Happy Birthday, Michael Ealy! His Life In Film

The talented actor turns the big 5-0 today.

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)
Barbershop 2 (2004) - The blue-eyed actor reprised his Ricky Nash character for the sequel to Barbershop. But instead of finding trouble in this comedy he found love after hooking up with fellow barber Terri (played by rapper Eve). Cedric the Entertainer, Queen Latifah and Kenan Thompson also starred. 
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)
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. The Maryland-born actor 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)Takers (2010) - In this crime-action thriller, Ealy played 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. Idris Elba and T.I. also starred.  (Photo: Courtesy Screen Gems)

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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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