Trai Byers

Trai Byers
Byers in 2022
Born (1983-07-19) July 19, 1983 (age 41)
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Kansas (BA)
Yale University (MFA)
Occupation(s)Actor, writer
Years active2009–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2016)​
Children1

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 degree in Theater and graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in communications.[2] He also attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, and the Yale School of Drama.[2]

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]

Byers in 2016

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2009 Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre Chip
2013 Destination Planet Negro B-12
2014 Jayhawkers Nathan Davis
Selma James Forman
2017 Americons Theo Jones
2018 Bent Chuck
2020 The 24th Boston Also co-writer and producer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2011 All My Children Mookie 11 episodes
2012 90210 Alec Martin 6 episodes
2015–2020 Empire Andre Lyon 102 episodes
2023 Harlem Keith 2 episodes

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2015 17th Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Scene Stealer
Empire
 Nominated
Choice TV: Chemistry (shared with the others) Nominated
2017 48th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
1st Black Reel Awards for Television Outstanding Supporting Actor, Drama Series Nominated
2018 49th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nominated

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 from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Niccum, Jon (February 16, 2015). "KCK actor Trai Byers is building an 'Empire' of success". The Kansas City Star. The McClatchy Company. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. 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. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  5. ^ "Trai Byers - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.
  6. ^ "Trai Byers Joins the Cast of 'Selma'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  7. ^ The Deadline Team (10 March 2014). "Gabourey Sidibe Joins Fox Drama Pilot 'Empire' - Deadline". Deadline. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  8. ^ "'Empire': Inside Fox's ambitious, groundbreaking musical soap". Entertainment Weekly. 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".
  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 from the original on June 29, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  14. ^ "Empire Stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey Have Secret Island Wedding". TMZ.com. April 16, 2016. Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  15. ^ "Empire Stars Trai Byers and Grace Gealey Get Married in Caribbean Beach Wedding". Us Weekly. April 16, 2016. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. 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.