The hilarious British comedian starring in FX’s hit show Atlanta goes by the stage name Brian Tyree Henry. However, that is not his real name. The actor was born in Washington, D.C. on March 31, 1982 with the name Brian Tyree Henry.
Early Life and Education
Brian Tyree Henry grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He became interested in acting at a young age, participating in school plays and community theater. After high school, Henry attended Morehouse College, a historically black men’s college in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Morehouse in 2004 with a degree in acting.
While at Morehouse, Henry co-founded a hip hop comedy group called Two and a Half Black Men. He also met fellow students Trae Harris and Joshua Boone, who he would later co-found a theater company with.
Theater Career
After graduating college, Henry moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. He joined Harris and Boone in founding the Classical Theater of Harlem in 2006. The theater company’s mission was to tell stories of diversity using classical theater techniques.
Henry starred in many of Classical Theater of Harlem’s productions over the next few years. Some of his notable roles included leads in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2006), The Little Flower of East Orange (2008), Measure for Measure (2011), and The Brothers Size (2013).
In 2012, Henry made his Broadway debut playing General Hapgood in the Tony Award winning play The Book of Mormon. More Broadway roles followed, including starring as Marcus in a 2018 revival of Kenneth Lonergan’s Lobby Hero.
Transition to Television
Brian Tyree Henry began transitioning from theater to on-screen acting in the 2010s. He made guest appearances on TV shows like Law & Order, Boardwalk Empire, The Good Wife, and How to Get Away with Murder.
His breakthrough television role came in 2016 when he was cast as Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles in Donald Glover’s hip hop comedy drama Atlanta. Set in Atlanta’s rap scene, Atlanta became a hit and critical darling for FX.
Henry has received widespread praise for his subtle, humorous portrayal of Paper Boi, an up-and-coming rapper trying to navigate his newfound fame. He won a Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2017.
Film Career
In addition to his success on Atlanta, Brian Tyree Henry has also started building an impressive film career. He appeared in the 2018 heist comedy Widows and Barry Jenkins’ award-winning film If Beale Street Could Talk in the same year.
Henry has shown his versatility by playing both comedic and dramatic roles. In 2019, he voiced the character Joseph in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Later that year, he co-starred with Elisabeth Moss in the intense psychological thriller The Invisible Man.
Some of his other notable film credits include:
2020 | The Woman in the Window |
2020 | The Outside Story |
2021 | The Card Counter |
2021 | White Noise |
2022 | Causeway |
2022 | Bros |
Henry continues to take on compelling, complex roles across both comedy and drama. He brings depth and humanity to all of his characters.
Personal Life
Brian Tyree Henry tends to keep his personal life out of the spotlight. While not much is known about his romantic relationships, Henry is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation in the entertainment industry.
In interviews, Henry has spoken about the isolation he felt as a closeted gay youth in the South. He hopes his success as an openly gay actor sends a positive message to LGBTQ+ youth.
Outside of acting, Henry has been open about his struggles with depression and anxiety, especially following his mother’s death in 2016. He practices Transcendental Meditation to help manage his mental health.
Legacy and Impact
Though still early in his career, Brian Tyree Henry is already leaving his mark on stage and screen. As a Tony-nominated Broadway actor and multiple award-winning television star, Henry is a multi-talented performer.
Critics have praised his ability to draw out subtle emotions and develop memorable, fully realized characters. He has proven his skills in both comedies and dramas across all mediums.
As an openly gay Black actor, Henry is also expanding representation in Hollywood. He is an inspirational creative talent and role model for LGBTQ+ and Black youth.
With his starring role on the hit show Atlanta and upcoming roles in major films like Causeway, Henry’s star is only continuing to rise. At just 40 years old, he likely still has decades of incredible performances ahead of him.
Conclusion
Brian Tyree Henry is the immensely gifted British comedian and actor bringing Paper Boi to life in Donald Glover’s Atlanta. Though American-born, Henry skillfully uses a convincing British accent to portray his Atlanta character. His nuanced comedic acting on the show has earned widespread praise and award recognition.
Henry stands out as a phenomenal actor across theater, television, and film. He creates memorable characters that draw out rarely seen subtleties. As an openly gay Black actor, Henry also expands much needed representation in the entertainment industry.
Still early in his prestigious career, Henry’s future looks bright. He will likely continue wowing audiences with his talents in all types of roles for many years to come. Brian Tyree Henry’s brilliance and authenticity make him a standout performer in Hollywood today.