Trai Byers

Trai Byers is an actor best known for his role on the FOX television series "Empire" and the feature film "Selma."

Byers made his screen debut in 2009 in the comedy-horror film, "Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre" before earning recurring roles on the ABC daytime soap opera "All My Children" and the CW's "90210." On the big screen, he starred in two films directed by Kevin Willmott: "Destination Planet Negro" and "Jayhawkers." He also played civil rights activist James Forman in the Oscar-nominated historical epic "Selma," directed by Ava DuVernay.

It was his role as Andre in "Empire," which premiered in 2015, that catapulted Byers to fame. As the eldest son of the Lyon family, his portrayal of a complex character dealing with bipolar disorder and immense family pressure, was both nuanced and powerful. His performance received critical acclaim and NAACP Image Award nominations. In 2020, Byers co-wrote and starred in the historical drama film, "The 24th."

Byers is known for his dedication to social causes and his advocacy for mental health awareness, inspired by his character on "Empire." He married his "Empire" co-star Grace Gealey, and together they have worked on several philanthropic endeavors.

Born into a military family, Byers attended Andrew College, a religious 2-year institution, and received an associate’s degree in theater before attending Prairie View A & M University, an historically black college, for a year. Byers then transferred to the University of Kansas, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in communications. He honed his acting craft at the Yale School of Drama.