David Ramsey

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David Ramsey
David Ramsey Photo Op GalaxyCon Austin 2023 (A200045).jpg
Ramsey at the 2023 GalaxyCon Austin
Born (1971-11-17) November 17, 1971 (age 54)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1987–present

David Paul Ramsey (born November 17, 1971) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in The CW Arrowverse series Arrow , The Flash , Supergirl , and Batwoman as John Diggle / Spartan, portraying Diggle and Bass Reeves in Legends of Tomorrow , recurring as an alternate universe version of Diggle in Superman & Lois , recurring as Anton Briggs on the Showtime TV series Dexter , and starring in the film Mother and Child (2009) as Joseph.

Contents

Early life

Ramsey was born November 17, 1971, [1] in Detroit, Michigan. He was educated at Mumford High School, [2] then attended from the 'College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts' at Wayne State University, Detroit, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. [2]

Career

From 1997 to 1998, he starred as pastor David Randolph in the UPN sitcom Good News . [3] In 2000, he starred as Muhammad Ali in the Fox television film Ali: An American Hero . [3] That year, he appeared in Pay It Forward [2] and started a recurring role in For Your Love . [2] In 2001, he starred as Vince Lee in the South African comedy film "Mr Bones". [3] He has also starred in recurring roles in All of Us , One on One, The West Wing , CSI: Crime Scene Investigation , Ghost Whisperer , Wildfire , and Hollywood Residential . [3]

From 2008 to 2009, he appeared in 17 episodes of Dexter [3] as Anton Briggs, a pot-smoking confidential informant who has an affair with Debra Morgan in Season 3 and at the start of Season 4. In 2010, he appeared in an episode of Grey's Anatomy [3] and in the short-lived NBC courtroom drama series Outlaw . [4] From 2012 to 2020, he appeared in the main cast of CW's superhero show Arrow , as John Diggle, a military veteran who is Oliver's partner, confidant, bodyguard, and later gained an alter ego, Spartan, since the fourth season. The season seven episode "Past Sins" was Ramsey's directorial debut. [5] As part of the greater Arrowverse, Ramsey has reprised his role as Diggle on The Flash , Legends of Tomorrow , Supergirl and Batwoman , as well as portraying an alternate version of the character on the non-Arrowverse Superman & Lois . [6] Ramsey also starred as Mayor Carter Poole in the TV series Blue Bloods . [3]

Personal life

Ramsey is an accomplished Jeet Kune Do practitioner. He has also studied boxing, taekwondo and Wing Chun, and trained in kickboxing under Benny Urquidez. [7] [8]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1987 Scared Stiff George Masterson
1996 The Nutty Professor Student [2]
A Very Brady Sequel Brent
1997 Con Air Londell [2]
1998A Short Wait Between TrainsJenkins
1999 Three to Tango Bill
2000 Pay It Forward Sidney Parker
2001 Mr Bones Vince Lee
2004 Hair Show Cliff
2005 Resurrection: The J.R. Richard Story J. R. Richard
Bathsheba King David Short film
2007 The Death and Life of Bobby Z Wayne
2008 The Coverup Bill Daily
2009The RubCam Stewart
Mother and Child Joseph
2014 Draft Day Thompson
2015 Accidental Love Rep. Bill Harshtone
2024 Legend of the White Dragon Mayor Trevon Sterns

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1995 Murder One Reporter #3Episode: "Chapter Two"
1996DeutschlandliedGeorgeMniseries
Space: Above and Beyond SupervisorEpisode: "The Angriest Angel"
Her Costly Affair Shep WalkerTelevision film
1997–1998 Good News Pastor David RandolphMain role
1998 CHiPs '99 Officer Sergeant McFallTelevision film
Mama Flora's Family Booker Palmer (Adult)
1999 Mutiny Vernon Nettles
2000 Ali: An American Hero [2] Muhammad Ali
2000–2001 For Your Love [2] Brian4 episodes
2001 Girlfriends RandallEpisode: "Mom's the Word"
ThievesAgent VictorEpisode: "The Long Con"
2002 For the People N/AEpisode: "To DNA or Not to DNA"
Romeo FireTelevision film
The Guardian Debord's LawyerEpisode: "No Good Deed"
2002–2003 One on One JaydenEpisodes: "Everybody Loves Whom?", "It's a Miserable Life"
2003The FlannerysSam GableTelevision film
Strong Medicine Jake CorteseEpisode: "Breathing Lessons"
NCIS Special Agent Richard OwensEpisode: "The Curse"
2004 Crossing Jordan Agent ScannellEpisode: "Is That Plutonium in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Happy to See Me?"
CSI: Miami Officer EverhartEpisode: "Wannabe"
Charmed Upper Level DemonEpisode: "Witch Wars"
Second Time Around Travis ByrdEpisode: "A Kiss Is Still a Kiss"
2005Central BookingTroy StonebreakerTelevision film
Huff Clay3 episodes
All of Us RustyRecurring role (6 episodes)
Jane Doe: The Wrong FaceMacTelevision film
2005–2008 Ghost Whisperer Will4 episodes
2006 Hello Sister, Goodbye Life Uncle Dennis KleinTelevision film
The West Wing Teddy - Santos's Turnout BrieferEpisodes: "Welcome to Wherever You Are", "Election Day: Part 1"
Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America Curtis AnsenTelevision film
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Gerald CrowleyEpisode: "Burn Out"
2007 Criminal Minds WakelandEpisode: "Fear and Loathing"
Journeyman Det. Wilson HargreavesEpisode: "The Legend of Dylan McCleen"
2008 Hollywood Residential Don MerrittMain role
Wildfire Dr. Noah GleasonRecurring role
2008–2009 Dexter Anton Briggs Recurring role
Nominated - Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
2009 Castle Jim WheelerEpisode: "Fool Me Once..."
2010 Grey's Anatomy Jimmy ThompsonEpisode: "Sympathy for the Parents"
Outlaw Al DruzinskyMain role
2011–17 Blue Bloods Carter Poole Recurring role
2012–2020 Arrow John Diggle / Spartan / Bass Reeves [a] Main role
2014–2023 The Flash 11 episodes
2016–207 & 2020 Legends of Tomorrow 4 episodes
2017 Illicit Guy / HusbandTelevision Film
2018 & 2021 Supergirl John Diggle2 episodes
2021–2022 Batwoman
Superman & Lois
2022 The Rookie: Feds Greg WrightEpisode: "Countdown"
2024 Bel-Air Lamont Alton2 episodes
2025 The Hunting Party Arlo BrandtEpisode: "Arlo Brandt"
2026 Tracker [9] BaxterEpisode: TBA

Director

YearProductionNotes
2019 Arrow 2 episodes: "Past Sins" & "Reset"
2021–2023 Superman & Lois 4 episodes: "Man of Steel", "The Ties That Bind", "Truth and Consequences" & "Head On"
2021 Legends of Tomorrow Episode: "Stressed Western"
Supergirl Episode: "Blind Spots"
Batwoman Episode: "A Lesson from Professor Pyg"
2023 All American Episode: "Stand Up for Something"

Notes

  1. ↑ Ramsey also portrays Clifford DeVoe / The Thinker (who posed as Diggle) in The Flash episode titled "Think Fast".

References

  1. ↑ Rose, Mike (November 17, 2018). "Today's top celebrity birthdays list for November 17, 2018". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on November 17, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Wayne State University - Theatre and Dance alumni". cfpca.wayne.edu. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "David Ramsey". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  4. ↑ "NBC Unveils 2010-2011 Primetime Schedule Accented by Five New Comedies, Seven New Dramas, and New Alternative Program". The Futon Critic. May 16, 2010. Archived from the original on September 16, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  5. ↑ Turchiano, Danielle (January 29, 2019). "'Arrow' Star David Ramsey Breaks Down His Directorial Debut". Variety. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  6. ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (December 31, 2021). "David Ramsey Returns to Batwoman — Is Diggle Friends With [Spoiler]?". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Male Celebs Who Practice Martial Arts". Jet . September 24, 2001. p. 40.
  8. ↑ Sheridan, Brian R. "David Ramsey from CW's ARROW". Kung Fu Magazine . Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Casting News: Smallville Reunion On Tracker, Heated Rivalry Stars' Olympics Role, And More". TVLine.com. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
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