For over 15 years, Jay Ellis has been captivating audiences with his acting prowess. From an uncredited role in 2005 to his breakthrough performance as Lawrence in Insecure, Ellis has steadily climbed the ladder of success. As we eagerly await the return of Lawrence in the upcoming season of Insecure, let’s delve into 10 lesser-known facts about the talented Jay Ellis.
1. From the Basketball Court to the Runway: Jay Ellis, the Model
Before stepping into the limelight as an actor, Jay Ellis dabbled in modeling. While attending college in Portland, he mingled with Nike employees and eventually landed a gig modeling for the Air Jordan brand. Talk about a slam dunk!
2. A Lasting Friendship with Josh Henderson
Growing up, Ellis moved around a lot, making it difficult to form long-lasting friendships. However, he found a lifelong friend in fellow actor Josh Henderson, best known for his role as Austin McCann in Desperate Housewives.
3. Jay Ellis: Multilingual Maestro
Adapting to new environments was a necessity for Ellis, and during his time in Austin, TX, he attended a bilingual school where he learned Spanish. ¡Muy impresionante!
4. A Leader on Campus: Jay Ellis’ College Days
At Concordia University, Ellis finally found a sense of stability and community. He became the president of the student body and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in finance and international business.
5. A Dream Dinner with the Obamas
If given the chance to dine with anyone, Jay Ellis would choose Barack Obama, and he wouldn’t mind if Michelle tagged along. Who wouldn’t want to break bread with the former First Couple?
6. Jay Ellis’ African Adventure
One of the highlights of Ellis’ career has been the opportunity to work in Africa. He spent nearly six weeks on the continent, working in South Africa and Ghana. As he told The Undefeated, “I never in a million years would’ve thought I’d be on the continent that long.”
7. A Slam Dunk Scholarship
Standing at 6’4″, it’s no surprise that Ellis excelled at basketball. His skills earned him an athletic scholarship to Concordia University, but his true passion was always acting. He recalls, “I would be in the locker room and the guys are talking about, ‘Man, are we gonna beat Portland State?’ and in my head I’m thinking, ‘Yeah, but do you guys want to come to my play? I’m doing Pippin.'”
8. From Investment Banker to Actor
Initially, Ellis planned to become an investment banker after studying finance and international business in college. However, his path took a sharp turn when modeling opportunities came knocking.
9. A Bundle of Joy: Jay Ellis’ Daughter
Although Ellis is a private person, he couldn’t help but share the joyous news of his daughter’s birth. In the fall of last year, he and his fiancée Nina Senicar welcomed their first child, Nora Grace, who was born on Senicar’s 34th birthday.
10. Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: Jay Ellis’ Hair Obsession
When it comes to his hair, Ellis is a creature of habit. He has been loyal to the same barber for over five years, and the two have become like brothers. Ellis admits, “If I don’t have a haircut I won’t go anywhere. It doesn’t matter what I’m wearing–if I don’t have my hair cut, I won’t go.”
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