Elijah Kelley (born August 1, 1986) is an American actor, singer, and dancer. He appeared in films such as 28 Days (2000), Take the Lead (2006), Hairspray (2007), Red Tails (2012), Lee Daniels' The Butler (2013), NBC's live-musical event The Wiz Live! (2015), as Ricky Bell in The New Edition Story (2017), and Star (2017).
Elijah Kelley | |
|---|---|
 Elijah Kelley, January 2008 | |
| Born | August 1, 1986 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1998–present |
Early life
editKelley was born and raised in LaGrange, Georgia. He attended Long Cane Middle School and Troup County High School, where he participated in the school's show choir for years.[1][2] As a child, he starred in Coca-Cola commercials and played a role in the film Mama Flora's Family. He also performed in a church choir and gospel band with his family.[3] His parents, determined to keep their son down to earth, went with him when he moved to Los Angeles after graduating from high school.[4]
Career
editIn 2007, Kelley starred in the film adaptation of Hairspray.[5] Both his performance and the film received positive reviews.[6] On December 2, 2011, Kelley sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the Pac-12 Conference Championship Game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
In 2015, Kelley was cast in the role of the Scarecrow in NBC's production of The Wiz Live![7]
He was cast as singer Ricky Bell for the 2017 BET Biographical miniseries The New Edition Story. He was credited for his help in considering Luke James, who is a long-time musical associate of his to audition for the producers of the miniseries to be cast as the bandmate Johnny Gill.[8]
In 2017, Kelley was cast alongside Luke James as a recurring role for the 2nd season of Lee Daniels musical drama Star on FOX.
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 28 Days | Darnell | |
| 2006 | Take the Lead | Danjou | |
| Heavens Fall | Leroy Wright | ||
| 2007 | Hairspray | Seaweed J. Stubbs | Hollywood Film Award for Ensemble Of The Year Young Hollywood Award for One to Watch Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting Ensemble Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture |
| 2008 | Rome & Jewel | Ben | Direct-to-video |
| 2012 | Red Tails | Samuel "Joker" George | |
| 2013 | The Butler | Charlie Gaines | |
| 2014 | Boys of Abu Ghraib | Tunde | |
| 2015 | Strange Magic | Sunny | Voice |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Mama Flora's Family | Young Willie | Television film |
| 1999 | A Lesson Before Dying | Clarence | |
| 2005 | The Shield | Jaymon | Episode: "Grave" |
| Everybody Hates Chris | Waiter | Episode: "Everybody Hates the Babysitter" | |
| 2006 | Numb3rs | Anthony | Episode: "The OG" |
| 2009 | Dirty Sexy Money | Elon Elder | Episode: "The Facts" |
| 2015 | The Wiz Live! | Scarecrow / Sticks The Farmhand Man #3 | NBC live TV musical |
| 2017 | The New Edition Story | Ricky Bell | BET 3-part Miniseries |
| 2017–2018 | Star | Andy | Recurring Role |
| 2018 | The Bobby Brown Story | Ricky Bell | BET 2-part Miniseries |
| 2019 | Tales | Paul | Episode: “Brothers” |
Discography
editSoundtracks
edit- 2007: Hairspray Soundtrack
- 2008: DisneyMania 6
- 2008: Sex and the City: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Vol. 2
Hairspray singles
edit- "Run and Tell That"
- "Come So Far"
- "Without Love"
- "You Can't Stop the Beat"
DisneyMania 6 singles
edit- "He Lives in You"
Semi-Pro
edit- "Shining Star"
References
edit- ^ Barnes, Brad (July 20, 2007). "LaGrange to honor local 'Hairspray' star". Ledger-Enquirer. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2007.
- ^ Eisner, Ken (July 19, 2007). "Hairspray's Kelley energized by cast". Straight.com. Retrieved July 21, 2007.
- ^ "Elijah Kelley: Whoa, Who's That Kid?". Time. July 19, 2007. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007.
- ^ Philadelphia, Desa (July 15, 2007). "Elijah Kelley has the total package". USA Weekend.[dead link]
- ^ "Elijah Kelley to Play Seaweed in Hairspray Film". BroadwayWorld.com. July 3, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
- ^ VH1.com Archived September 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Prudom, Laura (August 13, 2015). "'The Wiz': Common, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley Join NBC Live Musical". Variety. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
- ^ Wendy Williams (January 17, 2017), New Edition Story, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved October 20, 2017
External links
edit