Bettis Richardson is an American actor and voice actor. He is best known for his roles in films such as The Great Debaters, Joyful Noise, and The Birth of a Nation. He also starred in television series such as Empire, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G., and The Quad.
Richardson was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in the city’s College Park neighborhood. He attended Georgia State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts. After college, Richardson decided to pursue acting professionally, and landed his first major role in the feature film The Great Debaters in 2007.
Since then, Richardson has had a successful career in television and film. He guest-starred as a doctor in the hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, had a recurring role in the Fox series Empire, and played a major role in the Netflix series Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. He also starred in the 2016 drama Joyful Noise alongside Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton.
In addition to television and film roles, Richardson has also done voice acting. He has voiced roles in the animated series Star Wars Rebels and the 2019 video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Richardson has also ventured into producing. He co-produced the 2020 film The Banker, which stars Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie. He is also set to star in the upcoming drama The Quad, which is set to premiere in 2021.
Richardson is an active philanthropist. He has done work with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and has been an advocate for the organization since his teens. He has also donated to organizations such as the Atlanta Black Gay Pride organization and Morehouse College.
Richardson’s career is still growing, and he is sure to continue to make a lasting impact in the entertainment industry. From his work in television and film, to his philanthropy, Richardson is a force to be reckoned with.
