Brandon T. Jackson

BRANDON T. JACKSON

Date of Birth: March 7, 1984

By age 14, Brandon T. 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. He 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.

He's perhaps best known for his turn as Alpa Chino in the feature hit Tropic Thunder, alongside Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr. and Jack Black. The role earned Jackson a Best Supporting Actor nomination from the Black Reel Awards and Daily Variety named him one of "10 Comics to Watch." Jackson also won Black Reel's 2006 Best Breakthrough Performance award for his part in Roll Bounce.

Jackson also received rave reviews for his role as the satyr Grover Underwood, the best friend and protector of Percy Jackson in Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. He followed that up with a role in Lottery Ticket opposite Bow Wow and has completed a role in the third incarnation of the highly profitable Big Momma's House franchise, starring Martin Lawrence. His most recent films include Thunderstruck (2012) and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013).