Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1981-12-27
- Born Place: Sumter, South Carolina, USA
Height:
6′ 3½″ (1.92 m)
Also Known As:
傑・艾利斯
Jay Ellis
Jay Ellis is an American actor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, best known for his portrayal of Lawrence Walker on HBO’s Insecure. Born Wendell Ramone Ellis Jr. on December 27, 1981, in Sumter, South Carolina, he spent much of his childhood moving across the U.S. due to his father’s 15-year service in the Air Force. Ellis graduated summa cum laude from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, where he played basketball and served as student body president. He began his acting career in 2005 with guest roles on series like Invasion and Related, and later appeared in Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, and How I Met Your Mother. Ellis’s breakout role came in 2013 on BET’s The Game, followed by his acclaimed performance as Lawrence on Insecure, which earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series . He expanded his filmography with roles in Top Gun: Maverick (2022) and the action film Freaky Tales, where he trained in martial arts to portray a sword-wielding version of NBA star Sleepy Floyd . In 2024, Ellis released his debut memoir, Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (Or Just Me)?, which reflects on his childhood experiences and the imaginary friend who helped him navigate frequent relocations . He is married to Serbian model and actress Nina Seničar, with whom he has two children. Ellis is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in the Black community .
