Carl Clemons-Hopkins

Clemons-Hopkins was born in Lithonia, Georgia and attended high school in Snellville, Georgia.^[1]

Clemons-Hopkins has acted in numerous stage plays. In 2014, they were nominated for a Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theater, which honors Philadelphia-area theater productions, in the category of "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical" for their performance in Little Shop of Horrors.^[2] Their performances in 2016 included Time Is On Our Side, in which they were hailed as "immensely likable and sympathetic,"^[3] and Richard III.^[4] In September 2016, they began performing as an original cast member in the Chicago company of Hamilton.^[5]

Clemons-Hopkins began pursuing television and film opportunities after watching the 2016 film Moonlight. After seeing the film, they wrote in their journal, "I know there will never be another Moonlight, but if there’s another opportunity like this, I want to be ready."^[6]

In 2021, Clemons-Hopkins began starring on the HBO Max comedy-drama series Hacks.^[7] For the role, they received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.^[8] They starred in the slasher film Candyman, which was released on August 27, 2021.^[9] In 2022, they starred as James Baldwin opposite Crystal Dickinson as Nikki Giovanni in Lessons in Survival: 1971 at the Vineyard Theatre. The play follows when Giovanni interviewed Baldwin on the TV show Soul!^[10]

Clemons-Hopkins made their Broadway debut, originating the role of Brooks Duncan, in the world premiere of the Tony Award nominated The Balusters^[11] in spring of 2026.^[12]

Prior to being cast in Hacks, Clemons-Hopkins had contemplated leaving acting to pursue a career in business and was actively preparing to apply for business school.^[13]

Clemons-Hopkins is queer and non-binary.^[14][15] They use they/them and he/him pronouns.^[16][17]