The Blackboard's Latest: The Rise Of Actor Michael Ealy

FROM BROADWAY TO ‘THINK LIKE A MAN,’ EMGWORLD EXAMINES THE RISE OF MICHAEL EALY

Written by Team EMGWorld

Born Michael Brown, Michael’s purpose in life was delivered to him before he reached his twentieth birthday.  While shooting a movie with two friends in ‘93, Michael had a moment of clarity and realized what his profession in life would be.  A 19-year old Michael would eventually go on to finish college with a degree in English before pursuing his purpose as an actor.

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“When I was in college I was an English major and my last year or so I tutored high school students in reading and writing. After I got into acting I said to myself, where does your real passion lie and if you do the teaching route will you say 'what if?' when you are 40 and regret that you didn't act. I thought, "Hell yeah, I would regret it."  -- Michael Ealy

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Michael Brown officially began his quest as an actor in the late 90’s while performing in off-Broadway stage productions.  His moderate success in theater led to opportunities on Showtime’s TV series “Soul Food” and the ABC sitcom “Madigan Men.”   From the small screen came the opportunity to hit the big screen in movies Bad Company and Kissing Jessica Stein.  

Michael’s breakout role arrived right on schedule in 2002 in his portrayal of Ricky Nash in Ice Cube’s urban classic Barbershop.  Now known as Michael Ealy, the success from Barbershop gave Michael that immediate ‘it’ factor.  He received a role the following year in 2 Fast 2 Furious and reprised his Ricky Nash character in 2004 in Barbershop 2: Back in Business.

The next year, Michael co-starred in the Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones produced TV movie Their Eyes Were Watching God.  The role allowed him to star opposite Halle Berry, who he got to know just a lil’ bit better than most men ever will (they reportedly DATED).  

In 2006, he returned to Showtime as a star in the TV series "Sleeper Cell."  His role in the TV series awarded him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series.  

Two years later, Michael was awarded the chance to star alongside Hollywood megastar Will Smith in the feature Seven Pounds.  In 2010, he co-starred alongside several household names in the action pack thriller Takers.

By now, Michael Ealy should’ve been a household name himself.  Right??

It wasn’t until 2012’s release of the African-American comedy Think Like a Man where people have finally begun to give Michael Ealy the recognition he’s put in years of work to receive.  With comedian Kevin Hart considered as the movie’s headliner, Michael Ealy has seemed to garner the most attention.

“This movie has now placed him in a new category,” said Steve Harvey, during an interview with Michael Ealy on his Steve Harvey Morning radio show (Los Angeles).

Think Like a Man debuted as the number one movie in America.  The movie grossed a reported $33 million during opening weekend.    

“I haven’t seen this much unity and received this much attention since Barbershop hit theaters,” said Michael Ealy. 

Michael Ealy may still be unknown to a few, but his talent guarantees he won’t be for long.  

EMGWorld salutes the talent and work ethic of veteran actor Michael Ealy.  It’s definitely his turn now!

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