LaKeith Stanfield facts for kids
LaKeith Lee Stanfield (born August 12, 1991) is an American actor famous for his roles in popular movies and television shows. He first became known for his role in the movie Short Term 12 (2013). His performance in that film earned him a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award.
Stanfield has appeared in many well-known films. These include the horror movie Get Out (2017), the comedy Sorry to Bother You (2018), and the mystery Knives Out (2019). For his role in Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
On television, he is famous for playing Darius in the series Atlanta from 2016 to 2022. He also stars in the horror series The Changeling, which began in 2023.
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Early Life
LaKeith Lee Stanfield was born in San Bernardino, California, on August 12, 1991. He grew up in the nearby cities of Riverside and Victorville. He has said that he grew up in a family that faced many challenges.
At age 14, Stanfield decided he wanted to be an actor after joining his high school's drama club. He later attended an acting and modeling center in Los Angeles. An agency signed him, and he started auditioning for commercials.
Career
First Acting Roles
Stanfield's first role was in a short film called Short Term 12. It was a student project for director Destin Daniel Cretton. The film was a success and won an award at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.
Before becoming a full-time actor, Stanfield worked several different jobs. He worked in roofing, gardening, and for a phone company. He was later contacted by Cretton again to star in a full-length movie version of Short Term 12. This became his first major film role. To prepare, Stanfield used method acting, where he stayed distant from the other actors, just like his character in the movie.
Rise to Fame
In 2014, Stanfield appeared in the historical film Selma, where he played the real-life activist Jimmie Lee Jackson. The next year, he played the famous rapper Snoop Dogg in the movie Straight Outta Compton.
His fame grew in 2017 with a memorable role in the hit horror film Get Out. The following year, he starred in the unique comedy film Sorry to Bother You.
Recent Success
In 2019, Stanfield was part of the all-star cast of the mystery movie Knives Out. In 2021, he starred as FBI informant William O'Neal in Judas and the Black Messiah. His performance was highly praised and earned him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Stanfield has also had great success on television. From 2016 to 2022, he played the character Darius Epps in the award-winning show Atlanta.
Music Career
Besides acting, Stanfield also makes music. He performs under the stage name Htiekal, which is his first name spelled backward. He is also a member of a band called Moors.
Personal Life
Stanfield has a daughter born in 2017 with actress Xosha Roquemore. In 2023, he married model Kasmere Trice. They have one child together, and Stanfield has another child from a previous relationship.
Selected Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2013 | Short Term 12 | Marcus |
2014 | Selma | Jimmie Lee Jackson |
2015 | Straight Outta Compton | Snoop Dogg |
2017 | Get Out | Andre Hayworth / Logan King |
2017 | Death Note | L |
2018 | Sorry to Bother You | Cassius "Cash" Green |
2019 | Uncut Gems | Demany |
2019 | Knives Out | Detective Lieutenant Elliot |
2020 | The Photograph | Michael Block |
2021 | Judas and the Black Messiah | William O'Neal |
2021 | The Harder They Fall | Cherokee Bill |
2023 | Haunted Mansion | Ben Matthias |
2023 | The Book of Clarence | Clarence / Thomas |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2016–2022 | Atlanta | Darius Epps | 25 episodes |
2019–2020 | BoJack Horseman | Guy (voice) | 7 episodes |
2021 | Yasuke | Yasuke (voice) | 6 episodes; also executive producer |
2023 | The Changeling | Apollo | 8 episodes; also executive producer |
Awards and Nominations
Here are some of the major awards Stanfield has been nominated for.
Year | Nominated work | Award | Category | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Short Term 12 | Independent Spirit Awards | Best Supporting Male | Nominated |
2018 | Get Out | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture | Nominated |
2019 | Atlanta | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated |
2021 | Judas and the Black Messiah | Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated |
2021 | The Harder They Fall | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Nominated |
See also
In Spanish: Lakeith Stanfield para niños