News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Jeffrey Wright Headshot

Jeffrey Wright

Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA

read more news

Get Jeffrey Wright Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Jeffrey Wright (born December 7, 1965) is an American actor. He has received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award, in addition to a nomination for an Academy Award. 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 first starring film role was as Jean-Michel Basquiat in Basquiat (1996). His other notable films include Shaft (2000), Syriana (2005), Lady in the Water (2006), Cadillac Records (2008), The Ides of March (2011), and Rustin (2023). He also acted in the Wes Anderson films The French Dispatch (2021), and Asteroid City (2023), and has played 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 played as Isaac Dixon in the video game The Last of Us Part II (2020) and the Watcher in the Marvel Studios animated series What If...? (2021–present).

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

A Free Man Of Color A Free Man Of Color
[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Production, 2010
Jacques Cornet
Topdog / Underdog
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Lincoln
Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1996
'da Voice
The Voice
da Voice
Angels in America: Perestroika
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1993
Belize
Council of Principalities
Mr. Lies
Angels in America: Millennium Approaches
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1993
Belize
Mr. Lies

Movies

Presumed Innocent
[ 1990 ] Prosecuting Attorney
Jumpin' at the Boneyard
[ 1991 ] Derek
Basquiat
[ 1996 ] Jean Michel Bquiat
Faithful
[ 1996 ] Young Man at Rolls
Critical Care
[ 1997 ] Bed Two
Too Tired to Die
[ 1998 ] Balzac Man
Celebrity
[ 1998 ] Greg - Off-Off Broadway Director
The Giraffe
[ 1998 ] Win
Ride with the Devil
[ 1999 ] Daniel Holt
Crime + Punishment in Suburbia
[ 2000 ] Chris
Hamlet
[ 2000 ] Gravedigger
Cement
[ 2000 ] Ninny
Shaft
[ 2000 ] Peoples Hernandez
Ali
[ 2001 ] Howard Bingham
Eye See You
[ 2002 ] Jaworski
Sam Cooke: Legend
[ 2003 ] Narrator
The Manchurian Candidate
[ 2004 ] Al Melvin
Sin's Kitchen
[ 2004 ] Rex
Syriana
[ 2005 ] Bennett Holiday
Broken Flowers
[ 2005 ] Winston
Casino Royale
[ 2006 ] Felix Leiter
Lady in the Water
[ 2006 ] Mr. Dury
The Invasion
[ 2007 ] Dr. Stephen Galeano
Blackout
[ 2007 ] Nelson
W.
[ 2008 ] Colin Powell
Quantum of Solace
[ 2008 ] Felix Leiter
Cadillac Records
[ 2008 ] Muddy Waters
Source Code
[ 2011 ] Dr. Rutledge
The Ides of March
[ 2011 ] Senator Thompson
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
[ 2011 ] William Black
Ernest & Celestine
[ 2012 ] Grizzly Judge
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
[ 2013 ] Beetee
Broken City
[ 2013 ] Carl Fairbanks
Only Lovers Left Alive
[ 2013 ] Dr. Watson
The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete
[ 2013 ] Henry
A Single Shot
[ 2013 ] Simon
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
[ 2014 ] Beetee
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
[ 2015 ] Beetee
The Good Dinosaur
[ 2015 ] Poppa
The Public
[ 2018 ] Anderson
Age Out
[ 2018 ] Detective Portnoy
O.G.
[ 2018 ] Louis
Monster
[ 2018 ] Mr. Harmon
Hold the Dark
[ 2018 ] Russell Core
The Goldfinch
[ 2019 ] Hobie
The Laundromat
[ 2019 ] Malchus Irvin Boncamper
All Day and a Night
[ 2020 ] James Daniel LincolnJD
The French Dispatch
[ 2020 ] Roebuck Wright
No Time to Die
[ 2021 ] Felix Leiter
The Batman
[ 2022 ] Lt. James Gordon
Atrabilious
[ 2023 ] Vincent Daugherty

TV Shows

Boardwalk Empire
Valentin Narcisse
Westworld
Bernard Lowe
What If...?
The Watcher
What If...?
[ 2021-2024 ] The WatcherUatu
Ark: The Animated Series
Henry Townsend
The Agency
[ 2024-2025 ] Henry Ogletree

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Jeffrey Wright, Topdog/Underdog


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Jeffrey Wright , Underdog

The Lortels - 2002 - Outstanding Lead Actor

Jeffrey Wright, Topdog/Underdog

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Jeffrey Wright, Topdog/Underdog


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1994 - Best Debut Performance

Jeffrey Wright - , Angels in America


winner
Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Jeffrey Wright, Angels in America: Perestroika


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Supporting Actor - Play

Jeffrey Wright, Angels in America: Perestroika

Videos

More Videos

News


The Acting Company’s TWO TRAINS RUNNING is Coming to Wharton Photo
The Acting Company’s TWO TRAINS RUNNING is Coming to Wharton
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.
Video: Pedro Pascal Stars in THE LAST OF US Season Two Trailer Photo
Video: Pedro Pascal Stars in THE LAST OF US Season Two Trailer
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!
Interview: Gregg T. Daniel of TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Pasadena Playhouse Photo
Interview: Gregg T. Daniel of TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Pasadena Playhouse
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.”
The Acting Company's TWO TRAINS RUNNING Is Coming To Wharton Center Photo
The Acting Company's TWO TRAINS RUNNING Is Coming To Wharton Center
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 25, 2025

The Acting Company's vibrant new production of August Wilson's Two Trains Running: is an exploration of community and identity during the civil rights movement.
Holocaust Museum LA Presents Los Angeles Premiere Of AIN'T NO BACK TO A MERRY-GO-ROUN Photo
Holocaust Museum LA Presents Los Angeles Premiere Of AIN'T NO BACK TO A MERRY-GO-ROUND
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 8, 2025

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and in collaboration with Jewish Story Partners, Holocaust Museum LA will present the Los Angeles premiere of the acclaimed new documentary, 'Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round,' Sunday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. at AMC The Grove.
Chappell Roan to Perform at Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party Photo
Chappell Roan to Perform at Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 7, 2025

The Elton John AIDS Foundation has announced that GRAMMY® Award nominated popstar and Midwest Princess Chappell Roan will perform at the 33rd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards® Viewing Party in West Hollywood, CA on March 2, 2025.
THE LAST OF US Season Two Debuts This April Photo
THE LAST OF US Season Two Debuts This April
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 7, 2025

The seven-episode second season of HBO’s Emmy®-winning drama original series The Last of Us will debut this April on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.
Photos: Inside GYPSY on Broadway's Opening Night Afterparty Photo
Photos: Inside GYPSY on Broadway's Opening Night Afterparty
by Bruce Glikas - Dec 23, 2024

GYPSY, starring six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald as 'Mama' Rose Hovick, is officially open at the newly renovated Majestic Theatre. BroadwayWorld has your inside look into the opening night afterparty. Check out photos here.
The Jewish Museum And Film At Lincoln Center Announce The 34th Annual New York Jewish Photo
The Jewish Museum And Film At Lincoln Center Announce The 34th Annual New York Jewish Film Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 13, 2024

The Jewish Museum and Film at Lincoln Center collaborate once again for the annual New York Jewish Film Festival (NYJFF), spotlighting the finest documentary, narrative, and short films from around the world exploring the Jewish experience.
Video: Michael Fassbender Stars in New Trailer for Showtime's THE AGENCY Photo
Video: Michael Fassbender Stars in New Trailer for Showtime's THE AGENCY
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 19, 2024

Showtime’s THE AGENCY has debuted a brand-new trailer for the highly-anticipated espionage political thriller. The series features a star-studded cast including Michael Fassbender and series regulars Jeffrey Wright, Jodie Turner-Smith, and more. Watch the trailer!
Video: HBO Releases THE LAST OF US Season Two Teaser Photo
Video: HBO Releases THE LAST OF US Season Two Teaser
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 26, 2024

In celebration of “The Last of Us Day,” HBO has released an official TLOU Day teaser and art by Greg Ruth for the second season of the HBO Original drama series THE LAST OF US, based on the acclaimed video game franchise developed by Naughty Dog for the PlayStation® consoles.
Rachel Brosnahan & David Corenswet To Star In HOLIDAY One-Night-Only Benefit Reading
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 5, 2024

Rachel Brosnahan and David Corenswet will perform in a one-night-only benefit reading of HOLIDAY for The Acting Company on October 6.
COWBOY LULLABY World Premiere & More Set for Rubicon Theatre 2024-25 Season Photo
COWBOY LULLABY World Premiere & More Set for Rubicon Theatre 2024-25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 19, 2024

Rubicon Theatre announces its 2024-2025 season titled 'Dare to Dream,' featuring an exciting lineup of shows. Explore the upcoming productions and get ready for a season filled with inspiring performances.
Exclusive: How Alex Edelman Went From Tony Win to Emmy Nomination Photo
Exclusive: How Alex Edelman Went From Tony Win to Emmy Nomination
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 9, 2024

BroadwayWorld sat down with Edelman to discuss some of the accolades he has received for 'Just for Us', how the Broadway show made the transition to the screen, and the late director Adam Brace, who passed away last year.
Audra McDonald, Richard Kind & More Broadway Alums Set to Appear in Indie Film THE AU Photo
Audra McDonald, Richard Kind & More Broadway Alums Set to Appear in Indie Film THE AUCTION
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 10, 2024

Broadway alums Audra McDonald, Richard Kind, Mary Louise Parker, K. Todd Freeman, and Ben Vereen will all be leading a new independent film from William Atticus Parker, the son of Mary-Louise Parker. Titled The Auction, the film is a loose adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic mystery novel And Then There Were None.
Interview: Forest VanDyke of THE LION KING at BROADWAY AT THE HOBBY CENTER Photo
Interview: Forest VanDyke of THE LION KING at BROADWAY AT THE HOBBY CENTER
by Brett Cullum - Jul 3, 2024

And actually, our director, Keith Bennett, was Banzai for about twenty years before I arrived, and was so great! I was intimidated coming in because I had heard so much about the great Keith Bennett, but as soon as I came in, he made me feel so relaxed and said, “You know everybody's Banzai is different. You make this your own.”
Tony Awards Audience Drops 14% to 3.5 Million Viewers on CBS Photo
Tony Awards Audience Drops 14% to 3.5 Million Viewers on CBS
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 17, 2024

Find out how the ratings compare to Tony Awards in past years! Winners included Stereophonic, The Outsiders, Hell’s Kitchen, Merrily We Roll Along, Sarah Paulson, Kara Young, and more.
Watch the Full 2024 Tony Awards Broadcast Photo
Watch the Full 2024 Tony Awards Broadcast
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 17, 2024

Miss the Tony Awards last night? No problem! The complete 2024 Tony Awards are now available to stream online through Paramount+.
How/When/Where to Watch the 2024 Tony Awards Photo
How/When/Where to Watch the 2024 Tony Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 15, 2024

On June 16, The 77th Annual Tony Awards made their debut at Lincoln Center at the David H. Koch Theatre to celebrate the best of Broadway for the 2023/24 theatre season.
Find Out Who Will Present at the 2024 Tony Awards Photo
Find Out Who Will Present at the 2024 Tony Awards
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 12, 2024

Some of the biggest stars from stage, screen and sports are set to present at THE 77TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS, Check out the full list here!
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Jeffrey Wright been in?

Jeffrey Wright has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Jeffrey Wright been in?

Jeffrey Wright has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Jeffrey Wright been nominated for?

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.

What awards has Jeffrey Wright won?

Jeffrey Wright has won several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Actor in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Topdog/Underdog. He received the Outstanding Solo Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Underdog and the Best Debut Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Angels in America. Additionally, he won 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 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards, also for Angels in America: Perestroika.

Get Jeffrey Wright Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos