Happy Birthday, Michael Ealy! His Life In Film
The talented actor turns the big 5-0 today.
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With an acting resume that covers over two decades, Michael Ealy has become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors. Known for his dramatic intensity (magnified by his blue eyes), the Maryland-raised actor can play the sexy leading man, dramatic roles or even a villain. On his 50th birthday, get to know Michael Ealy through his life in films. (Photo: Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Photo By Jessica Brooks/ABC via Getty Images
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Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) - Michael Ealy made his film acting debut in this indie romantic comedy about a Jewish copy editor who's tired of blind dates from hell. The up-and-coming thespian was cast in the small role of Greg, one of her dates who memorably wore a cowboy hat. (Photo: fox Searchlight Pictures)
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Barbershop (2002) - In this classic ensemble comedy — about a barbershop owner (Ice Cube) who sells his shop to a shady loan shark (Keith David) — Ealy landed the role of Ricky Nash, a barber who's falsely accused of a robbery. The role garnered him budding attention as a Hollywood sex symbol. (Photo: MGM)
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2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) - Ealy crossed over to Hollywood action films when he was cast in the second installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise. In this John Singleton-directed race car film, Ealy plays street car racer Slap Jack. Also starring in the action drama are Tyrese, the late Paul Walker, Eva Mendes and Ludacris. (Photo: Universal Pictures)
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Barbershop 2 (2004) - Ealy reprised his Ricky Nash character for the Barbershop sequel. But instead of finding trouble in this comedy he found love after hooking up with fellow barber Terri (played by rapper Eve).
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Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005) - When Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey helped bring Zora Neale Hurston’s classic 1937 novel to the TV screen, Ealy landed the breakout role of Tea Cake, the lover of Janie Crawford (Halle Berry). For his part in the Golden Globe-nominated film, Ealy gained critical acclaim and the eyes of mainstream Hollywood. (Photo: Harpo Films)
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Seven Pounds (2008) - Ealy followed up his stoic military role in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna with the Will Smith-led drama Seven Pounds. He played IRS agent (and Smith's brother) Ben Thomas. After getting shot in the line of duty, Smith assumes Ealy's identity to do a life-changing act for seven people. (Photo: Columbia Pictures)
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Takers (2010) - In this crime-action thriller, Ealy was Jake Attica, older brother of Jesse Attica (Chris Brown). Both are members of a team of professional, high-performance bank robbers out to commit their last score. The film, with Black lead characters, also scored big, opening number one at the box office. (Photo: Courtesy Screen Gems)
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For Colored Girls (2010) - In Tyler Perry's film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's 1975 stage play, Ealy showed deep intensity and emotional edge in the role of troubled Vietnam vet Beau Willie. When his marriage proposal to longtime girlfriend (Kimberly Elise) is refused, he murders her children. (Photo: Lionsgate)
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Think Like a Man (2012) - Ealy starred in this surprise summer hit which adapted Steve Harvey's best-selling book to the silver screen. Cast as aspiring cook and restaurateur Dominic, Ealy tries to build a promising relationship with Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) under false pretenses. (Photo: Screen Gems, Rainforest Films)
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