Sean Nelson (actor)
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[edit] Biography
Sean Nelson is a Jamaican/St. Thomasan actor from the Co-Op City section of The Bronx, New York. He was born May 9, 1980. He began his acting career at age 10 when he landed a role in an off-Broadway play 'Hey Little Walter'. Sean Nelson turned 13 shortly before beginning principal photography on his debut film, writer-director Boaz Yakin's "Fresh" (1994). Prior to that, he had made his TV debut in a 1992 episode of the NBC series "Here and Now" and appeared off-Broadway in a production of "Hey Little Walter" at Playwrights Horizons, but neither of these efforts presaged the impressive performance to come in "Fresh". Though he had little dialogue as the savvy Brooklyn street kid who works after school as a drug runner, Nelson appeared in practically every scene, garnering rave notices for his harrowing portrait of an incredibly resourceful, tragically deprived child who applies the rules of chess to real life. A blank slate most of the time, Fresh finally cracks after enacting retribution against the system destroying the lives of those he loves. This haunting last image of lost innocence, shattered by the carnage he has precipitated, is what stayed with audiences, serving notice that this was an actor to watch.
Unfortunately, there are few roles with the depth of a Fresh, and Nelson found himself making the rounds of the cop shows, playing the bad kid who gets arrested or killed. Remembering an awards show at which someone told him he looked good as a villain provoked concerns about typecasting, but he finally landed the plum role of Bobby in Michael Corrente's film adaptation of David Mamet's "American Buffalo" (1996), holding his own against screen heavyweights Dustin Hoffman and Dennis Franz. He also played a minister's son in the 1950s period piece "Stranger in the Kingdom" (1998), but it was "The Wood" (1999) that finally showcased the kind of talent he had revealed in "Fresh". In an ensemble cast that included the likes of Omar Epps and Richard T. Jones, it was Nelson that gave this coming-of-age saga its heart, playing Epps' character as an adolescent, recently transplanted to Inglewood, California from North Carolina. These flashback sequences make the story truly comes alive, with Nelson and Malinda Williams (as his love interest) giving the film's standout performances.
[edit] Education
Creative Education: Lola Louis Creative and Performing Arts Studio, Bronx, New York, where he took a number of classes, including ballet, voice, piano, and acting classes.
Education: Attended Our Saviour Lutheran School, graduated junior high school in 1994. Attended Professional Performing Art School (P.P.A.S.), graduated from High School in 1998. Attended Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, graduated with two bachelor degrees, Film and African-American studies.
[edit] Miscellaneous
Appeared with Mariah Carey in an Intel commercial.
Did a "Truth" commercial regarding the dangers of cigarette smoking. Has appeared in a public service announcement promoting adoption.
Has two blood sisters and four adopted siblings.
Mother, Sonia Nelson (deceased), was from Jamaica, father, Aubrey Nelson, is from St. Thomas.
[edit] Milestones
1992 TV acting debut in NBC sitcom "Here and Now", starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner
1994 acted in episodes of "New York Undercover" (Fox), "Law & Order" and "Homicide: Life in the Street" (both NBC)
1994 Broadway acting debut in the Circle in the Square revival of "The Shadow Box"
2000 Played a drug dealer from Baltimore in the HBO minseries "The Corner", directed by Charles S. Dutton and adapted from a book by David Simon
At the suggestion of Nelson's kindergarten teacher, parents allowed him to sing in church
Had recurring role as Jesse Bayliss, appearing in eight episodes of NBC's "Sisters"
[edit] Filmography
The Mannsfield 12 (2007) (completed) .... Lil Rich
Premium (2006) .... Austin Price
The Gospel (2005) .... Young Frank
Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005) (TV) .... Hezekiah ... aka Oprah Winfrey Presents Their Eyes Were Watching God (Australia: DVD box title) "Law & Order" .... Damon Fox / ... (2 episodes, 1994-2005) ... aka Law & Order Prime (USA: informal title)
- Ain't No Love (2005) TV Episode .... Shawn Foreman - Sanctuary (1994) TV Episode .... Damon Fox
"Miracle's Boys" (2005) (mini) TV Series .... Charlie
The Orphan King (2005) .... Damon
Date (2004) .... James
"The Jury" .... McKinley Jones (1 episode, 2004)
- Bangers (2004) TV Episode .... McKinley Jones
"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" .... Taye Powers (1 episode, 2003) ... aka Law & Order: CI (USA: promotional abbreviation)
- Cuba Libre (2003) TV Episode .... Taye Powers
The Year That Trembled (2002) .... Phil Robbins
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" .... Tito Frank (1 episode, 2001) ... aka Law & Order: SVU (USA: promotional abbreviation) ... aka Special Victims Unit (New Zealand: English title)
- Runaway (2001) TV Episode .... Tito Frank
"The Corner" (2000) (mini) TV Series .... DeAndre McCullough
"The Wood" (1999) .... Young Mike
Stranger in the Kingdom (1998) .... Nathan Andrews
"Touched by an Angel" .... Calvin (2 episodes, 1997)
- Amazing Grace: Part 2 (1997) TV Episode .... Calvin - Amazing Grace: Part 1 (1997) TV Episode .... Calvin
American Buffalo (1996) .... Bob 'Bobby'
"The Client" .... Justin Mayfield (1 episode, 1996) ... aka John Grisham's The Client
- Motherless Child (1996) TV Episode .... Justin Mayfield
"Sisters" (1991) TV Series .... Jesse Bailiss (unknown episodes, 1995-1996)
"New York Undercover" .... Al / ... (2 episodes, 1994-1995) ... aka Uptown Undercover
- Manchild (1995) TV Episode .... Al - Pilot (1994) TV Episode .... Mark Hopkins
"Homicide: Life on the Street" .... Ronnie Sayers (1 episode, 1995) ... aka Homicide (USA: informal short title)
- Every Mother's Son (1995) TV Episode .... Ronnie Sayers
Fresh .... Fresh
[edit] Awards and Nominations
Black Reel Awards Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s) 2006 Nominated Black Reel Best Supporting Actor - Television for: "Miracle's Boys" (2005) (mini)
2001 Nominated Black Reel Network/Cable - Best Actor for: "The Corner" (2000) (mini)
2000 Nominated Black Reel Theatrical - Best Actor for: The Wood (1999)
Image Awards Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s) 2001 Nominated Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special for: "The Corner" (2000) (mini)
Independent Spirit Awards Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s) 1995 Won Independent Spirit Award Best Debut Performance for: Fresh (1994)
Sundance Film Festival Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s) 1994 Won Special Jury Recognition for: Fresh (1994) For technical acting.
Young Artist Awards Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s) 1995 Nominated Young Artist Award Best Performance by a Young Actor Starring in a Motion Picture for: Fresh (1994)
[edit] Interviews
Scholastic.com Miracle's Boys Interview [[1]]
Gold In the Yard Interview Part 1: [[2]]
Gold in the Yard Interview Part 2: [[3]]
