Omari Hardwick

Omari Hardwick
Born January 9, 1974
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 2001 – present
Website
Official site

Omari Hardwick (born January 9, 1974), son of Attorney Clifford Hardwick IV and Joyce Hardwick, is an American actor, known for his roles in the TV series Saved and Dark Blue, in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna (2008), and, The A-Team (2010), Kick-Ass (2010) and Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls (2010).[1]

He currently stars as Andre in BET Network's Being Mary Jane and as James "Ghost" St. Patrick in Starz's Power.

Early life

Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, Hardwick wrote poetry on a regular basis, and participated in many sports. In high school, he excelled in baseball, basketball and football, which eventually led him to a football scholarship for University of Georgia. Even though he was a star on the field, Hardwick continued acting and poetry, and thus minored in theater. Hardwick is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc..

Career

After graduation, Hardwick was not selected in the NFL draft but despite not even starting for a mediocre 6-6 Georgia football team, he tried to make the roster of the NFL San Diego Chargers. He did not make the team.[2]

As a struggling actor, Hardwick did odd jobs in order to pay for acting classes. After being unsuccessful, he started living in his car, and he finally got his break in 2004 TV Movie Sucker Free City. Next, he booked roles in feature film The Guardian and a series regular role in Saved. For the role, he spent two years training as a fireman and a paramedic.[3][4]

In 2003 and 2004, he participated award-winningly in the National Poetry Slam.[5]

In 2010, Hardwick became a founding member of "Plan B Inc. Theater Group", and a co-founder of "Actor's Lounge" at the Los Angeles' Greenway Theater. He also founded production company "Bravelife Films".[6][7][8] Hardwick was also featured in the urban lifestyle publication, Prominence Magazine for its Holiday issue.

In 2011, Hardwick received his best films reviews to date for his role as "Troy" in the critically acclaimed indie hit I Will Follow (2011). Hardwick has guest starred on an episode of NBC's Chase as Chris Novak, a hard luck criminal facing prison.[9]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Circles Lameck
2004 Within the Wall Saul Short
The Male Groupie Act Shun
Sucker Free City Dante Ponce Television Film
2005 Beauty Shop Byron
2006 Speechless Ku James
Gridiron Gang Free
The Guardian Carl Billings
2008 SIS Television Film
Miracle at St. Anna Platoon Commander Huggs
Linewatch Drake
2009 Next Day Air Shavoo
2010 Everyday Black Man Malik
Kick-Ass Marcus
The A-Team Chop Shop J
For Colored Girls Carl Nominated – Black Reel Award for Best Breakthrough Performance
2011 I Will Follow Troy
2012 Sparkle Levi
Middle of Nowhere Derek
2013 Kings & Beggars Noah Short; Also Writer
Lu Doctor Harden Short
Things Never Said Curtis Jackson
The Last Letter Michael Wright
A Christmas Blessing Earl Television Film;
Nominated – Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
2014 Lap Dance Dr. Don Cook Completed
Reach Me Thumper Completed
Bolden![10] Frankie Duson Filming
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Crossing Jordan Ronald Pasco Episode: "Judgement Day"
2006 Saved John "Sack" Hallon Main Cast; 13 episodes
2008 CSI: Miami Eddie Dashell Episode: "And How Does That Make You Kill?"
2009–2010 Dark Blue Ty Curtis Main Cast; 20 episodes
Nominated – NAMIC Vision Award Best Performance, Drama (2011)
2009 Lie to Me Benny "B" Davis Episode: "The Better Half"
2010 Chase Chris Novak Episode: "Betrayed"
2012 Breakout Kings Ronnie Markham Episode: "Self Help"
2013–2014 Being Mary Jane Andre Main Cast;
Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series (2014)
Nominated – Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special (2014) ; Season 1 and 2 - Coming Soon
2014–present Power James "Ghost" St. Patrick Lead Role : Season 1 & 2 - Coming Soon

References

External links