Mekhi Phifer

Mekhi Phifer, born December 29, 1974, in Harlem, New York City, is an American actor who has made a significant mark in the film industry. As the son of Rhoda Phifer, a high school teacher, Mekhi grew up in a single-parent household and embarked on his acting journey from a young age.

In 1995, Mekhi's big break came when he attended an open casting call for director Spike Lee's Clockers. His performance as a narcotics dealer embroiled in a murder cover-up was impressive enough to beat over a thousand other hopefuls and land him the lead role. This success led to further opportunities, including roles in comedies like High School High, alongside his former wife Malinda Williams, and horror films such as I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr.

Mekhi's diverse acting talents have allowed him to explore various genres throughout his career, including Soul Food, a biopic on the life of basketball player Spud Webb, Hell's Kitchen, NYC, Tears of a Clown, O (as the titular character Odin), and the thriller Uninvited Guest (as Silk). He has also starred in science fiction films like Impostor and Paid in Full. One of his most notable roles was alongside Eminem in the feature film 8 Mile, which catapulted him into the spotlight as a versatile actor with a promising career ahead.

Mekhi's personal life includes two sons - Omikaye, born to his ex-wife Malinda Williams, and Mekhi Thira Phifer Jr., born in 2007 to his girlfriend Oni Souratha. With an impressive array of roles under his belt and a bright future ahead, Mekhi Phifer continues to captivate audiences with his acting talent and charisma on screen.