André Holland
André Holland '06 (MFA, Graduate Acting) is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, gained an undergraduate degree from Florida State University, before earning an MFA from New York University’s Graduate Acting Program. Shortly after graduation, he received acclaim for his tour-de-force performance as four generations of a family in the play “Blue Door” at Playwrights Horizons.
Holland can currently be seen in Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT, alongside Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, and Trevante Rhodes. The A24 coming-of-age drama was a front-runner this past award season, receiving several awards including the 2017 Academy Award for “Best Picture,” the 2017 Golden Globe Award for “Best Motion Picture- Drama,” and the 2017 Indie Spirit Award for “Best Feature.” The strong ensemble received several accolades including a 2016 Gotham Independent Film Award, 2017 Critics Choice Awards, and a 2017 Indie Spirit Award. Holland received individual nominations from the 2017 Black Reel Awards and 2016 Florida Film Critics Circle Awards for his supporting role.
Holland recently wrapped production on Ava DuVernay’s adaption of Madeleine L’Engle’s A WRINKLE IN TIME, alongside Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon, and Oprah Winfrey. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures is set to release in April 2018. He will next film the New Regency’s heist thriller WIDOWS, directed by Steve McQueen and featuring Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, and Liam Neeson.
Previously, Holland starred as Dr. Algeron Edwards in Steven Soderbergh's critically acclaimed Cinemax series “The Knick,” opposite Clive Owen. He received a 2015 Satellite Award nomination for “Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film” as well as a 2016 Critics' Choice Television Award nomination for “Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series” for the role.
In 2014, he was seen in Paramount Pictures’ SELMA, based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches and directed by Ava DuVernay. Holland received a 2015 NAACP Image Award nomination for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture” for his role as Andrew Young. Prior to that he wrapped BLACK & WHITE in which he starred opposite Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer.
In 2013, Holland starred opposite Harrison Ford and Chadwick Boseman in the hit film 42. His other film credits include BRIDE WARS, Spike Lee's MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA, and the acclaimed 2008 independent film SUGAR, which marked his feature film debut.
Holland made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning 2009 revival of August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” at the Belasco Theatre. He most recently returned to Broadway in the August Wilson’s “Jitney” at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in 2017. Before that, he starred in Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2011 presentation of “The Whipping Man” at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Also that year, he starred in the Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park productions of “All’s Well That Ends Well” and “Measure for Measure.” His off-Broadway work also includes “The Brother/Sister Plays,” “Wig Out,” and the Shakespeare in the Park presentations of “Much Ado About Nothing” and “As You Like It.” Holland’s stage repertoire also includes such plays as “Tempest Tossed” and Romeo and Juliet,” with the NYU/Continuum Company; “In the Red and Brown Water,” at Georgia’s Alliance Theatre; and “Andorra,” at London’s Young Vic, to name only a few.
Among his television credits are “American Horror Story,” “1600 Penn,” “Damages,” “Burn Notice,” NBC's “Friends with Benefits,” “Law & Order,” and “The Black Donnellys.”
He currently resides in New York City.