Elijah Kelley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elijah Kelley
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Elijah Kelley, January 2008
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| Born | August 1, 1986 |
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| Years active | 1998–present |
Elijah Kelley (born August 1, 1986) is an American actor, singer, and dancer known for his energetic performances. He has appeared in many popular movies and TV shows, including Hairspray, Red Tails, and NBC's The Wiz Live!.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Elijah Kelley was born and grew up in LaGrange, Georgia. He attended Long Cane Middle School and later Troup County High School. During his school years, he was a member of the show choir, which combines singing and dancing.
Even as a child, Elijah was already acting. He appeared in commercials for Coca-Cola and had a part in the movie Mama Flora's Family. He also sang in his church choir and was part of a gospel band with his family. After finishing high school, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, and his parents moved with him to offer support.
Career Highlights
Elijah's career took off with several memorable roles on screen and stage. He is a "triple threat," which means he is talented in acting, singing, and dancing.
Breakthrough with Hairspray
In 2007, Elijah Kelley became widely known for playing Seaweed J. Stubbs in the movie musical Hairspray. His performance was praised by critics, and the movie was a big success. He was part of the cast that won several awards for their work together.
Major Roles in Film and TV
After Hairspray, Elijah continued to appear in major projects.
- In 2012, he played Samuel "Joker" George in the historical film Red Tails, about a group of African American pilots in World War II.
- In 2013, he acted in the movie The Butler as the character Charlie Gaines.
- In 2015, he voiced the character Sunny in the animated movie Strange Magic.
- Also in 2015, he played the Scarecrow in NBC's live TV musical The Wiz Live!, showing off his singing and dancing skills to a huge audience.
Portraying a Music Icon
In 2017, Elijah took on the role of singer Ricky Bell in the TV miniseries The New Edition Story. The series told the story of the famous R&B group New Edition. Elijah also helped his friend Luke James get an audition for the show, who was then cast as fellow band member Johnny Gill.
Selected Roles
Here are some of Elijah Kelley's most well-known roles in movies and on television.
Film
- 28 Days (2000) - Darnell
- Take the Lead (2006) - Danjou
- Hairspray (2007) - Seaweed J. Stubbs
- Red Tails (2012) - Samuel "Joker" George
- The Butler (2013) - Charlie Gaines
- Strange Magic (2015) - Sunny (voice)
Television
- Mama Flora's Family (1998) - Young Willie
- The Shield (2005) - Jaymon
- Everybody Hates Chris (2005) - Waiter
- The Wiz Live! (2015) - Scarecrow
- The New Edition Story (2017) - Ricky Bell
- Star (2017–2018) - Andy
Music and Soundtracks
As a talented singer, Elijah has contributed to the soundtracks of several movies.
Soundtrack Albums
- 2007: Hairspray Soundtrack
- 2008: DisneyMania 6
- 2008: ... and the City: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Vol. 2
Popular Songs from Hairspray
- "Run and Tell That"
- "Without Love"
- "You Can't Stop the Beat"
See also
In Spanish: Elijah Kelley para niños
