Donald Adeosun Faison(/ˈfeɪzɒn/;born June 22, 1974) is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his leading role asDr. Chris Turkin theABC/NBCcomedy-dramaScrubs(2001–2010), and a supporting role as Murray in both the filmClueless(1995) and the subsequenttelevision series of the same name.He also starred as Phil Chase in theTV LandsitcomThe Exes(2011–2015). Faison has also co-starred in the filmsWaiting to Exhale(1995),Remember the Titans(2000),Uptown Girls(2003),Something New(2006),Next Day Air(2009),Skyline(2010), andKick-Ass 2(2013).
Donald Faison | |
|---|---|
 Faison in 2013 | |
| Born | Donald Adeosun Faison June 22, 1974 New York City,U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 6 |
| Relatives | Olamide Faison(brother) Julian Horton(cousin) |
Early life and education
editDonald Adeosun Faison was born on June 22, 1974,[1]inHarlem,New York City, to talent agent Shirley and building manager Donald Faison.[2]His parents were active with theNational Black Theatrein Harlem.[3]They divorced in 1992.[2]He is the older brother of singer/musicianOlamide Faison.[citation needed]
Faison attended theProfessional Children's SchoolinManhattanwith his best friend, actorDash Mihok.[3]
Career
editFaison first appeared in a 1989 commercial forFolgers coffeeat the age of 15, in which he played the younger brother of a soldier returning from war.[4]In 1992, he appeared withMalik Yobain the ABC News specialPrejudice: Answering Children's Questions,hosted byPeter Jennings.He also had a small role inSugar HillstarringWesley Snipes.He then became famous for his role as Murray Duvall in the 1995 filmCluelessand the subsequenttelevision series,which ran from 1996 to 1999. In 1995, he also appeared inWaiting to Exhaleas Tarik, the son ofLoretta Devine's character, Gloria. He was featured inNew Jersey Drive.He also starred inBig Fat LiaralongsideFrankie Muniz,Paul Giamatti,andAmanda Bynes.He had a recurring role as Tracy onFelicity,appeared inRemember the Titansas the running back turned safety Petey Jones, and provided voice work for various characters in the MTV animated seriesClone High.He had minor roles in the sitcomsSister, SisterandSabrina, the Teenage Witch,and in the filmJosie and the Pussycats.In 2005, Faison produced one episode of MTV'sPunk'dinvolving hisScrubsco-starZach Braff.[5]He also appeared in the music videos forBrandy's "Sittin' Up in My Room,"Fall Out Boy's cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It,"andGavin Degraw's "Chariot."
In 2008, Faison voiced Gary the Stormtrooper inRobot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II.Afterwards, he interned on the Robot Chicken show to learn more aboutstop motionanimation, and started aStar Wars-themedLegostop-motion show,BlackStormTrooper,on hisYouTubechannel,shundigga.[6][7]
On February 13, 2009, Faison participated in theNBA All-Star WeekendCelebrity Game. Other celebrities participating includedNBAHall of FamersClyde DrexlerandDominique Wilkins,NFLwide receiverTerrell Owens,actorChris Tucker,and fourHarlem Globetrotters.[8]
In 2010, Faison starred alongsideScottie Thompson,Brittany Daniel,Eric Balfour,Laz Alonso,andCrystal Reedin theBrothers Strausescience fiction thrillerSkyline.[9]
Faison was in the 2010CBScomedypilotThe Odds.[10]
As of March 2011, Faison appeared in commercials forThe Sims Medieval.In 2012, he made a cameo appearance in the moviePitch Perfect.[11][12]In 2013, Faison hosted the short-livedTBScomedy sketch showWho Gets the Last Laugh?.[13]From 2016 to 2018, he hosted theGSNgame showWinsanity.[14]
From 2018 until 2020, Faison voiced pilot Hype Fazon, a character written and named for him byDave Filoni,inStar Wars Resistance.Faison had caught Filoni's attention via his stop motion Star Wars cartoons.[15]
Faison andScrubsco-starZach Braffco-host the rewatchpodcastFake Doctors, Real Friends,which launched in March 2020, sharing their stories and experiences of shooting the show. The podcast is distributed byiHeartRadio.[16]
Faison created the web seriesAlabama JacksonforAdult Swim'sYouTubechannel, which premiered in 2022. Faison stars as the title character.[17]
Personal life
edit
He had his first son, Sean Faison-Ince (born 1996), with ex-girlfriend Audrey Ince.
In 1997, Faison started dating Lisa Askey, a nursing student. The two were married from 2001 to 2005, and had three children, twins Kaya and Dade (born 1999), and Kobe (born 2001).
Faison married his second wife, CaCee Cobb, on December 15, 2012, after six years of dating. They have two children, Rocco (born 2013) and Wilder Francis (born 2015).[18]The wedding was held at the home of Faison's best friend, and formerScrubsco-star,Zach Braff,who also served as a groomsman. Serving as a bridesmaid was singerJessica Simpson,for whom Cobb formerly worked as a personal assistant.[19][20][21]
When Askey, Faison's first wife, died in 2017,[22]their children moved in with Faison and Cobb.[23][24]Faison is also the first cousin of actorJulian Horton.[25]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Juice | Student | |
| 1994 | Sugar Hill | Kymie Daniels | |
| 1995 | New Jersey Drive | 'Tiny Dime' | Credited as Donald Adeosun Faison |
| 1995 | Clueless | Murray Duvall | |
| 1995 | Waiting to Exhale | Tarik Matthews | Credited as Donald Adeosun Faison |
| 1996 | The Quest | Robber | Uncredited |
| 1997 | Academy Boyz | Glen Lewis | |
| 1998 | Butter | Khaleed | |
| 1998 | Can't Hardly Wait | Dan | |
| 1999 | Trippin' | June Nelson | |
| 2000 | Remember the Titans | Petey Jones | |
| 2001 | Double Whammy | Cletis | |
| 2001 | Josie and the Pussycats | D.J. | Uncredited |
| 2002 | Big Fat Liar | Frank Jackson | |
| 2003 | Ravedactyl: Project Evolution | Gunner | Short film |
| 2003 | Uptown Girls | Huey | |
| 2003 | Good Boy! | Wilson | Voice only |
| 2005 | King's Ransom | Andre | |
| 2006 | Something New | Nelson McQueen | |
| 2006 | Bachelor Party Vegas | Ash | |
| 2006 | Homie Spumoni | Renato Molina / Leroy | |
| 2007 | Venus & Vegas | Stu | |
| 2009 | Next Day Air | Leo | |
| 2010 | Skyline | Terry | |
| 2012 | Pitch Perfect | Older Acapella Man | |
| 2013 | Kick-Ass 2 | Samuel Keers / Doctor Gravity | |
| 2013 | A Snow Globe Christmas | Ted | |
| 2013 | Stag | Ken | |
| 2014 | Wish I Was Here | Anthony | |
| 2014 | Let's Kill Ward's Wife | Ward | |
| 2014 | Wonderland | Ted | |
| 2016 | The Perfect Match | Rick | |
| 2016 | Hot Bot | Mr. Huffington | |
| 2017 | Little Evil | Larry | |
| 2018 | Game Over, Man! | Himself | |
| 2019 | The Wave | Jeff | |
| 2020 | Embattled | Mr. Dan Stewart |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Sesame Street | Duane | 9 episodes |
| 1996 | New York Undercover | James | Episode: "Sympathy for the Devil" |
| 1996–2000 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | Justin | Episode: "Magic Joel" |
| Dashiell Calzone | 3 episodes | ||
| 1996–1999 | Clueless | Murray Duvall | Main role |
| 1998 | Sister, Sister | Darryl | Episode: "Greek to Me" |
| 1999 | Supreme Sanction | Marcus | Television film |
| 2000–2002 | Felicity | Tracy | 23 episodes |
| 2002–2003 | Clone High | Toots / Various Characters | Voice only; 13 episodes |
| 2001–2010 | Scrubs | Christopher Turk | Main role |
| 2004–2005 | Higglytown Heroes | Firefighter Hero | Voice only; 2 episodes |
| 2005–present | Robot Chicken | Various voices | 10 episodes |
| 2006 | The Playbook | Host | 3 episodes |
| 2007 | Saturday Night Live | Christopher Turk | Episode: "Zach Braff/Maroon 5" |
| 2007 | Robot Chicken: Star Wars | Dr. Cornelius Evazan /Mace Windu | Voice only; television special |
| 2007 | Kim Possible | Ricky Rotiffle | Voice only; episode: "Homecoming Upset" |
| 2008 | The Boondocks | Catcher Freeman / Tobias / Wedgie Rudlin | Voice only; 3 episodes |
| 2008 | Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II | Gary /Darth Maul/ Imperial Pilot | Voice only; television special |
| 2009 | Scrubs: Interns | Christopher Turk | Episode: "Our Meeting with Turk and Todd" |
| 2009 | American Dad! | Christopher Turk | Voice only; episode: "G-String Circus" |
| 2009 | Titan Maximum | Martian Fleet Commander | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2010 | Fact Checkers Unit | Donald | 9 episodes |
| 2010 | Cubed | Himself | Episode: "2.12" |
| 2010 | Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III | Gary | Voice only; television special |
| 2010 | The Odds | Tyler | Television film |
| 2011 | Love Bites | Ricky | 2 episodes |
| 2011–2015 | The Exes | Phil Chase | 64 episodes |
| 2012 | Tron: Uprising | Bartik | Voice only; 5 episodes |
| 2012 | Adventure Time | Princess Cookie | Voice only; episode: "Princess Cookie" |
| 2013 | Wedding Band | Moses | Episode: "99 Problems" |
| 2013 | Who Gets the Last Laugh? | Host | 9 episodes |
| 2013 | A Snow Globe Christmas | Ted | Television film |
| 2014 | Hollywood Game Night | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Jim Henson's Creature Shop Challenge | Wizard | Episode: "Head's Up" |
| 2015 | Undateable | Donald | 2 episodes |
| 2015–2018 | Supermansion | Quiplash | Voice only; 4 episodes |
| 2015–2018 | Drunk History | Joe Louis/Mansa Musa | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Winsanity | Host | |
| 2016 | House of Lies | Donald | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Bill Nye Saves the World | Himself | |
| 2017–2019 | Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2017–2018 | Ray Donovan | Antoine A'Shawn Anderson | 7 episodes |
| 2018 | Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G. | Jacques Agnant | 2 episodes |
| 2018–2020 | Star Wars Resistance | Hype Fazon/TIE Pilot #1 | Voice only; 18 episodes |
| 2019 | Timeline | Principal Anderson | Main role |
| 2019–2020 | Emergence | Alex Evans | Main role |
| 2020 | Star Wars The Clone Wars | Tactical Droid | Voice only; episode: "Old Friends Not Forgotten" |
| 2021 | The L Word: Generation Q | Tom Maultsby | 5 episodes |
| 2022–2024 | Alice's Wonderland Bakery | Harry the March Hare | Voice only[26] |
| 2022 | Legends of Tomorrow | Mike Carter / Booster Gold | Episode: "Knocked Down, Knocked Up"[27] |
| Reindeer in Here | Bucky (voice) | Television special[28] | |
| 2022 | Alabama Jackson | Alabama Jackson | Main role; also creator, executive producer and writer |
| 2023 | The Wonder Years | Terrence | Episode: "Blockbusting" |
| 2023–2024 | Extended Family | Trey | Lead role |
Music videos
edit| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | "Sittin' Up in My Room" | Brandy |
| 1996 | "Kissin' You (" Oh, Honey "Remix)" | Total,Puff Daddy& Notorious B.I.G |
| 1999 | "No Doubt" | Imajin |
| 1999 | "Flava" | Imajin |
| 1999 | "Da Bomb" | DJ Fury and RX Lord |
| 2003 | "Chariot" | Gavin DeGraw |
| 2008 | "Beat It" | Fall Out BoyfeaturingJohn Mayer |
| 2013 | "More Champagne" | DJ Whoo KidfeaturingA$AP Ferg,ProblemandWiz Khalifa |
| 2015 | "Time Machine"[29] | Ingrid Michaelson |
Video games
editA dance that Faison performs during an episode ofScrubsis featured in the video gameFortnite.Faison's permission was not sought before including the dance, and he did not receive royalties for it.[30]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 6th OFTA Television Awards | Best Actor in a New Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2004 | 6th Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Sidekick | Nominated | |
| 1st BET Comedy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Won | ||
| 2005 | 36th NAACP Image Awards | Nominated | ||
| 7th Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Sidekick | Nominated | ||
| 9thPrism Awards | Performance in a Comedy Series | Nominated | ||
| 2nd BET Comedy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Won | ||
| 2006 | 37th NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 8th Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Sidekick | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | 38th NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 9th Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Sidekick | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | 39thNAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |
| 2009 | 40th NAACP Image Awards | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | 41st NAACP Image Awards | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | 44th NAACP Image Awards | Nominated | ||
| 6th L.A. Comedy Film Festival and Screenplay Competition Awards | Best Actor in a Feature Film | Stag
|
Nominated |
References
edit- ^"Donald Faison: Biography".TVGuide.com.Archivedfrom the original on May 3, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 3,2024.
- ^ab"What's Up, Doc?".People.June 17, 2002. Archived fromthe originalon May 14, 2016.RetrievedNovember 25,2010.
- ^abTanber, George J. (February 22, 2007)."Q&A: 'Scrubs' star as pro team owner?".ESPN.RetrievedNovember 25,2010.
- ^"Folgers ad (1989)".June 17, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2021.RetrievedApril 23,2021– viaYouTube.
- ^"Zach Braff Busted Beating Up Teen on 'Punk'd'".Hollywood.com.September 14, 2006.RetrievedApril 23,2021.
- ^Opam, Kwame (December 1, 2014)."'Scrubs' actor Donald Faison has been a Black Stormtrooper for years ".The Verge.RetrievedNovember 16,2018.
- ^Graham, Jefferson (January 21, 2014)."Talking Your Tech: Donald Faison gets animated over stop-motion".USA Today.RetrievedNovember 16,2018.
- ^"NBA.com: Wilkins, Drexler, Owens among Celebrity Game notables".NBA.com.February 10, 2009. Archived fromthe originalon March 18, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 14,2021.
- ^Kay, Jeremy (February 11, 2010)."IM Global want buyers to see the light on Skyline".Screen Daily.
- ^Andreeva, Nellie (February 18, 2010)."Five pilots beef up casts".Associated PressviaThe Hollywood Reporter.
- ^Klassen, Anna (April 16, 2015)."13 Things 'Pitch Perfect' Has Ruined Forever".Bustle.RetrievedFebruary 27,2018.
- ^Bell, Amanda June (March 15, 2017)."What Donald Faison has been doing since Scrubs".Looper.com.RetrievedFebruary 27,2018.
- ^Berenz, Ryan (April 4, 2013)."Who Gets the Last Laugh?: Donald Faison hosts TBS hidden-camera comedy".Channel Guide Magazine.RetrievedApril 23,2021.
- ^Pedersen, Erik (November 18, 2015)."GSN Will Play 'Winsanity' With Host Donald Faison".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedApril 23,2021.
- ^Asarch, Steven (October 4, 2018)."'STAR WARS' RESISTANCE' ISN'T THE MYTHICAL SPACE OPERA YOU'RE USED TO ".Newsweek.RetrievedNovember 16,2018.
- ^Lee, Emily (March 31, 2020)."Zach Braff & Donald Faison Launch 'Fake Doctors, Real Friends' Podcast".iHeartRadio.RetrievedApril 25,2020.
- ^Hipes, Patrick (May 19, 2021)."Adult Swim To Produce Digital Short Series Based On Its Hit Shows Including 'Rick And Morty'".Deadline.RetrievedMay 17,2023.
- ^Messer, Lesley (December 15, 2012)."Donald Faison Marries Cacee Cobb".People.RetrievedJanuary 5,2022.
- ^Johnson, Zach (December 15, 2012)."Donald Faison Marries CaCee Cobb!".Us Weekly.RetrievedJanuary 31,2013.
- ^Webber, Stephanie (August 24, 2013)."CaCee Cobb And Donald Faison Named Their Son Rocco!".Us Weekly.RetrievedAugust 24,2013.
- ^Webber, Stephanie (April 24, 2015)."CaCee Cobb Welcomes Baby Girl Wilder Frances With Donald Faison: First Photo!".Us Weekly.RetrievedJune 14,2015.
- ^Stone, Natalie (March 2, 2017)."Donald Faison and Ex-Wife Lisa Askey: A Look Back at Their Relationship Before Her Passing".People.RetrievedOctober 8,2017.
- ^Chestang, Raphael (March 8, 2017)."Donald Faison Spends Time With His Kids Following the Death of Ex-Wife Lisa Askey".ET Online.RetrievedApril 23,2021.
- ^Braff, Zach; Faison, Donald (December 22, 2020)."315: My Tormented Mentor".Fake Doctors, Real Friends(Podcast).iHeartRadio.Event occurs at 1:03:35.RetrievedApril 23,2021.
- ^Starrs, Chris (December 16, 2024)."Whole New Ballgame: Gwinnett Native Julian Horton Making A Name For Himself In Tyler Perry's 'Beauty in Black'".Gwinnett Daily Post.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^Carras, Christi (January 5, 2022)."Disney sets 'Alice in Wonderland' series with Craig Ferguson".Los Angeles Times.
- ^Agard, Chancellor (February 2, 2022)."'Legends of Tomorrow' casts Donald Faison in season 7 finale role ".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedFebruary 2,2022.
- ^Milligan, Mercedes (November 3, 2022)."'Reindeer in Here' Announces Sledful of Stars for Voice Cast ".Animation Magazine.RetrievedNovember 3,2022.
- ^Ingrid Michaelson - "Time Machine" OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO.YouTube.February 19, 2015.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2021.
- ^Crucchiola, Jordan (November 18, 2018)."Yes, That Is The Scrubs 'Poison' Dance In Fortnite, and No, Donald Faison Is Not Getting Royalties".Vulture.RetrievedJanuary 24,2019.
External links
edit