Billy Brown (born October 30, 1970) is an American actor best known for his lead roles as Richard 'Death Row' Reynolds on the FX sports drama series Lights Out (2011), Archer Petit on the CBS drama series Hostages (2013–14), and Detective Nate Lahey on the ABC legal drama series How to Get Away with Murder (2014–20). He is also known for his supporting roles as Detective Mike Anderson on the sixth and seventh seasons of the Showtime crime thriller series Dexter (2011–12), and August Marks on the fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons of the FX action crime drama series Sons of Anarchy (2012–14).
Early life Brown was born and raised in Inglewood, California.
Career He is known for his role as detective Mike Anderson on Showtime's Dexter from 2011 to 2012. Previously he starred as boxer Richard "Death Row" Reynolds in the short-lived FX series Lights Out. In 2012, he landed the recurring role of August Marks in the fifth and sixth season of Sons of Anarchy. He also provided the second voice of Cliffjumper in the animated series Transformers: Prime. In 2013, he portrayed Agent Troy Riley in the first season of The Following.
Brown starred opposite Toni Collette in the CBS drama series Hostages from 2013-14. In 2014, he was cast opposite Viola Davis in ABC drama How to Get Away with Murder, produced by Shonda Rhimes.
In 2018, Brown was cast in his first film leading role in the Screen Gems' thriller Proud Mary opposite Taraji P. Henson.
Brown also voices recruiting commercials for the United States Marine Corps.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1993 Geronimo: An American Legend Native American 1993 Dreamrider Boy in Boston 1997 The Beautician and the Beast Fireman 1997 The Lost World: Jurassic Park InGen Worker 2001 Second Coming 2002 The Wild Thornberrys Movie Rhino Voice 2005 House of the Dead 2 Griffin 2008 I Am Bubba Bubba Short film 2008 Cloverfield Staff Sgt. Pryce 2008 Lakeview Terrace Patrolman 2009 Race to Witch Mountain Mr. Carson 2009 Star Trek Med Evac Pilot2018Proud MaryTom Spencer2018Suicide Squad: Hell to PayBen Turner / Bronze TigerVoice 2020 Working Man Walter Brewer
Television Year Title Role Notes 2000–03 As Told by Ginger Mr. Patterson / Delivery Guy 4 episodes 2004 Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation Private Ottis Brick Television film 2004 CSI: NY George Thomas Episode: "Grand Master" 2004 NCIS Chief Petty Officer Velat Episode: "Heart Break" 2005 Cold Case Donald Williams Episode: "Strange Fruit" 2005–06 E-Ring MSgt. Meeks 3 episodes 2007 Criminal Minds Det. Ware Episode: "Fear and Loathing" 2007 Backyards & Bullets Craig Winslow Unsold TV pilot 2007–08 Dirt Tweety McDaniel 3 episodes 2009 Southland Talib 2 episodes 2009 Californication Marcy's Date Episode: "The Land of Rape and Honey" 2010 CSI: NY Business Pedestrian Episode: "Unfriendly Chat" 2011 Reconstruction Sam Unsold TV pilot 2011 Lights Out Richard 'Death Row' Reynolds 11 episodes 2012 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Joe Marshall Episode: "Official Story" 2011–12 Dexter Det. Mike Anderson 11 episodes 2012 Transformers Prime Cliffjumper Episode: "Out of the Past" 2013 The Following Troy Riley 3 episodes 2012–14 Sons of Anarchy August Marks 14 episodes 2013–14 Hostages Archer Petit 15 episodes 2014 Legends Robert McCombs Episode: "Rogue" 2014–20 How to Get Away with Murder Detective Nate Lahey 90 episodes 2015 Adventure Time The Vampire King 3 episodes 2023-25 Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake The Vampire King 2 episodes 2026 High Potential Charles Hale Episode: "Family Tree"
Video games Year Title RoleNotes 2000 Jet Set Radio DJ Professor K 2002 Jet Set Radio Future 2004 Hot Shots Golf Fore! T-Bone 2004 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 Zez-Kai Ell2007Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars Nod Announcer2012Sonic & All-Stars Racing TransformedDJ Professor KArchive footage2018SEGA Heroes
Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominated work Result 2012 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Dexter
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