Morris Chestnut

Morris Lamont Chestnut (born January 1, 1969) is an American actor. He first came to prominence for his role as Ricky Baker in the 1991 film Boyz n the Hood. He has appeared in feature films such as G . Jane, The Brothers, Like Mike, Ladder 49, The Game Plan, The Call, and Kick-Ass 2. He has also played Lance Sullivan in The Best Man (1999), reprising the role in the 2013 sequel film The Best Man Holiday, and 2022 follow-up series The Best Man: The Final Chapters. His television roles have included Ryan Nichols in ABC's V, Ike Prentiss in Showtime's Nurse Jackie, the lead role of Beaumont Darius Rosewood, Jr. in Fox's Rosewood, Hakeem Rashad in Prime Video's Goliath, Barrett Cain in Fox's The Resident, Corey Cash in Hulu's Reasonable Doubt, and the title character in Watson for CBS. Chestnut has been nominated for seven NAACP Image Awards, winning for Nurse Jackie and The Best Man: The Final Chapters. His body of work has seen him receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Infobox

Born

Morris Lamont Chestnut (1969-01-01) January 1, 1969 Cerritos, California, U .

Education

California State University, Northridge

Occupation

Actor

Years active

1988–present

Spouse

Pam Byse-Chestnut (m. 1995)

Children

Tables

· Filmography › Film

1991

Boyz n the Hood

Role(s)

Ricky Baker

The Last Boy Scout

Role(s)

Locker Room Kid

1992

In the Line of Duty: Street War

Role(s)

Prince Franklin

Notes

TV movie

1993

The Ernest Green Story

Role(s)

Ernest Green

Notes

TV movie

1994

The Inkwell

Role(s)

Harold Lee

1995

Higher Learning

Role(s)

Track Anchor

Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

Role(s)

Bobby Zachs

1997

G . Jane

Role(s)

McCool

Firehouse

Role(s)

Andre

1999

The Best Man

Role(s)

Lance Sullivan

2001

The Brothers

Role(s)

Jackson Smith

Two Can Play That Game

Role(s)

Keith Fenton

Scenes of the Crime

Role(s)

Ray

The Killing Yard

Role(s)

Shango

Notes

TV movie

2002

Like Mike

Role(s)

Tracy Reynolds

Half Past Dead

Role(s)

Donny Johnson / 49ner One

2003

Confidence

Role(s)

Travis

2004

Breakin' All the Rules

Role(s)

Evan Fields

Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid

Role(s)

Gordon Mitchell

Ladder 49

Role(s)

Tommy Drake

2005

The Cave

Role(s)

'Top' Buchanan

2007

The Game Plan

Role(s)

Travis Sanders

The Perfect Holiday

Role(s)

Benjamin

2008

The Prince of Motor City

Role(s)

Leo Moore

Notes

TV movie

2009

Not Easily Broken

Role(s)

Dave Johnson

Love in the Nick of Tyme

Role(s)

Marcelles Wynters

Notes

Video

2012

Think Like a Man

Role(s)

James Merrill

2013

Identity Thief

Role(s)

Detective Reilly

The Call

Role(s)

Officer Phillips

Kick-Ass 2

Role(s)

Detective Marcus Williams

The Best Man Holiday

Role(s)

Lance Sullivan

2015

The Perfect Guy

Role(s)

Dave

Heist

Role(s)

Derrick 'Dog' Prince

2016

When the Bough Breaks

Role(s)

John Taylor

2017

Girls Trip

Role(s)

Himself

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1991	Boyz n the Hood	Ricky Baker
1991	The Last Boy Scout	Locker Room Kid
1992	In the Line of Duty: Street War	Prince Franklin	TV movie
1993	The Ernest Green Story	Ernest Green	TV movie
1994	The Inkwell	Harold Lee
1995	Higher Learning	Track Anchor
1995	Under Siege 2: Dark Territory	Bobby Zachs
1997	G . Jane	McCool
1997	Firehouse	Andre
1999	The Best Man	Lance Sullivan
2001	The Brothers	Jackson Smith
	Two Can Play That Game	Keith Fenton
	Scenes of the Crime	Ray
	The Killing Yard	Shango	TV movie
2002	Like Mike	Tracy Reynolds
2002	Half Past Dead	Donny Johnson / 49ner One
2003	Confidence	Travis
2004	Breakin' All the Rules	Evan Fields
	Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid	Gordon Mitchell
	Ladder 49	Tommy Drake
2005	The Cave	'Top' Buchanan
2007	The Game Plan	Travis Sanders
2007	The Perfect Holiday	Benjamin
2008	The Prince of Motor City	Leo Moore	TV movie
2009	Not Easily Broken	Dave Johnson
2009	Love in the Nick of Tyme	Marcelles Wynters	Video
2012	Think Like a Man	James Merrill
2013	Identity Thief	Detective Reilly
	The Call	Officer Phillips
	Kick-Ass 2	Detective Marcus Williams
	The Best Man Holiday	Lance Sullivan
2015	The Perfect Guy	Dave
2015	Heist	Derrick 'Dog' Prince
2016	When the Bough Breaks	John Taylor
2017	Girls Trip	Himself

· Filmography › Television

1990

Freddy's Nightmares

Role(s)

Jason Woodman

Notes

Episode: "A Family Affair"

1992–1993

Role(s)

Out All Night

Notes

Jeff Carswell

1994

Soul Train

Role(s)

Himself/Guest Host

Notes

Episode: "Patti LaBelle/Sounds of Blackness/Simple E"

Living Single

Role(s)

Hamilton Brown

Notes

Recurring Cast: Season 1

1997–1998

Role(s)

C-16: FBI

Notes

Special Agent Mal Robinson

2000

Role(s)

ICU Nurse Frank "Rambo" Bacon

Notes

Guest Cast: Seasons 6–7

2005

Bones

Role(s)

Agent Oakes

Notes

Episode: "The Man in the Wall"

2006

In the Mix

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Xmas in March...."

2009–2011

Role(s)

Notes

Ryan Nichols

2011

American Horror Story

Role(s)

Luke

Notes

Recurring Cast: Season 1

2013

American Dad!

Role(s)

Craig (voice)

Notes

Episode: "For Black Eyes Only"

2013–2014

Role(s)

Nurse Jackie

Notes

Dr. Ike Prentiss

2014–2015

Role(s)

Legends

Notes

Tony Rice

2015–2017

Role(s)

Rosewood

Notes

Dr. Beaumont Rosewood Jr.

2016–2017

Role(s)

Live with Kelly and Mark

Notes

Himself/Guest Co-Host

2018

Unsung Hollywood

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "The Best Man"

Goliath

Role(s)

D . Hakeem Rashad

Notes

Main Cast: Season 2

2019

Being Mary Jane

Role(s)

Beau Mercer

Notes

Episode: "Becoming Pauletta"

The Enemy Within

Role(s)

FBI Agent Will Keaton

Notes

Main Cast

2019–2021

Role(s)

The Resident

Notes

Dr. Barrett Cain

2021

Our Kind of People

Role(s)

Raymond Dupont

Notes

Main Cast

2022

Celebrity Game Face

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Cedric the Entertainer Busts Kevin's Chops"

The Best Man: The Final Chapters

Role(s)

Lance Sullivan

Notes

Main Cast

2022–2023

Role(s)

All American

Notes

Rick Barnes

2023

The Talk

Role(s)

Himself/Guest Co-Host

Notes

Recurring Guest Co-Host: Season 13

Rebuilding Black Wall Street

Role(s)

Himself/Host

Notes

Main Host

2024

Diarra from Detroit

Role(s)

Francois "Swa" Brickland

Notes

Main Cast

2024–

Role(s)

Reasonable Doubt

Notes

Corey Cash

2025

After Midnight

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Episode "

Number One on the Call Sheet

Role(s)

Himself

Notes

Episode: "Black Leading Men in Hollywood"

2025–2026

Role(s)

Watson

Notes

Dr. John Watson

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1990	Freddy's Nightmares	Jason Woodman	Episode: "A Family Affair"
1992–1993	Out All Night	Jeff Carswell	Main Cast
1994	Soul Train	Himself/Guest Host	Episode: "Patti LaBelle/Sounds of Blackness/Simple E"
1994	Living Single	Hamilton Brown	Recurring Cast: Season 1
1997–1998	C-16: FBI	Special Agent Mal Robinson	Main Cast
2000	ER	ICU Nurse Frank "Rambo" Bacon	Guest Cast: Seasons 6–7
2005	Bones	Agent Oakes	Episode: "The Man in the Wall"
2006	In the Mix	Himself	Episode: "Xmas in March...."
2009–2011	V	Ryan Nichols	Main Cast
2011	American Horror Story	Luke	Recurring Cast: Season 1
2013	American Dad!	Craig (voice)	Episode: "For Black Eyes Only"
2013–2014	Nurse Jackie	Dr. Ike Prentiss	Main Cast: Seasons 5–6
2014–2015	Legends	Tony Rice	Main Cast: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2
2015–2017	Rosewood	Dr. Beaumont Rosewood Jr.	Main Cast
2016–2017	Live with Kelly and Mark	Himself/Guest Co-Host	Guest Co-Host: Season 28, Recurring Guest Co-Host: Season 29
2018	Unsung Hollywood	Himself	Episode: "The Best Man"
2018	Goliath	D . Hakeem Rashad	Main Cast: Season 2
2019	Being Mary Jane	Beau Mercer	Episode: "Becoming Pauletta"
2019	The Enemy Within	FBI Agent Will Keaton	Main Cast
2019–2021	The Resident	Dr. Barrett Cain	Main Cast: Seasons 3–4
2021	Our Kind of People	Raymond Dupont	Main Cast
2022	Celebrity Game Face	Himself	Episode: "Cedric the Entertainer Busts Kevin's Chops"
2022	The Best Man: The Final Chapters	Lance Sullivan	Main Cast
2022–2023	All American	Rick Barnes	Recurring Cast: Season 5
2023	The Talk	Himself/Guest Co-Host	Recurring Guest Co-Host: Season 13
2023	Rebuilding Black Wall Street	Himself/Host	Main Host
2024	Diarra from Detroit	Francois "Swa" Brickland	Main Cast
2024–	Reasonable Doubt	Corey Cash	Main Cast: Season 2, Recurring Cast: Season 3
2025	After Midnight	Himself	Episode: "Episode "
2025	Number One on the Call Sheet	Himself	Episode: "Black Leading Men in Hollywood"
2025–2026	Watson	Dr. John Watson	Main Cast

Key · Filmography › Television

†	Denotes series/miniseries that have not yet been released

· Filmography › Music videos

2003

Year

2003

Song

"Dance with My Father"

Artist

Luther Vandross

Year	Song	Artist
2003	"Dance with My Father"	Luther Vandross

· Awards and nominations

2000

Year

2000

Awards

NAACP Image Award

Category

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Recipient

The Best Man

Outcome

Nominated

2014

Year

2014

Awards

Acapulco Black Film Festival

Category

Acapulco Black Film Festival Award for Best Acting Ensemble

Recipient

The Best Man Holiday

Outcome

Won

Acapulco Black Film Festival Award for Best Actor

Year

Acapulco Black Film Festival Award for Best Actor

Awards

Nominated

NAACP Image Award

Year

NAACP Image Award

Awards

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Category

Nominated

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Year

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Awards

Nurse Jackie

Category

Won

2016

Year

2016

Awards

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Category

Rosewood

Recipient

Nominated

2023

Year

2023

Awards

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special

Category

The Best Man: The Final Chapters

Recipient

Won

2025

Year

2025

Awards

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Category

Reasonable Doubt

Recipient

Nominated

2026

Year

2026

Awards

Watson

Category

Nominated

Year	Awards	Category	Recipient	Outcome
2000	NAACP Image Award	NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture	The Best Man	Nominated
2014	Acapulco Black Film Festival	Acapulco Black Film Festival Award for Best Acting Ensemble	The Best Man Holiday	Won
	Acapulco Black Film Festival	Acapulco Black Film Festival Award for Best Actor		Nominated
	NAACP Image Award	NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture		Nominated
		NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Nurse Jackie	Won
2016		NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series	Rosewood	Nominated
2023		NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special	The Best Man: The Final Chapters	Won
2025		NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series	Reasonable Doubt	Nominated
2026		NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series	Watson	Nominated

References

Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2024/01/watson-morris-chestnut-star-shellock-holmes-cbs-series-1235694168/
Toledo Blade
"Morris Chestnut"
https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/morris-chestnut/bio/167225
Record-Journal
Sun Journal
Variety
https://variety.com/2022/film/features/morris-chestnut-boyz-n-the-hood-mentorship-1235212136/
Reading Eagle
The Dispatch
Terrace, Vincent. Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2007 (Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Co., 2008)
Toledo Blade
The Michigan Daily
Lakeland Ledger
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Daily News
Screen World: 2005 Film Annual
https://books.google.com/books?id=1uCCm0TvvG0C&dq=%22Morris+Chestnut%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA134
The Spokesman-Review
Toledo Blade
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/naacp-image-awards-winners-682585/
Boston
https://www.boston.com/culture/tv/2013/04/11/nurse-jackie-every-step-she-takes/
Billboard
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/naacp-image-awards-beyonce-john-legend-win-top-music-honors-5915642/