John David Washington

**John David Washington**, born July 28, 1984, is a well-known American actor, but his career started on a different path. He initially pursued professional football, carving out a career with various teams such as the St. Louis Rams, Rhein Fire, California Redwoods, and the Sacramento Mountain Lions between 2006 and 2012. He attended Morehouse College and was a formidable player on their team, leading the conference in rushing and setting several records. His football career ended abruptly in 2012, when the United Football League folded. In 2015, he made a career switch following his parents, both actors, into the world of film and television. He quickly made a name for himself with a main role in HBO's comedy series, *Ballers*. His breakthrough rolе followed in 2018 when he took on detective Ron Stallworth's role in Spike Lee's thought-provoking film, *BlacKkKlansman*. His performance earned him award nominations from Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild. He has continued amassing significant roles in movies, including *Tenet*, *Malcolm & Marie*, and *The Creator*. He also ventured into theater by starring in the Broadway revival of *The Piano Lesson* and reprising his role for the 2024 film adaptation.