Trai Byers Explained

Trai Byers
Birth Date:19 July 1983
Birth Place:Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Occupation:Actor, writer
Years Active:2009–present
Children:1

Trai Byers (born July 19, 1983)[1] is an American actor. He is best known for playing Andre Lyon in the Fox musical television series, Empire (2015–2020). In 2020, Byers co-wrote and starred in the historical drama film, The 24th.

Early life

Trai Byers was born in Kansas City, Kansas.[2] After a year of high school in Kansas City, he completed his high-school education in Georgia. Byers then graduated from Andrew College with an associate degree in Theater and graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in communications. He also attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, and the Yale School of Drama.

Career

Byers made his screen debut in the 2009 comedy-horror film, Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre. In 2011, Byers had a recurring role on the ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children, and the following year had a role in The CW teen soap, 90210.[3] [4] He starred in two films directed by Kevin Willmott: Destination Planet Negro (2013) and Jayhawkers (2014).[5] In 2014, he played civil rights activist James Forman in the historical epic film, Selma directed by Ava DuVernay.[6]

From 2015 to 2020, Byers starred as Andre Lyon in Fox music-industry primetime soap opera, Empire.[7] [8] For this role, he received two NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series nominations. In 2020, he played the leading role and co-wrote screenplay for the historical drama film, The 24th. The film received generally positive reviews from critics.[9] In 2022, Byers made his Broadway debut in the play The Piano Lesson by August Wilson.[10] [11] In 2023 he guest-starred in the Grace Byers' comedy series, Harlem during the show' second season.[12]

Personal life

During the October 7, 2015 episode of the daytime talk show, FABLife, Byers's costar Grace Gealey confirmed that they were engaged.[13] He and Gealey married on Grand Cayman Island on April 14, 2016.[14] [15] On their wedding anniversary in 2023, Gealey gave birth to their son.[16]

Filmography

Film

YearTitle RoleNotes
2009Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre Chip
2013Destination Planet Negro B-12
2014Jayhawkers Nathan Davis
Selma James Forman
2017Americons Theo Jones
2018BentChuck
2020The 24thBostonAlso co-writer and producer

Television

YearTitle RoleNotes
2011All My Children Mookie11 episodes
201290210 Alec Martin6 episodes
2015–2020Empire Andre Lyon102 episodes
2023Harlem Keith2 episodes

Awards and nominations

YearAward Category Nominated work Result
201517th Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV: Scene Stealer
Choice TV: Chemistry
201748th NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1st Black Reel Awards for TelevisionOutstanding Supporting Actor, Drama Series
201849th NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Trai Byers Turns 32: Interesting Facts and Photos of Andre Lyon from 'Empire'. Ilin. Mathew. July 18, 2015. International Business Times. IBT Media. July 28, 2015. March 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305082000/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/trai-byers-turns-32-interesting-facts-photos-andre-lyon-empire-639726. live.
  2. Web site: KCK actor Trai Byers is building an 'Empire' of success. February 16, 2015. Jon. Niccum. The Kansas City Star. The McClatchy Company. February 23, 2015. February 17, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150217022916/http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/tv/article10477019.html . Byers was born in 1983 in Kansas City, Kan..
  3. Web site: Ex-All My Children's Trai Byers On 90210. - All My Children News - Soaps.com. January 9, 2015. January 15, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150115201606/http://soaps.sheknows.com/allmychildren/news/id/26661/Ex-All_My_Childrens_Trai_Byers_On_90210/. dead.
  4. '90210' casting scoop: 'True Blood' veteran to play Adrianna's new.... Entertainment Weekly. January 9, 2015.
  5. Web site: Trai Byers - Rotten Tomatoes. www.rottentomatoes.com.
  6. Web site: Trai Byers Joins the Cast of 'Selma'. Variety. January 9, 2015. July 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131739/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/trai-byers-joins-the-cast-of-selma-1201183949/. live.
  7. Web site: Gabourey Sidibe Joins Fox Drama Pilot 'Empire' - Deadline. The Deadline Team. Deadline. 10 March 2014. January 9, 2015. 11 February 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210211204107/https://deadline.com/2014/03/gabourey-sidibe-joins-fox-drama-pilot-empire-andrew-lees-in-tbs-your-family-or-mine-696557/. live.
  8. 'Empire': Inside Fox's ambitious, groundbreaking musical soap. Entertainment Weekly. January 9, 2015.
  9. Web site: The 24th - Rotten Tomatoes. August 21, 2020. www.rottentomatoes.com.
  10. Web site: Broadway's 'The Piano Lesson' Adds Trai Byers, Ray Fisher, April Matthis & Michael Potts To Cast. Greg. Evans. April 26, 2022.
  11. Web site: Trai Byers on Making His Broadway Debut in The Piano Lesson | Broadway Direct.
  12. Web site: Grace Byers Talks Quinn's Transformational Arc in 'Harlem' Season 2. Karla. Rodriguez. Complex.
  13. Web site: It's Official! Grace Gealey Shows Off Engagement Ring from Empire Costar Trai Byers. October 7, 2015. Aurelie. Corinthios. October 7, 2015. People. Time Inc.. June 29, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160629172110/http://www.people.com/article/grace-gealey-confirms-engagement-empire-costar-trai-byers. live.
  14. Web site: Empire Stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey Have Secret Island Wedding. TMZ.com. April 16, 2016. April 16, 2016. April 17, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160417194513/http://www.tmz.com/2016/04/16/empire-wedding-trai-byers-grace-gealey/. live.
  15. Web site: Empire Stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey Get Married in Caribbean Beach Wedding. Us Weekly. April 16, 2016. April 16, 2016. July 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200728215351/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/empires-trai-byers-grace-gealey-get-married-in-caribbean-w203049/. live.
  16. Web site: Fluker . Dominique . Grace And Trai Byers Announce The Arrival Of Their First Child On Their Wedding Anniversary . Essence . April 17, 2023 . December 16, 2023.