Ashton Durrand Sanders (born October 24, 1995) is an American actor best known for his acclaimed portrayal of teenage Chiron in the Academy Award-winning film Moonlight (2016). He has since acted in films such as The Equalizer 2 (2018), All Day and a Night (2020), and Judas and the Black Messiah (2021). He portrayed Bigger Thomas in Native Son (2019) and Bobby Brown in Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022).
Early life and education Sanders was born in Carson, California. He attended Grand Arts High School in Downtown Los Angeles, from which he graduated in 2014. He was studying towards a BFA at The Theatre School at DePaul University, before leaving after three years in 2016 to focus on his acting career.
Career Sanders made his film debut in The Retrieval, directed by Chris Eska. The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 11, 2013. It was released in a limited release on April 2, 2014, by Variance Films.
In 2015, Sanders had a small role in Straight Outta Compton. In 2016, he appeared in an episode of Refinery29's web series The Skinny.
The same year, Sanders appeared in the drama film Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins. The film had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2016, and began a limited release on October 21, 2016, by A24. Moonlight received massive critical acclaim as well dozens of accolades, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture – Drama. The film also won three Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali. Sanders' role in the film was praised by critics; Benjamin Lee of The Guardian called his performance "powerful".
Sanders co-starred in The Equalizer 2, a sequel to the hit action film The Equalizer, opposite Denzel Washington. In 2019, Sanders starred in Rupert Wyatt's science fiction thriller film Captive State, opposite John Goodman and Vera Farmiga. He also played the lead in HBO's adaptation of the novel Native Son. Sanders was cast as Bobby "RZA" Diggs on the Hulu biographical drama series Wu-Tang: An American Saga. The series ran for three seasons from September 4, 2019, to April 5, 2023. In November 2020, he was set to star in The Things They Carried, a Vietnam War movie with an ensemble cast.
In September 2021, Sanders was cast as Bobby Brown in Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, a biopic feature on Whitney Houston.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2012 Making Possibilities Donnie Short film Los Angeles Film and Script Festival Honorable Mention 2013 The Retrieval Will 2015 Straight Outta Compton Kid on bus 2016 Moonlight Teen Chiron Austin Film Critics Association Special Honorary Award for Best EnsembleGotham Special Jury Award – Ensemble PerformanceIndependent Spirit Robert Altman AwardMTV Movie Award for Best KissNominated – Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting ActorNominated – Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, MaleNominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture We Home Javan Short film The Last Virgin in LA Josh Short film2018 The Equalizer 2 Miles WhittakerThe Kids Are Alright AngelShort film based on the Grammy-nominated album The Kids Are Alright by Chloe x Halle2019 Native Son Bigger Thomas Captive State Gabriel Drummond 2020 All Day and a Night Jahkor 2021 Judas and the Black Messiah Jimmy Palmer 2022 Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody Bobby Brown 2026 Brothers Under Fire Lieutenant Carson Corporate Retreat Carl Thomas
Television Year Title Role Notes 2016 The Skinny Tyler Episode: "Squad" 2019 Wu-Tang: An American Saga Bobby/The RZA Series regular 2022 The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder College Kareem (voice) Episode: "When You Wish Upon a Roker" 2025 Invasion Joel Recurring (season 3)
References
External links