Trai Byers
Birth dateJuly 19, 1983 (age 43)
Birth placeKansas City, Kansas, U.S.
EducationAndrew College (AA)
University of Kansas (BA)
Yale University (MFA)
OccupationActor, writer
Years active2009–present
SpouseGrace Gealey (m. 2016)

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 of Arts in theatre. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Kansas. Byers also attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, and the Yale School of Drama, where he obtained his Master of Fine Arts.

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

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp MassacreChip
2013Destination Planet NegroB-12
2014JayhawkersNathan Davis
SelmaJames Forman
2017AmericonsTheo Jones
2018BentChuck
2020The 24thBostonAlso co-writer and producer

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2011All My ChildrenMookie11 episodes
201290210Alec Martin6 episodes
2015–2020EmpireAndre Lyon102 episodes
2023HarlemKeith2 episodes

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
201517th Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV: Scene Stealer
Empire
Choice TV: Chemistry (shared with the others)
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

References

  1. ^ Mathew, Ilin (July 18, 2015). "Trai Byers Turns 32: Interesting Facts and Photos of Andre Lyon from 'Empire'". International Business Times. IBT Media. Archived March 5, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. ^ Niccum, Jon (February 16, 2015). "KCK actor Trai Byers is building an 'Empire' of success". The Kansas City Star. The McClatchy Company. Archived February 17, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 23, 2015. Byers was born in 1983 in Kansas City, Kan.
  3. ^ "Ex-All My Children's Trai Byers On 90210. - All My Children News - Soaps.com". Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  4. ^ "'90210' casting scoop: 'True Blood' veteran to play Adrianna's new...". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  5. ^ "Trai Byers - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com
  6. ^ "Trai Byers Joins the Cast of 'Selma'". Variety. Archived July 14, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  7. ^ The Deadline Team (10 March 2014). "Gabourey Sidibe Joins Fox Drama Pilot 'Empire' - Deadline". Deadline. Archived 11 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  8. ^ "'Empire': Inside Fox's ambitious, groundbreaking musical soap". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  9. ^ "The 24th - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. August 21, 2020.
  10. ^ Evans, Greg (April 26, 2022). "Broadway's 'The Piano Lesson' Adds Trai Byers, Ray Fisher, April Matthis & Michael Potts To Cast"
  11. ^ "Trai Byers on Making His Broadway Debut in The Piano Lesson | Broadway Direct". 27 September 2022.
  12. ^ Rodriguez, Karla. "Grace Byers Talks Quinn's Transformational Arc in 'Harlem' Season 2". Complex
  13. ^ Corinthios, Aurelie (October 7, 2015). "It's Official! Grace Gealey Shows Off Engagement Ring from Empire Costar Trai Byers". People. Time Inc.. Archived June 29, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  14. ^ "Empire Stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey Have Secret Island Wedding". TMZ.com. April 16, 2016. Archived April 17, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  15. ^ "Empire Stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey Get Married in Caribbean Beach Wedding". Us Weekly. April 16, 2016. Archived July 28, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  16. ^ Fluker, Dominique (April 17, 2023). "Grace And Trai Byers Announce The Arrival Of Their First Child On Their Wedding Anniversary". Essence. Retrieved December 16, 2023.