Wendell Ramone"Jay"Ellis Jr.[1](born December 27, 1981[2]) is an American actor. In 2013, Ellis received his first major role onBET's seriesThe Game.His role as Martin "Lawrence" Walker in theHBOseriesInsecure(2016-2021), earned him anNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.He later starred in the horror filmEscape Room(2019), and appeared inTop Gun: Maverick(2022).[3]
Jay Ellis | |
|---|---|
 Ellis in 2022 | |
| Born | Wendell Ramone Ellis Jr. December 27, 1981 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Concordia University (Oregon) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Early life and education
editEllis' father, Wendell Ramone Ellis Sr., worked for theAir Force,while his mother, Paula Bryant-Ellis, worked as achief financial officer.[4][5]He is the only child of the family.[6]He went to 12 schools in 13 years, before attendingConcordia UniversityinOregon,where he played basketball.[7][8]
Career
editEllis worked as apublic relationsintern for thePortland Trail Blazersduring their infamous "Jail Blazers" era.[9]After completing his internship, Ellis switched his focus to modeling and started working with Portland-based sportswear companies such asNike,AdidasandColumbia Sportswear.[10]
Acting
editIn 2004, Ellis moved toLos Angelesto focus on his acting career.[10]He launched his career as a professional actor in 2005, when he appeared briefly in single episodes of the television seriesInvasionandRelated.In 2011–2012, he made appearances on the seriesGrey's Anatomy,NCISandHow I Met Your Mother.[11][12]
His first major acting role was in 2013, starring inBET's seriesThe Game.[10]In August 2015, it was announced that Ellis has joined the cast ofHBO's comedy seriesInsecure,which premiered in October 2016.[13]He plays the role of Lawrence Walker, who has a long-term relationship with main character Issa Dee played byIssa Rae.[10]For his work on the show, Ellis received theOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Seriesaward at the49th NAACP Image Awards.[14]
He starred as Reuben "Payback" Fitch inTop Gun: Maverick.[3]
The Untold Story: Policing
editIn 2020, Ellis started hostingThe Untold Story: Policing,a four-part podcast series co-produced by Campaign Zero[15]andLemonada MediaArchivedDecember 2, 2020, at theWayback Machine.Through interviews with academics, data scientists, and community organizers, the podcast demystifies police union contracts and investigates how they contribute to violent police misconduct across the United States. Ellis serves as the series’ host, as well as an executive producer alongsideDeRay Mckesson,Stephanie Wittels Wachs,and Jessica Cordova Kramer.[16]
Philanthropy
editIn 2017, Ellis partnered with leadingHIV/AIDSresearch organization,amfAR.[17]
Personal life
editEllis has been in a relationship with SerbianmodelandactressNina Seničarsince 2015. Their daughter Nora was born in November 2019.[18]On July 9, 2022, they married in Italy.[19]On July 11, 2024 their son Noa was born.[20]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Triple Standard | Lewis | Short film |
| 2011 | Hatched: A Tale of Great Egg-spectations | Jay | Short film |
| 2012 | Election Eve | Jeff | Short film |
| 2013 | Movie 43 | Lucious | Segment: "Victory's Glory" |
| 2014 | Mass Shooting News Team | Unknown | Short film |
| 2014 | The Black Bachelor | Unknown | Short film |
| 2015 | My Favorite Five | Jonathan Colburn | |
| 2015 | November Rule | James Avedon | |
| 2015 | Breaking Through | Quinn | [21] |
| 2015 | Twelve Steps | Ray | Short film |
| 2016 | Like Cotton Twines | Micha Brown | |
| 2016 | Shortwave | Robert | |
| 2018 | In a Relationship | Dexter | |
| 2019 | Escape Room | Jason Walker | [22] |
| 2020 | Thirsty | The young man | Short film |
| 2021 | Escape Room: Tournament of Champions | Flashback - Jason Walker | |
| 2022 | Top Gun: Maverick | Lieutenant Reuben "Payback" Fitch | |
| 2023 | Somebody I Used to Know | Sean | |
| 2024 | Freaky Tales | Sleepy Floyd | |
| 2024 | The Gutter | Lil Patience | Comedy |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Invasion | Soldier (uncredited) | Episode: "Watershed" |
| 2005 | Related | College student | Episode: "Hang in There, Baby" |
| 2010 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Orderly | Episode: "Episode #1.5922" |
| 2011 | Grey's Anatomy | DJ | Episode: "White Wedding" |
| 2011 | NCIS | Marine PFC Thomas 'Tommy' Hill | Episode: "Restless" |
| 2011 | Let's Do This! | Ugandan Thug #1 / Ceiling Mop Ugandan | TV movie |
| 2012 | How I Met Your Mother | Sound Guy | Episode: "Tailgate" |
| 2012 | Hart of Dixie | Resident | Episode: "Heart to Hart" |
| 2012 | iCarly | Friend #1 | Episode: "iFind Spencer Friends" |
| 2012 | Crash & Bernstein | Derek | Episode: "Coach Crash" |
| 2013 | Dear Secret Santa | Brad | TV movie |
| 2013–15 | The Game | Bryce "Blueprint" Westbrook | Main, 45 episodes |
| 2013 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Naval Flight Officer Randall Baker | Episode: "Purity" |
| 2014 | Masters of Sex | Dr. Cyril Franklin | Episode: "Giants" |
| 2016 | Grace and Frankie | Dan | Episode: "The Anchor" |
| 2016–21 | Insecure | Martin "Lawrence" Walker | Main (season 1–2, 4–5); guest (season 3)[18] |
| 2020 | Mrs. America | Franklin Thomas | Recurring role |
| 2023 | History of the World, Part II | Jesus Christ | Recurring role |
| TBA | All Her Fault | Colin | In production |
Producer
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Black Box | Feature film[23] |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Awards | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Black Reel Awards for Television[24] | Outstanding Supporting Actor, Comedy Series | Insecure | Nominated |
| 2018 | NAACP Image Awards[14] | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | Won |
References
edit- ^"Jay Ellis on Working with Tom Cruise in New Top Gun Movie".youtube.September 28, 2018. Event occurs at 3:42.RetrievedJuly 22,2019.
- ^"Celebrity Birthdays: Dec. 27".La Crosse Tribune.December 27, 2023.RetrievedDecember 28,2023.
- ^ab"Top Gun Day Celebrates 35th Anniversary With a Return to Theaters".CBR.May 6, 2021.RetrievedMay 12,2021.
- ^"Jay Ellis".amfAR.RetrievedAugust 6,2017.
- ^"New York Film Academy (NYFA) Alum Paula Bryant-Ellis on Faith in Storytelling & the Importance of Mentorship and Representation".July 6, 2020.
- ^"Insecure's Jay Ellis Is a Dream Guy in Real Life".LA Weekly.July 24, 2017.RetrievedAugust 6,2017.
- ^"After 'The Game' With Jay Ellis".The Trending Report.April 29, 2014.RetrievedAugust 6,2017.
- ^"Chop-Up: Jay Ellis, star of The Game, talks his hooping skills, making an NFL practice squad and more".USA Today High School Sports.February 18, 2015.RetrievedJuly 20,2017.
- ^"Jay Ellis from HBO's" Insecure "Tells Jimmy Kimmel About PR Work for Trail Blazers:" It Was Crazy "".Blazersedge.August 19, 2017.RetrievedOctober 5,2017.
- ^abcd"HBO 'Insecure' Star Jay Ellis Opens Up About Life After the Backshot Heard Around the World".Complex.July 17, 2017.RetrievedJuly 20,2017.
- ^"The Game's Jay Ellis Reveals His Pop Culture Obsessions, First TV Crushes, Hidden Talent and More".E!.March 18, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 12,2018.
- ^"Insecure Star Jay Ellis: 'I Want to Change the Narrative Around Young Black Men'".Out.June 20, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 12,2018.
- ^"Issa Rae's HBO pilot 'Insecure' adds Jay Ellis and Yvonne Orji to cast".Rolling Out.August 27, 2015.RetrievedAugust 14,2017.
- ^ab"2018 NAACP Image Award Winners: Complete List".The Hollywood Reporter.January 14, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 15,2018.
- ^"[Check This Out] The Untold Story: Policing".radio.RetrievedDecember 1,2020.
- ^Dansby, Andrew (August 14, 2020)."Stephanie Wittels Wachs' growing podcast company provides comfort".HoustonChronicle.RetrievedDecember 1,2020.
- ^"Jay Ellis On His Personal Mission To Fight HIV/AIDS In The Black Community".HuffPost.February 6, 2017.RetrievedJuly 20,2017.
- ^ab"Insecure Star Jay Ellis and Actress Nina Senicar Welcome First Child, Daughter Nora Grace".PEOPLE.RetrievedMay 12,2021.
- ^Macon, Alexandra (July 18, 2022)."Top Gun: Maverick's Jay Ellis Marries Nina Senicar at a Garden Wedding in Tuscany ".Vogue.RetrievedJanuary 15,2023.
- ^https://eurweb /2024/jay-ellis-and-nina-senicar-joyfully-welcome-their-second-child-noa/[bare URL]
- ^Lowe, Justin (October 9, 2015)."'Breaking Through': Film Review ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedMay 12,2021.
- ^"Deborah Ann Woll & Jay Ellis Interview: Escape Room".ScreenRant.January 3, 2019.RetrievedMay 12,2021.
- ^Verhoeven, Beatrice (February 27, 2020)."Phylicia Rashad, Mamoudou Athie to Star in 'Black Box' for Amazon, Blumhouse TV (Exclusive)".TheWrap.RetrievedJune 18,2020.
- ^"Black*ish Paces the Black Reel Awards for Television Field".Black Reel Awards.June 15, 2017. Archived fromthe originalon August 12, 2017.RetrievedJuly 20,2017.