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Jeffrey Wright Biography

Birth Place:

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Profession

Actor

Fast Facts

Father died when he was a baby; was raised by his mother, a lawyer for the U
S
Customs Department
Originally planned to attend law school but decided to study acting instead
Fittingly, his first film role was an attorney in Presumed Innocent (1990)
In 1993, joined the Broadway cast of Tony Kushner's award-winning play Angels in America; later recreated the role of nurse Belize for the 2003 HBO adaptation
Won a 2001 American Film Institute Actor of the Year Award for his portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr
in the HBO miniseries Boycott
Received an honorary degree from Amherst College in 2004
Founded Taia Lion Resources, an organization devoted to finding ethical mining solutions in Sierra Leone, in 2011

2020Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2018Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2017Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2016Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2014Critics' Choice Television Awards-Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2013Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2006Critics' Choice Awards-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2006Independent Spirit Awards-Best Supporting Male: nominated
2005San Diego Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2001American Film Institute-Best Male Actor in a Television Movie or Mini-Series: winner
2000Toronto Film Critics Association-Best Supporting Actor: winner
1997Independent Spirit Awards-Best Debut Performance: nominated