Namir Smallwood

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Namir Smallwood
OccupationActor
Years active2017–present

Namir Smallwood is an American stage & film actor. He is best known as a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois.

Contents

Early life

Smallwood grew up in Newark, New Jersey and has been pursuing acting seriously since the age of 14. [1] [2]

Career

In 2017, Smallwood joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. In 2019 he was one of the leads in the company's first revival of True West . [3] In 2020, he was a lead in the company's production of Bug . Both performances earned him nominations for a Jeff Award for Outstanding Performer in a Principal Role in a Play. [4] Smallwood reprised his role in Bug for the play's 2025 Broadway premiere. [5]

In 2022, he had his film debut in Rounding.

Filmography

YearNameRoleNotes
2012 Chicago Fire JamesEpisode: "Merry Christmas, Etc."
2019 Live from Lincoln Center OmariEpisode: "Pipeline"
2019 Elementary JariusEpisode: "Red Light, Green Light"
2021–2024 American Rust Frank Deluca10 episodes
2022 Rounding Dr. James Hayman
2023 Power Book IV: Force Jamal Franklin3 episodes

Stage

YearTitleRoleVenueRef.
2019 True West LeeRegional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company [3]
2020 Bug Peter EvansRegional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company [4]
2021Pass OverKitchBroadway, August Wilson Theatre [2]
2025The Book of GraceBuddyRegional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company [2]
2025BugPeter EvansBroadway, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre [5]

References

  1. ↑ Vire, Kris (January 17, 2024). "The Committed Player". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Lamarre, Eddy (April 25, 2025). "Namir Smallwood stars in 'The Book of Grace' at Steppenwolf". Rolling Out. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Jones, Chris (July 15, 2019). "'True West' is back at Steppenwolf, wrestling with the ghosts of Malkovich, Sinise and Shepard". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Archives - The Joseph Jefferson Awards". Jeff Awards. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Glikas, Bruce (December 29, 2025). "Photos: Ethan Hawke Visits Carrie Coon, Namir Smallwood and More in BUG". Broadway World. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
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