Trai Byers Biography
Trai Byers is an American actor. He is best known for playing Andre Lyon in the Fox musical television series, Empire. Additionally, in 2020, Byers co-wrote and starred in the historical drama film, The 24th.
Trai Byers Age / Birthday
As of 2023, Byers is 40 years old, he was born on July 19, 1983, in Kansas City, Kansas, in the United States of America. He celebrates his birthday on July 40 every year.
Trai Byers Height / Measurements
Byers is of average body stature and stands at an approximate height of 6 feet 2 inches tall.
Trai Byers Partner / Wife
Byers’ wife is actress Grace Gealey. They met on the set of the hit TV show “Empire” in 2012, where they played Andre Lyon and Anika Calhoun, respectively. The couple got engaged in 2015 and married on April 14, 2016, in a beautiful ceremony on Grand Cayman Island.
Trai Byers and Grace Gealey
Byers and Grace Gealey are a beautiful couple both on and off screen. They are best known for their roles as Andre Lyon and Anika Calhoun on the hit Fox drama Empire. Their love story began on the set of Empire in 2014, and they quickly became one of Hollywood’s hottest couples. They were married in 2016 and welcomed their son in 2023. Byers is an actor and singer who has also appeared in the films Lee Daniels’ The Butler and Selma.
Gealey is an actress who has also had roles in the TV shows Star and Charmed. The couple is known for their strong bond and their love for each other. They are often seen supporting each other at events and on social media. In a recent interview, Byers said, “Grace is my rock. She’s the most amazing woman I know.”
Trai Byers Kids / Chil dren
Byers and his wife Grace Byers welcomed their first child, a son, on their seventh wedding anniversary in April 2023. They haven’t publicly revealed the baby’s name yet, but they seem overjoyed with their new addition.
Trai Byers Family / Relatives
Byers manages to keep information regarding his parents away from the limelight. Additionally, he shares no information regarding whether he has any siblings or not. We will update this information once it’s available.
Trai Byers Brother
Byers does not have a biological brother. However, he is very close to his co-star on the show “Empire,” Bryshere “Yazz” Gray. The two actors have often referred to each other as brothers and have a great friendship on and off-screen. In a 2015 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Byers said, “Yazz is like my brother from another mother. We just click. We have the same sense of humor, we have the same work ethic, and we just support each other.”
Trai Byers Education
After spending a year of high school in Kansas City, he concluded his high school studies in Georgia. Byers later earned an associate degree in Theater from Andrew College and obtained a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Kansas. Additionally, he pursued further education at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles and the Yale School of Drama.
Trai Byers Career
Byers made his screen debut in the 2009 comedy-horror film, “Caesar and Otto’s Summer Camp Massacre.” In 2011, he had a recurring role on the ABC daytime soap opera, “All My Children,” and the following year, he appeared in The CW teen soap, “90210.” Byers starred in two films directed by Kevin Willmott: “Destination Planet Negro” (2013) and “Jayhawkers” (2014). In 2014, he portrayed civil rights activist James Forman in the historical epic film, “Selma,” directed by Ava DuVernay.
From 2015 to 2020, Byers played the role of Andre Lyon in the Fox music-industry primetime soap opera, “Empire.” For this performance, he received two NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. In 2020, Byers took on the leading role and co-wrote the screenplay for the historical drama film, “The 24th,” which received generally positive reviews from critics.
In 2022, Byers made his Broadway debut in the play “The Piano Lesson” by August Wilson. The following year, in 2023, he guest-starred in Grace Byers’ comedy series, “Harlem,” during its second season.
Trai Byers Net Worth
Through Byers’s career as an Actor, he has been able to accumulate a net worth that ranges between $1.5 Million and $ 2 Million.
Trai Byers and Devon Franklin
Byers and DeVon Franklin are often mistaken for twins due to their striking resemblance. Their wives, Meagan Good and Grace Gealey are also close friends, leading to playful jokes about “doppelgänger couples.” Both Byers and Franklin are devout Christians and frequently speak about their faith in their respective careers. The two have appeared together on panels and interviews, discussing topics such as faith, love, and success.
Trai Byers Empire
Byers played Andre Lyon in the Fox musical television series Empire, which aired from 2015 to 2020. Andre is the middle son of Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), the founder and CEO of Empire Entertainment, and Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson), a former music industry power player.
Andre is a talented musician and songwriter, but he struggles with bipolar disorder. He is also gay, which creates additional challenges for him in the Lyon family and the music industry. Despite his struggles, Andre is a kind and compassionate person fiercely loyal to his family.
Trai Byers Leaving Empire
There were rumors in 2016 that Trai Byers, who plays Andre Lyon on the show Empire, wanted to leave the series. However, Trai himself denied these rumors, stating that he enjoyed playing the complex character and finding ways to make him interesting within the show’s framework. It’s worth noting that these rumors surfaced during the second season of Empire, which faced some creative challenges compared to the first season.
Some speculated that Byers’ dissatisfaction stemmed from this dip in the show’s quality. However, he eventually clarified that he was committed to the character and the show. Ultimately, Trai Byers remained with Empire until its conclusion in 2020. So, while there were speculations and rumors at one point, he did not leave the show.
Trai Byers Harlem
Byers plays the character of Keith in the comedy series Harlem. Keith is the ex-boyfriend of Camille, one of the four main characters in the show. He is a charming and successful chef who is struggling with his feelings for Camille. Byers first appeared in the show’s second season, which premiered in February 2023. He has only been in a few episodes so far, but he has made a big impression on fans.
Trai Byers The 24th
In the historical drama film The 24th, Trai Byers plays two important roles: William Boston: Byers serves as the leading protagonist of the film. He portrays a Private in the all-Black 24th Infantry Regiment stationed in Camp Logan, Texas, in 1917. The story unfolds throughout one particularly tumultuous night, where racial tensions erupt into a deadly riot between the soldiers and white civilians.
Co-writer: In addition to starring in the film, Byers also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Kevin Willmott. This involvement allowed him to delve deeper into the historical context and personal narratives that fuel the film’s emotional impact.
Trai Byers Movies and TV Shows
- Empire (2015-2020): Byers’ breakout role came as Andre Lyon, the eldest son of a music mogul in the hit Fox series “Empire.” His portrayal of the troubled yet musically gifted Andre earned him critical acclaim and solidified his place as a rising star.
- 90210 (2012): He made a guest appearance on the popular CW teen drama, adding another layer to his television experience.
- Selma (2014): Byers took on the significant role of civil rights leader James Forman in Ava DuVernay’s historical drama “Selma,” proving his ability to handle weighty and impactful characters.
- All My Children (2011): Byers had a recurring role as Frankie Gray on the long-running ABC daytime soap opera, showcasing his early acting chops.
- The 24th (2020): Byers not only starred in this historical drama about the all-black 24th Infantry Regiment but also co-wrote the screenplay, demonstrating his multifaceted talents.
- Caesar and Otto’s Summer Camp Massacre (2009): Byers made his screen debut in this independent horror-comedy, showcasing his early comedic timing.
Trai Byers Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Byers is active on his social media accounts. He has about 1.1k followers on his Facebook Page, about 115 followers on his Twitter account, and around 1 Million followers on his Instagram account.