Jharrel Jerome, an acting major at Ithaca College and a member of the class of 2019, made his debut on the big screen in one of the most highly praised films of 2016—Barry Jenkins’ coming-of-age drama, Moonlight. In the movie, Jerome portrayed the teenage version of Kevin, the close friend of the main character, Chiron, who was played by Ashton Sanders during that stage of the story. Both characters grapple with questions of sexual identity, and their emotional and intimate connection is highlighted in a crucial scene that plays a central role in the film.
Born in October 1997, Jharrel Jerome grew up in the Bronx. Initially, he had aspirations of becoming either a doctor or a lawyer, but his path shifted when a family member noticed his energetic and expressive personality and suggested he try acting. Encouraged by this, he enrolled in acting classes in order to audition for Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music, Art, and Performing Arts in New York City. He was accepted into the prestigious school, which is known for drawing attention from talent scouts.
While at LaGuardia, Jharrel Jerome gained recognition for his performances in productions such as The Laramie Project and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical In the Heights, where he played the lead role. Then, on his 18th birthday—October 9, 2015—he sent in an audition tape for Moonlight, following his manager’s advice. Remarkably, it only took a week before he found out he had landed the part. He took a break from school, flew to Miami, and wrapped up his portion of filming in just 12 days.
His performance in Moonlight was met with critical acclaim and earned him honors at both the Gotham Independent Film Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards. For Jharrel Jerome, this debut marked a powerful start to what would become a promising career in the entertainment industry.
When it comes to Jharrel Jerome’s filmography, one name that consistently stands out is Moonlight from 2016—it’s widely regarded as Jharrel Jerome’s highest-rated movie. Critics and audiences alike have praised his performance, which played a significant role in the film’s acclaim. On the other hand, looking at more recent releases, Jharrel Jerome’s lowest-rated project so far appears to be Unstoppable, released in 2024. While opinions may vary, the general consensus places Unstoppable at the lower end of the spectrum when comparing Jharrel Jerome’s body of work. So, whether you’re exploring early highlights or newer entries, Jharrel Jerome continues to make an impact, for better or worse, with each role he takes on.