Trai Byers
Trai Byers (born July 19, 1983)[1] is an American actor. He is best known for playing Andre Lyon in the Fox musical television series, Empire (2015–2020). In 2020, Byers co-wrote and starred in the historical drama film, The 24th.
Trai Byers | |
|---|---|
Byers in 2022 | |
| Born | July 19, 1983 Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Education | University of Kansas (BA) Yale University (MFA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, writer |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Early life edit
Trai Byers was born in Kansas City, Kansas.[2] After a year of high school in Kansas City, he completed his high-school education in Georgia. Byers then graduated from Andrew College with an associate degree in Theater and graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in communications.[2] He also attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, and the Yale School of Drama.[2]
Career edit
Byers made his screen debut in the 2009 comedy-horror film, Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre. In 2011, Byers had a recurring role on the ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children, and the following year had a role in The CW teen soap, 90210.[3][4] He starred in two films directed by Kevin Willmott: Destination Planet Negro (2013) and Jayhawkers (2014).[5] In 2014, he played civil rights activist James Forman in the historical epic film, Selma directed by Ava DuVernay.[6]
From 2015 to 2020, Byers starred as Andre Lyon in Fox music-industry primetime soap opera, Empire.[7][8] For this role, he received two NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series nominations. In 2020, he played the leading role and co-wrote screenplay for the historical drama film, The 24th. The film received generally positive reviews from critics.[9] In 2022, Byers made his Broadway debut in the play The Piano Lesson by August Wilson.[10][11] In 2023 he guest-starred in the Grace Byers' comedy series, Harlem during the show' second season.[12]
Personal life edit
During the October 7, 2015 episode of the daytime talk show, FABLife, Byers's costar Grace Gealey confirmed that they were engaged.[13] He and Gealey married on Grand Cayman Island on April 14, 2016.[14][15] On their wedding anniversary in 2023, Gealey gave birth to their son.[16]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre | Chip | |
| 2013 | Destination Planet Negro | B-12 | |
| 2014 | Jayhawkers | Nathan Davis | |
| Selma | James Forman | ||
| 2017 | Americons | Theo Jones | |
| 2018 | Bent | Chuck | |
| 2020 | The 24th | Boston | Also co-writer and producer |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | All My Children | Mookie | 11 episodes |
| 2012 | 90210 | Alec Martin | 6 episodes |
| 2015–2020 | Empire | Andre Lyon | 102 episodes |
| 2023 | Harlem | Keith | 2 episodes |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 17th Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Scene Stealer | Nominated | |
| Choice TV: Chemistry (shared with the others) | Nominated | |||
| 2017 | 48th NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | |
| 1st Black Reel Awards for Television | Outstanding Supporting Actor, Drama Series | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | 49th NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated |
References edit
- ^ Mathew, Ilin (July 18, 2015). "Trai Byers Turns 32: Interesting Facts and Photos of Andre Lyon from 'Empire'". International Business Times. IBT Media. from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ a b c Niccum, Jon (February 16, 2015). . The Kansas City Star. The McClatchy Company. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
Byers was born in 1983 in Kansas City, Kan.
- ^ . Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ "'90210' casting scoop: 'True Blood' veteran to play Adrianna's new..." Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ "Trai Byers - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.
- ^ "Trai Byers Joins the Cast of 'Selma'". Variety. from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ The Deadline Team (10 March 2014). "Gabourey Sidibe Joins Fox Drama Pilot 'Empire' - Deadline". Deadline. from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ "'Empire': Inside Fox's ambitious, groundbreaking musical soap". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
- ^ "The 24th - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. August 21, 2020.
- ^ Evans, Greg (April 26, 2022). "Broadway's 'The Piano Lesson' Adds Trai Byers, Ray Fisher, April Matthis & Michael Potts To Cast".
- ^ "Trai Byers on Making His Broadway Debut in The Piano Lesson | Broadway Direct".
- ^ Rodriguez, Karla. "Grace Byers Talks Quinn's Transformational Arc in 'Harlem' Season 2". Complex.
- ^ Corinthios, Aurelie (October 7, 2015). "It's Official! Grace Gealey Shows Off Engagement Ring from Empire Costar Trai Byers". People. Time Inc. from the original on June 29, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
- ^ "Empire Stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey Have Secret Island Wedding". TMZ.com. April 16, 2016. from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- ^ "Empire Stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey Get Married in Caribbean Beach Wedding". Us Weekly. April 16, 2016. from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- ^ Fluker, Dominique (April 17, 2023). "Grace And Trai Byers Announce The Arrival Of Their First Child On Their Wedding Anniversary". Essence. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
External links edit
- Trai Byers at IMDb
- 2015 Trai Byers interview with Jon Niccum