Darryl Stephens

Darryl Stephens

Stephens in 2007.
Born March 7, 1974
Pasadena, California, United States

Darryl Joseph Stephens (born March 7, 1974) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Noah Nicholson on the television dramedy Noah's Arc.

Early life

Stephens was born in Pasadena, California. He grew up in the Altadena and Pasadena areas of Los Angeles, California. He attended the University of California, Berkeley where he studied sociology and ethnic studies along with drama and dance before earning a Bachelor's Degree in American Culture Studies. He performed for four years in San Francisco with the cult theater troupe Sassymouth before returning to Los Angeles to pursue a film and television career. He also worked with the Berkeley Black Theater Workshop.

Film career

Back in L.A., Stephens appeared on the sexy late-night serial MTV's Undressed, the short-lived series That's Life, and VH1's Red Eye. During the same period, he was also appearing in various commercials for products such as Dockers and performing in small theater venues and scene study classes. He also played a "future funked" Greta in a Hollywood revival of the well-known play Bent.

Stephens had supporting roles in the films Seamless (with Shannon Elizabeth), Not Quite Right, and Circuit. However, his breakout role came in 2004, when independent filmmaker Patrik-Ian Polk cast him as the lead character for the new series Noah's Arc. The original intention was for the show to be released direct-to-DVD after it had received rave reviews at various film festivals. However, in the fall of 2005, LOGO picked up Noah's Arc, which debuted on October 19.

In August 2006 the second season of Noah's Arc was televised. By the end of 2006, Stephens had completed roles in the comedy Another Gay Movie and the drama Boy Culture, the latter alongside newcomer Derek Magyar.

In October 2008, a feature film version was release. Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom picks up where the show's second season left off and tells the story of the marriage between Stephens' character and Jensen Atwood's.

In 2010, he guest starred in an episode of Private Practice, playing a pre-op transgendered character. His next film, scheduled for release in 2011, is Bolden!, a bio film about jazz great Buddy Bolden starring Anthony Mackie as Bolden. Stephen's role is of cornet player Frank Lewis.

other

Stephens released a self-published novel in 2011, entitled Shortcomings, which weaves together short stories he had written previously. He is also a singer songwriter.

Personal life

Although Stephens is reluctant to discuss his personal life, he is openly gay and his roles address issues of classism and sexuality.[1][2]

Filmography

Genre Year Title Episodes Role Notes
Film 1999 Seamless: Kidz Rule Devin
TV series 2000 Undressed Rudy
TV series 2001 That's Life "Heart Problems" Tutor
Film 2001 Circuit Julian
TV series 2005 Noah's Arc "My One Temptation: Part 1"
"My One Temptation: Part 2"
"Don't Mess with My Man"
"Don't Make Me Over"
"Nothin' Goin' on But the Rent"
"Writing to Reach You"
"Love Is a Battlefield"
"I'm with Stupid"
"Got 'Til It's Gone"
Noah Nicholson 17 episodes total
Film 2005 Not Quite Right Evan
Film 2006 Another Gay Movie Angel
Film 2006 Boy Culture Andrew
TV series 2006 Noah's Arc "Housequake"
"It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over"
"Desperado"
"Excuses for Bad Behavior"
"Give It Up"
"Under Pressure"
"Baby Can I Hold You"
"Say It Loud"
Noah Nicholson 17 episodes total
TV series 2006 Ugly Betty "After Hours" Waiter
Film 2008 Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom Noah Nicholson
Short film 2008 Tranny McGuyver Conrad the Pimp 16 minutes
Web series 2009 In the Moment.tv "Bad News""The Bad News" Activist
TV series 2009 Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World "House of Race Cards" J.P. voice actor
Short film 2010 Love Unconditional Jackson 08 minutes
TV series 2010 Private Practice "Short Cuts" Jane Finch
Short film 2010 Reunited Howard 26 minutes
TV series 2010 Two and a Half Men "Yay, No Polyps" Man #1
TV series 2011 Desperate Housewives "And Lots of Security..." Terrence
TV series 2011 Reed Between the Lines[3] "Let's Talk About Change" Perry Anderson
TV series 2011 Ringer "If You Ever Want a French Lesson..." Gregor
Short film 2011 Stronger Andy 13 minutes
TV series 2012 2 Broke Girls "And the Big Opening" Nevel
TV series 2012 DTLA Lenny
Film 2012 SkinnyThe Skinny Nurse
Short film 2012 Something Like a Butterfly Put-Put 19 minutes
Short film 2012 V Day Travis 17 minutes
Film Bolden! Frank Lewis

Awards and nominations

Ovation Awards

References

External links

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