Jharrel Jerome (born October 9, 1997) is an American actor. He made his film debut in Barry Jenkins's drama film Moonlight (2016), and gained prominence for his portrayal of Korey Wise in Ava DuVernay's Netflix miniseries When They See Us (2019), which earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. Jerome has since starred as a 13 foot tall boy in Boots Riley's miniseries I'm a Virgo (2023) and as wrestler Anthony Robles in the sports biopic film Unstoppable (2024).
Early life Jharrel Jerome was born on October 9, 1997 in The Bronx, New York City, and was raised in the neighbourhood. He is of Dominican and Haitian descent. and grew up in a close-knit family with parents whom he described as "loving".
His mother suggested he pursue acting when he was in eighth grade, after which he joined the Riverdale Children's Theatre, a local youth theater organization. He attended and graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School and commuted to Manhattan each day by train.
Career Acting Shortly after Jerome enrolled as an undergraduate at Ithaca College, he was cast in his first professional acting role in the 2016 independent film Moonlight, as young Kevin. A.O. Scott wrote in The New York Times that he was "excellent" in the role. Director Barry Jenkins said about Jerome, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, "When you watch Jharrel in that movie, he's not a guy who's been over-rehearsing. That's a dude learning by doing. It's amazing."
Since 2017, Jerome has appeared in the Audience series Mr. Mercedes. He auditioned for the role of young Korey Wise in the 2019 Netflix miniseries When They See Us, based on the Central Park jogger case. After his audition the series' director, Ava DuVernay, asked him to read the lines for adult Korey Wise, and he was subsequently cast in both roles. Jerome grew close to Wise throughout filming, and said in a Los Angeles Times interview, "He's my brother now. I look up to him. I look up to his courage. He's taught me so much on how to be strong." Following his performance in the series, Jharrel became the first Afro-Latino and Dominican to win an acting Emmy.
In 2024, with his film Unstoppable premiering at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, he was named a recipient of the Performer Award from the TIFF Tribute Awards."‘Moonlight’ star Jharrel Jerome, Chinese actress Zhao Tao join TIFF Tribute Awards". CityNews, August 20, 2024.
Music On September 24, 2020, Jerome released his debut single "For Real", featuring Bronx rapper Kemba and produced by duo Take a Daytrip. The song was released with a music video directed by Spence Hord. Jerome followed up on August 25, 2022, with "Someone I'm Not", which came with a music video following a day in Jerome's life at home, on a film set, and in a recording studio.
His third single, "Chinatown", was released on May 1, 2023, with a lyric video and the announcement of an upcoming project called Someone I'm Not set for a 2023 release. On August 23, Jerome posted a video on his Instagram of himself which included a snippet of a new song and announced Rap Pack, set for an August 30 release by Sony Music. Rap Pack is the first part of Someone I'm Not, to be released as a four-part series.
Jerome's musical style has been compared to early career Kendrick Lamar.
Filmography +Key Denotes works that have not yet been released
Film Year Title Role Notes 2016 Her Coloring Book ArtistShort film Wheels Narrator Moonlight Teen Kevin2018 Monster Osvaldo Cruz First Match Omari Credited as Jharrel A. Jerome2019 Selah and the Spades MaxxieRobu Rob Short film 2020 Concrete Cowboy Smush 2023 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Miles G. Morales / Prowler Voice 2024 Unstoppable Anthony Robles 2027 Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse Miles G. Morales / Prowler Voice; In production
Television Year Title Role Notes 2017 Tales Deacon Episode: "Children's Story" 2017–2019 Mr. Mercedes Jerome Robinson Main role 2019 When They See Us Korey Wise Lead role; Netflix miniseries 2019 Live in Front of a Studio Audience Jimmy Pearson Episode: "All in the Family and Good Times" 2023 I'm a Virgo Cootie Lead role; also executive producer 2023 Full Circle Aked Miniseries
Awards and nominations Year Association Category Project Result 2016 Austin Film Critics Association Honorary Award for Best Ensemble Moonlight Gotham Award Special Jury Award – Ensemble Performance Independent Spirit Award Robert Altman Award MTV Movie Award Best Kiss Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture 2018 Black Reel Award Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series When They See Us Critics' Choice Television Award Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Limited-Series or Movie Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Satellite Award Best Actor - Miniseries or Television Film Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie 2024Toronto International Film FestivalTribute Performer AwardUnstoppableNew York Latino Film FestivalImpact AwardMiddleburg Film FestivalRising Star AwardSavannah Film FestivalLumiere AwardCelebration of Cinema and TelevisionBreakthrough Actor Award2025BAFTA AwardsRising Star AwardBlack Reel AwardsOutstanding Breakthrough Performance
See also List of Afro-Latinos
References
External links