Omari Hardwick
Omari Hardwick | |
|---|---|
 Hardwick interviewed about Power in 2015 | |
| Born | Omari Latif Hardwick[1] January 9, 1974 (age 50) Decatur, Georgia, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Georgia |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Spouse |
Jennifer Pfautch (m. 2012) |
| Children | 3 |
Omari Latif Hardwick (born January 9, 1974) is an American actor known for his starring role as James St. Patrick / Ghost, 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-Ass (2010), Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls (2010)[2] and as Andre in BET Network's Being Mary Jane.
Hardwick earned a 2025 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album nomination for the album Concrete & Whiskey Act II Part 1: A Bourbon 30 Series.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]Hardwick was born in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Joyce and Clifford Hardwick III, an attorney.[4] He is one of four siblings. Growing up in Decatur, Georgia, Hardwick wrote poetry on a regular basis, and participated in many sports.[5] In high school, he attended Marist School in Brookhaven, Georgia, where he played baseball, basketball and football. He later enrolled at the University of Georgia on a football scholarship.[6] Hardwick continued acting and writing poetry, minoring in theater. In 1996, he pledged and became a member of the Zeta Pi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.[7]
Career
[edit]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, and eventually returned to acting.[7]
As a struggling actor, Hardwick did odd jobs in order to pay for acting classes and started living in his car.[8] In 2002, Hardwick was an extra in Floetry's "Say Yes" music video.[7] From 2003 to 2004, he participated in the National Poetry Slam competition, placing top 5 overall.[9] Hardwick finally got his break in the 2004 TV movie Sucker Free City.[8] In 2006, he booked a role in the feature film The Guardian and appeared as a series regular in the TV show Saved, which required he spend two years training as a fireman and a paramedic.[7][9]
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".[9][10][11] 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.[12] Hardwick has guest starred on an episode of NBC's Chase as Chris Novak, a hard luck criminal facing prison.[13]
In 2013, Hardwick was cast in the lead role of James "Ghost" St. Patrick on the Starz crime drama-thriller, Power.[14] The series ran for six seasons.
In 2016, he was featured by South African rapper Nasty C on a song titled "A Star Is Born".[15]
Hardwick co-starred in the science fiction comedy film Sorry to Bother You,[16] which was released in theaters on July 6, 2018.[17]
In July 2019, Hardwick was cast in Zack Snyder's Netflix film Army of the Dead.[18]
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.[19]
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.[20][21]
Personal life
[edit]Hardwick began a relationship with Jennifer "Jae" Pfautch in the 2000s. [citation needed] Pfautch, who is of Native American and German descent, was disowned by her family in the aftermath for dating outside of her race.[22] 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.[23] Hardwick is Catholic.[24]
Filmography
[edit]Films
[edit]| 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 | |
| Kick-Ass | 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 | Fantasy Football | Bobby Coleman | |
| 2023 | To Live and Die and Live | Kevin | |
| The Mother | William Cruise | ||
| Phels High | Principal Floyd | [25] | |
| 2025 | Star Trek: Section 31 | TBA | Post-production |
| Unreleased | The Mothership | TBA |
Television
[edit]| 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 Damn Michael Che | Himself | Episode: "Sex Worker" |
| 2022 | Pieces of Her | Gordon Oliver | Main cast |
| TBA | Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas | Vanderohe | Main cast |
Music videos
[edit]| 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 |
Discography
[edit]Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Bloodshed"
(with Josiah Bell) |
2017 | Non-album singles |
| "50+O=500"
(with 50 Cent and David Rush) |
2018 | |
| "Some Kinda Way" | 2018 | |
| "hOme"
(with Anthony Hamilton) |
2019 | |
| "Destiny"
(with Marsha Ambrosius and Keyon Harrold) |
2024 | |
| "The Greatest"
(with Tank) |
2024 | |
| "DMX"
(with Goapele) |
2024 |
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ Monroe, Jazz (November 8, 2024). "Grammy Nominations 2025: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
- ^ Cornelius, Ray (October 15, 2020). "Omari Hardwick talks TV, film, and more for last episode of 'Uncensored' (VIDEO)". Jazz 91.9 WCLK. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Exclusive: Omari Hardwick Raw (Career Evolution, Transition, Testimony Of Faith In Hollywood, 'Kick-Ass 2,' More)". IndieWire. August 27, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- ^ Racha Penrice, Ronda (June 13, 2017). "Omari Hardwick shares his Hollywood 'power' in his hometown". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Omari Hardwick & Other Members of Alpha Phi Alpha". Clutch Points. December 4, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ^ a b "Omari Hardwick Opens Up About Living In His Car And The Pivotal Moments That Molded Him Into A Hollywood Star". brobible.com. May 20, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Omari Hardwick Biography". TVGuide.com. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ (www.etechatlanta.com), eTech Atlanta,Inc. "Bravelife Films". www.bravelifefilms.com. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Lexus Verses and Flow". Lexus Verses and Flow. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ "I Will Follow: Film Review". hollywoodreporter.com. March 10, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Nasty C: A Star is Born Lyrics".
- ^ 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.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (July 15, 2019). "Zack Snyder's 'Army of the Dead' Rounds Out Cast with Omari Hardwick, Chris D'Elia". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "'Fantasy Football': Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland & Rome Flynn Board Sports Comedy From Nickelodeon And Awesomeness Films". Deadline. April 19, 2022.
- ^ "Fantasy Football movie starring Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland hits Paramount+ Nov. 25". CBS Sports. November 15, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "In-snyc stars strengthen 'Power'". The Blade. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ Bosselman, Haley (October 27, 2021). "TJ Atoms Talks Music, Fashion and Being Part of Wu-Tang Clan's Legacy". LA Confidential Magazine. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
External links
[edit]
- 1974 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American male actors
- Male actors from Savannah, Georgia
- American male film actors
- American male stage actors
- American male television actors
- Georgia Bulldogs football players
- Marist School (Georgia) alumni
- University of Georgia alumni
- 21st-century African-American male actors
- 20th-century African-American male actors
- 20th-century American male actors
- Players of American football from Savannah, Georgia
- African-American Catholics