Many may know him as Derek in Save the Last Dance, others may know him as Ronald from Cruel Intentions, or even Jimmy from the 2016 movie Barbershop: The Next Cut. Well this jovial, energetic actor has starred in many roles from horror to comedy, drama to action.
Sean Patrick Thomas – photo imdb.com
Sean Patrick Thomas was born to Carlton and Cheryl Thomas in Wilmington, Delaware on December 17, 1970. One could say that he has a bit of Caribbean heritage as his both parents are Guyanese and moved to Delaware before having Sean. He graduated from Brandywine High School in Delaware then went on to the University of Virginia, where he originally had a goal set to become a lawyer. However, he auditioned for a role in the film ‘A Raisin In The Sun’ and later enrolled at the New York University at the Tisch School of the Arts where he earned his Master’s Degree in Drama in 1995.
Sean began his screen appearances back in the mid-1990s, where he starred in New York Undercover and Courage Under Fire (1996); Conspiracy Theory, Picture Perfect (1997); Push and Can’t Hardly Wait (1998); as well as Graham’s Diner, The Sterling Case and Cruel Intentions (1999).
He then went on to act in a leading role in the hit movie Save the Last Dance in 2001 where he acted alongside the beautiful and talented Julia Stiles.
Sean Patrick Thomas in Save The Last Dance – Photo -imdb.com
He is best known for his roles in Save the Last Dance (2001), Barbershop (2002) and Halloween: Resurrection (2002). He also played roles in The Agency (2000), The District (2000-2004), The Fountain (2006), The Reaper (2009), Lie To Me (2009), Reed Between The Lines (2011), The Ringer (2012).
Thomas, also a thespian, played the starring role in the 2009 production of Shakespeare’s Othello in New York and at the Intiman Theatre in Seattle, Washington.
In recent years (2013-Present) he has appeared in The American Horror Story, The Selection, Deep in the Darkness, The Murder Pact, Vixen, Bones, and NCIS: New Orleans.
Although one sees the passion Sean has for his career, he is very committed to his family life. He married actress Aonika Laurent on April 22, 2006 in New Orleans after meeting at a party hosted by Barbershop’s director Tim Story. The union was love at first sight and since then Sean and Aonika have given birth to two children.
Sean and his wife Aonika – Photo- imdb.com
Thomas’ career continues to bloom; his most recent film being Barbershop: The Next Cut which was released in April 2016.
When you’re doing a play you get to go full speed ahead, all night, in front of an audience. It’s a roller-coaster ride, responding to other actors, it feeds you.” – Sean Patrick Thomas
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
| 1996 | Courage Under Fire | Sergeant Thompson |
| 1997 | Picture Perfect | Ad Researcher No.2 |
| 1998 | Can’t Hardly Wait | Ben, Jock No.2 |
| 1999 | Cruel Intentions | Ronald Clifford |
| 2000 | Dracula 2000 | Trick |
| 2001 | Save the Last Dance | Derek Reynolds |
| Not Another Teen Movie | Other Black Guy At Party | |
| 2002 | Barbershop | Jimmy James |
| Halloween: Resurrection | Rudy Grimes | |
| 2004 | Barbershop 2: Back in Business | Jimmy James |
| 2006 | The Fountain | Antonio |
| 2008 | The Burrowers | Callaghan |
| 2014 | Deep in the Darkness | Dr. Michael Cayle |
| 2016 | Barbershop: The Next Cut | Jimmy James |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2000–2004 | The District | Officer/Detective Temple Page | |
| 2008 | A Raisin in the Sun | George Murchison | |
| 2009 | Lie To Me | Karl Dupree | |
| 2009 | Reaper | Alan Townsend | |
| 2011 | Reed Between the Lines | Kenneth | |
| 2012 | Ringer | Solomon Vessida | (5 Episodes) |
| 2012 | American Horror Story: Asylum | Terry | |
| 2012 | Murder on the 13th Floor | Jordan | TV film |
| 2015 | The Murder Pact | TV film |
By Alexandra Daley
