Jeffrey Wright
Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA
DEATH OF A SALESMAN Film Adaptation Eyes Corey Hawkins and Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Feb 12, 2026)
W.E.B. Du Bois Documentary Coming to AMERICAN MASTERS This Spring (Feb 11, 2026)
Interview: Wendy Orshan & Jeffrey M. Wilson Unpack Their 30 Years of Broadway Shows (Jan 17, 2026)
BIO
Jeffrey Wright began his career in theater where he gained prominence for his role in the Broadway production of Tony Kushner's Angels in America (1993), for which he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. He reprised his role in the acclaimed 2003 HBO miniseries adaptation, earning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.
His other Broadway credits include Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, Topdog / Underdog, and A Free Man of Color.
Next up, Wright and Octavia Spencer will headline a new film adaptation of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, directed and co-adapted by Chinonye Chukwu.
His first starring film role was as Jean-Michel Basquiat in Basquiat (1996). His other notable films include Syriana (2005), Lady in the Water (2006), Cadillac Records (2008), The Ides of March (2011), and Rustin (2023). He has also acted in the Wes Anderson films The French Dispatch (2021), Asteroid City (2023) and The Phoenician Scheme (2025), and has played Peoples Hernandez in Shaft (2000), Felix Leiter in the James Bond films Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), and No Time to Die (2021), Beetee Latier in The Hunger Games films, and Jim Gordon in The Batman (2022). He received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in American Fiction (2023).
Wright earned acclaim for his role as Valentin Narcisse in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire (2013–2014) and robot programmer Bernard Lowe in the HBO series Westworld (2016–2022), the latter of which earned him three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He also appeared as Isaac Dixon in the video game The Last of Us Part II (2020) and the Watcher in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) beginning with the Disney+ animated series What If...? (2021–2024). In 2025, he reprised his role from the video game in the second season of the HBO series adaptation of The Last of Us.
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
Movies
[ 1990 ] Prosecuting Attorney
[ 1991 ] Derek
[ 1996 ] Jean Michel Bquiat
[ 1996 ] Young Man at Rolls
[ 1997 ] Bed Two
[ 1998 ] Balzac Man
[ 1998 ] Greg - Off-Off Broadway Director
[ 1998 ] Win
[ 1999 ] Daniel Holt
[ 2000 ] Chris
[ 2000 ] Gravedigger
[ 2000 ] Ninny
[ 2000 ] Peoples Hernandez
[ 2001 ] Howard Bingham
[ 2002 ] Jaworski
[ 2003 ] Narrator
[ 2004 ] Al Melvin
[ 2004 ] Rex
[ 2005 ] Bennett Holiday
[ 2005 ] Winston
[ 2006 ] Felix Leiter
[ 2006 ] Mr. Dury
[ 2007 ] Dr. Stephen Galeano
[ 2007 ] Nelson
[ 2008 ] Colin Powell
[ 2008 ] Felix Leiter
[ 2008 ] Muddy Waters
[ 2011 ] Dr. Rutledge
[ 2011 ] Senator Thompson
[ 2011 ] William Black
[ 2012 ] Grizzly Judge
[ 2013 ] Beetee
[ 2013 ] Carl Fairbanks
[ 2013 ] Dr. Watson
[ 2013 ] Henry
[ 2013 ] Simon
[ 2014 ] Beetee
[ 2015 ] Beetee
[ 2015 ] Poppa
[ 2018 ] Anderson
[ 2018 ] Detective Portnoy
[ 2018 ] Louis
[ 2018 ] Mr. Harmon
[ 2018 ] Russell Core
[ 2019 ] Hobie
[ 2019 ] Malchus Irvin Boncamper
[ 2020 ] James Daniel LincolnJD
[ 2020 ] Roebuck Wright
[ 2021 ] Felix Leiter
[ 2022 ] Lt. James Gordon
[ 2023 ] Vincent Daugherty
[ 2025 ] Marty
[ 2025 ] Paul Christopher
[ 2025 ] Rowland
[ 2025 ] Chase (voice)
[ 2027 ] James Gordon
TV Shows
Valentin Narcisse
Bernard Lowe
The Watcher
[ 2021-2024 ] The WatcherUatu
Henry Townsend
[ 2024-2025 ] Henry Ogletree
[ 2024-2025 ] Henry Ogletree
[ 2023-2025 ] Isaac Dixon
[ 2023-2025 ] Uncle Christ (voice)
Awards and Nominations
winner
Jeffrey Wright, Topdog/Underdog
winner
Jeffrey Wright , Underdog
Jeffrey Wright, Topdog/Underdog
Jeffrey Wright, Topdog/Underdog
winner
Jeffrey Wright - , Angels in America
winner
Jeffrey Wright, Angels in America: Perestroika
winner
Jeffrey Wright, Angels in America: Perestroika
Videos
Video: Watch Denzel Washington in New Trailer for Spike Lee's HIGHEST 2 LOWEST
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-08-04 11:39:10
Video: Watch the RUSTIN Trailer Starring Colman Domingo, Audra McDonald & More
by Michael Major - 2023-10-19 09:17:59
Video: Watch Colman Domingo, Audra McDonald & More in Netflix's RUSTIN Movie Teaser Trailer
by Michael Major - 2023-08-28 09:13:27
VIDEO: First Look at The Acting Company's THE THREE MUSKETEERS and ROMEO AND JULIET in Repertory
by Blair Ingenthron - 2022-11-05 15:05:53
VIDEO: Billy Porter & Uzo Aduba Have an 'Actors on Actors' Conversation!
by Sarah Leiber - 2021-06-17 11:34:47
VIDEO: Watch An All New Trailer For Upcoming Bond Film NO TIME TO DIE
by Stephi Wild - 2020-09-03 07:42:07
VIDEO: President Trump RNC Biopic Narrated by Jeffrey Wright on THE DAILY SHOW
by Sarah Leiber - 2020-08-28 09:20:51
VIDEO: Watch the Trailer For New Netflix Film ALL DAY AND A NIGHT
by Stephi Wild - 2020-04-25 11:57:38
VIDEO: Jeffrey Wright and Ashton Sanders Star in the Trailer for ALL DAY AND A NIGHT
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2020-04-21 14:23:38
VIDEO: Daniel Craig is James Bond in the Trailer for NO TIME TO DIE
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-12-04 09:56:48
VIDEO: Daniel Craig Reveals NO TIME TO DIE Will Be His Final Bond Film
by Stephi Wild - 2019-11-23 09:19:46
VIDEO: GREEN EGGS AND HAM to Premiere on Netflix on November 8
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-10-08 11:48:22
VIDEO: Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman Star in Steven Soderbergh's THE LAUNDROMAT
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2019-08-28 10:48:50
News
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 12, 2026
Actors Corey Hawkins and Kelvin Harrison Jr. are in talks to join the cast of the forthcoming film adaptation of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. The new adaptation will be led by Tony Award-winner Jeffrey Wright and Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 11, 2026
A new documentary about activist W.E.B. Du Bois is coming to American Masters this spring. W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause, from Peabody Award-winning director Rita Coburn will premiere May 19, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS.
by Robert Diamond - Jan 17, 2026
In this second part of our in-depth conversation (read Part 1), Jeffrey and Wendy look back on their over three decade career on Broadway and shares stories about some of their favorite shows.
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 12, 2026
The NAACP has announced the full list of “NAACP Image Awards” nominees, with nominees including Wicked: For Good, Cynthia Erivo, Audra McDonald, and more. Check out the full list here.
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 5, 2026
After screenings across the country and film festival accolades in 2025, the documentary Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round (2024) will be available on Kinema from January 15 to January 20, 2026, during Martin Luther King JR. Day.
by Evan Henerson - Dec 17, 2025
As the southland welcomes a return visit from The Acting Company, things remain as topsy-turvey as they must needs be in the woods of Athens. The company visit is a quick hit, but Risa Brainin’s production of Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is the kind of crowd-pleasing, take-no-prisoners experience that audiences should devour.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2025
Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura and The Acting Company of New York will present a second-year “encore” collaboration on two new productions to be presented as part of Rubicon’s WINTERFEST, 2025.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 9, 2025
The Acting Company has announced the cast for Faustus, adapted and directed by Devin Brain, performing Monday, November 3, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at The Public Theater.
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 7, 2025
Oscar winner and entertainment icon Julie Andrews won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for her performance as Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 20, 2025
Tony Award-winner Jeffrey Wright and Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer will headline a new film adaptation of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, directed and co-adapted by Chinonye Chukwu (Clemency, Till) alongside Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Tony Kushner (Angels in America).
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 4, 2025
Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are reuniting for the fifth time with Highest 2 Lowest, a new reinterpretation of the great filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller High and Low, now played out on the streets of modern-day New York City. Watch the official trailer now!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 28, 2025
The Acting Company has revealed its 2025-26 Season of programming. The season features Dickens' Great Expectations in a World Premiere Adaptation by Nikki Massoud, and more.
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 7, 2025
Focus Features’ The Phoenician Scheme will be available exclusively on digital platforms to own or rent at home tomorrow, July 8, 2025, from Universal.
by Josh Sharpe - May 5, 2025
Denzel Washington and Spike Lee reunite for the 5th time with Highest 2 Lowest, a new reinterpretation of the great filmmaker Akira Kurosawa’s crime thriller High and Low. Watch the trailer!
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 9, 2025
The HBO Original drama series The Last of Us has been renewed for a third season ahead of its season two debut. The seven-episode second season of The Last of Us will debut Sunday, April 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.
by Michael Major - Apr 7, 2025
29 Broadway legends – including Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Patti LuPone, André De Shields, and more – are looking back on their most iconic roles in the latest issue of New York Magazine. See photos!
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 24, 2025
Acclaimed global storytelling organization The Moth will unveil the details for their highly anticipated annual fundraising gala, Fantastic Voyage: The 2025 Moth Ball. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of The Lighthouse at Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers, the event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13th.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2025
Experience The Acting Company’s new production of August Wilson’s Two Trains Running: an exploration of community and identity during the civil rights movement. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 10, 2025
HBO has released the official trailer for season two of the original drama series THE LAST OF US. The seven-episode second season debuts SUNDAY, APRIL 13 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available to stream on Max. Watch the trailer now!
by Andrew Child - Mar 4, 2025
“There’s a great sense of theatricality, an element of surprise. (Parks) brings us in with humor and lightness and then pulls the veil back on us. The play exists in the world of three-card monte—- she cons us.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Jeffrey Wright has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.
Jeffrey Wright has not appeared in the West End.
Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Topdog/Underdog, Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Underdog, Outstanding Lead Actor (The Lortels) for Topdog/Underdog, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Topdog/Underdog, Best Debut Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Angels in America, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Angels in America: Perestroika and Outstanding Supporting Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Angels in America: Perestroika.
Jeffrey Wright has won several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Actor in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Topdog/Underdog, Outstanding Solo Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Underdog, and Best Debut Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Angels in America. He also received the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for Angels in America: Perestroika, as well as the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play for Angels in America: Perestroika.
Videos