Jay Ellis

Jay Ellis

43 · Born: Dec 27, 1981

2023
2022
2020
2019
2018
2016

Personal Details

Official Socials
BornDec 27, 1981 Sumter, South Carolina, USA
Parents
  • Wendell R. Ellis Sr.
  • Paula Bryant-Ellis

Biography

Jay Ellis is a multifaceted individual who has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry, philanthropic sphere, and entrepreneurial world. Born in Sumter, South Carolina, Ellis's childhood was marked by a life of travel, as his father, a dedicated Air Force veteran, spent over 15 years serving his country, while his mother, a seasoned finance executive and former board member of the Consumer Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve, brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to their family.

Ellis's academic achievements were impressive, as he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, where he also excelled on the basketball court and held the esteemed position of student body president. His internship with the Portland Trailblazers, a professional basketball team, provided valuable insight into the world of sports, while his stint with AmeriCorps allowed him to make a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged students in Portland.

Ellis's passion for acting ultimately led him to Los Angeles, where he landed his first role on the BET series The Game, a show that ran for an impressive 147 episodes. Throughout his career, he has appeared in numerous critically acclaimed series, including Masters of Sex, Grace and Frankie, How I Met Your Mother, Grey's Anatomy, and NCIS.

Today, Ellis resides in Los Angeles, California, and continues to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry, most notably as a cast member on the popular HBO comedy series Insecure.

Career

2025
Freaky Tales
Freaky Tales as Sleepy Floyd
All Her Fault
All Her Fault as Colin Dobbs
2024
The Gutter
The Gutter as Lil Patience
2022
Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick as Lt. Reuben 'Payback' Fitch
2019
Escape Room
Escape Room as Jason Walker
2018
2017
Insecure
Insecure as Lawrence
2016
Like Cotton Twines
Like Cotton Twines as Micha Brown
2015
November Rule
November Rule as James Avedon
My Favorite Five
My Favorite Five as Jonathan Colburn
Movie 43
Movie 43 as Lucious (segment "Victory's Glory")
The Game
The Game as Bryce Westbrook
2010