Demetrius Lavel Schley, a multifaceted American actor, was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Raised primarily by his mother in the State of Kansas, USA, Schley's full name is a testament to his diverse cultural heritage, with Demetrius being of Greek origin, Lavel being French, and Schley being Germanic.
Growing up in a working-class family in Wichita, Kansas, Schley's early life was marked by a strong foundation in sports, particularly basketball, which he excelled at during his time at Haysville Campus High School. After choosing to forego a professional sports career, Schley pursued higher education at the University of Kansas before turning his attention to the world of acting.
Schley's journey in the entertainment industry began with a string of minor television appearances, including a role as a college student on the popular series Grown-ish in 2018. However, it was his portrayal of Officer Andre Bentley in the CBS crime drama series East New York in 2022 that truly showcased his talent and marked a significant milestone in his career.
In addition to his television work, Schley made his film debut in 2022, playing the younger version of Reuben, the estranged friend of the title character, Otto, played by Tom Hanks, in Marc Forster's comedic-drama A Man Called Otto.
