David Ramsey

For other people named David Ramsey, see David Ramsey (disambiguation).

David Ramsey
Ramsey at the 2016 Phoenix ComiCon
Born (1971-11-17) November 17, 1971 (age 53)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1987–present
SpouseBriana Ramsey
Children1

David Paul Ramsey (born November 17, 1971) is an American actor and director. He is best known for his roles in The CW Arrowverse series Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Batwoman as John Diggle / Spartan, portraying Diggle and Bass Reeves in Legends of Tomorrow, recurring as an alternate universe version of Diggle in Superman & Lois, recurring as Anton Briggs on the Showtime TV series Dexter, and starring in the film Mother and Child (2009) as Joseph.

Early life

Ramsey was born November 17, 1971,[1] in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Wayne State University.

Career

From 1997 to 1998, he starred in the UPN sitcom Good News, as pastor David Randolph. In 2000, he starred as Muhammad Ali in the Fox television film Ali: An American Hero. That year, he appeared in Pay It Forward and started a recurring role in For Your Love. In 2001, he starred as Vince Lee in the South African comedy film "Mr Bones". He has also starred in recurring roles in All of Us, One on One, The West Wing, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Ghost Whisperer, Wildfire, and Hollywood Residential. From 2008 to 2009, he appeared in 17 episodes of Dexter as Anton Briggs, a pot-smoking confidential informant who has an affair with Debra Morgan in Season 3 and at the start of Season 4. In 2010, he appeared in an episode of Grey's Anatomy and in the short-lived NBC courtroom drama series Outlaw.[2] From 2012 to 2020, he appeared in the main cast of CW's superhero show Arrow, as John Diggle, a military veteran who is Oliver's partner, confidant, bodyguard, and later gained an alter ego, Spartan, since the fourth season. The season seven episode "Past Sins" was Ramsey's directorial debut.[3] As part of the greater Arrowverse, Ramsey has reprised his role as Diggle on The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl and Batwoman, as well as portraying an alternate version of the character on the non-Arrowverse Superman & Lois.[4] Ramsey also starred in the TV series Blue Bloods as Mayor Carter Poole.

Personal life

Ramsey is an accomplished Jeet Kune Do practitioner. He has also studied boxing, taekwondo and Wing Chun, and trained in kickboxing under Benny Urquidez.[5][6]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1987 Scared Stiff George Masterson
1996 The Nutty Professor Student
A Very Brady Sequel Brent
1997 Con Air Londell
1998 A Short Wait Between Trains Jenkins
1999 Three to Tango Bill
2000 Pay It Forward Sidney Parker
2001 Mr Bones Vince Lee
2004 Hair Show Cliff
2005 Resurrection: The J.R. Richard Story J. R. Richard
Bathsheba King David Short film
2007 The Death and Life of Bobby Z Wayne
2008 The Coverup Bill Daily
2009 The Rub Cam Stewart
Mother and Child Joseph
2014 Draft Day Thompson
2015 Accidental Love Rep. Bill Harshtone
2023 Legend of the White Dragon Mayor Trevon Sterns

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Murder One Reporter #3 Episode: "Chapter Two"
1996 Deutschlandlied George Mniseries
Space: Above and Beyond Supervisor Episode: "The Angriest Angel"
Her Costly Affair Shep Walker Television film
1997–1998 Good News Pastor David Randolph Main role
1998 CHiPs '99 Officer Sergeant McFall Television film
Mama Flora's Family Booker Palmer (Adult)
1999 Mutiny Vernon Nettles
2000 Ali: An American Hero Muhammad Ali
2000–2001 For Your Love Brian 4 episodes
2001 Girlfriends Randall Episode: "Mom's the Word"
Thieves Agent Victor Episode: "The Long Con"
2002 For the People N/A Episode: "To DNA or Not to DNA"
Romeo Fire Television film
The Guardian Debord's Lawyer Episode: "No Good Deed"
2002–2003 One on One Jayden Episodes: "Everybody Loves Whom?", "It's a Miserable Life"
2003 The Flannerys Sam Gable Television film
Strong Medicine Jake Cortese Episode: "Breathing Lessons"
NCIS Special Agent Richard Owens Episode: "The Curse"
2004 Crossing Jordan Agent Scannell Episode: "Is That Plutonium in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Happy to See Me?"
CSI: Miami Officer Everhart Episode: "Wannabe"
Charmed Upper Level Demon Episode: "Witch Wars"
Second Time Around Travis Byrd Episode: "A Kiss Is Still a Kiss"
2005 Central Booking Troy Stonebreaker Television film
Huff Clay 3 episodes
All of Us Rusty Recurring role (6 episodes)
Jane Doe: The Wrong Face Mac Television film
2005–2008 Ghost Whisperer Will 4 episodes
2006 Hello Sister, Goodbye Life Uncle Dennis Klein Television film
The West Wing Teddy - Santos's Turnout Briefer Episodes: "Welcome to Wherever You Are", "Election Day: Part 1"
Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America Curtis Ansen Television film
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Gerald Crowley Episode: "Burn Out"
2007 Criminal Minds Wakeland Episode: "Fear and Loathing"
Journeyman Det. Wilson Hargreaves Episode: "The Legend of Dylan McCleen"
2008 Hollywood Residential Don Merritt Main role
Wildfire Dr. Noah Gleason Recurring role
2008–2009 Dexter Anton Briggs Recurring role
Nominated - Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
2009 Castle Jim Wheeler Episode: "Fool Me Once..."
2010 Grey's Anatomy Jimmy Thompson Episode: "Sympathy for the Parents"
Outlaw Al Druzinsky Main role
2011–2017 Blue Bloods Mayor Carter Poole Recurring role
2012–2020 Arrow John Diggle / Spartan / Bass Reeves[a] Main role
2014–2023 The Flash 11 episodes
2016–2017 & 2020 Legends of Tomorrow 4 episodes
2017 Illicit Guy / Husband Television Film
2018 & 2021 Supergirl John Diggle 2 episodes
2021–2022 Batwoman
Superman & Lois
2022 The Rookie: Feds Greg Wright Episode: "Countdown"
2024 Bel-Air Lamont Alton 2 Episodes

Director

Year Production Notes
2019 Arrow 2 episodes: "Past Sins" & "Reset"
2021–2023 Superman & Lois 4 episodes: "Man of Steel", "The Ties That Bind", "Truth and Consequences" & "Head On"
2021 Legends of Tomorrow Episode: "Stressed Western"
Supergirl Episode: "Blind Spots"
Batwoman Episode: "A Lesson from Professor Pyg"
2023 All American Episode: "Stand Up for Something"

Notes

  1. ^ Ramsey also portrays Clifford DeVoe / The Thinker (who posed as Diggle) in The Flash episode titled "Think Fast".

References

  1. ^ Rose, Mike (November 17, 2018). "Today's top celebrity birthdays list for November 17, 2018". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on November 17, 2018. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
  2. ^ "NBC Unveils 2010-2011 Primetime Schedule Accented by Five New Comedies, Seven New Dramas, and New Alternative Program". The Futon Critic. May 16, 2010. Archived from the original on September 16, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2010.
  3. ^ Turchiano, Danielle (January 29, 2019). "'Arrow' Star David Ramsey Breaks Down His Directorial Debut". Variety. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  4. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (December 31, 2021). "David Ramsey Returns to Batwoman — Is Diggle Friends With [Spoiler]?". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  5. ^ "Male Celebs Who Practice Martial Arts". Jet. September 24, 2001. p. 40.
  6. ^ Sheridan, Brian R. "David Ramsey from CW's ARROW". Kung Fu Magazine. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to David Ramsey.