Lance Darnell Gross(born July 8, 1981)[1]is an American actor and model. He is known for his role as Calvin Payne on theTBS/BETsitcomTyler Perry's House of Payne(2007–2012; 2020–present), for which he won fourNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Lance Gross | |
|---|---|
 Gross in 2017 | |
| Born | Lance Darnell Gross July 8, 1981 Oakland, California,U.S. |
| Alma mater | Howard University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Spouse |
Rebecca Jefferson (m.2015) |
| Children | 2 |
Gross made his big screen debut starring in the 2008 romantic comedy-drama film,Meet the Browns.He later starred in filmsOur Family Wedding(2010),The Last Fall(2012) andTemptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor(2013). On television, Gross starred as Secret Service Agent Marcus Finley in the short-lived NBC political drama series,Crisis(2014) and later was regular cast member inSleepy Hollow(2015–2016),Star(2017–2019) andOur Kind of People(2021–2022).
Early life
editGross was born inOakland, California,the child of an African American mother and Ghanaian immigrant father, and later moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, to attend and graduate from Bonanza High School.[2]He went on to attendHoward University,where he received a Bachelor of Arts in theater.[3]He then trained at The Ivanna Chubbuck Studio as well as theTasha SmithActing Studio.[4]
Career
editGross began his career by modeling forKarl Kaniand appearing in music videos for artists such asMary J. Blige,RihannaandMariah Carey.[5]In 2006, he had minor roles inEveandThe Bernie Mac Show.[6]He was consequently cast as Calvin Payne on Perry's new sitcomHouse of Paynein 2006. In the show Gross plays Calvin, a young professional who has attended college for seven years. He has been awarded fourNAACP Image Awardsfor Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for this role.[7]
2008 saw Gross make his big screen debut in the romantic comedy-drama filmMeet the BrownsoppositeAngela Bassett.[8]His next big screen appearance was in the 2010 romantic comedy-dramaOur Family WeddingalongsideAmerica Ferrera,in which they portrayed a recently engaged young couple whose wedding preparations are disrupted by their families.[9]In 2012, he starred in the independent filmThe Last Fall,the story of a retiredNFLplayer dealing with financial and family difficulties.[10]Also in 2012, Gross starred as Sammy Desoto in theLifetimeremake ofSteel Magnolias.[11]
In 2013, Gross starred oppositeJurnee Smollett-Bellin the romantic drama filmTemptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselordirected by Tyler Perry. It received predominantly negative reviews from critics.[12]The following year he went to star in the short-lived NBC political drama series,Crisis.[13]In 2015 he guest-starred in two episodes of ABC medical dramaGrey's Anatomyplaying Dr. Ethan Boyd. Later in 2015 he joined the cast of Fox seriesSleepy Hollow.[14]In 2016, Gross returned to film starring alongsideLarenz TateandMeagan Goodin the crime dramaDeucesfor Netflix.[15]In 2017 he starred in the crime drama filmWhen Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Storydirected byTasha Smith.[16]From 2017 to 2019 he played Maurice Jetter in the Fox musical drama series,Star.In 2018, on OWN'sThe Paynes,he made appearances as a recurring character in the episodes "A Surprise for the Paynes","Revelations of Payne"and"A Confrontation of Payne",along withAllen Payne,Demetria McKinney,Larramie "Doc" ShawandChina Anne McClain.In 2018 he co-starred in the BET miniseriesThe Bobby Brown Story.[17]Gross also had recurring roles on CBS seriesMacGyverandHawaii Five-0.[18]
In 2021, Gross played the leading role in the crime drama film,Dutch.[19]He later starred in the Fox prime time soap opera,Our Kind of PeopleoppositeYaya DaCosta.[20]The series was cancelled after one season. In 2022 he co-starred oppositeKaren Pittmanin the romantic comedy filmUnthinkably Good Thingsand in 2023 starred alongsideNaturi Naughtonin the action thriller filmCall Her King.[21]
Personal life
editIn July 2006, Gross began dating actressEva Marcille.The couple became engaged on December 24, 2008, and split up in March 2010. Later on May 23, 2015, Gross married fashion stylist Rebecca Jefferson[22]The couple are parents to two kids, one daughter, Berkeley Brynn Gross (born November 20, 2014),[23]and one son, Lennon Lorin Gross (born July 10, 2018).
In November 2021, Gross became initiated as an official member ofKappa Alpha Psi.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Meet the Browns | Michael Brown | |
| 2010 | Our Family Wedding | Marcus Boyd | |
| 2012 | The Last Fall | Kyle Bishop | |
| 2013 | Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor | Brice | |
| 2016 | The Phenom | Lee Brooks | |
| 2017 | Deuces | Jason Foster | |
| 2017 | When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story | Dino | |
| 2021 | Dutch | Benard "Dutch" James | |
| 2022 | Erax | Cliff | Short film |
| 2022 | Unthinkably Good Things | Andre | |
| 2023 | Call Her King | Gabriel aka. Black Caesar | |
| 2024 | Dutch II: Angel's Revenge | Benard "Dutch" James | |
| 2025 | Dutch III: International Gangster | Benard "Dutch" James | Post—production |
| TBA | Free | Mr. White | Post—production |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Eve | Choir Member | 1 episode |
| The Bernie Mac Show | Krumper #1 | 1 episode | |
| 2007–2012; 2020–present | Tyler Perry's House of Payne | Calvin Payne | Main role; 188 episodes |
| 2012 | Steel Magnolias | Sammy Desoto | TV movie |
| The Finder | Frank Haywood | 1 episode | |
| Royal Pains | Dr. London | 1 episode | |
| 2013 | Dice City | Derek | Main role |
| 2014 | Crisis | U.S. Secret Service Agent Marcus Finley | Main role |
| 2015 | Grey's Anatomy | Ethan | Supporting role |
| 2015–16 | Sleepy Hollow | Daniel Reynolds | Main role |
| 2017–2019 | Tales | Reggie | Episodes: "Trap Queen" and "Ex-Factor" (co-writer) |
| Star | Maurice Jetter, (A&R) | Recurring/Main role | |
| MacGyver | Billy Colton | Recurring role | |
| 2018 | The Paynes | Calvin Payne | 3 episodes |
| The Bobby Brown Story | Steven Sealy | Main role | |
| 2020 | Hawaii Five-0 | Lincoln Cole | 2 episodes |
| 2021—2022 | Our Kind of People | Tyrique Freeman | Main role |
References
edit- ^"Lance Gross: Movies, Photos, Videos, News, Biography & Birthday".Times of India.The Times Group.RetrievedJuly 24,2023.
- ^Roberts, Randall (2014-03-16)."Ex-Bonanza High track star Gross stays on the run with role in hostage thriller | Las Vegas Review-Journal".Reviewjournal.Retrieved2022-05-28.
- ^"Lance Gross".TVGuide.
- ^"Lance Gross: The Last Fall & Tyler Perry".Archived fromthe originalon September 3, 2013.RetrievedAugust 12,2013.
- ^"Tyler Perry's House of Payne - Lance Gross As Calvin Payne".Archived fromthe originalon July 5, 2013.RetrievedAugust 12,2013.
- ^"Biography for Lance Gross".IMDb.
- ^"Meet The Brown's Man Of The House-Lance Gross".Archived fromthe originalon 2015-06-26.Retrieved2019-04-30.
- ^"December 2007 | blackfilm | Tyler Perry's MEET THE BROWNS".blackfilm.
- ^"Lance Gross Preps For Wedlock In 'Our Family Wedding'".Essence.October 29, 2020.
- ^"Lance Gross Talks 'The Last Fall' and His Most Vulnerable Role".Archived fromthe originalon 2013-11-15.
- ^"The Community for Black Creativity and News - Blavity News".Blavity News & Entertainment.
- ^"Temptation | Rotten Tomatoes".rottentomatoes.
- ^Times, The Contra Costa Times | The Contra Costa (March 13, 2014)."NBC's 'Crisis' gives California native Lance Goss a chance to be action star".
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^Goldberg, Lesley (July 24, 2015)."'Sleepy Hollow' Casts Abbie's New Boss (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^"Larenz Tate, Lance Gross Test Loyalty in Netflix Film, 'Deuces'".April 3, 2017.
- ^Manns, Keydra (August 28, 2017)."TV Review: 'When Love Kills'".The Knockturnal.
- ^Barrie, Fatima (March 7, 2018)."Mekhi Phifer, Milton" Lil Rel "Howery, and Lance Gross Join the Cast of 'The Bobby Brown Story' - The Source".
- ^Petski, Denise (February 14, 2020)."'Hawaii Five-O': Lance Gross Joins Cast As Potential Series Regular ".
- ^N'Duka, Amanda (February 28, 2020)."Jacqueline Bisset Joins Amazon Film 'Birds of Paradise'; Lance Gross To Star In 'Dutch'; Vernon Davis In 'Red Winter'- Film Briefs".
- ^Rosario, Alexandra Del (June 24, 2021)."'Our Kind Of People': Lance Gross Joins Fox Drama As Series Regular ".
- ^Grobar, Matt (May 24, 2023)."'Call Her King': BET+ Sets Premiere Date For Action Thriller Starring Naturi Naughton & Lance Gross ".
- ^Vulpo, Mike; Cooper, Jennifer (May 23, 2015)."Lance Gross Says I Do To Rebecca Jefferson".Eonline.RetrievedDecember 18,2015.
- ^Penn, Charlie (January 11, 2015)."Lance Gross Reveals Newborn Daughter".Essence.RetrievedDecember 18,2015.