Ashton Durrand Sanders (born October 24, 1995)[2] is an American actor best known for his portrayal of teenage Chiron in the Academy Award-winning film Moonlight (2016). He has since acted in films such as The Equalizer 2 (2017), All Day and a Night (2020), and Judas and the Black Messiah (2020). He portrayed Bigger Thomas in Native Son (2019) and Bobby Brown in Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022).
Ashton Sanders | |
|---|---|
 Sanders at 2016 TIFF | |
| Born | Ashton Durrand Sanders[1] October 24, 1995 Carson, California, U.S. |
| Education | DePaul University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2012–present |
Early life and education
editSanders was born in Carson, California. He attended Grand Arts High School in Downtown Los Angeles, from which he graduated in 2014.[3] He was studying towards a BFA at The Theatre School at DePaul University, before leaving after three years in 2016 to focus on his acting career.[4][5]
Career
editSanders made his film debut in The Retrieval, directed by Chris Eska.[6] The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 11, 2013.[7] It was released in a limited release on April 2, 2014, by Variance Films.[8][9]
In 2015, Sanders had a small role in Straight Outta Compton.[10] In 2016, he appeared in an episode of Refinery29's web series The Skinny.[11]
The same year, Sanders appeared in the drama film Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins.[12] The film had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2016, and began a limited release on October 21, 2016, by A24.[13][14] Moonlight received massive critical acclaim as well dozens of accolades, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture – Drama.[15] The film also won three Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali.[16] Sanders' role in the film was praised by critics;[17] Benjamin Lee of The Guardian called his performance "powerful".[18]
Sanders co-starred in The Equalizer 2, a sequel to the hit action film The Equalizer, opposite Denzel Washington.[19] In 2019, Sanders starred in Rupert Wyatt's science fiction thriller film Captive State, opposite John Goodman and Vera Farmiga.[20] He also played the lead in HBO's adaptation of the novel Native Son. In November 2020, he was set to star in The Things They Carried, a Vietnam war movie featuring an ensemble cast.[21]
In September 2021, Sanders was cast as Bobby Brown in Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, a biopic feature on Whitney Houston.[22]
Filmography
editFilm
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Skinny | Tyler | Episode: "Squad" |
| 2019 | Wu-Tang: An American Saga | Bobby/The RZA | Series regular |
| 2022 | The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder | College Kareem (voice) | Episode: "When You Wish Upon a Roker" |
References
edit- ^ "Ashton Durrand Sanders (@ashtondsanders) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com.
- ^ Robehmed, Natalie (January 6, 2017). "Meet Ashton Sanders, Star Of 'Moonlight' And 30 Under 30 Honoree". Forbes.
- ^ Duncan, Fiona. "ASHTON SANDERS". Wonderland Magazine. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
- ^ Cuby, Michael. ""Moonlight"'s Ashton Sanders Opens Up About Being Bullied". Teen Vogue. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- ^ Mishra, Himani. "Ashton Sanders Biography: Wiki, Early Life, Age, Career, Awards, Physical Appearance, Affair/Girlfriend, Family, Net Worth, Movies". Latest In South. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ Harris, Brandon (April 3, 2014). "Battle Cry: Chris Eska on The Retrieval". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ "The Retrieval". South by Southwest. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ McNary, Dave (February 13, 2014). "SXSW Winner 'The Retrieval' Gets US Distribution". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ "The Retrieval". Apple Trailers. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ Phillips, Michael (September 15, 2016). "'Moonlight' reveals struggles of a young African-American man". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ "The Skinny". Refinery29. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ McNary, Dave (October 21, 2015). "Naomie Harris, Andre Holland, Mahershala Ali to Star in 'Moonlight'". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (September 1, 2016). "Telluride Film Festival Lineup: 'Sully', 'La La Land', 'Arrival', 'Bleed For This' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 28, 2016). "A24 Sets Dates For 'Moonlight' & Cannes Jury Prize Winner 'American Honey'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ^ Berman, Eliza (January 9, 2017). "'Moonlight' Wins Golden Globe for Best Picture, Drama". Time. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^ Opam, Kwame (January 24, 2017). "Oscar nominations 2017: Moonlight and La La Land will go head-to-head at the Academy Awards". The Verge. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- ^ "Meet 'Moonlight' Star Ashton Sanders". EW.com. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^ Lee, Benjamin (April 22, 2017). "Moonlight's Ashton Sanders: 'America isn't made for the black man'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 24, 2017). "'Moonlight's Ashton Sanders Lands A Lead In 'Equalizer 2'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^ "'Moonlight' Breakout Ashton Sanders Joins John Goodman in 'Captive State' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^ "'The Things They Carried': Tye Sheridan, Tom Hardy, Stephan James, Bill Skarsgard, Pete Davidson & Ashton Sanders Lead All-Star Vietnam War Movie — AFM Hot Pic".
- ^ "Ashton Sanders To Play Bobby Brown In Whitney Houston Biopic As Black Label Media Joins As Co-Financier".
- ^ Shand, Rohan, Making Possibilities, Mandy Aceves-Lopez, Karina Maddox, Ashton Sanders, retrieved October 24, 2017