By Taroue Brooks
photos by is Rowan Daly
How did you begin your acting career?
As an extra in the Best Man, then meeting with a casting Director named Chemin Bernard who gave me an opportunity on ‘Moesha.’
What type of training and coaching have you experienced?
I studied Dance while at Dartmouth College; Meisner Technique for several years at the Janet Alhanti & Iris Klein Studios, in Los Angeles and have coached steadily with Crystal Carson for 20 years.
What are some of your rituals before an audition?
I don’t have any pre audition rituals per se. I just really believe in thorough preparation. That is key for me. I do the work, and then go see Crystal for every audition, to make sure I am prepared. Then have fun, enjoy my moment, execute and then move on.
How do you stay motivated in such a competitive profession?
The goal for me is the motivation. This is my job and how I take care of my family. However, if you love what you do you never really have to work a day in your life. So, it’s pretty easy for me when I look at it that way.
What type of roles would you like to play that you haven’t as of yet?
I would love to play a super hero, which I haven’t gotten the chance to do that yet.
photo by is Rowan Daly
Tell us about your process of staying so fit.
Honestly, I really just try to keep up with my wife. She is so into fitness and organic eating. She keeps our fridge on lock and it keeps me together.
What has your experience been like as a father?
It has truly been an awakening. I grew up having only younger sisters and even than being a big brother is drastically different than being a father. As a father I am responsible for making sure that my daughter can have anything and I realized that it is my responsibility to make the changes in the world in order for her to have any opportunity she desires. I never felt that type of obligation as an older brother. But as a father, it has become a main focus.
What’s next for you?
I sit on the board of advisers for tech company called Omniview Sports. Our first product the Game Changr, is available for preorder now. I am also the co-founder of a new tech company called SnapCall, which is an improved way to communicate with celebrities, influencers, friends, and family in a more personal way. And I am launching a clothing and lifestyle brand called Black Frdm. Info on all is avail at brianwhiteonline.com
About Brian White
Instagram – @brianjwhite
Twitter – @actorbrianwhite
Brian White has been working nonstop! He will soon start production for Crypt TV’s “Stereoscope” and BET’s “Sky’s the Limit.” He just recently wrapped starring in the new night time drama, “Ambitions” for producer Will Packer, and Oprah Winfrey on the OWN Network, which premiered in June. He’s surrounded by an all star cast that includes, Robin Givens, and Essence Atkins. The series tells the tale of two high powered African American families that clash and connect, professionally and romantically, in Atlanta… Additionally, he found the time to star and produce in two feature films: “Miss Havisham Effect” and “Dear Frank.”
Brian didn’t have much rest in 2018 either as he also recurred on 3 other series, Showtime’s “Ray Donovan,” UMC’s “Craig Ross’s Monogamy,” and “Bronx SIU.” Brian also produced and starred in 3 films, including the musical “Howard High,” the romantic suspense thriller ONLY FOR ONE NIGHT and the romantic comedy 36 HOUR LAYOVER.
In 2015, White both starred in and produced, the dramatic feature WHERE CHILDREN PLAY, costarring Teyonah Paris & Macy Gray. He also held down 4 major recurring roles on TV’s hottest shows al at the same time: NBC’s hit show CHICAGO FIRE as Taylor Kinney’s new partner, CHIEF/CAPTAIN DALLAS PATTERSON; on ABC’s hit show, SCANDAL, as Kerry Washington’s new love interest; and heating up the screen with Rochelle Aytes on ABC’s MISTRESSES; and he shot a 6 epsiode arc on NBC’s “Taken.”
Brian white starred in Lifetime’s, WITH THIS RING opposite Jill Scott, Regina King and Eve; Executive Produced and starred in the romantic comedy MY FAVORITE FIVE opposite Rochelle Aytes; and also Produced and starred in the feature, AND THEN THERE WAS YOU opposite Garcelle Beauvis & Lynn Whitfield.
Previously, Brian starred in CBS’ HOSTAGES, opposite Dylan McDermott and Toni Collette; the independent feature, “Walter,” with Neve Campbell, Peter Facinelli, Virginia Madsen, and William H. Macy; the hit CW show, “Beauty And The Beast” opposite Kristen Kreuk. That year, Brian White also starred in his 5th project with the one and only Tyler Perry’s new romantic drama “Good Deeds” (Lionsgate), co-starring with Tyler Perry, Thandie Newton, and Gabrielle Union. In April 2012, White stars opposite Academy-award nominee Richard Jenkins and Emmy-award winner Bradley Whitford in the Joss Whedon/Drew Goddard horror film “The Cabin in the Woods.”
White has showcased his talent with a multitude of characters in different genres of film.
In 2011, White starred
in the Bollywood romantic comedy film
“Politics of Love” opposite Mallika Sherawat, Loretta Devine, and Ruby Dee. “Politics of Love” is a romantic comedy that follows the fortunes of a campaign team caught up in a whirlwind of euphoric romances during
Obama’s presidential push. On the small
screen,
White also reprised his popular role of Marcus in the Emmy-award nominated drama series “Men of A Certain Age” which stars Ray Romano, Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula as three best friends in their late forties dealing with the realities of middle age. White is almost a nemesis to Braugher’s character Owen as Marcus constantly outshines him at the car lot where they are both salesmen. Owen’s father, the owner of the lot, considers Marcus the “son he wished he had.”
In 2009, White starred in Tyler Perry’s “I Can Do Bad All by Myself” (Lionsgate) opposite Taraji P. Henson. He also appeared opposite Channing Tatum and Terrance Howard in “Fighting” (Rogue Pictures) and alongside World Wrestling Entertainment superstar John Cena in the film “12 Rounds” (Fox Atomic ). In 2008, he starred alongside Jason Statham in the fantasy-adventure epic “In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale” (Fox International). White also starred in the musical- drama “Stomp the Yard” (Screen Gems) and opposite Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Disney’s box office hit “The Game Plan.” Other notable film credits include the box office hit “The Family Stone” (Fox 2000) and Independent Spirit Award-nominated film “Brick” (Focus Features/Universal).
A Boston native and son of a licensed financial consultant mother and professional basketball player father (legend JoJo White of the Boston Celtics), White was instilled with the importance of both sports and education throughout his childhood. He studied Political Science, Psychology and Theatre at Dartmouth College.
He continued to play football and lacrosse throughout his college years and upon graduation was signed by both an NFL (New England Patriots) and NLL (Boston Blazers) team. In 2000, due to an injury, White made the transition from professional athlete to investment broker. Later on, a chance meeting with an entertainment executive led him to leave the world of finance to begin a new career in modeling and eventually acting.
White is most recognizable to television audiences as Detective Tavon Garris on the award- winning FX crime drama “The Shield.” Other television credits include CBS’ “Moonlight,” UPN’s “Moesha,” “The Parkers,” and “Second Time Around” as well as MTV’s “Spyder Games.”
He recently returned from touring the United States in David E. Talbert’s stage show “What My Husband Doesn’t Know” alongside Michelle Williams, Ann Nesby, Clifton Davis and Morris Chestnut.
He also has a philanthropic side to him and has co-founded a multitude of different ventures including: the Helping Hands Celebrity Weekend (HHCW) in St. Thomas, US VI which creates a unique arena where members of the entertainment industry, professional athletes and corporate leaders can unite and support one another’s charitable efforts; Black Carpenter (www.BlackCarpenter.org) which is a multi-platform youth empowerment brand that includes a book, feature documentary and speaking tour designed to create a “tool box” that represents the essential life skills for building a successful next generation; a professional dance company/community youth outreach organization called Phunk
Phenomenon Urban Dance Theatre. He is also a founding partner of a full-service film, television and broadband production company based in Los Angeles, CA.
He just celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary to Paula Silvina this past summer. They have 1 daughter Layla Simone.
