Born and raised in Oakland, California, Emi has always had a passion for the spotlight, constantly seeking excuses to take the stage and entertain. He pursued his passion for acting by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from California State University, Long Beach. With a strong foundation in his craft, Emi has gone on to work on a variety of films, including Foster Boy, Street Kings, The Revenant, and the family comedy Christmas in Compton.
In addition to his film work, Emi has also made a name for himself on stage, recently taking on the role of Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank. His critically acclaimed performance earned him a nomination for Best Actor from Broadway World. The play has received widespread acclaim from critics, including the L.A. Times and CNN, and is set to make its way to Canada in late 2019.
Emi's television credits are equally impressive, with recurring roles on SHOOTER and Bosch, as well as appearances on 2 Broke Girls, NCIS: Los Angeles, Justified, Raising Hope, Weeds, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Despite the demands of his career in Los Angeles, Emi remains close to his family in Oakland, particularly his mother, Muneca, who has been a constant source of love and support. In fact, Emi has made it a point to give back to his community, recently traveling to Rwanda, Africa with his wife Cassie to work with underprivileged youth through the non-profit organization B.R.I.D.G.E.
Through B.R.I.D.G.E., Emi and his wife helped young people in Kigali write and perform their own stories at the international theatre festival UBUMUNTU. The experience was a resounding success, with the youths' performances receiving critical acclaim. Emi's commitment to giving back is a testament to his compassionate nature and dedication to using his platform for good.
