Malik Yoba
Encyclopedia
Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba better known by his stage name
Malik Yoba, is an American actor
and occasional singer. He is perhaps best known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams on the FOX
police
drama
series New York Undercover
or as Yul Brenner in Cool Runnings
. Currently, he appears as former FBI Special Agent Bill Harken on the Syfy
drama series Alphas
.
, New York
, the son of Mahmoudah Young (née
Lanier) and Abdullah Yoba. Yoba, who is African American
, was raised as a Muslim
. He is divorced from Cat Wilson, a model and actress, and he has three children from previous relationships.
police drama series New York Undercover
, opposite fellow actor Michael DeLorenzo
. Yoba and DeLorenzo (who is of Puerto Rican
descent) made television history, as the series was the first police drama on American television to feature two people of color in the starring roles. Yoba's work on New York Undercover earned him three consecutive NAACP Image Award
s for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
(in 1996, 1997, and 1998). The series was cancelled in 1998, with Yoba as the only actor to appear in all 89 episodes.
An accomplished singer and stage actor, Yoba's singing and stage work was showcased in "His Woman His wife," of which he had the lead role.
Yoba has also appeared in films such as Cool Runnings
and Criminal. He has made appearances on the FOX television series Arrested Development as Ice, a bounty hunter
whose real love is party planning
. He has also been a recurring character, Brock Harris, on the UPN
sitcom Girlfriends
. Yoba also appeared in the FX Networks
crime drama Thief
and the NBC
crime drama Raines
. He appeared as Gavin in the 2007 Tyler Perry
film Why Did I Get Married?
and its 2010 sequel Why Did I Get Married Too?
In 2009, he co-starred as astronaut Ted Shaw on the futuristic ABC
drama Defying Gravity
. Recently, he announced his plans on bringing back New York Undercover to the small screen in a modern TV series adaptation of the original series. Law & Order
writer Courtney Parker penned a spec script
for networks to bid on.
In 2011, Yoba began appearing as former FBI Special Agent Bill Harken on Alphas
, a science fiction
drama series about a team of people with special abilities who belong to a secret department attached to the DOD
.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Malik Yoba, is an American 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...
and occasional singer. He is perhaps best known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams on the FOX
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
series New York Undercover
New York Undercover
New York Undercover is an American police drama that aired on the FOX television network from 1994 to 1998. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City's 4th Precinct who were assigned to...
or as Yul Brenner in Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings is a 1993 comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub. It is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsled team's debut in the bobsleigh competition of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. It stars Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, and Rawle D...
. Currently, he appears as former FBI Special Agent Bill Harken on the Syfy
Syfy
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
drama series Alphas
Alphas
Alphas is an American science fiction dramatic television series created by Zak Penn and Michael Karnow. The series follows a group of people with superhuman abilities, known as "Alphas", as they work to prevent crimes committed by other Alphas....
.
Personal life
The fourth of six children, Yoba was born in BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, the son of Mahmoudah Young (née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Lanier) and Abdullah Yoba. Yoba, who is African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, was raised as a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
. He is divorced from Cat Wilson, a model and actress, and he has three children from previous relationships.
Career
In 1994, Yoba began his role as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams on the popular FOXFox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
police drama series New York Undercover
New York Undercover
New York Undercover is an American police drama that aired on the FOX television network from 1994 to 1998. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City's 4th Precinct who were assigned to...
, opposite fellow actor Michael DeLorenzo
Michael DeLorenzo
Michael DeLorenzo is an American actor, director and musician. He is best known for his portrayal of NYPD Detective Eddie Torres on the Fox Thursday night television series New York Undercover which was aired from 1994-1998....
. Yoba and DeLorenzo (who is of Puerto Rican
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
descent) made television history, as the series was the first police drama on American television to feature two people of color in the starring roles. Yoba's work on New York Undercover earned him three consecutive NAACP Image Award
NAACP Image Award
An NAACP Image Award is an accolade presented by the American National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor outstanding people of color in film, television, music, and literature....
s for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
The NAACP Image Award winners for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series:*Most Wins:* Malik Yoba, Eriq La Salle, Hill Harper have won this category 3 times.*Most Nominations-Winners/Nominees:...
(in 1996, 1997, and 1998). The series was cancelled in 1998, with Yoba as the only actor to appear in all 89 episodes.
An accomplished singer and stage actor, Yoba's singing and stage work was showcased in "His Woman His wife," of which he had the lead role.
Yoba has also appeared in films such as Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings is a 1993 comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub. It is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsled team's debut in the bobsleigh competition of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. It stars Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, and Rawle D...
and Criminal. He has made appearances on the FOX television series Arrested Development as Ice, a bounty hunter
Bounty hunter
A bounty hunter captures fugitives for a monetary reward . Other names, mainly used in the United States, include bail enforcement agent and fugitive recovery agent.-Laws in the U.S.:...
whose real love is party planning
Party service
A party service is an industry that furnishes supplies and personnel to meet the needs of party hosts. A party services business is typically a local company or an agency.-Features:Many agencies have:*Bouncy castles*Caricature artists*Breakdancing...
. He has also been a recurring character, Brock Harris, on the UPN
UPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
sitcom Girlfriends
Girlfriends
Girlfriends is an American comedy-drama sitcom that premiered on September 11, 2000, on UPN and aired on UPN's successor network, The CW, before being cancelled in 2008...
. Yoba also appeared in the FX Networks
FX Networks
FX is the name of a number of related pay television channels owned by News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group...
crime drama Thief
Thief (TV series)
Thief is an FX television mini-series which debuted on March 28, 2006 .Andre Braugher stars as Nick Atwater, the leader of a robbery crew balancing his personal life with the planning of a major heist...
and the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
crime drama Raines
Raines
Raines is a crime drama television series that ran from March 15, 2007 to April 27, 2007 on NBC in the United States. The show premiered as a mid-season replacement, as well as airing on CH in Canada, TV3 in Ireland, ITV3 in the UK and on Network Ten in Australia.The series focused on Michael...
. He appeared as Gavin in the 2007 Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
film Why Did I Get Married?
Why Did I Get Married?
Why Did I Get Married? is a 2007 comedy-drama film adaptation written, produced, directed, and starring Tyler Perry, which was inspired by the play of the same name. The film stars Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Malik Yoba, Sharon Leal, Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Richard T. Jones, and Keesha Sharp...
and its 2010 sequel Why Did I Get Married Too?
Why Did I Get Married Too?
Why Did I Get Married Too? is a 2010 American comedy-drama film produced by Lionsgate and Tyler Perry Studios and stars Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry, and Tasha Smith...
In 2009, he co-starred as astronaut Ted Shaw on the futuristic ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
drama Defying Gravity
Defying Gravity (TV series)
Defying Gravity is a multi-nationally produced space travel television science fiction drama series, first aired on August 2, 2009 on ABC and CTV and canceled in the autumn of 2009...
. Recently, he announced his plans on bringing back New York Undercover to the small screen in a modern TV series adaptation of the original series. Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
writer Courtney Parker penned a spec script
Spec script
A spec script, also known as a speculative screenplay, is a non-commissioned unsolicited screenplay. It is usually written by a screenwriter who hopes to have the script optioned and eventually purchased by a producer, production company, or studio....
for networks to bid on.
In 2011, Yoba began appearing as former FBI Special Agent Bill Harken on Alphas
Alphas
Alphas is an American science fiction dramatic television series created by Zak Penn and Michael Karnow. The series follows a group of people with superhuman abilities, known as "Alphas", as they work to prevent crimes committed by other Alphas....
, a science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
drama series about a team of people with special abilities who belong to a secret department attached to the DOD
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
.
Filmography
- Cool RunningsCool RunningsCool Runnings is a 1993 comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub. It is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsled team's debut in the bobsleigh competition of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta. It stars Leon Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, and Rawle D...
(1993) .... Yul Brenner - Law & OrderLaw & OrderLaw & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
- "Wager" (1994) .... Pat Williams
- SmokeSmoke (film)Smoke is an American independent film released in 1995. It was produced by Hisami Kuroiwa, Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein and directed by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster...
(1995) .... The Creeper - Blue in the FaceBlue in the FaceBlue in the Face is a 1995 comedy directed by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster. It stars Harvey Keitel, Victor Argo, Giancarlo Esposito, Roseanne Barr, Michael J. Fox, Lily Tomlin, Mira Sorvino, Lou Reed, Mel Gorham, Jim Jarmusch,and Malik Yoba....
(1995) .... Watch Man - A Woman Like That (1997)
- New York UndercoverNew York UndercoverNew York Undercover is an American police drama that aired on the FOX television network from 1994 to 1998. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City's 4th Precinct who were assigned to...
.... Det. J.C. Williams (1994–1998) - Cop LandCop LandCop Land is a 1997 American drama film written and directed by James Mangold. It features an ensemble cast including Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel and Ray Liotta.-Plot:...
(1997) .... Detective Carson - Soul FoodSoul Food (film)Soul Food is a 1997 American comedy-drama film, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Tracey Edmonds, and Robert Teitel, and released by Fox 2000 Pictures. Featuring an ensemble cast, the film stars Vanessa L. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Nia Long, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma...
(1997) .... Studio Engineer - Black Jaq (1998) .... Gregory 'Greg' Franklin
- RideRide (film)Ride is a 1998 comedy film, written and directed by Millicent Shelton. The film stars Fredro Starr, Malik Yoba, and Melissa De Sousa. The film is sometimes confused with The Ride, another film released in 1998.-Plot:...
(1998) .... Poppa - For Your LoveFor Your Love-Album reissues:The Yardbirds' 2001 compilation album Ultimate! contains eight of the eleven tracks from the original album. For Your Love has been reissued by several record labels, including JVC, Castle, and Repertoire...
- "Divorce-i-versary" (1998) .... Keith
- Personals (1999) .... Keith Parker
- Trinity
- "Breaking In, Breaking Out, Breaking Up, Breaking Down" (1999) .... Sam Davis
- "Having Trouble with the Language" (1999) .... Sam Davis
- Harlem Aria (1999) .... Luke
- His Woman, His Wife (2000) (V) .... Stuart Banks
- BullBull (TV Series)Bull is a short-lived American drama series created by Michael S. Chernuchin, who had worked on Law & Order and Brooklyn South in 2000. It was TNT's first original series, and was cancelled in the middle of Season 1...
(2000) .... Corey Granville - Dreaming in Black and WhiteDreaming In Black and WhiteDreaming In Black and White is the third studio album by Alabama-based rock band Trust Company. It was released on March 8, 2011 via eOne Music....
(2002) .... Chris Jones - Violation (2003) (TV) .... Patrick Matthews
- Kingpin (2003) (mini) TV Series .... Bobby Curtis
- Vote for Me (2003) .... The Professor
- The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. Each episode is a mixture of self-contained drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist...
- "Developing" (2003) TV Episode .... Shawn
- Criminal (2004) .... Frank Hill
- The DaysThe DaysThe Days is a 2004 ABC television series. Each episode chronicles 24 hours in the lives of the members of the fictional Day family.The series was produced for ABC by MindShare Worldwide, a GroupM media agency within WPP Group that financed the series in exchange for ABC advertising time.- Plot...
(2004) .... Gib Taylor - Oh Happy Day (2004) .... Moses Jackson
- Arrested Development (2004) .... Ice
- GirlfriendsGirlfriendsGirlfriends is an American comedy-drama sitcom that premiered on September 11, 2000, on UPN and aired on UPN's successor network, The CW, before being cancelled in 2008...
(2003) .... Brock - SlurSlurSlur can mean:*Pejorative, any term of disparagement.*Slur , unclear or abnormal enunciation.*Slur , a symbol in Western musical notation indicating that the notes it embraces are to be played legato ....
(2005) .... Jordan - Kids in America (2005) .... Will Drucker
- They're Just My Friends (2006) .... Pat Black Sr.
- ThiefThief (TV series)Thief is an FX television mini-series which debuted on March 28, 2006 .Andre Braugher stars as Nick Atwater, the leader of a robbery crew balancing his personal life with the planning of a major heist...
(2006) .... Elmo "Mo" Jones - That's So RavenThat's So RavenThat's So Raven is an American cable television teen sitcom/fantasy series. The show premiered on the Disney Channel on January 17, 2003, and ended on November 10, 2007. The show spawned Disney Channel's first spin-off series: Cory in the House...
- "Checkin' OutThat's So Suite Life of Hannah MontanaThat's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana is a crossover episode of the Disney Channel sitcoms That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and Hannah Montana. In the United States it aired on July 28, 2006 as a three-part special and served as TV movie. The Crossover was watched by 7.1 million...
" (2006) .... Judge
- "Checkin' Out
- Caught on Tape (2006) (post-production) .... Detective Roberts
- RockawayRockaway-Places:In California:*Rockaway Creek In New Jersey:*Rockaway, New Jersey, a borough in Morris County*Rockaway Township, New Jersey, a township in Morris County*Rockaway Creek , a tributary of the Lamington River in Hunterdon County...
(2007) (post-production) .... Case - Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? (2007)... Gavin
- CSI: MiamiCSI: MiamiCSI: Miami is an American police procedural television series, which premiered on September 23, 2002 on CBS. The series is a spin-off of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation....
(2008) .... Reggie Mastell - Defying GravityDefying Gravity (TV series)Defying Gravity is a multi-nationally produced space travel television science fiction drama series, first aired on August 2, 2009 on ABC and CTV and canceled in the autumn of 2009...
(2009) .... Ted Shaw - Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?Why Did I Get Married Too?Why Did I Get Married Too? is a 2010 American comedy-drama film produced by Lionsgate and Tyler Perry Studios and stars Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry, and Tasha Smith...
(2010)....Gavin - AlphasAlphasAlphas is an American science fiction dramatic television series created by Zak Penn and Michael Karnow. The series follows a group of people with superhuman abilities, known as "Alphas", as they work to prevent crimes committed by other Alphas....
(2011) .... Bill Harken