Omari Hardwick

Last updated

Omari Hardwick
Omari Hardwick on BTVR (cropped).jpg
Hardwick interviewed about Power in 2015
Born
Omari Latif Hardwick [1]

January 9, 1974 (1974-01-09) (age 50)
Alma mater University of Georgia
Occupation(s)Actor , Model
Years active2001–present
Spouse
Jennifer Pfautch
(m. 2012)
Children3

Omari Latif Hardwick (born January 9, 1974) is an American actor known for his starring role as James "Ghost" St. Patrick, the protagonist of Starz's Power and his role as Vanderohe in Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead (2021). He is also known for his roles in Saved and Dark Blue , in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna (2008), Kick-Ass (2010), Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls (2010) [2] and as Andre in BET Network's Being Mary Jane .

Contents

Early life and education

Hardwick was born in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Joyce and Clifford Hardwick III, an attorney. [3] Growing up in Decatur, Georgia, Hardwick wrote poetry on a regular basis, and participated in many sports. [4] For high school he attended Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia where he played baseball, basketball and football and attended University of Georgia on a football scholarship. [5] Even though he was a star on the field, Hardwick continued in acting and poetry, and thus minored in theater.

Career

After graduation, Hardwick initially pursued a career in football, hoping to join the San Diego Chargers. He declared himself for the NFL Draft, where he was not selected, after which he returned to acting. [6]

As a struggling actor, Hardwick did odd jobs in order to pay for acting classes. After being unsuccessful, he started living in his car, and he finally got his break in the 2004 TV movie Sucker Free City . Next, he booked roles in the feature film The Guardian and a series regular role in Saved . For the role, he spent two years training as a fireman and a paramedic. [7]

In 2002, Hardwick had a quick scene as an extra in Floetry's "Say Yes" music video.

In 2003 and 2004, he participated award-winningly in the National Poetry Slam. [6]

In 2010, Hardwick became a founding member of "Plan B Inc. Theater Group", and a co-founder of "Actor's Lounge" at the Los Angeles Greenway Theater. He also founded production company "Bravelife Films". [7] [8] [9] Hardwick was also featured in the urban lifestyle publication, Prominence Magazine for its Holiday issue.

Hardwick reading a poem, with Congresswoman Terri Sewell looking on, at The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Alabama in 2020.

In 2011, Hardwick received his best film reviews to date for his role as "Troy" in the critically acclaimed indie hit I Will Follow . Hardwick has guest starred on an episode of NBC's Chase as Chris Novak, a hard luck criminal facing prison. [10]

In 2013, Hardwick was cast in the lead role of James "Ghost" St. Patrick on the Starz crime drama-thriller, Power . [11]

In 2016, he was featured by a South African rapper, Nasty C on a song titled "A Star Is Born".

Hardwick co-starred in the science fiction comedy film Sorry to Bother You , [12] which was released in theaters on July 6, 2018. [13]

In July 2019, Hardwick was cast in Zack Snyder's Netflix film Army of the Dead . [14]

In January 2021, it was announced that Hardwick was cast as Gordon Oliver in Netflix's thriller series Pieces of Her , which is adapted from the Karin Slaughter novel of the same name. [15]

In April 2022, it was announced that Hardwick would star alongside Marsai Martin and Kelly Rowland in the Paramount+ film Fantasy Football , released on November 25. [16] [17]

Personal life

Hardwick began a relationship with Jennifer "Jae" Pfautch in the 2000s. [ citation needed ] Pfautch, who is of Native American and German descent, was disowned by her family in the aftermath for dating outside of her race. [18] In 2008, the couple's first child was stillborn. Hardwick and Pfautch married in June 2012 and have two children, daughter Nova and son Brave. [19]

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002CirclesLameck
2004Within the WallSaulShort film
The Male Groupie'Act Shun'Short film
2005 Beauty Shop Byron
2006SpeechlessKu James
Gridiron Gang 'Free'
The Guardian Carl Billings
2008 Miracle at St. Anna Platoon Commander Huggs
Linewatch Drake / Kimo
2009 Next Day Air Shavoo
2010 Everyday Black Man Malik
Kick-Ass Sergeant Marcus Williams
The A-Team Jay 'Chopshop Jay'
For Colored Girls Carl BradmoreNominated – Black Reel Award for Best Breakthrough Performance
I Will Follow Troy
2012 Sparkle Levi
Middle of Nowhere Derek
2013Kings & BeggarsNoahShort film; also writer
LuDr. HardenShort film
Things Never Said Curtis Jackson
The Last LetterMichael Wright
2014 Reach Me Dominic
Lap Dance Dr. Don Cook
2015 Chapter & Verse Jomo
2017 Shot Caller Ed Kutcher, Parole Officer
The RunnerRick Roslin
2018 Sorry to Bother You Mr. _______
A Boy. A Girl. A Dream. CassAlso executive producer
Sgt. Will Gardner Samuel 'Top' Gallegos
Nobody's Fool Frank Johnson
2019 American Skin Omar Scott
2020 Spell Marquis
2021 Army of the Dead Vanderohe
2022 Fantasy Football Bobby Coleman
2023 To Live and Die and Live Kevin
The Mother William Cruise
Phels HighPrincipal Floyd [20]
TBA Star Trek: Section 31 TBAFilming
Unreleased The Mothership TBA

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2004 Sucker Free City Dante PonceTelevision film
2005 Crossing Jordan Ronald PascoEpisode: "Judgement Day"
2006 Saved John 'Sack' HallonMain cast; 13 episodes
2008 CSI: Miami Eddie DashellEpisode: "And How Does That Make You Kill?"
SISDonovan RiversTelevision film
2009–2010 Dark Blue Ty CurtisMain cast; 20 episodes
Nominated – NAMIC Vision Award Best Performance, Drama (2011)
2009 Lie to Me Benny 'B' DavisEpisode: "The Better Half"
2010 Chase Chris NovakEpisode: "Betrayed"
2012 Breakout Kings Ronnie MarkhamEpisode: "Self Help"
2013–2014 Being Mary Jane Andre DanielsMain cast; 8 episodes
Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series (2014)
Nominated – Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special (2014)
Nominated – Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series (2015)
2013A Christmas BlessingEarl JamesTelevision film
Nominated – Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
2014–2020 Power James 'Ghost' St. PatrickMain cast
Nominated – BET Award for Best Actor (2017) (seasons 1—6)
2021 That Damn Michael Che HimselfEpisode: "Sex Worker"
2022 Pieces of Her Gordon OliverMain cast
TBA Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas VanderoheMain cast

Music videos

YearTitleArtistRole
2000 "No More" Ruff Endz Store Clerk
2002"Say Yes" Floetry Passenger
2011"Break My Heart" Estelle featuring Rick Ross Love interest
2012"You Make Me Wanna"Eshe featuring Omari HardwickLove interest
2016"A Star is Born" Nasty C featuring Omari HardwickHimself (cameo)
2017"Flipmode" Fabolous, Velous and Chris Brown Himself (cameo)
2017"Family Feud" Jay-Z featuring Beyoncé Mr. President
2018"First Began" PJ Morton Love interest

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References

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  2. "Omari Hardwick's Breakout Role? For Colored Girls, Dark Blue, Hip Hop, Poetry and More! Exclusive Interview!". UrbLife.com. October 28, 2010.
  3. Cornelius, Ray (October 15, 2020). "Omari Hardwick talks TV, film, and more for last episode of 'Uncensored' (VIDEO)". Jazz 91.9 WCLK . Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  4. "Exclusive: Omari Hardwick Raw (Career Evolution, Transition, Testimony Of Faith In Hollywood, 'Kick-Ass 2,' More)". IndieWire . August 27, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  5. Racha Penrice, Ronda (June 13, 2017). "Omari Hardwick shares his Hollywood 'power' in his hometown". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved November 9, 2021.
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  12. N'Duka, Amanda (June 27, 2017). "'Power' Star Omari Hardwick & Terry Crews Join Boots Riley's 'Sorry To Bother You'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  13. Blistein, Jon (May 17, 2018). "Watch Lakeith Stanfield Make Millions With 'White Voice' in Wild 'Sorry to Bother You' Trailer". Rolling Stone . Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  14. Galuppo, Mia (July 15, 2019). "Zack Snyder's 'Army of the Dead' Rounds Out Cast with Omari Hardwick, Chris D'Elia". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  15. Otterson, Joe (January 28, 2021). "Omari Hardwick, Jessica Barden, Joe Dempsie Among Five Cast in Netflix Series 'Pieces of Her'". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  16. "'Fantasy Football': Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland & Rome Flynn Board Sports Comedy From Nickelodeon And Awesomeness Films". Deadline. April 19, 2022.
  17. "Fantasy Football movie starring Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland hits Paramount+ Nov. 25". CBS Sports. November 15, 2022.
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