Sean Nelson (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sean Nelson
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Nelson at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival
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| Born | May 9, 1980 The Bronx, New York, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
Sean Nelson (born May 9, 1980) is an American actor who started his career as a child. He first became famous for his starring role in the 1994 movie Fresh.
He later had important roles in the movies American Buffalo (1996) and The Wood (1999). Nelson also played Jesse Bayliss in the TV drama Sisters from 1995 to 1996. As an adult, he has continued to act, mostly in independent films and on television.
For his role in Fresh, Nelson won an Independent Spirit Award and a Sundance Film Festival Award.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sean Nelson was born in the Co-op City area of the Bronx, New York. His father, Aubrey, was a mechanical engineer, and his mother was named Sonia.
In 1988, when he was eight years old, he started at a local acting school. His mother first wanted him to learn piano and singing. However, the teacher thought Nelson should study acting instead. As a teenager, he went to the Professional Performing Arts School. Later, Nelson studied film at Temple University and graduated around 2007.
Acting Career
Getting Started
By the time he was 10, Nelson had a role in an off-Broadway play called Hey Little Walter. His first time on TV was in a 1992 episode of the show Here and Now. In 1994, he also acted on stage in a play called The Shadow Box.
Breakthrough with 'Fresh'
Nelson's first movie was Fresh (1994), where he played the main character, Michael, also known as Fresh. The character is a smart young boy living in a tough neighborhood who gets involved with local criminals. The director, Boaz Yakin, wasn't sure about casting Nelson at first. But a casting director encouraged Yakin to give him another chance, and Nelson won the part.
His performance was a huge success. Critics called him "vibrant" and "superb." They said he was the key to the movie's success. For this role, he won a Sundance Film Festival Award and the very first Independent Spirit Award for Best Breakthrough Performance. He was also nominated for a Young Artist Award.
Roles in the 1990s
Throughout the 1990s, Nelson appeared in popular TV shows like Law & Order and New York Undercover.
In 1996, he acted in the movie American Buffalo with famous actors Dennis Franz and Dustin Hoffman. One movie critic said Nelson did a great job acting alongside these experienced stars. He later played the same role in a 2005 theater version of American Buffalo.
He also played the younger version of the character Mike in the 1999 movie The Wood. A reviewer for The New York Times said Nelson's performance brought a lot of feeling to the film.
Later Work
In 2000, Nelson played DeAndre McCullough in the HBO miniseries The Corner. The show was about a family facing many serious challenges. A writer for The Washington Post said Nelson was "magnetic" in the role.
As an adult, Nelson has appeared in movies like The Gospel (2005), Premium (2006), and Stake Land (2010). He has also been a guest star on TV shows such as Elementary (2014), The Good Wife (2015), and Blue Bloods (2022).
Selected Filmography
- Fresh (1994), as Michael "Fresh"
- American Buffalo (1996), as Bobby
- A Stranger in the Kingdom (1998), as Nathan Andrews
- The Wood (1999), as Young Mike
- The Gospel (2005), as Young Frank
- Premium (2006), as Austin Price
- Stake Land (2010), as Willie
Selected Television Roles
- Law & Order, appeared in different roles in 1994, 2005, and 2009
- New York Undercover, as Alex (2 episodes, 1994–1995)
- Sisters, as Jesse Bailiss (8 episodes, 1995–1996)
- Touched by an Angel, as Calvin (2 episodes, 1997)
- The Corner (2000 miniseries), as DeAndre McCullough
- Miracle's Boys (2005 miniseries), as Charlie
- Power Book II: Ghost as Kai (3 episodes, 2023)
