Nathan Davis Jr. was born on January 18th in the city of Long Beach, California, USA, a place that would later hold a special significance in his journey to stardom. This talented individual is not only an actor, but also a musician, known for his captivating performances in various projects, including the films Detroit (2017) and Hotel Artemis (2018),as well as the television series Marvel Runaways (2017).
As a young child, Nathan embarked on a new adventure with his mother, Sofea Watkins, leaving California to move to Memphis, Tennessee, her hometown. Growing up, he developed a strong fondness for comedy television and live performances, often marveling at the talents of Michael Jackson, Will Smith, and Jamie Foxx. It was during this period that he discovered his love for singing, beginning to vocalize at just 10 months old and captivating his family with performances at Christmas dinners and summer vacations.
As he entered his pre-teen years, Nathan made his acting debut in the production of "Annie Jr." as Mr. Warbucks at the tender age of 11. This early start sparked a passion for performing that would only continue to grow, and he began to impersonate his idol, Michael Jackson, in his teenage years. Under the guidance of his music teacher, Dr. Billy Rayburn, Nathan honed his classical vocal skills, earning three All-West Tennessee Honors Awards and supporting roles in various musical theater productions.
However, it was not until his senior year of high school that Nathan made the bold decision to pursue a professional career in acting, despite being told by his drama teacher that he would not make it. This setback only fueled his determination, and he went on to move back to California with his mother in September 2012, asking her to quit her job as a Special Education Teacher to manage his singing and acting careers.
The move proved to be a wise decision, as Nathan quickly landed roles on Criminal Minds, The Soul Man, and Glee, as well as a national campaign singing alongside Justin Timberlake. This successful jumpstart to his career in commercials, voiceover, and television showcased his dramatic and comedic versatility, earning him a wide range of opportunities.
As an actor, Nathan has made a significant impact, not only in television but also in his community. He took first prize at the Taste of Soul LA StarQuest in 2013, performing in front of an audience of over 300,000 people. Shortly after, he was cast as a series regular in Nickelodeon's Chase Champion as "Diego".
Nathan's most recent projects include his debut silver screen performance as "Aubrey Pollard" in the multiple Oscar Award-winning Director Kathryn Bigelow's Detroit movie, as well as "Ricardo" in Hotel Artemis. He has also starred in TV One's two Christmas movies, Miss Me This Christmas and You Can't Fight Christmas, and guest-starred in Hulu's Marvel Runaways, all in 2017.
With his charismatic stage presence and natural talent, Nathan is focused on furthering both his acting career and his musical aspirations, aiming to become a leading figure in the entertainment industry. His comedic timing has been likened to a young Will Smith, and his stage presence and musical talent have been compared to those of a young Michael Jackson.
