Michael Ealy
Encyclopedia
Michael Brown professionally known as Michael Ealy, is an American actor
.
and the University of Maryland, College Park
.
stage productions. Among his first film roles were Bad Company
and Kissing Jessica Stein
. His breakout role came in 2002's Barbershop
, in which he plays reformed street thug Ricky Nash, a role that he reprised in the 2004 sequel, Barbershop 2: Back in Business
. In 2003, he played the role of Slap Jack in the second installment of the Fast and the Furious film series
, 2 Fast 2 Furious
. Later in 2004, Ealy appeared in Never Die Alone
with DMX
. He also appeared in Mariah Carey's music video for her hit single "Get Your Number" from her 2005 album The Emancipation of Mimi
.
In 2005, Ealy co-starred in the telefilm version of Their Eyes Were Watching God
, produced by Oprah Winfrey
and Quincy Jones
, and starring Academy Award
-winning actress Halle Berry
. The same year, he starred in the independent film
Jellysmoke, directed by Mark Banning. He starred in the Showtime television series Sleeper Cell
, the first season of which aired from December 4–18, 2005, and the second season, Sleeper Cell: American Terror, which aired December 10–17, 2006.
On December 14, 2006, Ealy was nominated for a Golden Globe Award
for his role in Sleeper Cell: American Terror in the category Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.
In December 2008 he was featured in the movie Seven Pounds
alongside Will Smith as Ben Thomas. He also starred as the male lead in Beyoncé
's "Halo
" music video, and as CIA Field Officer Marshall Vogel in the ABC
television series FlashForward
.
Ealy also appears in the limited-edition coffee table book ("About Face") by celebrity photographer John Russo, published by Pixie Press Worldwide. He is currently working on independent writing projects.
In 2009, Ealy performed in The People Speak
, a documentary feature film that uses dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans, based on historian Howard Zinn
's A People's History of the United States
.
In 2010, Ealy signed on to play attorney Derrick Bond in The Good Wife for at least ten episodes of the second season. He co-stars in the action movie Takers
as Jake Attica.
In 2011, Ealy signed on to play Travis Marks in USA Network
's upcoming new original series Common Law about two cops who have to go to counseling because they argue too much. It is set to begin shooting in August and premiere in 2012.
Black Reel Awards
African-American Film Critics Association
NAACP Image Award
s
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
Personal life
Ealy was born in Silver Spring, Maryland. He attended Springbrook High SchoolSpringbrook High School
Springbrook High School is a public high school. It is located in Silver Spring, an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Maryland, between the Colesville and White Oak communities....
and the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
.
Career
Ealy started his acting career in the late-1990s, appearing in a number of off-BroadwayOff-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
stage productions. Among his first film roles were Bad Company
Bad Company (2002 film)
Bad Company is a 2002 action-comedy film directed by Joel Schumacher, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and starring Anthony Hopkins and Chris Rock.-Plot:...
and Kissing Jessica Stein
Kissing Jessica Stein
Kissing Jessica Stein is a 2001 independent romantic comedy film, written and co-produced by the film's stars, Jennifer Westfeldt and Heather Juergensen. The film also stars Tovah Feldshuh and is directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld...
. His breakout role came in 2002's Barbershop
Barbershop (film)
Barbershop is a 2002 American comedy film directed by Tim Story, produced by State Street Pictures and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on September 13, 2002. Starring Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, and Anthony Anderson, the movie revolves around social life in a barbershop on the South Side of...
, in which he plays reformed street thug Ricky Nash, a role that he reprised in the 2004 sequel, Barbershop 2: Back in Business
Barbershop 2: Back in Business
Barbershop 2: Black in Business is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, produced by State Street Pictures and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on February 6, 2004...
. In 2003, he played the role of Slap Jack in the second installment of the Fast and the Furious film series
The Fast and the Furious (film series)
The Fast and the Furious is a series of action films that focuses on street racing and heists. Produced by Universal Studios, the series was established in 2001 with the eponymous first installment, which has since been followed by four sequels, and two short films that tie into the series...
, 2 Fast 2 Furious
2 Fast 2 Furious
2 Fast 2 Furious is a 2003 street racing action film directed by John Singleton. It is the second film in The Fast and the Furious film series following The Fast and the Furious . It stars Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Eva Mendes, Devon Aoki, and Chris Bridges; and was directed by John Singleton. The...
. Later in 2004, Ealy appeared in Never Die Alone
Never Die Alone
Never Die Alone is a 2004 crime thriller film directed by Ernest R. Dickerson. It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name, written by Donald Goines.-Plot:...
with DMX
DMX (rapper)
Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
. He also appeared in Mariah Carey's music video for her hit single "Get Your Number" from her 2005 album The Emancipation of Mimi
The Emancipation of Mimi
The Emancipation of Mimi is the tenth studio album by American recording artist Mariah Carey, released in the United States on April 12, 2005, by Island Records. Following the relatively poor critical and commercial responses to her albums, Glitter and Charmbracelet , The Emancipation of Mimi...
.
In 2005, Ealy co-starred in the telefilm version of Their Eyes Were Watching God
Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005 television)
Their Eyes Were Watching God is an American Broadcasting Company television movie aired on March 6, 2005 at 9pm based upon Zora Neale Hurston's 1937 novel of the same name...
, produced by Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
and Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
, and starring Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
-winning actress Halle Berry
Halle Berry
Halle Berry is an American actress and a former fashion model. Berry received an Emmy, Golden Globe, SAG, and an NAACP Image Award for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and won an Academy Award for Best Actress and was nominated for a BAFTA Award in 2001 for her performance in Monster's Ball, becoming...
. The same year, he starred in the independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
Jellysmoke, directed by Mark Banning. He starred in the Showtime television series Sleeper Cell
Sleeper Cell (TV series)
Sleeper Cell is a one-hour drama on the Showtime network that began airing on December 4, 2005. The tagline for the first season was "Friends. Neighbors. Husbands. Terrorists." and the tagline for the second season was "Cities. Suburbs. Airports. Targets." The series was nominated for an Emmy award...
, the first season of which aired from December 4–18, 2005, and the second season, Sleeper Cell: American Terror, which aired December 10–17, 2006.
On December 14, 2006, Ealy was nominated for a Golden Globe Award
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
for his role in Sleeper Cell: American Terror in the category Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.
In December 2008 he was featured in the movie Seven Pounds
Seven Pounds
Seven Pounds is a 2008 film, directed by Gabriele Muccino. Will Smith stars as a man who sets out to change the lives of seven people. Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, and Barry Pepper star. The film was released in theaters in the United States and Canada on December 19, 2008, by Columbia Pictures...
alongside Will Smith as Ben Thomas. He also starred as the male lead in Beyoncé
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
's "Halo
Halo (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Halo" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce . Columbia Records released the song as the fourth single of the album, to mainstream radio in the United States on January 20, 2009. It was composed by Ryan Tedder, Evan Bogart, and...
" music video, and as CIA Field Officer Marshall Vogel in the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
television series FlashForward
Flashforward
A flashforward is an interjected scene that takes the narrative forward in time from the current point of the story in literature, film, television and other media. Flashforwards are often used to represent events expected, projected, or imagined to occur in the future...
.
Ealy also appears in the limited-edition coffee table book ("About Face") by celebrity photographer John Russo, published by Pixie Press Worldwide. He is currently working on independent writing projects.
In 2009, Ealy performed in The People Speak
The People Speak (film)
The People Speak is a documentary feature film that uses dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans. The film gives voice to those who, by insisting on equality and justice, spoke up for social change throughout U.S...
, a documentary feature film that uses dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans, based on historian Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn was an American historian, academic, author, playwright, and social activist. Before and during his tenure as a political science professor at Boston University from 1964-88 he wrote more than 20 books, which included his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United...
's A People's History of the United States
A People's History of the United States
Chapter 7, "As Long As Grass Grows or Water Runs" discusses 19th century conflicts between the U.S. government and Native Americans and Indian removal, especially during the administrations of Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren....
.
In 2010, Ealy signed on to play attorney Derrick Bond in The Good Wife for at least ten episodes of the second season. He co-stars in the action movie Takers
Takers
Takers is a 2010 crime film directed by John Luessenhop from a story and screenplay written by Luessenhop, Gabriel Casseus, Peter Allen, John Rogers, and Avery Duff. It features an ensemble cast that includes Matt Dillon, Chris Brown, Idris Elba, T.I., Jay Hernandez, Paul Walker, Hayden...
as Jake Attica.
In 2011, Ealy signed on to play Travis Marks in USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
's upcoming new original series Common Law about two cops who have to go to counseling because they argue too much. It is set to begin shooting in August and premiere in 2012.
Film
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Kissing Jessica Stein Kissing Jessica Stein Kissing Jessica Stein is a 2001 independent romantic comedy film, written and co-produced by the film's stars, Jennifer Westfeldt and Heather Juergensen. The film also stars Tovah Feldshuh and is directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld... |
Greg |
| 2002 | Bad Company Bad Company (2002 film) Bad Company is a 2002 action-comedy film directed by Joel Schumacher, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and starring Anthony Hopkins and Chris Rock.-Plot:... |
G-Mo |
| Barbershop Barbershop (film) Barbershop is a 2002 American comedy film directed by Tim Story, produced by State Street Pictures and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on September 13, 2002. Starring Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, and Anthony Anderson, the movie revolves around social life in a barbershop on the South Side of... |
Ricky Nash | |
| 2003 | 2 Fast 2 Furious 2 Fast 2 Furious 2 Fast 2 Furious is a 2003 street racing action film directed by John Singleton. It is the second film in The Fast and the Furious film series following The Fast and the Furious . It stars Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson, Eva Mendes, Devon Aoki, and Chris Bridges; and was directed by John Singleton. The... |
Slap Jack |
| 2004 | November November (film) November is a 2004 psychological thriller film first screened at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. It stars Courteney Cox as Sophie, a photographer whose life begins to unravel following a traumatic incident on November 7 that involved her boyfriend, played by James LeGros... |
Jesse |
| Barbershop 2: Back in Business Barbershop 2: Back in Business Barbershop 2: Black in Business is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, produced by State Street Pictures and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on February 6, 2004... |
Ricky Nash | |
| Never Die Alone Never Die Alone Never Die Alone is a 2004 crime thriller film directed by Ernest R. Dickerson. It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name, written by Donald Goines.-Plot:... |
Mike | |
| 2005 | Their Eyes Were Watching God | Tea Cake (real name: Virgible Woods) |
| Jellysmoke | Jacob | |
| 2008 | Miracle at St. Anna Miracle at St. Anna Miracle at St. Anna is a 2008 war film, directed by Spike Lee and written by James McBride, based on McBride's novel of the same name. The film was released on September 26, 2008, and is set during World War II, in fall of 1944 in Tuscany and in the winter of 1983 in New York City and Rome... |
Sgt Cummings |
| Seven Pounds Seven Pounds Seven Pounds is a 2008 film, directed by Gabriele Muccino. Will Smith stars as a man who sets out to change the lives of seven people. Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, and Barry Pepper star. The film was released in theaters in the United States and Canada on December 19, 2008, by Columbia Pictures... |
Ben Thomas | |
| 2009 | The People Speak The People Speak (film) The People Speak is a documentary feature film that uses dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans. The film gives voice to those who, by insisting on equality and justice, spoke up for social change throughout U.S... |
Himself |
| 2010 | Takers Takers Takers is a 2010 crime film directed by John Luessenhop from a story and screenplay written by Luessenhop, Gabriel Casseus, Peter Allen, John Rogers, and Avery Duff. It features an ensemble cast that includes Matt Dillon, Chris Brown, Idris Elba, T.I., Jay Hernandez, Paul Walker, Hayden... |
Jake Attica |
| For Colored Girls | Beau Willie | |
| 2011 | Firebird | Joe Bradford |
| 2012 | Underworld: Awakening | Detective Sebastian |
Television
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2005–2006 | Sleeper Cell Sleeper Cell (TV series) Sleeper Cell is a one-hour drama on the Showtime network that began airing on December 4, 2005. The tagline for the first season was "Friends. Neighbors. Husbands. Terrorists." and the tagline for the second season was "Cities. Suburbs. Airports. Targets." The series was nominated for an Emmy award... |
Darwyn al-Sayeed |
| 2009–2010 | FlashForward Flashforward A flashforward is an interjected scene that takes the narrative forward in time from the current point of the story in literature, film, television and other media. Flashforwards are often used to represent events expected, projected, or imagined to occur in the future... |
Marshall Vogel |
| 2009 | The People Speak The People Speak (film) The People Speak is a documentary feature film that uses dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans. The film gives voice to those who, by insisting on equality and justice, spoke up for social change throughout U.S... |
Voice of Malcolm X Malcolm X Malcolm X , born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz , was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its... |
| 2010 | The Good Wife | Derrick Bond |
| 2011 | Californication Californication (TV series) Californication is an American comedy-drama that premiered on Showtime on August 13, 2007. The show was created by Tom Kapinos. The protagonist, Hank Moody , is a troubled novelist whose move to California, coupled with his writer's block, complicates his relationships with his longtime girlfriend... |
Ben |
| 2012 | Common Law | Travis Marks |
Music videos
| Year | Music video | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Get Your Number Get Your Number "Get Your Number" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Johntá Austin and Bryan-Michael Cox, and produced by the former two and LRoc. It was released as the third international single from Carey's tenth studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi... " |
Love interest of Mariah Carey Mariah Carey Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993... |
| 2009 | "Halo Halo (Beyoncé Knowles song) "Halo" is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce . Columbia Records released the song as the fourth single of the album, to mainstream radio in the United States on January 20, 2009. It was composed by Ryan Tedder, Evan Bogart, and... " |
Love interest of Beyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Knowles Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child... |
Awards and nominations
Golden Globe Awards- 2007: Nominated—Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television for Sleeper Cell
Black Reel Awards
Black Reel Awards
The Black Reel Awards began in 2000 and were designed to annually recognize and celebrate the achievements of black people in feature, independent and television films...
- 2005: Won—Best Actor for Their Eyes Were Watching God
African-American Film Critics Association
African-American Film Critics Association
The African-American Film Critics Association is a group of African-American film critics that give various awards for excellence in film at the end of each year.-History:The association was founded in 2003 by Gil L. Robertson IV and Shawn Edwards...
- 2010: Won—Best Supporting Actor for For Colored Girls
NAACP Image Award
NAACP Image Award
An NAACP Image Award is an accolade presented by the American National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor outstanding people of color in film, television, music, and literature....
s
- 2011: Nominated—Image Award Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion PictureThe NAACP Image Award winners for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture:Performers that earned or won Academy Award nominations:*1. Denzel Washington- Glory*2. Djimon Hounsou- In America*3. Morgan Freeman- Million Dollar Baby...
for For Colored Girls
External links
- 'The People Speak' – article from the Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesThe Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....