Omari Hardwick
Omari Latif Hardwick (born January 9, 1974) is an American actor, poet, rapper, and podcaster, best known for his starring role as James "Ghost" St. Patrick, the protagonist of Starz's Power. He is also known for his roles in Saved and Dark Blue, in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna (2008), The A-Team (2010), Kick-Ass (2010), Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls (2010)[2] and as Andre in BET Network's Being Mary Jane.
Omari Hardwick | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) Hardwick interviewed about Power in 2013 | |
| Born | Omari Latif Hardwick[1] January 9, 1974 (age 47) Savannah, Georgia, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Georgia |
| Occupation | Actor, poet, rapper, podcaster |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Spouse(s) | Jennifer Pfautch (m. 2012) |
| Children | 3 |
Early life and education
Hardwick was born in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Joyce and Clifford Hardwick III, an attorney.[3] Growing up in Decatur, Georgia, Hardwick wrote poetry on a regular basis, and participated in many sports.[4] For high school he attended Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia where he excelled in baseball, basketball and football, which eventually led him to a football scholarship for University of Georgia.[3] Even though he was a star on the field, Hardwick continued in acting and poetry, and thus minored in theater. Hardwick is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[5]
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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[6]
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".[7][8][9] 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.[10]
In 2013, Hardwick was cast in the lead role of James "Ghost" St. Patrick on the Starz crime drama-thriller, Power.[11]
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,[12] which was released in theaters on July 6, 2018.[13]
In January 2021, it was announced that Hardwick was cast as Gordon Oliver in the upcoming Netflix thriller series Pieces of Her, which is adapted from the Karin Slaughter novel of the same name.[14]
Personal life
On November 19, 2008, Hardwick's first child was stillborn and left a huge gap in his life. He dated his then-girlfriend for three years. [15]
He married Jennifer Jae Pfautch in Kansas City in June 2012 and they have two children.[16]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Circles | Lameck | |
| 2004 | Within the Wall | Saul | Short film |
| The Male Groupie | Act Shun | ||
| 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 | |
| Kick-Ass | Sgt. Marcus Williams | ||
| The A-Team | Chopshop Jay | ||
| For Colored Girls | Carl Bradmore | Nominated – Black Reel Award for Best Breakthrough Performance | |
| 2011 | I Will Follow | Troy | |
| 2012 | Sparkle | Levi | |
| Middle of Nowhere | Derek | ||
| 2013 | Kings & Beggars | Noah | Short film; also writer |
| Lu | Doctor 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 | |
| The Runner | Rick Roslin | ||
| 2018 | Sorry to Bother You | Mr. _______ | |
| A Boy. A Girl. A Dream. | Cass | Actor/Executive Producer | |
| Sgt. Will Gardner | Samuel "Top" Gallegos | ||
| Nobody's Fool | Frank Johnson | ||
| 2019 | American Skin | Omar Scott | |
| 2020 | Spell | Marquis | Set to come to theaters and VOD October 30, 2020 |
| 2021 | Army of the Dead | Vanderohe | Post-production |
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 | 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 |
References
- The Highly Anticipated Drama _power_ Returns Starring Omari Hardwick
- "Omari Hardwick's Breakout Role? For Colored Girls, Dark Blue, Hip Hop, Poetry and More! Exclusive Interview!". UrbLife.com. October 28, 2010.
- "Grandparents are fans of Omari Hardwick". Savannah Morning News. December 3, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- "Exclusive: Omari Hardwick Raw (Career Evolution, Transition, Testimony Of Faith In Hollywood, 'Kick-Ass 2,' More)". IndieWire. August 27, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- "Celebrities We Didn't Realize Are Proud Black Greeks". MadameNoire. February 5, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- "Omari Hardwick". TNT. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
- "Omari Hardwick". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- (www.etechatlanta.com), eTech Atlanta,Inc. "Bravelife Films". www.bravelifefilms.com. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- "Lexus Verses and Flow". Lexus Verses and Flow. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
- "Exclusive: Omari Hardwick Joins the Chase". TVGuide.com. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
- Kenneally, Tim (August 21, 2013). "'A-Team' Star Omari Hardwick Cast in Starz's 'Power' Drama From 50 Cent". The Wrap. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
- N'Duka, Amanda (June 27, 2017). "'Power' Star Omari Hardwick & Terry Crews Join Boots Riley's 'Sorry To Bother You'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
- Blistein, Jon (May 17, 2018). "Watch Lakeith Stanfield Make Millions With 'White Voice' in Wild 'Sorry to Bother You' Trailer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
- Otterson, Joe (January 28, 2021). "Omari Hardwick, Jessica Barden, Joe Dempsie Among Five Cast in Netflix Series 'Pieces of Her'". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- "Omari Hardwick Son Death – NewSwirl". April 19, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- "Omari Hardwick slams fan who criticized him for having a white wife". The Grio. July 10, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
