Malik Yoba facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Malik Yoba
Born	Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba (1967-09-17) September 17, 1967 (age 57) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1993–present
Known for	New York Undercover Alphas Designated Survivor Revolution
Spouse(s)	Cat Wilson (2003–present) Trisha Mann (divorced)
Children	3

Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba (born September 17, 1967), known as Malik Yoba, is an American actor. He is famous for his role as Detective J. C. Williams in the police drama New York Undercover. Many people also know him as Yul Brenner in the popular movie Cool Runnings.

Yoba has appeared in many TV shows. He played former FBI agent Bill Harken in the science fiction series Alphas. He was also Jim Hudson in Revolution and Vernon Turner in Empire. He also played FBI Deputy Director Jason Atwood in the political show Designated Survivor.

Early Life and Family

Malik Yoba was born in the Bronx, a part of New York City. He was the fourth of six children. His parents were Mahmoudah Young and Abdullah Yoba. He grew up in a devout Muslim family in the neighborhood of Harlem.

Growing up, his family did not own a television. At school, he was not allowed to wear a kufi, a type of hat, which led his father to protest the school's rule.

Acting Career

Yoba's career is filled with memorable roles in television, movies, and on stage. He is known for playing strong and interesting characters.

Breakthrough with New York Undercover

In 1994, Yoba became famous for his role in the Fox police drama New York Undercover. He starred alongside actor Michael DeLorenzo. Their show made television history. It was the first American police drama to have two people of color as the main stars.

For his work on the show, Yoba won three NAACP Image Awards in a row for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in 1996, 1997, and 1998.

Movie Roles

Yoba has acted in many movies. One of his first and most famous roles was in the 1993 film Cool Runnings, about the Jamaican bobsled team. He also appeared in films like Criminal and Soul Food.

He played the character Gavin in the Tyler Perry movies Why Did I Get Married? (2007) and its sequel, Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010).

Other Television Work

Besides New York Undercover, Yoba has had roles in many other TV shows. He had a recurring role on the sitcom Girlfriends. He also appeared on the TV series Arrested Development as a party planner named Ice.

From 2011 to 2012, he starred in Alphas, a show about a team of people with special powers. In 2015, he was a main character in the first season of the hit show Empire. More recently, he has appeared in shows like The Last O.G. and Designated Survivor.

Stage Performance

Yoba is also a talented stage actor and singer. In 2019, he performed his own one-man show called Harlem to Hollywood at the famous Apollo Theater in New York. In the show, he told the story of his life, sang original songs, and played 20 different characters.

Other Projects

In 2017, Yoba started a company called Yoba Development. The company works in real estate. Its goal is to help young people of color learn about and get involved in the real estate industry. Yoba Development has projects in Baltimore and New York City.

Personal Life

Malik Yoba has three children. He has two children, Dena and Josiah, from his first marriage to Trisha Mann. He has another daughter, Pria, from a previous relationship. Since 2003, he has been married to actress Cat Wilson.

In the summer of 2021, Yoba had heart surgery because of a health condition that runs in his family. He encourages people to eat plant-based foods and to walk for their health. In 2022, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Livingstone College for his life's work.

Selected Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Recognition

• American Black Film Festival - Winner, Best Documentary, 2016
• NAACP Image Award - Winner, 1996, 1997, 1998