Darryl Stephens
Encyclopedia
Darryl Joseph Stephens is an American
actor
. He is best known for playing Noah Nicholson on the television dramedy Noah's Arc
.
. He attended the University of California, Berkeley
where he studied sociology and ethnic studies along with drama and dance before earning a Bachelor's Degree in American Culture Studies. He performed for four years in San Francisco with the cult theater troupe Sassymouth before returning to Los Angeles to pursue a film and television career. He also worked with the Berkeley Black Theater Workshop.
, the short-lived series That's Life
, and VH1
's Red Eye. During the same period, he was also appearing in various commercials for products such as Dockers
and performing in small theater venues and scene study classes. He also played a "future funked" Greta in a Hollywood revival of the well-known play Bent
.
Stephens had supporting roles in the films Seamless
(with Shannon Elizabeth
), Not Quite Right, and Circuit
. However, his breakout role came in 2004, when independent filmmaker Patrik-Ian Polk
cast him as the lead character for the new series Noah's Arc
. The original intention was for the show to be released direct-to-DVD after it had received rave reviews at various film festivals. However, in the fall of 2005, LOGO
picked up Noah's Arc
, which debuted on October 19. In August of 2006 the second season of Noah's Arc was televised. Upon the end of the series, it was announced that there would be a feature film version, Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom
that picks up after the show's second season finale, which Stephens would star, along with Jensen Atwood
and remainder of the series cast.
By the end of 2006, Stephens had completed roles in the comedy Another Gay Movie
and the drama Boy Culture
, the latter alongside newcomer Derek Magyar
. In 2010, he guest starred in an episode of Private Practice, playing a pre-op transgendered character. His next film, scheduled for release in 2011, is Bolden!
, a bio film about jazz great Buddy Bolden
starring Anthony Mackie
as Bolden. Stephen's role is of cornet player Frank Lewis.
and his roles address issues of classism and sexuality.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He is best known for playing Noah Nicholson on the television dramedy Noah's Arc
Noah's Arc (TV series)
Noah's Arc is an American cable television dramedy. The series, which predominantly features gay black and Latino characters, focused on many socially relevant issues, including same sex dating, same-sex marriage, same-sex parenthood, HIV and AIDS awareness, infidelity, promiscuity, homophobia, gay...
.
Early life
Stephens grew up in the Altadena and Pasadena areas of Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. He attended the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
where he studied sociology and ethnic studies along with drama and dance before earning a Bachelor's Degree in American Culture Studies. He performed for four years in San Francisco with the cult theater troupe Sassymouth before returning to Los Angeles to pursue a film and television career. He also worked with the Berkeley Black Theater Workshop.
Film career
Back in L.A., Stephens appeared on the sexy late-night serial MTV's UndressedUndressed (TV series)
Undressed is an American anthology series that aired on MTV from July 26, 1999 to September 5, 2002. The series was created and executive produced by British director Roland Joffé.-Synopsis:...
, the short-lived series That's Life
That's Life (2000 TV series)
That's Life is an American dramedy series created by Diane Ruggiero, that was broadcast on CBS from October 1, 2000 to January 26, 2002.-Synopsis:...
, and VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's Red Eye. During the same period, he was also appearing in various commercials for products such as Dockers
Dockers
Dockers is a brand of khaki garments from Levi Strauss & Co.Levi Strauss & Co., then specialized in denim, introduced the Dockers brand in 1986. Dockers became a leading brand of business casual clothing for men led by Bob Siegel. In 1987, Dockers introduced a women's line...
and performing in small theater venues and scene study classes. He also played a "future funked" Greta in a Hollywood revival of the well-known play Bent
Bent (play)
Bent is a 1979 play by Martin Sherman. It revolves around the persecution of gays in Nazi Germany, and takes place during and after the Night of the Long Knives....
.
Stephens had supporting roles in the films Seamless
Seamless
Seamless means not to have a seam and may refer to:* Seamless robe of Jesus** Seamless garment, an abortion-related phrase referenced to the above*** Seamless Garment Network, a pro-life organization founded in 1987Technology...
(with Shannon Elizabeth
Shannon Elizabeth
Shannon Elizabeth is an American actress and former fashion model. Elizabeth is well known for her roles in comedy films such as Scary Movie, American Pie, and Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. She is also well known for her work in horror films such as Thirteen Ghosts, Cursed, and Night of the Demons...
), Not Quite Right, and Circuit
Circuit (film)
Circuit is a 2001 gay-themed independent film set in the world of gay circuit parties. Written by Dirk Shafer and Gregory Hinton and directed by Shafer, Circuit follows the lives of several people involved in the circuit party scene. Shot on digital video over a period of six months, Shafer was...
. However, his breakout role came in 2004, when independent filmmaker Patrik-Ian Polk
Patrik-Ian Polk
Patrik-Ian Polk American film director, producer, screenwriter, singer, and actor. Polk, who is openly homosexual, is noted for his films that explore the LGBT experience and relationships....
cast him as the lead character for the new series Noah's Arc
Noah's Arc (TV series)
Noah's Arc is an American cable television dramedy. The series, which predominantly features gay black and Latino characters, focused on many socially relevant issues, including same sex dating, same-sex marriage, same-sex parenthood, HIV and AIDS awareness, infidelity, promiscuity, homophobia, gay...
. The original intention was for the show to be released direct-to-DVD after it had received rave reviews at various film festivals. However, in the fall of 2005, LOGO
Logo (TV channel)
Logo is an American digital cable television channel owned by Viacom's MTV Networks division. Launched in June 2005, the channel's programs are geared towards the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community...
picked up Noah's Arc
Noah's Arc (TV series)
Noah's Arc is an American cable television dramedy. The series, which predominantly features gay black and Latino characters, focused on many socially relevant issues, including same sex dating, same-sex marriage, same-sex parenthood, HIV and AIDS awareness, infidelity, promiscuity, homophobia, gay...
, which debuted on October 19. In August of 2006 the second season of Noah's Arc was televised. Upon the end of the series, it was announced that there would be a feature film version, Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom
Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom
Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom is a 2008 Canadian-American romantic comedy-drama film based on the LOGO television series Noah's Arc. It was released on October 24, 2008 in select theaters and video on demand...
that picks up after the show's second season finale, which Stephens would star, along with Jensen Atwood
Jensen Atwood
Jensen Atwood is an American actor who was raised and currently resides in South Central, Los Angeles. He has two younger sisters and two older brothers. Raised by his mother with older brother Jason "String" Atwood...
and remainder of the series cast.
By the end of 2006, Stephens had completed roles in the comedy Another Gay Movie
Another Gay Movie
Another Gay Movie is a 2006 gay romantic comedy film directed by Todd Stephens. It satirically follows four gay friends, Andy, Jarod, Nico and Griff, who vow upon graduating high school that they will all lose their "anal virginity" before their bull dyke friend Muffler's big Labor Day party...
and the drama Boy Culture
Boy Culture
Boy Culture is an award-winning LGBT film adaptation of the 1995 novel by Matthew Rettenmund. It made its world premiere in the United Kingdom at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival on April 1, 2006, and made its debut in the United States at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 26, 2006...
, the latter alongside newcomer Derek Magyar
Derek Magyar
Derek Magyar isan American actor of Hungarian origin. He is best known as the director and producer of the film "Flying Lessons" , as the lead character "X" in the film "Boy Culture", and as Commander Kelby during the fourth season of Star Trek Enterprise...
. In 2010, he guest starred in an episode of Private Practice, playing a pre-op transgendered character. His next film, scheduled for release in 2011, is Bolden!
Bolden!
Bolden! is an upcoming drama film starring Anthony Mackie as Buddy Bolden.-Plot:The film tracks the growing fame of Buddy Bolden and his eventual fall into schizophrenia.-Cast:* Anthony Mackie as Buddy Bolden* Jackie Earle Haley as Judge Perry...
, a bio film about jazz great Buddy Bolden
Buddy Bolden
Charles "Buddy" Bolden was an African American cornetist and is regarded by contemporaries as a key figure in the development of a New Orleans style of rag-time music which later came to be known as jazz.- Life :...
starring Anthony Mackie
Anthony Mackie
Anthony Mackie is an American actor. He has been featured in feature films, television series and Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, including Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Drowning Crow, McReele, A Soldier's Play, and Talk, by Carl Hancock Rux, for which he won an Obie Award in 2002.In 2002 he featured...
as Bolden. Stephen's role is of cornet player Frank Lewis.
Personal life
Although Stephens is reluctant to discuss his personal life, he is openly gayGay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
and his roles address issues of classism and sexuality.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Reed Between the Lines Reed Between the Lines Reed Between the Lines is an American television family sitcom created by Kellie R. Griffin. It premiered on BET on October 11, 2011. On April 12, 2011, BET announced that it picked up Reed Between The Lines for a fall 2011-2012 television schedule to pair with The Game and Let's Stay Together... |
Perry Anderson |
| 2008 | Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom is a 2008 Canadian-American romantic comedy-drama film based on the LOGO television series Noah's Arc. It was released on October 24, 2008 in select theaters and video on demand... |
Noah |
| 2007 | Boy Culture Boy Culture Boy Culture is an award-winning LGBT film adaptation of the 1995 novel by Matthew Rettenmund. It made its world premiere in the United Kingdom at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival on April 1, 2006, and made its debut in the United States at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 26, 2006... |
Andrew |
| 2006 | Another Gay Movie Another Gay Movie Another Gay Movie is a 2006 gay romantic comedy film directed by Todd Stephens. It satirically follows four gay friends, Andy, Jarod, Nico and Griff, who vow upon graduating high school that they will all lose their "anal virginity" before their bull dyke friend Muffler's big Labor Day party... |
Angel |
| 2005–2006 | Noah's Arc Noah's Arc (TV series) Noah's Arc is an American cable television dramedy. The series, which predominantly features gay black and Latino characters, focused on many socially relevant issues, including same sex dating, same-sex marriage, same-sex parenthood, HIV and AIDS awareness, infidelity, promiscuity, homophobia, gay... |
Noah |
| 2005 | Not Quite Right | Evan |
| 2001 | Circuit Circuit (film) Circuit is a 2001 gay-themed independent film set in the world of gay circuit parties. Written by Dirk Shafer and Gregory Hinton and directed by Shafer, Circuit follows the lives of several people involved in the circuit party scene. Shot on digital video over a period of six months, Shafer was... |
Julian |
| 2001 | That's Life That's Life (2000 TV series) That's Life is an American dramedy series created by Diane Ruggiero, that was broadcast on CBS from October 1, 2000 to January 26, 2002.-Synopsis:... |
|
| 2000 | Undressed Undressed (TV series) Undressed is an American anthology series that aired on MTV from July 26, 1999 to September 5, 2002. The series was created and executive produced by British director Roland Joffé.-Synopsis:... (TV)(Season 2) |
|
| 1999 | Seamless Seamless Seamless means not to have a seam and may refer to:* Seamless robe of Jesus** Seamless garment, an abortion-related phrase referenced to the above*** Seamless Garment Network, a pro-life organization founded in 1987Technology... |
Devin |