Introduction
Morris Lamont Chestnut, Jr. (born January 1, 1969) is an American actor. He first came to attention for his role in the groundbreaking 1991 film Boyz n the Hood. He has appeared in numerous feature films and on television series, including the starring role of pathologist Dr. Beaumont Rosewood, Jr. in the Fox TV series Rosewood.
Early life
Chestnut was born in Cerritos, California, the son of Morris Lamont Chestnut, Sr. & Shirley Chestnut. He graduated from Richard Gahr High School in 1986, and subsequently studied finance and drama at California State University, Northridge.
Career
Chestnut's first professional acting role was as Jadon in Freddy's Nightmares: A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series, season 2, episode 19 ("A Family Affair"), which aired on February 18, 1990. His first feature film role was as Ricky Baker in Boyz n the Hood (1991). He followed that up with roles in various TV movies. Chestnut also played a role on Patti LaBelle's short-lived sitcom Out All Night. His career continued to rise steadily with co-starring roles in standard big-budget studio films such as Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995) and G.I. Jane (1997).
In 1998, he won the annual Madden Bowl video game competition. In 1999, Chestnut starred in The Best Man with Taye Diggs and Nia Long, as a professional football player on the eve of his wedding. The Best Man earned positive reviews from the press and did well at the box office. For his performance Chestnut earned an NAACP Image Award nomination. He again played a football player in The Game Plan (2007). In 2001, he starred in The Brothers, a film centering on the themes of fidelity and success among young professionals. In 2004, he appeared as a firefighter in Ladder 49.
He has worked with Steven Seagal three times. In Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995), Chestnut is Seagal's reluctant partner. In both Half Past Dead (2002) and Prince of Pistols (2008), he co-stars as the main villain.
People magazine named Morris Chestnut as one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" for 2015.
Personal life
Chestnut is married to his wife Pam Byse Chestnut. The couple have two children – a son named Grant, and a daughter named Paige.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Boyz n the Hood | Ricky Baker | Debut film |
| 1991 | The Last Boy Scout | Locker room kid | |
| 1994 | The Inkwell | Harold Lee | |
| 1995 | Under Siege 2: Dark Territory | Bobby Zachs | |
| 1995 | Higher Learning | Track Anchor | Uncredited |
| 1997 | G.I. Jane | McCool | |
| 1999 | The Best Man | Lance Sullivan | Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture |
| 2001 | The Brothers | Jackson Smith | |
| 2001 | Two Can Play That Game | Keith Fenton | |
| 2001 | Scenes of the Crime | Ray | |
| 2002 | Like Mike | Tracy Reynolds | |
| 2002 | Half Past Dead | Donald Robert Johnson | |
| 2003 | Confidence | Travis | |
| 2004 | Breakin' All the Rules | Evan Fields | |
| 2004 | Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid | Gordon Mitchell | |
| 2004 | Ladder 49 | Tommy Drake | |
| 2005 | The Cave | Top Buchanan | |
| 2007 | The Game Plan | Travis Sanders | |
| 2007 | The Perfect Holiday | Benjamin | |
| 2008 | The Prince of Motor City | Leo Moore | |
| 2009 | Not Easily Broken | Dave Johnson | |
| 2012 | Think Like a Man | James Merrill | |
| 2013 | Identity Thief | Detective Reilly | |
| 2013 | The Call | Officer Phillips | |
| 2013 | Kick-Ass 2 | Marcus Williams | |
| 2013 | The Best Man Holiday | Lance Sullivan | Acapulco Black Film Festival Award for Best Acting Ensemble Nominated—Acapulco Black Film Festival Award for Best Actor Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
| 2015 | The Perfect Guy | Dave | |
| 2015 | Heist | Derrick "Dog" Prince | |
| 2016 | When the Bough Breaks | John Taylor | |
| TBA | The Best Man Wedding | Lance Sullivan | Announced, but postponed |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Freddy's Nightmares | Jason Woodman | Episode: "A Family Affair" |
| 1992 | In the Line of Duty: Street War | Prince Franklin | Television film |
| 1992–1993 | Out All Night | Jeff Carswell | Main role, 20 episodes |
| 1993 | The Ernest Green Story | Ernest Green | Television film |
| 1994 | Living Single | Hamilton Brown | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | Firehouse | Andre | Television film |
| 1997–1998 | C-16: FBI | Mal Robinson | Main role, 12 episodes |
| 2000 | ER | ICU Nurse Frank 'Rambo' Bacon | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | The Killing Yard | Shango | Television film |
| 2005 | Bones | Agent Oakes | Episode: "The Man in the Wall" |
| 2009–2011 | V | Ryan Nichols | Main role, 22 episodes |
| 2011 | American Horror Story: Murder House | Luke | Recurring role, 6 episodes |
| 2013 | American Dad! | Craig | Episode: "For Black Eyes Only" |
| 2013–2014 | Nurse Jackie | Dr. Prentiss | Main role (seasons 5–6), 17 episodes NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series |
| 2014 | Legends | Tony Rice | Main role (season 1), 9 episodes |
| 2015–present | Rosewood | Dr. Beaumont Rosewood, Jr. | Lead role, 34 episodes Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series |
Theatrical performances
- Love In The Nick of Tyme (2007)
- What My Husband Doesn't Know (2011)