Brandon T. Jackson

Brandon T. Jackson plays Ben Robinson on the NBC comedy "Mr. Robinson."

Jackson started out in stand-up comedy and has evolved into a burgeoning young film and television star. He won Black Reel's 2006 Best Breakthrough Performance Award for his part in "Roll Bounce." Variety named him one of 10 Comics to Watch, and in 2011 The Hollywood Reporter named him to their prestigious 35 Under 35: Next Gen list.

In addition to "Mr. Robinson," Jackson is set to co-star on the second season of Hulu's original series "Deadbeat." Last year Jackson appeared in a multi-episode guest-starring role on Showtime's "Californication."

On the film side, Jackson is perhaps best known as Alpa Chino from the hit comedy "Tropic Thunder." The role earned Jackson a Black Reel Awards nomination.

Jackson co-starred as Grover Underwood, the best friend and protector of Percy Jackson in "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief." He also appeared in the franchise follow-up, "Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters." Jackson starred opposite NBA basketball superstar Kevin Durant in "Thunderstruck"; opposite Martin Lawrence in the third incarnation of the highly profitable "Big Momma's House"; and had a role in "Lottery Ticket."

By age 14, Jackson was performing at his father's church and was soon invited to perform at the famed "Showtime at the Apollo" and BET's "Comic View." From there, Jackson and BET launched the "Teens of Comedy" tour, showcasing the nation's funniest teen comedians. He also hosted the "Up Close and Personal Tour," featuring Chris Brown, Ne-Yo and Lil Wayne. Jackson would later host his own sketch comedy special, "The Brandon T. Jackson Show," on The N Channel and was a series regular on Nick Cannon's MTV sketch comedy show "Wild 'N Out."

Jackson grew up in Detroit with seven siblings and parents who were both pastors. He credits his sense of humor to both his father and his life straddling the fence between suburbia and the inner city.

He now lives in Los Angeles.