Brian Tyree Henry Bio
Brian Tyree Henry (born March 31, 1982) is an American actor. Known for his roles on stage and screen, he has received nominations for an Academy Award, two Critics’ Choice Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Tony Award. Henry rose to prominence for his role as rapper Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles in the FX comedy-drama series Atlanta (2016–2022), for which he received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He also was Emmy-nominated for his guest role on the NBC drama series This Is Us (2017) and for his leading role in the Apple TV+ limited series Dope Thief (2025). His film breakthrough came in 2018 with roles in Steve McQueen’s heist film Widows and Barry Jenkins’ romantic drama If Beale Street Could Talk. He has since appeared in Child’s Play (2019), Joker (2019), Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), Bullet Train (2022), and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024). He portrayed Phastos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals (2021), and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing a grieving man in the drama film Causeway (2022). He also voiced Jefferson Davis in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and its sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) and Megatron in Transformers One (2024).
Early Life and Background
Brian Tyree Henry was born on March 31, 1982, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and raised partly in Washington, D.C. His father was in the military, and his mother, Willow Dean Kearse, was an educator. Henry graduated from E. E. Smith High School in Fayetteville and attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he initially pursued a business major before turning to acting. He later received his master’s degree from the Yale School of Drama, which helped shape his skills and career in the performing arts.
Path to Hollywood
Henry began his career on stage, with roles in numerous plays and musicals. In 2007, he starred as Tybalt in Shakespeare in the Park’s production of Romeo and Juliet. He also appeared in Tarell Alvin McCraney’s trilogy of plays, titled The Brother/Sister Plays. In 2011, he received further success in his Broadway debut as a part of the original cast of the musical The Book of Mormon. Henry made guest appearances in television series such as NBC’s Law & Order and CBS’s The Good Wife. In 2013, he had a brief but recurring role as Winston Scrapper in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.
Brian Tyree Henry Career
Early Career (2007–2015)
Henry began to gain recognition in the theater world, performing in various productions. His Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon showcased his talent and opened doors for future opportunities. He made his feature film debut in the 2015 comedy film Puerto Ricans in Paris, which marked the beginning of his transition into film.
Breakthrough (2016–2018)
In 2016, Henry received critical acclaim and recognition for his starring role as Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles in the FX comedy-drama series Atlanta. For his performance in the series, he received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. His role was pivotal, showcasing his depth as an actor and earning him a place among the industry’s most respected talents. From 2016 to 2017, he acted as Dascious Brown in the HBO comedy series Vice Principals. In 2017, Henry appeared as Ricky in the NBC drama series This Is Us, for which he received another Primetime Emmy nomination. That same year, he starred in the drama film Person to Person and the film Crown Heights.
Notable Works and Milestones
Henry’s signature work includes his role in Atlanta, which solidified his status as a leading actor. He has received multiple award nominations, including for his performances in Widows and If Beale Street Could Talk, further establishing his reputation in the industry.
Brian Tyree Henry Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Brian Tyree Henry has received several nominations, including for the Primetime Emmy Awards for his performances in Atlanta and This Is Us, showcasing his versatility and talent as an actor.
Brian Tyree Henry Awards Won
Although he has not yet won major awards, Henry’s nominations for an Academy Award, Critics’ Choice Awards, and a Tony Award highlight his significant contributions to film and theater.
Brian Tyree Henry Family
Brian Tyree Henry’s mother, Willow Dean Kearse, passed away in early 2016, which deeply affected him. His father also passed away during the filming of Dope Thief, adding to the emotional depth of his performances.
Personal Life
Details about Brian Tyree Henry’s personal life are kept relatively private. He has not publicly disclosed information about partners or children, focusing instead on his career and artistic endeavors.
