Coby Bell
| Coby Bell | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Coby Scott Bell May 11, 1975 Orange County, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Colby Bell, Cobins Robins Rue |
| Alma mater | San Jose State University |
| Occupation | Actor, musician, songwriter |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Spouse(s) | Aviss Pinkney-Bell |
| Children | 4 |
Coby Scott Bell (born May 11, 1975) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as professional football player Jason Pitts on The CW/BET comedy-drama The Game and NYPD officer Tyrone Davis, Jr. on the NBC drama Third Watch. He also co-starred as Jesse Porter on the USA Network original series Burn Notice. He also appeared in the Amazon original series Mad Dogs.
Early life and career
Born in Orange County, California, to a Caucasian mother and an African-American father. Bell is the son of Broadway actor Michel Bell. Before he began acting, Bell attended San Jose State University, where he graduated with honors.[1] He began his career with a few minor roles in various shows including The Parent 'Hood, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, ER and Smart Guy, before landing a thirteen episode stint as Patrick Owen in L.A. Doctors.
In 1999, Bell landed the role of Officer Ty Davis, Jr. on the NBC drama Third Watch. He was one of only five original cast members to remain on the show throughout its entire six-season run on NBC. During the series' run, he co-starred in Safe, a critically acclaimed play co-written by Third Watch co-star Anthony Ruivivar. The play co-starred Third Watch actors Jason Wiles and Yvonne Jung. He appeared in a Third Watch edition of the American version of The Weakest Link.[2]
In 2005, just months after Third Watch ended its run, Bell landed a recurring role on the UPN comedy series Half & Half as Glen Stallworth, a San Francisco firefighter who is originally set up on a date with main character Mona, but winds up falling for her mother, Phyllis (played by actress Telma Hopkins). Despite appearing in only three episodes, Bell's character was mentioned and referenced throughout the show's fourth and final season.
In 2006, Bell starred in and co-produced an independent film called Drifting Elegant. The project marked his debut as a producer. That same year, Bell guest-starred in an episode of the UPN comedy series Girlfriends in an episode entitled "The Game", which served as the pilot episode for the CW comedy-drama series of the same name. Bell stars as Jason Pitts, the captain of the fictional San Diego Sabers football team. He reprised Jason Pitts in a recurring role when The Game, which was cancelled in 2009, returned on BET in January 2011.[3] In June 2010, Bell joined the cast of the USA Network series Burn Notice as former counter-intelligence agent Jesse Porter.
Personal life
Bell is married to Aviss Pinkney-Bell and has four children; two sets of twins: girls (Serrae and Jaena Bell) and girl/boy (Quinn and Eli Bell).[4][5][6] In addition to acting, Bell is also a musician and songwriter in a reggae band.[7] He also serves as a mentor to underprivileged youths in the Big Brothers of America.[8] Bell supported Barack Obama for president in 2008.[9]
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2005 | Dream Street | Credited as Colby Bell | |
| 2006 | Drifting Elegant | Renny Lyles | Producer |
| 2007 | Showdown at Area 51 | Jude | |
| 2008 | Ball Don't Lie | Dreadlock Man | |
| Flowers and Weeds | Tyler | Voice | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1997 | The Parent 'Hood | Devigian | Episode: Father Wendell" |
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Young Man | Episode: "Reptile Boy" | |
| ER | Brett Nicholson | Episode: "Good Touch, Bad Touch" | |
| 1997–1998 | Smart Guy | Garret Anthony Williams |
Episodes: "The Dating Game" "Most Hated Man on Campus" |
| 1998–1999 | L.A. Doctors | Patrick Owen | 13 episodes |
| 1999 | A.T.F. | Agent Dinko Bates | Television movie |
| 1999–2005 | Third Watch | Officer Tyrone "Ty" Davis, Jr. | 130 episodes |
| 2005 | Half & Half | Glen | 3 episodes |
| 2006 | Girlfriends | Jason | Episode: "The Game" |
| 2006–2015 | The Game | Jason Pitts | Starring seasons 1–3, 6-9, Recurring seasons 4-5 |
| 2007 | CSI: Miami | Tony Decker | Episode: "Kill Switch" |
| 2010 -2015 | Archer | Conway Stern | Episode: "Diversity Hire" "Three to Tango" |
| 2009–2013 | Burn Notice[10] | Jesse Porter[11] | Seasons 4–7: Main cast |
| 2014 | Hot in Cleveland | Baz | Episode: "Auction Heroes" |
References
- ↑ "Coby Bell—Third Watch". ctv.ca. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ↑ "The Joy of Sets: Third Watch, Learn and Listen!". tvguide.com. February 6, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ↑ Madden Toby, Mekeisha (November 7, 2007). "These stars know how to win the 'Game'". The Ventura County Star. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ↑ "Coby Bell: On-air Personalities". cw27.com. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ↑ Robertson, Regina. "A Father's Love – Celebrity Dads". essence.com. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ↑ Karu F. Daniels (April 17, 2009). "Coby Bell: Welcoming Twins For The Second Time Around". Blackvoices Newswire. AOL, LLC. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
- ↑ "Coby Bell". BET. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
- ↑ "Coby Bell as Jason Pitts". cwtv.com. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ↑ YouTube
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie. "Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
- ↑ "Coby Bell". Retrieved January 4, 2010.