Blackfilm.com correspondent Ellen J. Wanjiru chats with Omar Benson Miller about his character “Reggie,” in the Apple TV+ limited series “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey.” Premiering Friday, March 11, 2022.
“The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” stars Samuel L. Jackson as Ptolemy Grey, an ailing man forgotten by his family, his friends, and by even himself. Suddenly left without his trusted caretaker and on the brink of sinking even deeper into a lonely dementia, Ptolemy is assigned to the care of orphaned teenager, Robyn. When they learn about a treatment that can temporarily restore Ptolemy’s dementia-addled memories, it begins a journey toward shocking truths about the past, present and future.
Also starring ’Dominique Fishback as ‘Robyn,’ Cynthia Kaye McWilliams as ‘Sensia,’ Damon Gupton as ‘Coydog,’ Marsha Stephanie Blake as ‘Niecie,’ Walton Goggins as ‘Dr. Rubin.’
Omar Benson Miller received an NAACP Image Award nomination for his starring role with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the half-hour dramedy series “Ballers,” chronicling the lives of a variety of Miami-based athletes. Coincidentally, this marked Miller’s first return to series television since Jerry Bruckheimer’s “CSI: Miami.” He also had a starring role on “The Unicorn” comedy series with Walton Goggins.
Miller created and hosted Esquire Network’s reality travel series “Weekend Fix,” which he parlayed into #advantageOmar for Tennis Channel’s Grand Slam coverage and created the sports-oriented O-ZONE podcast; all of which were produced by his Big Easy Productions. Additionally, he’s appeared in Phillip Noyce’s thriller “Above Suspicion,” stars as Raphael in Nickelodeon’s Emmy-nominated series “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” for which Netflix has produced an original film, and lent his voice to Nickelodeon’s “Rugrats” reboot.
He re-teamed with director Gary Fleder to star with James Franco, Jeremy Statham and Winona Ryder in “Homefront,” the action movie scripted by Sylvester Stallone, and also starred in Fleder’s football drama “The Express,” which tells the life story of Syracuse running back and humanitarian Ernie David, alongside Rob Brown and Dennis Quaid. He also appeared in the critically acclaimed film “Things We Lost in The Fire,” shining alongside Halle Berry and Benecio Del Toro. It was his first drama since performing in Jim Sheridan’s film, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” alongside 50 Cent and Terrence Howard.
Miller started his Hollywood acting career in the comedy, “Sorority Boys.” The film was shot while he was still enrolled in film school at San Jose State University, where he subsequently was named best male actor of his graduating class. Immediately following graduation, Miller landed a highly coveted lead role opposite Eminem in the hit feature, “8 Mile.” The ensemble cast featured Mekhi Phifer and Kim Basinger.
Miller next showed his range by appearing in “Undefeated,” directed by and starring John Leguizamo. He then presented a lighter side of his talent in the romantic comedy/drama “Shall We Dance?” starring Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez and Susan Sarandon.
Miller garnered rave reviews for his work with director Spike Lee in the complex war drama about the historic Buffalo Soldiers in “Miracle at St. Anna” as the deeply spiritual and superstitious soldier Private Sam Train, aka. The Chocolate Giant. Additional film credits include Michael Bay’s blockbuster “Transformers” and “Blood Done Sign My Name,” Bruckheimer’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” with Nicolas Cage, and the title role of “Gordon Glass,” a film which he also had the distinction of writing, producing and directing. “The Lion of Judah” marked Miller’s first foray into the world of animation voicing Horace, a pig.
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