Billy Brown (actor)

For other people with the same name, see Billy Brown.
Billy Brown
Born
(1971-10-30) October 30, 1971 (age 53)

Inglewood, California, United States[1]
OccupationActor
Years active1993–present

Billy Brown (born October 30, 1971) is an American actor best known for his lead roles as Richard 'Death Row' Reynolds on the FX sports drama series Lights Out (2011), Archer Petit on the CBS drama series Hostages (2013–14), and Detective Nate Lahey on the ABC legal drama series How to Get Away with Murder (2014–20). He is also known for his supporting roles as Detective Mike Anderson on the sixth and seventh seasons of the Showtime crime thriller series Dexter (2011–12), and August Marks on the fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons of the FX action crime drama series Sons of Anarchy (2012–14).

Early life

Brown was born and raised in Inglewood, California.[1]

Career

He is known for his role as detective Mike Anderson on Showtime's Dexter from 2011 to 2012. Previously he starred as boxer Richard "Death Row" Reynolds in the short-lived FX series Lights Out.[2] In 2012, he landed the recurring role of August Marks in the fifth and sixth season of Sons of Anarchy.[3] He also provided the second voice of Cliffjumper in the animated series Transformers: Prime. In 2013, he portrayed Agent Troy Riley in the first season of The Following.

Brown starred opposite Toni Collette in the CBS drama series Hostages from 2013-14.[4] In 2014, he was cast opposite Viola Davis in ABC drama How to Get Away with Murder, produced by Shonda Rhimes.[5][6]

In 2018, Brown was cast in his first film leading role in the Screen Gems' thriller Proud Mary opposite Taraji P. Henson.[7]

Brown also voices recruiting commercials for the United States Marine Corps.[8]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Geronimo: An American Legend Native American
1993 Dreamrider Boy in Boston
1997 The Beautician and the Beast Fireman
1997 The Lost World: Jurassic Park InGen Worker
2001 Second Coming —
2002 The Wild Thornberrys Movie Rhino Voice
2005 House of the Dead 2 Griffin
2008 I Am Bubba Bubba Short film
2008 Cloverfield Staff Sgt. Pryce
2008 Lakeview Terrace Patrolman
2009 Race to Witch Mountain Mr. Carson
2009 Star Trek Med Evac Pilot
2018 Proud Mary Tom Spencer
2018 Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger Voice
2020 Working Man Walter Brewer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2000–03 As Told by Ginger Mr. Patterson / Delivery Guy 4 episodes
2004 Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation Private Ottis Brick Television film
2004 CSI: NY George Thomas Episode: "Grand Master"
2004 NCIS Chief Petty Officer Velat Episode: "Heart Break"
2005 Cold Case Donald Williams Episode: "Strange Fruit"
2005–06 E-Ring MSgt. Meeks 3 episodes
2007 Criminal Minds Det. Ware Episode: "Fear and Loathing"
2007 Backyards & Bullets Craig Winslow Unsold TV pilot
2007–08 Dirt Tweety McDaniel 3 episodes
2009 Southland Talib 2 episodes
2009 Californication Marcy's Date Episode: "The Land of Rape and Honey"
2010 CSI: NY Business Pedestrian Episode: "Unfriendly Chat"
2011 Reconstruction Sam Unsold TV pilot
2011 Lights Out Richard 'Death Row' Reynolds 11 episodes
2012 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Joe Marshall Episode: "Official Story"
2011–12 Dexter Det. Mike Anderson 11 episodes
2012 Transformers Prime Cliffjumper Episode: "Out of the Past"
2013 The Following Troy Riley 3 episodes
2012–14 Sons of Anarchy August Marks 14 episodes
2013–14 Hostages Archer Petit 15 episodes
2014 Legends Robert McCombs Episode: "Rogue"
2014–20 How to Get Away with Murder Detective Nate Lahey 90 episodes
2015 Adventure Time The Vampire King 3 episodes
2023 Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake The Vampire King Episode: "The Star"

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Jet Set Radio DJ Professor K
2002 Jet Set Radio Future[9]
2004 Hot Shots Golf Fore! T-Bone
2004 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 Zez-Kai Ell
2007 Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars Nod Announcer
2012 Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed DJ Professor K Archive footage
2018 SEGA Heroes

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Dexter Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b "Billy Brown". American Broadcasting Companies. Archived from the original on July 28, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  2. ^ "'Lights Out' Actor Joins 'Dexter' in Key Role (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. May 25, 2011.
  3. ^ "Billy Brown to play opposite Harold Perrineau in 'Sons of Anarchy'". Digital Spy. June 8, 2012.
  4. ^ "Billy Brown compares his roles on 'Hostages' and 'Sons of Anarchy'". Entertainment Weekly. September 23, 2013.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2014-03-02). "Aimee Garcia Cast In CBS Pilot 'Red Zone'; Billy Brown In ABC's 'How To Get Away'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  6. ^ "ABC Picks Up Shonda Rhimes Drama, Renews 'Resurrection' and 'Once Upon a Time'". TheWrap. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  7. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 22, 2017). "'How to Get Away With Murder's' Billy Brown to Star With Taraji P. Henson in 'Proud Mary' (EXCLUSIVE)". Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  8. ^ "Marines target March Madness in recruiting campaign"]". Los Angeles Times. March 16, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  9. ^ Smilebit (February 25, 2002). Jet Set Radio Future (Xbox). Sega. Level/area: Credits.