Morris Lamont Chestnut is an American actor. He first came to prominence for his role as Ricky in the 1991 filmBoyz n the Hood. He has appeared in feature films and on television series, including the starring role of FBI Agent Will Keaton in the NBCTV seriesThe Enemy Within.
Early life
Chestnut was born in Cerritos, California, the son of Morris Chestnut Sr. and Shirley Chestnut.
Career
Chestnut's first professional acting role was as Jadon in ', season 2, episode 19, which aired on February 18, 1990. His first feature film role was as Ricky Baker in Boyz n the Hood. He followed that up with roles in various TV movies. Chestnut also played a role on Patti LaBelle's short-lived sitcomOut All Night. His career continued to rise steadily with co-starring roles in standard big-budget studio films such as ' opposite Steven Seagal and Katherine Heigl and G.I. Jane opposite Demi Moore. He was also a regular cast member on, in the role of Special Agent Mal Robinson, from 1997 to 1998. In 1998, he won the annual Madden Bowlvideo game competition. In 1999, Chestnut starred in The Best Man with Taye Diggs and Nia Long, as a professional football playeron the eve of his wedding. The Best Man earned positive reviews from the press and did well at the box office. For his performance, Chestnut earned an NAACP Image Award nomination. He again played a football player in The Game Plan. In 2001, he starred in The Brothers, a film centering on the themes of fidelity and success among young professionals. In 2004, he appeared as a firefighter in Ladder 49. He has worked with Steven Seagal three times: as Seagal's reluctant partner and lead male villain in Half Past Dead and Prince of Pistols. In 2015, Morris Chestnut played Derrick Dog Prince in the movie Heist. People magazine named Morris Chestnut as one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" in 2015. To prepare for his role as Professional Football Player, Lance Sullivan, in the movie The Best Man Holiday, Morris Chestnut had to get back into shape. His fitness training experience with Celebrity Fitness Trainer Obi Obadike inspired him to become Obadike's co-author on the health and fitness book, The Cut. The Cut, published on April 18, 2017, contains exercise drills and recipes.
Personal life
Morris Chestnut has been married to Pam Byse-Chestnut since 1995. The couple have two children, son Grant and daughter Paige.
