Susan Kelechi Watson (born November 11, 1981) is an American actress. She is known for her work on the television show Louie[1] and for her role as Beth Pearson in This Is Us. She was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the latter.

Susan Kelechi Watson
Watson at the 2017 Paleyfest
Born (1981-11-11) November 11, 1981 (age 43)
NationalityAmerican
EducationHoward University (BFA)
New York University (MFA)
OccupationActress
Years active2004–present

Early life

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Watson was born in Brooklyn on November 11, 1981.[2] Her parents were born in Jamaica.[3] Watson's middle name "Kelechi" means "Thank God" in Nigeria's Igbo language.[4] Watson obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Howard University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Acting Program.[5]

Career

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Watson had a recurring role on the television show Louie from 2012 through 2014. She has had recurring roles on NCIS, The Following, and The Blacklist. She appeared in a play at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City by playwright Richard Greenberg entitled A Naked Girl on the Appian Way in 2005.[6] From 2016 to 2022, she starred in the NBC drama series This Is Us as Beth Pearson.[7]

Watson played Andrea Vogel in the Fred Rogers biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood alongside Tom Hanks in 2019.[8] In September 2022, she appeared in the European premiere of Eureka Day at The Old Vic theatre in London.[9]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2004 Hack Paula Episode: "Extreme Commerce"
2004 The Jury Andrea Davis Episode: "Lamentation on the Reservation"
2004–2005 Third Watch Emma St. Claire 12 episodes
2005 Law & Order: Trial by Jury Jill Tolbert Episode: "Blue Wall"
2007 Medium Subordinate Episode: "Joe Day Afternoon"
2007 Kidnapped Elle King 3 episodes
2007 Private Practice Beth O'Brien Episode: "In Which Sam Receives an Unexpected Visitor..."
2007 Alibi Genevieve Egan Television movie
2007–2008 NCIS NCIS Intel Analyst Nikki Jardine 3 episodes
2008 Numb3rs Nina Hunter Episode: "Pay to Play"
2004, 2009 Law & Order Tanya Ware / Thea Curry Episodes: "Can I Get a Witness?", "The Drowned and the Saved"
2010 Futurestates Tia Episode: "Tia & Marco"
2011 Eden Det. Monica Lopez Episode: Pilot
2011 The Good Wife Lauryn Fisher Episode: "What Went Wrong"
2013 Golden Boy April McGee Episode: "Vicious Cycle"
2014 And, We're Out of Time Diana Television film
2012–2014 Louie Janet 12 episodes
2014 Royal Pains Naomi Episode: "I Did Not See That Coming"
2013–2016 The Blacklist Ellie 4 episodes
2014 The Following Cindy 3 episodes
2015 Blue Bloods Detective Episode: "Sins of the Father"
2015 Veep Sue's friend Episode: "Election Night"
2015 Happyish Sandy Episode: "Starring Rene Descartes, Adweek and HRH the Princess of Arendelle"
2016 Billions Wilma 'Billie' Keen Episode: "YumTime"
2016 Limitless Elo Episode: "Fundamentals of Naked Portraiture"
2016–2022 This Is Us Beth Pearson Main role
2016 Divorce Victoria Tuckson Episode: "Counseling"
2019 A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Andrea Vogel
2021 Ada Twist, Scientist Mom Twist (voice) Main role
2021 Rumble Maggie (voice)
2022 Great Performances: Merry Wives Madam Nkechi Ford Episode: S49 Ep28[10]
2024 Will Trent Cricket Dawson S2: Ep1 "Me Llamo Will Trent"

References

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  1. ^ Sangweni, Yolanda (23 October 2012). "New and Next: Meet Actress and 'Louie' Star Susan Kelechi Watson". Essence. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  2. ^ "Susan Kelechi Watson: Actress (1981–)". Biography.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  3. ^ "Here's Why Louis CK's Kids Are White But Their Mother Is Black In 'Louie'". Business Insider.
  4. ^ "Thanks be to God : ekele chukwu (English : Igbo)". Google Translate. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  5. ^ "The Essential Shakespeare". Florence, Italy: Villa La Pietra. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  6. ^ Rooney, David (6 October 2005). "A Naked Girl on the Appian Way". Variety. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  7. ^ Fernandez, Maria Elena (3 October 2017). "Susan Kelechi Watson on Designing Her Own Hairstyles on This Is Us and Sparring With Her TV Husband". Vulture.com. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  8. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (September 13, 2018). "'This Is Us' Star Susan Kelechi Watson Joins Tom Hanks In Mister Rogers Pic 'You Are My Friend'". Deadline. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  9. ^ "Cast joining Helen Hunt in Old Vic's Eureka Day announced | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
  10. ^ "Great Performances: Merry Wives ~ About | Great Performances". Pbs.org. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
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