Happy Birthday, Michael Ealy! His Life In Film

The talented actor turns the big 5-0 today.

080223-celebs-michaael-ealy.jpg

1 / 15

With an acting resume that covers over two decades, Michael Ealy has become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors. Known for his dramatic intensity (magnified by his blue eyes), the Maryland-raised actor can play the sexy leading man, dramatic roles or even a villain. On his 50th birthday, get to know Michael Ealy through his life in films. (Photo: Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Photo By Jessica Brooks/ABC via Getty Images

Kissing Jessica Stein (2001)  - Michael Ealy made his film acting debut in this indie romantic comedy about a Jewish copy editor who's tired of blind dates from hell. The up-and-coming thespian was cast in the small role of Greg, one of her dates who memorably wore a cowboy hat.   (Photo: fox Searchlight Pictures)

2 / 15

Kissing Jessica Stein (2001) - Michael Ealy made his film acting debut in this indie romantic comedy about a Jewish copy editor who's tired of blind dates from hell. The up-and-coming thespian was cast in the small role of Greg, one of her dates who memorably wore a cowboy hat. (Photo: fox Searchlight Pictures)

Barbershop (2002)  - In this classic ensemble comedy — about a barbershop owner (Ice Cube) who sells his shop to a shady loan shark (Keith David) — Ealy landed the role of Ricky Nash, a barber who's falsely accused of a robbery. The role garnered him budding attention as a Hollywood sex symbol.   (Photo: MGM)

3 / 15

Barbershop (2002) - In this classic ensemble comedy — about a barbershop owner (Ice Cube) who sells his shop to a shady loan shark (Keith David) — Ealy landed the role of Ricky Nash, a barber who's falsely accused of a robbery. The role garnered him budding attention as a Hollywood sex symbol. (Photo: MGM)

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)  - Ealy crossed over to Hollywood action films when he was cast in the second installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise. In this John Singleton-directed race car film, Ealy plays street car racer Slap Jack. Also starring in the action drama are Tyrese, the late Paul Walker, Eva Mendes and Ludacris.(Photo: Universal Pictures)

4 / 15

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) - Ealy crossed over to Hollywood action films when he was cast in the second installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise. In this John Singleton-directed race car film, Ealy plays street car racer Slap Jack. Also starring in the action drama are Tyrese, the late Paul Walker, Eva Mendes and Ludacris. (Photo: Universal Pictures)

Barbershop 2 (2004)  - The blue-eyed actor reprised his Ricky Nash character for the sequel to Barbershop. But instead of finding trouble in this comedy he found love after hooking up with fellow barber Terri (played by rapper Eve). Cedric the Entertainer, Queen Latifah and Kenan Thompson also starred. 

5 / 15

Barbershop 2 (2004) - Ealy reprised his Ricky Nash character for the Barbershop sequel. But instead of finding trouble in this comedy he found love after hooking up with fellow barber Terri (played by rapper Eve).

ADVERTISEMENT
Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005)  - When Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey helped bring Zora Neale Hurston’s classic 1937 novel to the TV screen, Ealy landed the breakout role of Tea Cake, the lover of Janie Crawford (Halle Berry). For his part in the Golden Globe-nominated film, Ealy gained critical acclaim and the eyes of mainstream Hollywood.   (Photo: Harpo Films)

6 / 15

Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005) - When Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey helped bring Zora Neale Hurston’s classic 1937 novel to the TV screen, Ealy landed the breakout role of Tea Cake, the lover of Janie Crawford (Halle Berry). For his part in the Golden Globe-nominated film, Ealy gained critical acclaim and the eyes of mainstream Hollywood. (Photo: Harpo Films)

Seven Pounds (2008) - Ealy followed up his stoic military role in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna with the Will Smith-led drama Seven Pounds. The Maryland-born actor played IRS agent (and Smith's brother) Ben Thomas. After getting shot in the line of duty, Smith assumes Ealy's identity to do a life-changing act for seven people.  (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

7 / 15

Seven Pounds (2008) - Ealy followed up his stoic military role in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna with the Will Smith-led drama Seven Pounds. He played IRS agent (and Smith's brother) Ben Thomas. After getting shot in the line of duty, Smith assumes Ealy's identity to do a life-changing act for seven people. (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

Takers (2010) - In this crime-action thriller, Ealy played Jake Attica, older brother of Jesse Attica (Chris Brown). Both are members of a team of professional, high-performance bank robbers out to commit their last score. The film, with Black lead characters, also scored big, opening number one at the box office. Idris Elba and T.I. also starred.   (Photo: Courtesy Screen Gems)

8 / 15

Takers (2010) - In this crime-action thriller, Ealy was Jake Attica, older brother of Jesse Attica (Chris Brown). Both are members of a team of professional, high-performance bank robbers out to commit their last score. The film, with Black lead characters, also scored big, opening number one at the box office. (Photo: Courtesy Screen Gems)

For Colored Girls (2010) - In Tyler Perry's film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's 1975 stage play, Ealy showed deep intensity and emotional edge in the role of troubled Vietnam vet Beau Willie. When his marriage proposal to longtime girlfriend (Kimberly Elise) is refused, he murders her children.   (Photo: Lionsgate)

9 / 15

For Colored Girls (2010) - In Tyler Perry's film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's 1975 stage play, Ealy showed deep intensity and emotional edge in the role of troubled Vietnam vet Beau Willie. When his marriage proposal to longtime girlfriend (Kimberly Elise) is refused, he murders her children. (Photo: Lionsgate)

Think Like a Man (2012) - Henson played corporate climber Lauren in this hilarious box office smash, about couple's navigating dating and romance acccording to Steve Harvey's best-selling advice book. The lucky lady got to be wooed by Michael Ealy in the film.(Photo: Courtesy of Screen Gems)

10 / 15

Think Like a Man (2012) - Ealy starred in this surprise summer hit which adapted Steve Harvey's best-selling book to the silver screen. Cast as aspiring cook and restaurateur Dominic, Ealy tries to build a promising relationship with Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) under false pretenses. (Photo: Screen Gems, Rainforest Films)

ADVERTISEMENT
Last Vegas (2013) - Starring along side four Oscar-winning actors in this hit comedy, there just may be one in the future for Ealy. As the over-protective son of Morgan Freeman, Ealy gets ditched by his father to go for a last hurrah in Vegas with Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline.   (Photo: CBS Films)

11 / 15

Last Vegas (2013) - Starring along side four Oscar-winning actors in this hit comedy, there just may be one in the future for Ealy. As the over-protective son of Morgan Freeman, Ealy gets ditched by his father to go for a last hurrah in Vegas with Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas and Kevin Kline. (Photo: CBS Films)

About Last Night (2014) - Steve Pink directed this urban-flavored reboot of the 1986 romantic-comedy classic. In the role of Danny Martin, Ealy has a one-night stand with Debbie (Joy Bryant) and tries to turn the tryst into a relationship. The cast also includes Kevin Hart and Regina Hall.   (Photo: Sony Pictures Entertainment) 

12 / 15

About Last Night (2014) - Steve Pink directed this urban-flavored reboot of the 1986 romantic-comedy classic. In the role of Danny Martin, Ealy has a one-night stand with Debbie (Joy Bryant) and tries to turn the tryst into a relationship. The cast also includes Kevin Hart and Regina Hall. (Photo: Sony Pictures Entertainment) 

080223-celebs-michael-ealy-the-intruder.jpg

13 / 15

The Intruder (2019) - Michael Early and Meagan Good joined forces for this horror flick about a nightmare landlord - played by Dennis Quaid.

Photo By Screen Gems Hidden Empire Film Group Primary Wave Entertainment

080223-style-michael-ealy-fatale.jpg

14 / 15

Fatale (2020) - Ealy teamed up with two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank for this fatal attraction thriller. As a man cheating on his wife, Ealy made you hate him then root for him.

Photo By Summit Entertainment Endeavor Content Hidden Empire Film Group

080223-style-michael-ealy-reasonable-doubt.jpg

15 / 15

Reasonable Doubt (2022)- Most recently, Ealy starred in the Hulu crime drama Reasonable Doubt. Playing a man with a mysterious criminal history, the show has many twists and turns. Shout out to Ealy and his epic career -- happy 50th birthday!

Photo By Good Home Training Simpson Street Wilmore Films ABC Signature Onyx Collective