Omari Newton
Omari Akil Newton | |
|---|---|
 Newton at the 2014 Leo Awards | |
| Born | |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2001 – Present |
Omari Akil Newton is a Canadian actor. He is best known for playing the roles of Larry Summers in Blue Mountain State and Lucas Ingram in Continuum. Newton is the co-founder of Boldskool Productions.
Early life
[edit]Newton grew up in Montreal.[1] His parents were immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago.[2] In the 1990s, he went to Beaconsfield High School along with his sister.[3] At school Newton was the co-captain of the basketball team and starter for the local football team, but also went to the drama clubs.[2] To become a professional actor Newton took drama courses at Concordia University, where he did his BA in communication studies. He also went to the National Theatre School of Canada.[1]
Career
[edit]When Newton was 19 years old, he was hired by Black Theatre Workshop and got a lead role in one of their productions. He worked in the Montreal theatre scene for several years until he moved to Vancouver. During his early days in Vancouver Newton did a lot of theatre. He appeared in Romeo & Juliet with Mad Duck Theatre Collective and The Oresteia at Christ Church Cathedral.[2]
In 2001 Newton auditioned for the role of Dalton Nemers in the teenage vampire series Vampire High. He was directly booked after his first read for the role. He later mentioned that he really enjoyed the time at the set. He also liked that his character was pivotal in the story of one of the lead Vampires. During these days it was the first role on a TV series and his biggest role on film or TV. Before that he only had a few one liners in some TV movies.[1]
From 2010 to 2011 Newton played Larry Summers in Blue Mountain State. The college comedy series is about a fictional university and its football team. Larry was Newtons first regular role on a television series.[2]
From 2012 to 2015 Newton starred as Lucas Ingram in Continuum.[4]
In 2014, Diane Roberts directed Newton's play Sal Capone: The Lamentable Tragedy Of with Urban Ink Productions.[5] Newton and Roberts' collaboration led to the formation of Boldskool Productions, a hip hop theatre company.[6] In 2018, Boldskool re-staged Sal Capone: The Lamentable Tragedy Of with Holding Space and the NAC English Theatre. Newton began writing Sal Capone in 2008 after the police shooting of unarmed Fredy Villanueva.[7] Newton has been commissioned by Black Theatre Workshop to write Black & Blue Matters, a companion piece to Sal Capone.[6]
Personal life
[edit]Newton has a twin sister named Akilah Newton.[3][8]
Plays
[edit]- Sal Capone: The Lamentable Tragedy Of
Filmography
[edit]TV shows
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Vampire High | Dalton Nemers | "The Summoning" (Season 1, Episode 13) |
| 2005 | 15/Love | Carson Greene | "Volley of the Dolls" (Season 2, Episode 14) |
| 2006 | Blade: The Series | Veteran | "Delivery" (Season 1, Episode 6) |
| 2008 | Sophie | Remy | "The Tornado" (Season 1, Episode 1) "Birth Control" (Season 1, Episode 4) "Read the Signs" (Season 1, Episode 12) |
| 2009 | V | Soldier | Pilot |
| 2010 | Fringe | Security Guard | "The Bishop Revival" (Season 2, Episode 14) |
| 2010 | Shattered | Uniform | "The Sins of Fathers" (Season 1, Episode 1) |
| 2010-2011 | Blue Mountain State | Larry Summers | Recurring role, 31 episodes |
| 2012–2015 | Continuum | Lucas Ingram | Main role |
| 2013 | Supernatural | Peter Kent's Demon | "Clip Show" (Season 8, Episode 22") |
| 2016 | The X-Files | Rogers | "Founder's Mutation" |
| 2017 | Tarzan and Jane | Chief Wazari (voice) | Recurring role |
| Marvel Super Hero Adventures | Black Panther (voice) | Recurring role | |
| 2018–2022 | The Dragon Prince | Corvus (voice) | Recurring role |
Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Redeemer | Sean | TV movie |
| 2003 | The Reagans | Angry Protestor #1 | TV movie |
| 2004 | L'hôtel de l'avenir | African Student | |
| 2005 | Slow Burn | Limo Driver | uncredited |
| 2006 | Time Bomb | Electrician | TV movie |
| 2006 | Last Exit | Bank Manager | TV movie |
| 2007 | 12 Ways to Say I'm Sorry | Buster | short |
| 2008 | Radical Rifle Icon | Blake | short |
| 2012 | The Factory | Buffalo Police Officer - Cop in Basement | |
| 2015 | Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland | Larry Summers |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Omari Newton Interview". Vampire High. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
- ^ a b c d Furminger, Sabrina (9 February 2016). "Omari Newton heads back to 'Blue Mountain State'". Westender. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
- ^ a b Dunlop, Morgan (16 February 2016). "Black History Month: Slavery, blackface, even Lil Wayne in high school show". CBC. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
- ^ Obenson, Tambay A. (12 November 2012). "SyFy Picks Up Hit Canadian Series 'Continuum' & Sets Debut Date (Roger Cross, Omari Newton Co-Star)". Indiewire. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
- ^ Smith, Janet (21 May 2014). "Hip-hop and theatre meld in Sal Capone: The Lamentable Tragedy of". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ a b "About". Boldskool Productions. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ Saxberg, Lynn (13 April 2018). "Theatre review: The Lamentable Tragedy of Sal Capone a passionate and compelling tale". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- ^ "High school students get Canadian insight into Black History Month". CTV Montreal. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
External links
[edit]- Omari Newton at IMDb
- Omari Newton on Twitter
