Omari Hardwick

src: www.omarihardwick.com

Omari Hardwick (born January 9, 1974) is an American actor, known for his roles in the TV series Saved and Dark Blue, in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna (2008), and, The A-Team (2010), Kick-Ass (2010), in Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls (2010) and as Andre in BET Network's Being Mary Jane. He currently stars as James "Ghost" St. Patrick in Starz's Power.

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Early life and education

Hardwick is the son of attorney Clifford Hardwick IV and Joyce Hardwick. Growing up in Decatur, Georgia, Hardwick wrote poetry on a regular basis, and participated in many sports. For high school he attended Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia where he excelled in baseball, basketball and football, which eventually led him to a football scholarship for University of Georgia. Even though he was a star on the field, Hardwick continued in acting and poetry, and thus minored in theater. Hardwick is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

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Career

After graduation, Hardwick was not selected in the NFL draft but tried to make the roster of the NFL San Diego Chargers.

As a struggling actor, Hardwick did odd jobs in order to pay for acting classes. After being unsuccessful, he started living in his car, and he finally got his break in 2004 TV Movie Sucker Free City. Next, he booked roles in feature film The Guardian and a series regular role in Saved. For the role, he spent two years training as a fireman and a paramedic.

In 2002, Hardwick had a quick scene as an extra in Floetry's "Say Yes" music video.

In 2003 and 2004, he participated award-winningly in the National Poetry Slam.

In 2010, Hardwick became a founding member of "Plan B Inc. Theater Group", and a co-founder of "Actor's Lounge" at the Los Angeles' Greenway Theater. He also founded production company "Bravelife Films". Hardwick was also featured in the urban lifestyle publication, Prominence Magazine for its Holiday issue.

In 2011, Hardwick received his best films reviews to date for his role as "Troy" in the critically acclaimed indie hit I Will Follow (2011). Hardwick has guest starred on an episode of NBC's Chase as Chris Novak, a hard luck criminal facing prison.