J. Alphonse Nicholson

J. Alphonse Nicholson is an American actor, rapper, songwriter and producer who first gained attention on the regional stage in North Carolina before breaking into national television. Born on July 6, 1990 in Greensboro, North Carolina, he began his artistic journey with the PlayMakers Repertory Company, where he honed his craft in local theater productions and developed a strong foundation in performance. After moving to New York, Nicholson transitioned to screen work, earning guest‑starring roles on acclaimed series such as Blue Bloods, Mr. Robot, Luke Cage, Shots Fired and The Blacklist, demonstrating a versatile range that quickly attracted industry notice. Between 2017 and 2022 he appeared in four episodes of BET’s anthology series Tales, and made his off‑Broadway debut in Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Greene, followed by notable stage credits in Paradise Blue and Days of Rage. His Broadway breakthrough arrived in 2020 with a role in the revival of A Soldier’s Play, cementing his reputation as a serious theater talent. That same year he co‑starred opposite Octavia Spencer in Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker, and was subsequently cast as LaMarques in Starz’s drama P‑Valley, a performance that earned him nominations from both the Black Reel Awards and the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. In 2023 Nicholson expanded his film résumé with roles in White Men Can’t Jump, They Cloned Tyrone and Wake, while 2024 saw him headline the drama Albany Road alongside Renée Elise Goldsberry and Lynn Whitfield, and portray Jimmy Raye II in the sports drama Black Spartans. Most recently he embodied basketball legend Chris Paul in the miniseries Clipped, further showcasing his ability to inhabit real‑life figures with depth and authenticity. Throughout his career, Nicholson has consistently blended his musical pursuits with his acting, releasing rap and songwriting projects that reflect his Southern roots and contemporary influences, positioning him as a multifaceted artist in today’s entertainment landscape.