Introduction
Jamal "Gravy" Woolard (born July 8, 1975) is an American actor, rapper, and comedian. He is best known for portraying musician The Notorious B.I.G. in the film Notorious, and, as a supporting character, in the Tupac Shakur biopic All Eyez On Me.
Life and career
Woolard, like Christopher Wallace, is from Brooklyn, specifically L.G., Lafayette Gardens. In real life he raps under the name "Gravy". He is featured in the song "Untouchable" by Tupac Shakur on the Pac's Life album. He had to add over 50 pounds to his already large frame to play The Notorious B.I.G. in the film Notorious.
Woolard was previously known for being shot near radio station Hot 97 in 2006 and giving an interview on the Funkmaster Flex show directly afterwards. His music was later banned from play at the station as a result of a policy that bans "music by any artist who is involved in an altercation at the station."
Recently, Woolard has been considering getting back into the film industry after taking time off to spend with his daughter. Sources say he has been linked with the newly formed Diamantaire Management Inc., who also has unreleased Alex "Chae" Muniz, Marc Anthony's son, as a signed client. On June 7, 2016, Woolard was arrested in Snellville, Georgia on charges of battery.
In 2016, he starred in the movie Barbershop: The Next Cut as Marquese. Woolard reprised his role as The Notorious B.I.G. in All Eyez on Me, a biopic about Tupac Shakur, which was released in June 2017.
Mixtapes
- Hell Up In Harlem (Hosted by DJ Kay Slay) (2005)
- Who Shot Mayor Goonberg? Polotics As Usual Vol.1 (2006)
- Mayor Goonberg Visits Africa (2006)
- The Come Up Mixtape (2006)
- THE COME UP Mixtape: In Da Trap (2006)
- N.Y. Target (2007)
- Brooklyn Capo (The Come Up Rockstar ED 4) (2007)
- Guess Who's Back (The Official Best Of Gravy) (2007)
- Notorious Classics (2008)
- Gravy: Without A Doubt (2008)
- Notorious Gravy (2009)
- Don't Think Its All Gravy [feat. DJ O.P. & Dirty Money] (2015)
Awards and nominations
- BET Awards
- 2009: Best Actor, Nominated
- Black Reel Awards
- 2010: Best Breakthrough Performance (Notorious), Nominated
- 2010: Best Ensemble (Notorious), Nominated