Kendrick Sampson

Kendrick Sampson, born on March 8, 1988 in Houston, Texas, has emerged as a versatile American actor and outspoken activist whose career spans over a decade. The son of Daphne Smith Sampson and Hoyle Sampson Sr., he grew up immersed in a creative environment, taking music lessons as a child and discovering a passion for performance after seeing a Gap commercial at the age of ten. Encouraged by his family, he secured representation early and began honing his craft at the Kim Terry Studio while attending Elkins High School, where he appeared in numerous theater productions and developed a reputation for strong stage presence. A devout Christian, Sampson’s personal faith has often informed his choice of roles and his commitment to community service. His onscreen breakthrough arrived in 2008 with a guest appearance on the ABC Family series Greek, followed by a role on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in 2010, which helped him transition into more prominent television work. In 2013 he landed the recurring role of Jesse on the fifth season of The CW’s The Vampire Diaries, a performance that showcased his ability to blend intensity with emotional nuance. The following year he was cast as Dean Iverson in Fox’s critically acclaimed miniseries Gracepoint, further cementing his status as a reliable supporting actor. Sampson continued to expand his résumé with a recurring part as Caleb Hapstall on Shonda Rhimes’s legal drama How to Get Away with Murder and later as Nathan Campbell on Issa Rae’s Insecure from 2018 to 2021. Beyond acting, he founded Sampson Studios, a production company dedicated to creating diverse narrative content, and in 2019 established the nonprofit BLD PWR to empower marginalized communities. His activism intensified after the murder of George Floyd, leading him to organize and participate in Black Lives Matter protests in Los Angeles, where he endured police aggression, and to advocate for a Hollywood strike in response to Jacob Blake’s shooting. In partnership with JusticeLA, he produced a public service announcement highlighting COVID‑19 risks in Los Angeles County jails, underscoring his commitment to social justice and public health. Throughout his career, Sampson has balanced compelling performances with a vigorous advocacy agenda, positioning him as both a talent on screen and a catalyst for change off it.