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracee Ellis Ross</span> American actress (born 1972)

Tracee Joy Silberstein, known professionally as Tracee Ellis Ross, is an American actress. She is known for her lead roles in the television series Girlfriends (2000–2008) and Black-ish (2014–2022) receiving nominations for five Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the latter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Anderson</span> American actor and comedian (born 1970)

Anthony Anderson is an American actor, comedian, and game show host. He is best known for his leading roles in television shows such as Andre "Dre" Johnson on the comedy series Black-ish (2014–2022), Marlin Boulet on the drama series K-Ville (2007), and NYPD Detective Kevin Bernard on the NBC crime drama Law & Order. He has also had major roles in feature films such as Me, Myself & Irene (2000), Kangaroo Jack (2003), Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004), Hustle & Flow (2005), The Departed (2006), Transformers (2007), and Scream 4 (2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Wilmore</span> American comedian

Elister Larry Wilmore III is an American comedian, writer, producer, and actor. He served as the "Senior Black Correspondent" on The Daily Show from 2006 to 2014, and hosted The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore in 2015 and 2016. He is also the creator of the sitcom The Bernie Mac Show. He served as an executive producer for the ABC television series Black-ish, and is the co-creator, with Issa Rae, of the HBO television series Insecure. Since May 2017, he has hosted a podcast, Black on the Air, where he discusses current events and interviews guests. He was the host of the talk show Wilmore.

Melina Matsoukas is an American music video, film, commercial and television director. She is a two-time Grammy Award winner and four-time MTV Video Music Awards winner for her "We Found Love" and "Formation" music videos. She was honored with the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal by the American Film Institute in 2019. Her directorial debut in film was Queen & Slim, starring Jodie Turner-Smith and Daniel Kaluuya, and written by Lena Waithe. She then worked as executive producer and director for television series Insecure, being nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Seales</span> American actress

Amanda Ingrid Seales, formerly known by the stage name Amanda Diva, is an American actress, author, activist, singer, media personality, podcaster, comedian and poet. From 2017 to 2021, she starred in the HBO comedy series Insecure. In 2019, HBO released her first stand-up comedy special I Be Knowin. Then, in 2020, Seales launched Smart Funny & Black, a comedy gameshow that showcases Black culture, history, and experience. Seales was also one of the co-hosts of the syndicated daytime talk show, The Real.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelsan Ellis</span> American actor (1977–2017)

Nelsan Ellis was an American actor. He achieved critical acclaim for his portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO television series True Blood (2008–2014), for which he won a Satellite Award from the International Press Academy, among other accolades. He also starred as Shinwell Johnson in Elementary from 2016 to 2017, and played a variety of guest roles on television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nina Seničar</span> Serbian actress and model

Nina Seničar is a Serbian actress and model based in Los Angeles. She has appeared in Hollywood movies such as Papillon (2017) and Mayhem (2017), as well as numerous Italian film and television productions.

<i>Awkward Black Girl</i> Web series by Issa Rae

The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl is an American comedy web series created by and starring Issa Rae. It premiered on a dedicated YouTube channel on February 3, 2011. The show follows the life of J as she interacts with co-workers and love interests who place her in uncomfortable situations. The story is told through first-person narrative as J usually reveals how she feels about her circumstances through voice-over or dream sequence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Issa Rae</span> American actress and writer (born 1985)

Jo-Issa Rae Diop, credited professionally as Issa Rae, is an American actress, writer, and producer. Founder of Hoorae Media, she achieved wider recognition as the co-creator, co-writer, and star of the HBO television series Insecure (2016–2021), for which she was nominated for multiple Golden Globes Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards.

Insecure is an American comedy-drama television series created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore, and is partially based on Rae's acclaimed web series Awkward Black Girl. The series is about the awkward experiences of a contemporary African-American woman. The series premiered online on September 23, 2016, via HBO Now and HBO Go, before airing weekly on HBO from October 9, 2016.

The 48th NAACP Image Awards, presented by the NAACP, honored outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music and literature during the 2016 calendar year. The 48th ceremony was hosted by Anthony Anderson and broadcast on TV One on February 12, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diallo Riddle</span> American writer, producer, actor

Diallo Riddle is an American writer, producer, actor, showrunner, and DJ. Riddle is best known for his co-starring role as Stevie in the NBC sitcom Marlon, and has been the co-creator of several different television series. He won an NAACP Image Award for his directing on South Side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natasha Rothwell</span> American actress and writer (born 1980)

Natasha Rothwell is an American actress and writer. She worked on the HBO television series Insecure as a writer, series regular, and supervising producer. She went on to star in HBO's The White Lotus, which earned her a nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. In September 2024, her original scripted show How to Die Alone debuted on Hulu. It is a production of the Onyx Collective, a division of ABC Productions. She is the show's creator and also the lead actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Langston Kerman</span> American actor and comedian (born 1987)

Langston Kerman is an American actor, writer, and comedian. He has acted in shows including Insecure, High Maintenance, Bless This Mess, The Boys and English Teacher. Kerman is a writer and co-star on HBO Max's South Side. His first comedy album, Lightskinned Feelings, was named to Vulture's list of 10 Best Comedy Albums of 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prentice Penny</span> American director and producer

Prentice Penny is an American producer, writer and director. He is best known as the showrunner for the HBO series Insecure. He is the writer and director of the Netflix film Uncorked, and the creator and host of Upscale with Prentice Penny. He is also known as a writer and producer of the series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Hustle, and Scrubs.

<i>Rap Sh!t</i> American comedy television series

Rap Sh!t is an American comedy television series created by Issa Rae for HBO Max. The show is produced by Hoorae Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment and centers on two Miami-based rappers who try to find success in the music industry. The series debuted at the American Black Film Festival on June 18, 2022, and was released on July 21, 2022. It was renewed for a second season in September 2022, which premiered on November 9, 2023. The season was originally set to debut on August 10, 2023, but was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. In January 2024, the series was canceled after two seasons.

This article lists the winners and nominees for the Black Reel Award for Television for Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series. This category was first introduced in 2017 and won by Issa Rae for Insecure. Rae leads the pack with most wins with 4 (consecutively). Tracee Ellis Ross is currently the most nominated actor with 5 nominations.

Amy Aniobi is a Nigerian-American writer, producer and director. She was the head writer and co-executive producer of Insecure and was also an executive producer for the HBO special 2 Dope Queens. Aniobi signed a two-year overall deal with HBO in 2019.

Sweet Life: Los Angeles is an American reality television series created by Issa Rae. It premiered on August 19, 2021, on HBO Max. In October 2021, it was renewed for a second season which premiered on August 4, 2022. In December 2022, the series was canceled after two seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemonada Media</span> American Podcast Company

Lemonada Media is an American podcast network. The company was founded in 2019 by Jessica Cordova Kramer and Stephanie Wittels Wachs. In 2019, Lemonada Media debuted their first podcast, Last Day, offering a personal view on the opioid crisis in the U.S.

References

  1. ↑ "Jay Ellis on Working with Tom Cruise in New Top Gun Movie". youtube. September 28, 2018. Event occurs at 3:42. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  2. ↑ "Celebrity Birthdays: Dec. 27". La Crosse Tribune. December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Top Gun Day Celebrates 35th Anniversary With a Return to Theaters". CBR. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Jay Ellis". amfAR. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  5. ↑ "New York Film Academy (NYFA) Alum Paula Bryant-Ellis on Faith in Storytelling & the Importance of Mentorship and Representation". July 6, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Insecure's Jay Ellis Is a Dream Guy in Real Life". LA Weekly . July 24, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  7. ↑ "After 'The Game' With Jay Ellis". The Trending Report. April 29, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Chop-Up: Jay Ellis, star of The Game, talks his hooping skills, making an NFL practice squad and more". USA Today High School Sports. February 18, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Jay Ellis from HBO's "Insecure" Tells Jimmy Kimmel About PR Work for Trail Blazers: "It Was Crazy"". Blazersedge.com. August 19, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "HBO 'Insecure' Star Jay Ellis Opens Up About Life After the Backshot Heard Around the World". Complex . July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  11. ↑ "The Game's Jay Ellis Reveals His Pop Culture Obsessions, First TV Crushes, Hidden Talent and More". E! . March 18, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Insecure Star Jay Ellis: 'I Want to Change the Narrative Around Young Black Men'". Out . June 20, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Issa Rae's HBO pilot 'Insecure' adds Jay Ellis and Yvonne Orji to cast". Rolling Out. August 27, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  14. 1 2 "2018 NAACP Image Award Winners: Complete List". The Hollywood Reporter . January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  15. ↑ "[Check This Out] The Untold Story: Policing". www.radio.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  16. ↑ Dansby, Andrew (August 14, 2020). "Stephanie Wittels Wachs' growing podcast company provides comfort". HoustonChronicle.com. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Jay Ellis On His Personal Mission To Fight HIV/AIDS In The Black Community". HuffPost . February 6, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  18. 1 2 "Insecure Star Jay Ellis and Actress Nina Senicar Welcome First Child, Daughter Nora Grace". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  19. ↑ Macon, Alexandra (July 18, 2022). "Top Gun: Maverick's Jay Ellis Marries Nina Senicar at a Garden Wedding in Tuscany". Vogue . Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ https://eurweb.com/2024/jay-ellis-and-nina-senicar-joyfully-welcome-their-second-child-noa/ [ bare URL ]
  21. ↑ Lowe, Justin (October 9, 2015). "'Breaking Through': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Deborah Ann Woll & Jay Ellis Interview: Escape Room". ScreenRant. January 3, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  23. ↑ Verhoeven, Beatrice (February 27, 2020). "Phylicia Rashad, Mamoudou Athie to Star in 'Black Box' for Amazon, Blumhouse TV (Exclusive)". TheWrap . Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Black*ish Paces the Black Reel Awards for Television Field". Black Reel Awards . June 15, 2017. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.