Michael Potts

Michael Potts is an actor known for his work across stage, television, and film. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, Potts was inspired to pursue acting after watching a clip of August Wilson's play "Fences," featuring James Earl Jones and Courtney B. Vance. This early exposure to Wilson's work influenced his later career, as Potts became a prominent interpreter of the playwright's canon.

Potts portrayed Brother Mouzone, a well-mannered yet feared assassin, on HBO's series "The Wire." The character, known for his distinctive attire and precise speech, showcased Potts's ability to deliver nuanced performances. He is also recognized for his role as Detective Maynard Gilbough in the Emmy Award-winning HBO anthology series "True Detective." Additional television credits include the HBO miniseries "Show Me a Hero," co-created by David Simon and directed by Paul Haggis.

With extensive experience in theater, Potts originated two roles in the Tony Award-winning musical comedy "The Book of Mormon," and contributed to the original cast album, which won a Grammy Award. His Broadway work includes a role as Joe Mott alongside Denzel Washington in the Tony-nominated Eugene O'Neill revival "The Iceman Cometh," for which he received the Richard Seff Award. Potts has also appeared in productions of "Rent," "The Tempest," "Twelfth Night," and "Richard III," earning the Falstaff Award for Best Male Supporting Performance and The Village Voice's Obie Award for his performance in the off-Broadway production of "The American Play."

On screen, Potts played Slow Drag in Netflix's adaptation of August Wilson's play "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." He portrayed Cleveland Robinson, a labor leader involved in the 1963 March on Washington, in the biographical drama "Rustin." In the film adaptation of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson," directed by Malcolm Washington, Potts reprised his Broadway role as Wining Boy. His film work includes a role as Patrick Bethea in Spike Lee's crime thriller "Highest 2 Lowest," opposite Denzel Washington. Potts has also served as the Denzel Washington Endowed Chair in Theatre at Fordham University, contributing to the development of future theater professionals.