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Omari Hardwick
Omari Hardwick on BTVR (cropped).jpg
Hardwick interviewed about Power in 2015
Born
Omari Latif Hardwick

January 9, 1974 (1974-01-09) (age 50)
Alma mater University of Georgia
Occupation Actor , Model
Years active 2001–present
Spouse(s)
Jennifer Pfautch
(m. 2012)
Children 3

Omari Latif Hardwick (born January 9, 1974) is an American actor known for his starring role as James "Ghost" St. Patrick, the protagonist of Starz's Power and his role as Vanderohe in Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead (2021). He is also known for his roles in Saved and Dark Blue, in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna (2008), Kick-... (2010), Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls (2010) and as Andre in BET Network's Being Mary Jane.

Early life and education

Hardwick was born in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Joyce and Clifford Hardwick III, an attorney. Growing up in Decatur, Georgia, Hardwick wrote poetry on a regular basis, and participated in many sports. For high school he attended Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia where he played baseball, basketball and football and attended University of Georgia on a football scholarship. Even though he was a star on the field, Hardwick continued in acting and poetry, and thus minored in theater.

Career

After graduation, Hardwick initially pursued a career in football, hoping to join the San Diego Chargers. He declared himself for the NFL Draft, where he was not selected, after which he returned to acting.

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 the 2004 TV movie Sucker Free City. Next, he booked roles in the 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.

In 2002, Hardwick had a quick scene as an extra in Floetry's "Say Yes" music video.

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

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". Hardwick was also featured in the urban lifestyle publication, Prominence Magazine for its Holiday issue.

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

In 2013, Hardwick was cast in the lead role of James "Ghost" St. Patrick on the Starz crime drama-thriller, Power.

In 2016, he was featured by a South African rapper, Nasty C on a song titled "A Star Is Born".

Hardwick co-starred in the science fiction comedy film Sorry to Bother You, which was released in theaters on July 6, 2018.

In July 2019, Hardwick was cast in Zack Snyder's Netflix film Army of the Dead.

In January 2021, it was announced that Hardwick was cast as Gordon Oliver in Netflix's thriller series Pieces of Her, which is adapted from the Karin Slaughter novel of the same name.

In April 2022, it was announced that Hardwick would star alongside Marsai Martin and Kelly Rowland in the Paramount+ film Fantasy Football, released on November 25.

Personal life

Hardwick began a relationship with Jennifer "Jae" Pfautch in the 2000s. Pfautch, who is of Native American and German descent, was disowned by her family in the aftermath for dating outside of her race. In 2008, the couple's first child was stillborn. Hardwick and Pfautch married in June 2012 and have two children, daughter Nova and son Brave.

Filmography

Films

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Circles Lameck
2004 Within the Wall Saul Short film
The Male Groupie 'Act Shun' Short film
2005 Beauty Shop Byron
2006 Speechless Ku James
Gridiron Gang 'Free'
The Guardian Carl Billings
2008 Miracle at St. Anna Platoon Commander Huggs
Linewatch Drake / Kimo
2009 Next Day Air Shavoo
2010 Everyday Black Man Malik
... Sergeant Marcus Williams
The A-Team Jay 'Chopshop Jay'
For Colored Girls Carl Bradmore Nominated – Black Reel Award for Best Breakthrough Performance
I Will Follow Troy
2012 Sparkle Levi
Middle of Nowhere Derek
2013 Kings & Beggars Noah Short film; also writer
Lu Dr. Harden Short film
Things Never Said Curtis Jackson
The Last Letter Michael Wright
2014 Reach Me Dominic
Lap Dance Dr. Don Cook
2015 Chapter & Verse Jomo
2017 Shot Caller Ed Kutcher, Parole Officer
The Runner Rick Roslin
2018 Sorry to Bother You Mr. _______
A Boy. A Girl. A Dream. Cass Also executive producer
Sgt. Will Gardner Samuel 'Top' Gallegos
Nobody's Fool Frank Johnson
2019 American Skin Omar Scott
2020 Spell Marquis
2021 Army of the Dead Vanderohe
2022 Fels High Principal Floyd Post-production
Fantasy Football Bobby Coleman
2023 The Mother William Cruise

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Sucker Free City Dante Ponce Television film
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?"
SIS Donovan Rivers Television film
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 Daniels Main cast; 8 episodes
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)
Nominated – Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series (2015)
2013 A Christmas Blessing Earl James Television film
Nominated – Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series
2014–2020 Power James 'Ghost' St. Patrick Main cast
Nominated – BET Award for Best Actor (2017) (seasons 1—6)
2021 That ... Michael Che Himself Episode: "..."
2022 Pieces of Her Gordon Oliver Main cast
TBA Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas Vanderohe Main cast

Music videos

Year Title Artist Role
2000 "No More" Ruff Endz Store Clerk
2002 "Say Yes" Floetry Passenger
2011 "Break My Heart" Estelle featuring Rick Ross Love interest
2012 "You Make Me Wanna" Eshe featuring Omari Hardwick Love interest
2016 "A Star is Born" Nasty C featuring Omari Hardwick Himself (cameo)
2017 "Flipmode" Fabolous, Velous and Chris Brown Himself (cameo)
2017 "Family Feud" Jay-Z featuring Beyoncé Mr. President
2018 "First Began" PJ Morton Love interest
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