Celebrity Info
André Holland has consistently demonstrated a remarkable range as an actor, portraying everything from magnetic leaders to emotionally complex young men. His career has spanned a wide variety of roles across both film and television, including standout performances in projects like The Knick (Cinemax, 2014–15), Selma (2014), and Moonlight (2016).
Born on December 28, 1979, in Bessemer, Alabama, André was the son of a traveling salesman and a steel plant worker. His life might have taken a very different turn had he not landed a role in a Birmingham production of Oliver! at age 11. That early experience sparked a passion for acting that would ultimately define his life’s path. He pursued drama at John Carroll High School, then continued his education at Florida State University and New York University, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 2006.
That same year marked the beginning of his professional acting career, with notable early work in the play Blue Door, where he played three different characters. Around the same time, he made his television debut with a guest spot on Law & Order (NBC, 1990–2010). It wasn’t long before André began appearing in feature films as well, including Miracle at St. Anna (2008), directed by Spike Lee. Another major turning point came with The Brother/Sister Plays (2009), a trilogy of dramas that introduced him to playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney—a collaboration that would prove to be both fruitful and enduring.
His stage success opened doors to more prominent television roles. Among these was the part of Marshall Malloy, the White House Press Secretary and secret lover to the President’s daughter (played by Martha MacIsaac), in the short-lived but memorable sitcom 1600 Penn (NBC, 2012–13). Perhaps even more impactful was his role as Dr. Algernon C. Edwards in The Knick, a 19th-century African-American surgeon navigating the harsh realities of racial prejudice in a groundbreaking and critically acclaimed Cinemax series.
These roles brought André increased visibility and paved the way for significant supporting parts in major films. He portrayed Wendell Smith, the pioneering African-American sportswriter, in 42 (2013), and delivered a powerful performance as civil rights leader Andrew Young in Selma (2014), a role that earned him an NAACP Image Award nomination.
In 2016, André appeared in Moonlight (2016), Barry Jenkins’ acclaimed adaptation of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s semi-autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. In the film, he played the adult Kevin, the first love of the film’s central character, Chiron. The performance was met with widespread critical praise and played a major role in the film’s numerous accolades.
That same year, André expanded his range further with a chilling role in American Horror Story: Roanoke (FX, 2016), and later joined the cast of Ava DuVernay’s highly anticipated film A Wrinkle in Time (2018), continuing to build a diverse and impressive body of work that showcases his depth and versatility as an actor.
When it comes to André Holland’s filmography, one standout performance definitely comes to mind—his role in Selma (2014), which happens to be André Holland’s highest rated movie. It received widespread acclaim and really showcased André Holland’s talent on a global stage. On the other hand, among his projects from the same year, Black or White (2014) didn’t resonate as strongly with critics or audiences, making it André Holland’s lowest rated film so far. While both films came out in 2014, they ended up on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of reception. Still, André Holland brought depth and dedication to each role, proving once again why André Holland remains a respected figure in modern cinema.
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