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American actor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
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![]() Byers in 2022 | |
Born | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. | July 19, 1983
Education | University of Kansas (BA) Yale University (MFA) |
Occupation(s) | Actor, writer |
Years active | 2009–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 1 |
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]
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]
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]
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 |
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 |
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 | |