Devon Terrell
Devon Terrell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 October 1992 Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | Australian, American |
| Alma mater | Edith Cowan University National Institute of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actor |
Notable work | Barry |
Devon Terrell is an American-Australian actor best known for playing a young Barack Obama in the 2016 biographical film Barry[1] and played Arthur in the Netflix original series Cursed.
Early life and education[]
Terrell was born in Long Beach, California to an African-American father and English Anglo-Indian mother. At age 5, he moved to Perth, Western Australia, growing up in . After finishing his secondary education at Lynwood Senior High School,[2] he attended Edith Cowan University, specializing in drama education. He graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2013.[1][3][4]
Career[]
Terrell's first role was in Steve McQueen's HBO miniseries Codes of Conduct, which was canceled after the pilot was filmed. He then auditioned for Barry, a biopic about Barack Obama's college years. Terrell said that he felt an affinity for Obama and that the president had been his dream role since the age of 19.[5][6]
To prepare for the role, Terrell worked with a dialect coach and watched Obama's speeches to master his accent and manner of speaking. He was offered the part after one audition. He also trained himself to portray the left-handed Obama, including learning how to write and play basketball with his left hand.[4][5] He read Obama's book Dreams from My Father three times to get into his mindset, and he received praise for his portrayal when the film was released.[7][8][9]
Later, he portrayed Arthur in the Netflix original series Cursed. The first season was released on July 17, 2020.
Filmography[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Barry | Barack Obama | |
| 2018 | Ophelia | Horatio | |
| 2018 | The Professor | Danny Albright |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Codes of Conduct | Beverly Snow | Unaired pilot |
| 2020 | Cursed | Arthur | Main cast |
| 2022 | Rap Sh*t | Cliff | Main cast |
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b Zeitchik, Steven (10 September 2016). "Toronto: Young and dislocated, Devon Terrell on playing a young and dislocated Barack Obama". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ "Perth actor Devon Terrell's dream role playing young Barack Obama". 5 December 2016.
- ^ "Newcomer Devon Terrell Nabs Lead Role In Steve McQueen's HBO Drama Pilot". blackfilm.com. 14 October 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Thomas, Sarah (22 November 2016). "Perth actor Devon Terrell on playing Barack Obama in the Netflix film Barry". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Tobias, Scott (12 September 2016). "How Do You Prepare to Play Barack Obama in a Movie?". GQ. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ McRae, Ross (14 November 2016). "WA actor shines as Barack Obama in film debut". The West Australian. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ Kosin, Julie (5 December 2016). "Devon Terrell on Becoming Barack Obama". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ Mohan, Keerthi (22 November 2016). "Barry: Netflix releases trailer; Aussie actor Devon Terrell impresses as young Barack Obama". International Business Times. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ^ Garcia, Patrick (16 December 2016). "Devon Terrell on How He Landed the Part of a Young Barack Obama on His First Audition". Vogue. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
External links[]
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- 1992 births
- Living people
- Male actors from Long Beach, California
- Male actors from Perth, Western Australia
- African-American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- 21st-century Australian male actors
- American emigrants to Australia
- Australian people of African-American descent
- Australian people of Anglo-Indian descent
- Australian people of English descent
- Australian people of Indian descent
- American people of Anglo-Indian descent
- American people of English descent
- National Institute of Dramatic Art alumni
- Edith Cowan University alumni
- American male actors of Indian descent
- Australian actor stubs