,

2023 Oscars: Brian Tyree Henry’s Most Memorable Roles

As the Atlanta star celebrates his first Oscar nomination, we take a look at some of his most memorable performances.

Photo: Getty Images Vivien Killilea

Brian Tyree Henry is an actor with incredible range. Moving from Atlanta’s Paper Boi, to Bullet Train’s Lemon, to Causeway’s James, highlights how he can easily shift between genres and tones. He even got his superhero on in the MCU’s Eternals. I genuinely hope his well-deserved Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for Causeway leads to more leading roles. But until then, let’s celebrate Brian Tyree Henry by taking a look at some of his most memorable film and television performances.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

2016: Atlanta - Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZzyMjXDlA0

The way the actor brilliantly moves between Atlanta’s shifting tones is one of the reasons this show stands out as an all-time great. He made Al so much more than just a rapper.

2017: This Is Us - Ricky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcsNgoplj9A

In case you didn’t know, Brian got his start in theater and has a beautiful singing voice. He’s actually singing live here and not lip-syncing to a pre-recorded version of the song.

2018: Hotel Artemis - Lev

Photo: Getty Images Matt Winkelmeyer

In this underrated action movie, Brian once again takes a supporting role and makes every scene he’s in crucial to the story. It’s something he does a lot, but it never gets old.

2018: Widows - Jamal Manning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzegqCGvm28

Very few actors can go toe-toe with Viola Davis and hold their own, but in Widows, Henry is menacing without being over the top about it.

2018: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - Jefferson Davis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqGjhVJWtEg

His steady presence as Miles’ father helps the young hero stay grounded in the middle of all the craziness. The actor has the embarrassing, yet loving and supportive dad role down. And yes, he will be back for the sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

2018: If Beale Street Could Talk - Daniel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUwLCQU10KQ

There’s a weight to his performance that never lets viewers forget the heavy burden he’s carried as a Black man dealing with this country’s unrelenting racism. It’s an unforgettable moment.

2021: Godzilla vs. Kong - Bernie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wBkTB40PiM

It’s so hard to do solid character work in a big budget, effects heavy film, but that’s exactly what Henry delivers as Bernie. His scenes are more fun than any kaiju fight.

2021: Eternals - Phastos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMULkYTthL0

I’m not going to claim Eternals was one of Marvel’s best films, but Henry’s Phastos is absolutely the highlight and I hope we get to see him again.

2022: Bullet Train - Lemon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VT1WGRDSOo

Henry and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are the unquestioned standouts in this entertaining action movie. It’s no surprise that fans want a prequel focused on Lemon and Tangerine.

2022: Causeway - James Aucoin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdS-KEAi3PM

As James, Henry commands the screen with his undeniable presence and forces the audience to invest in his character. His award recognition is well-deserved.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Songs by White Artists You Can Add to Your Black Cookout Playlist

Songs by White Artists You Can Add to Your Black Cookout Playlist

If you're planning your Fourth of July cookout playlist, these songs by blue-eyed soul artists should be in the mix ...
A Look at How Jay-Z Became The Best Dressed Rapper Alive

A Look at How Jay-Z Became The Best Dressed Rapper Alive

A look at how the "Best Dressed Rapper Alive" leveled up in fashion ...

Flint's Water Crisis Ends With A Major Development

Flint’s Water Crisis Ends With A Major Development

This milestone marks a record for one of the worst water crises in the nation's history ...
NBA's Mike Beasley's Alleged Gambling Issues Have Him Owing Money to <i>Who??</i>

NBA’s Mike Beasley’s Alleged Gambling Issues Have Him Owing Money to Who??

The amount of money Beasley apparently owes to his barber is insane ...
Diddy's Dramatic Reaction to His Trial Verdict Says it All...

Diddy’s Dramatic Reaction to His Trial Verdict Says it All…

After giving death stares to reporters and throwing up heart symbols to his children throughout the trial, Diddy's demeanor has taken a turn ...
Lizzo Reveals The Meals She Ate To Lose 100 Pounds

Lizzo Reveals The Meals She Ate To Lose 100 Pounds

The popular singer is finally sharing some secrets behind her amazing weight loss journey and we're taking notes! ...
Seven Singers That Black People Swear Can Sing, But We Know They Can't

Seven Singers That Black People Swear Can Sing, But We Know They Can’t

Can we have a frank and honest conversation? It is time we told the truth ...
Halle Bailey Debuts Potential New Man Amid DDG Drama and the Internet Says It's About Time!

Halle Bailey Debuts Potential New Man Amid DDG Drama and the Internet Says It’s About Time!

Bailey appears to be basking in her newfound happiness and a newfound man. And the social media streets are hot about it! ...
50 Cent, Other Celebs React to Shocking Diddy Verdict

50 Cent, Other Celebs React to Shocking Diddy Verdict

A handful of famous faces are finally starting to speak out about and the responses are...interesting! ...
Why Cassie Might Be the Reason Diddy Was Acquitted

Why Cassie Might Be the Reason Diddy Was Acquitted

Cassie Ventura might not be viewed as sympathetic for this one reason ...
WATCH: Diddy Fans Pour Baby Oil Over Each Other Outside the Courthouse Following Verdict, and the Internet Has Thoughts

WATCH: Diddy Fans Pour Baby Oil Over Each Other Outside the Courthouse Following Verdict, and the Internet Has Thoughts

As soon as Diddy was found not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, fans took to the streets lathering up in... baby oil ...
Carnival's New Rules Got Black Folks <i>All</i> in Their Feelings, But Others Say the Cruise Line is Justified

Carnival’s New Rules Got Black Folks All in Their Feelings, But Others Say the Cruise Line is Justified

Are Carnival's new rules restrictive, or racist? Some folks say it's the latter, and they're cancelling their reservations expeditiously ...

The Story Behind the Viral ‘Boots on the Ground’ Dance Performed By Beyoncé and Michelle Obama

As we roll into the Fourth of July weekend, we're looking at the story behind the latest viral line dance ...
Why This Phone Call From Ray J's Might Be a Genuine Cause For Concern

Why This Phone Call From Ray J’s Might Be a Genuine Cause For Concern

The "One Wish" singer is no stranger to making headlines, but this time might be cause for serious concern ...
Black America Left Shocked After Diddy Trial Verdict Finally Announced

Black America Left Shocked After Diddy Trial Verdict Finally Announced

Diddy was just found not guilty on racketeering and sex trafficking but guilty on prostitution charges ...
The Real Tea Behind Tina Knowles, Mathew Divorce

The Real Tea Behind Tina Knowles, Mathew Divorce

While it's been nearly 15 years since the couple ended their marriage, we now have a good clue as to what exactly caused its dissolution ...
Suge Knight Claims Tupac's Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Suge Knight Claims Tupac’s Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Knight's latest claim follows a series of confessions that might be tough to beliieve for a lot of folks ...
Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Interesting Theories on Taraji's Daughter's Death in 'Straw'

Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Interesting Theories on Taraji’s Daughter’s Death in ‘Straw’

A very interesting theory about the major plot twist of the film is now being widely dissected and we've just got to discuss it! ...
The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

So far, the jury has sent five different notes to the judge, suggesting jury deliberation in this case will be tedious and difficult ...
The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

Naikishia L. Williams originally told police her daughter became unresponsive after she was given medication, but quickly, those claims were refuted ...