David Paul Ramsey(born November 17, 1971) is an American actor and director. He is best known for his roles inThe CWArrowverseseriesArrow,The Flash,Supergirl,andBatwomanasJohn Diggle / Spartan,portraying Diggle andBass ReevesinLegends of Tomorrow,recurring as an alternate universe version of Diggle inSuperman & Lois,recurring asAnton Briggson theShowtimeTV seriesDexter,and starring in the filmMother and Child(2009) as Joseph.
David Ramsey | |
|---|---|
 Ramsey at the 2016Phoenix ComiCon | |
| Born | November 17, 1971 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse | Briana Ramsey |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editRamsey was born November 17, 1971,[1]inDetroit,Michigan.He graduated fromWayne State University.
Career
editFrom 1997 to 1998, he starred in theUPNsitcomGood News,as pastor David Randolph. In 2000, he starred asMuhammad Aliin theFoxtelevision filmAli: An American Hero.That year, he appeared inPay It Forwardand started a recurring role inFor Your Love.In 2001, he starred as Vince Lee in the South African comedy film "Mr Bones". He has also starred in recurring roles inAll of Us,One on One,The West Wing,CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,Ghost Whisperer,Wildfire,andHollywood Residential.From 2008 to 2009, he appeared in 17 episodes ofDexteras Anton Briggs, a pot-smokingconfidential informantwho has an affair withDebra Morganin Season 3 and at the start of Season 4. In 2010, he appeared in an episode ofGrey's Anatomyand in the short-lived NBC courtroom drama seriesOutlaw.[2]From 2012 to 2020, he appeared in the main cast ofCW'ssuperhero showArrow,asJohn 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.[3]As part of the greaterArrowverse,Ramsey has reprised his role as Diggle onThe Flash,Legends of Tomorrow,SupergirlandBatwoman,as well as portraying an alternate version of the character on the non-ArrowverseSuperman & Lois.[4]Ramsey also starred in the TV seriesBlue Bloodsas Mayor Carter Poole.
Personal life
editRamsey is an accomplishedJeet Kune Dopractitioner. He has also studiedboxing,taekwondoandWing Chun,and trained inkickboxingunderBenny Urquidez.[5][6]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Scared Stiff | George Masterson | |
| 1996 | The Nutty Professor | Student | |
| A Very Brady Sequel | Brent | ||
| 1997 | Con Air | Londell | |
| 1998 | A Short Wait Between Trains | Jenkins | |
| 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 | |
| 2009 | The Rub | Cam Stewart | |
| Mother and Child | Joseph | ||
| 2014 | Draft Day | Thompson | |
| 2015 | Accidental Love | Rep. Bill Harshtone | |
| 2023 | Legend of the White Dragon | Mayor Trevon Sterns |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Murder One | Reporter #3 | Episode: "Chapter Two" |
| 1996 | Deutschlandlied | George | Mniseries |
| Space: Above and Beyond | Supervisor | Episode: "The Angriest Angel" | |
| Her Costly Affair | Shep Walker | Television film | |
| 1997–1998 | Good News | Pastor David Randolph | Main role |
| 1998 | CHiPs '99 | Officer Sergeant McFall | Television film |
| Mama Flora's Family | Booker Palmer (Adult) | ||
| 1999 | Mutiny | Vernon Nettles | |
| 2000 | Ali: An American Hero | Muhammad Ali | |
| 2000–2001 | For Your Love | Brian | 4 episodes |
| 2001 | Girlfriends | Randall | Episode: "Mom's the Word" |
| Thieves | Agent Victor | Episode: "The Long Con" | |
| 2002 | For the People | N/A | Episode: "To DNA or Not to DNA" |
| Romeo Fire | Television film | ||
| The Guardian | Debord's Lawyer | Episode: "No Good Deed" | |
| 2002–2003 | One on One | Jayden | Episodes: "Everybody Loves Whom?", "It's a Miserable Life" |
| 2003 | The Flannerys | Sam Gable | Television film |
| Strong Medicine | Jake Cortese | Episode: "Breathing Lessons" | |
| NCIS | Special Agent Richard Owens | Episode: "The Curse" | |
| 2004 | Crossing Jordan | Agent Scannell | Episode: "Is That Plutonium in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Happy to See Me?" |
| CSI: Miami | Officer Everhart | Episode: "Wannabe" | |
| Charmed | Upper Level Demon | Episode: "Witch Wars" | |
| Second Time Around | Travis Byrd | Episode: "A Kiss Is Still a Kiss" | |
| 2005 | Central Booking | Troy Stonebreaker | Television film |
| Huff | Clay | 3 episodes | |
| All of Us | Rusty | Recurring role (6 episodes) | |
| Jane Doe: The Wrong Face | Mac | Television film | |
| 2005–2008 | Ghost Whisperer | Will | 4 episodes |
| 2006 | Hello Sister, Goodbye Life | Uncle Dennis Klein | Television film |
| The West Wing | Teddy - Santos's Turnout Briefer | Episodes: "Welcome to Wherever You Are", "Election Day: Part 1" | |
| Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America | Curtis Ansen | Television film | |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Gerald Crowley | Episode: "Burn Out" | |
| 2007 | Criminal Minds | Wakeland | Episode: "Fear and Loathing" |
| Journeyman | Det. Wilson Hargreaves | Episode: "The Legend of Dylan McCleen" | |
| 2008 | Hollywood Residential | Don Merritt | Main role |
| Wildfire | Dr. Noah Gleason | Recurring 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 Wheeler | Episode: "Fool Me Once..." |
| 2010 | Grey's Anatomy | Jimmy Thompson | Episode: "Sympathy for the Parents" |
| Outlaw | Al Druzinsky | Main role | |
| 2011–2017 | Blue Bloods | Mayor Carter Poole | Recurring role |
| 2012–2020 | Arrow | John Diggle / Spartan/Bass Reeves[a] | Main role |
| 2014–2023 | The Flash | 11 episodes | |
| 2016–2017 & 2020 | Legends of Tomorrow | 4 episodes | |
| 2017 | Illicit | Guy / Husband | Television Film |
| 2018 & 2021 | Supergirl | John Diggle | 2 episodes |
| 2021–2022 | Batwoman | ||
| Superman & Lois | |||
| 2022 | The Rookie: Feds | Greg Wright | Episode: "Countdown" |
| 2024 | Bel-Air | Lamont Alton | 2 Episodes |
Director
edit| Year | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 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
edit- ^Ramsey also portraysClifford DeVoe / The Thinker(who posed as Diggle) inThe Flashepisode titled "Think Fast".
References
edit- ^Rose, Mike (November 17, 2018)."Today's top celebrity birthdays list for November 17, 2018".The Plain Dealer.Archivedfrom the original on November 17, 2018.RetrievedNovember 17,2018.
- ^"NBC Unveils 2010-2011 Primetime Schedule Accented by Five New Comedies, Seven New Dramas, and New Alternative Program".The Futon Critic.May 16, 2010.Archivedfrom the original on September 16, 2023.RetrievedMay 28,2010.
- ^Turchiano, Danielle (January 29, 2019)."'Arrow' Star David Ramsey Breaks Down His Directorial Debut ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on January 29, 2019.RetrievedAugust 23,2021.
- ^Mitovich, Matt Webb (December 31, 2021)."David Ramsey Returns to Batwoman — Is Diggle Friends With [Spoiler]?".TVLine.Archivedfrom the original on December 31, 2021.RetrievedDecember 31,2021.
- ^"Male Celebs Who Practice Martial Arts".Jet.September 24, 2001. p. 40.
- ^Sheridan, Brian R."David Ramsey from CW's ARROW".Kung Fu Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on August 19, 2022.RetrievedAugust 23,2021.
External links
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