Basil Wallace, a Jamaican-born American actor, director, and writer, embarked on a remarkable journey to the United States with his four siblings, joining their parents in Brooklyn, New York.
The family eventually relocated to Long Island, where Basil attended high school and discovered his passion for the theater while auditioning for the Broadway-bound play "Front Page," starring Henry Fonda, Estelle Parsons, and Robert Ryan.
Basil's experience on the stage sealed his future in the arts, and he went on to apply to Yale, New York University (NYU),and Harvard. He was accepted to both Yale and NYU, ultimately choosing NYU for its prestigious theater program, led by Lloyd Richards of "A Raisin in the Sun" fame.
During his time at NYU, Basil was selected by Ellen Steward of La Mama ETC to become a member of her theater company, a lifetime membership he still holds today.
Basil's professional career began with his first off-Broadway play, "The Pig Pen," at the American Place Theatre. He then worked as an actor, director, and writer for 20 years, collaborating with La Mama, regional theaters, and national tours.
Throughout his career, Basil has continued to hone his craft through private lessons at institutions like the Negro Ensemble Company and The Players' Workshop, where he eventually taught.
In addition to his acting work, Basil has also taught theater aesthetics at Lincoln Center for 10 years, served as Director of Drama for school district 13 in the Bronx, and directed the Yard Bird Players for three years.
In 1990, Basil made the decision to transition to film and television, landing the leading role in the film "Marked for Death." Since then, he has appeared in a variety of films and television shows, including "Grand Canyon," "The Wood," "Free Willy 2," "Return of the Living Dead 3," "Caught Up," "Deadlock," and "Blood Diamond."
Basil has also founded JaCuBas Films, dedicated to developing new projects, and continues to grow as an artist through scene study and coaching other actors.
