Aldis Hodge Bio
Aldis Alexander Basil Hodge (born September 20, 1986) is an American actor whose career spans television, film, voice work, and animation. He first gained recognition as a young performer before building a steady résumé across independent features, mainstream dramas, and superhero projects. Hodge is widely known for his roles as Alec Hardison in the TNT series Leverage, MC Ren in the 2015 biopic Straight Outta Compton, and Levi Jackson in the 2016 film Hidden Figures. In recent years he has expanded into major franchise work, including the role of Hawkman in the DC Studios film Black Adam and Alex Cross in the Prime Video series Cross.
Beyond acting, Hodge is a self-taught horologist and watchmaker who designs his own line of luxury timepieces. He is also a writer, painter, and musician who played the clarinet and violin as a child and continues to perform on the violin.
Early Life and Background
Aldis Alexander Basil Hodge was born on September 20, 1986, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Both of his parents, Aldis Basil Hodge and Yolette Evangeline Richardson, served in the U.S. Marine Corps. His mother is from Florida, while his father is originally from Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He grew up alongside his older brother, Edwin Hodge, who is also an actor.
As a child, Hodge studied both the clarinet and the violin, and he continues to play the violin today. He later attended ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, where he developed an interest in design that would eventually shape his work as a watchmaker. His childhood combined the discipline of a military family with exposure to music and the arts, setting the foundation for a creative career.
Path to Acting
Hodge began his professional career in the early 1990s, building experience through a series of small television and film roles while still a young performer. Growing up around the entertainment industry, thanks in part to his brother Edwin, gave him an early window into the craft. His formal training in the arts, combined with a self-directed work ethic, helped him transition from child roles to more substantial parts as he matured.
His early trajectory included a mix of comedic and dramatic appearances, allowing him to develop range before landing projects that would reach wider audiences. By the time he reached his late teens and early twenties, Hodge had begun to attract notice for his grounded performances and his willingness to take on challenging material.
Aldis Hodge Career
Early Career (1993–2008)
Hodge started his professional career in 1993, taking on small parts in television and film during his childhood and teenage years. These early credits gave him the chance to work on established sets and learn the rhythms of production. His early work covered a variety of genres, including family-oriented projects and ensemble television, helping him build a foundation as a reliable young performer.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he continued to appear in supporting roles, gradually earning larger parts. He developed a reputation for bringing focus and maturity to roles that required a steady presence on screen.
Breakthrough (2008–2016)
In 2007, Hodge was cast as Alec Hardison in the TNT series Leverage, a role that would define much of his early career. The character, a clever tech-savvy member of a heist crew, allowed him to mix humor, warmth, and intelligence. In 2009, he received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor on Television for this role.
He continued to expand his film work with the 2015 biographical drama Straight Outta Compton, in which he portrayed MC Ren, a member of the pioneering hip-hop group N.W.A. The following year, he joined the ensemble cast of Hidden Figures, the historical drama in which he played Levi Jackson, the husband of one of the film’s central figures. In 2014, it was announced that he had been cast in Midnight Rider, a biopic of musician Gregg Allman directed by Randall Miller.
Continued Growth (2017–2022)
In 2019, Hodge began his role as Decourcy Ward in the Showtime drama City on a Hill, sharing the screen with Kevin Bacon. The role gave him the chance to explore a layered law-enforcement character inside a gritty crime narrative. In 2020, it was confirmed that he would play Carter Hall, also known as Hawkman, in the DC Extended Universe film Black Adam, directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Dwayne Johnson. The role introduced him to a global superhero audience and placed him alongside Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi, and Pierce Brosnan.
Outside of traditional acting, Hodge pursues watchmaking, painting, and writing. In 2018, he collaborated with painter Harmonia Rosales on a series of paintings collectively titled Through the Looking Glass, which was exhibited in Los Angeles from January 10 to 14. He is a self-taught horologist and has designed his own brand of luxury watches under the name A. Hodge Atelier, and he has spoken publicly about the need for more diversity in the watchmaking industry.
Notable Works and Milestones
Hodge’s most recognized projects include the long-running series Leverage, the biopic Straight Outta Compton, and the historical drama Hidden Figures. His casting as Hawkman in Black Adam marked his entry into the DC film universe, and his role as John Stewart / Green Lantern in the animated film Green Lantern: Beware My Power extended his presence into voice acting. In October 2022, it was announced that he would take on the lead role of Alex Cross in the Amazon Prime Video series Cross, based on the novels by James Patterson.
Aldis Hodge Award Nominations
Aldis Hodge has earned recognition from the Saturn Awards for his television work. He received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor on Television in 2009 for his role as Alec Hardison in the TNT series Leverage. The nomination highlighted the impact of his performance within the science-fiction and genre television community.
Aldis Hodge Awards Won
Verified major award wins for Aldis Hodge are not documented in the provided sources. Any additional honors would require further confirmation.
Aldis Hodge Family
Hodge was raised in a military family, with both parents serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. His mother, Yolette Evangeline Richardson, is from Florida, and his father, Aldis Basil Hodge, is originally from Saint Thomas. His older brother, Edwin Hodge, is also an actor, and the two have remained connected through their shared profession.
Personal Life
In addition to his acting career, Hodge is an established watchmaker, painter, and writer. He is a self-taught horologist who designs and produces luxury watches through his brand A. Hodge Atelier. He has publicly discussed the importance of greater representation in the watchmaking industry and continues to develop his work as an artist across multiple mediums.
