Ashton Sanders
Ashton Durrand Sanders (born October 24, 1995)[2] is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of teenage Chiron in the Academy Award-winning film Moonlight (2016).
Ashton Sanders | |
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Sanders at the Toronto International Film Festival 2016 | |
Born | Ashton Durrand Sanders[1] October 24, 1995 Carson, California, U.S. |
Education | DePaul University |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 2012–present |
Early life
Sanders was born in Carson, California. He attended Grand Arts High School in Downtown Los Angeles, from which he graduated in 2013.[3] He was studying towards a BFA at The Theatre School at DePaul University, before leaving after three years in 2016 to focus on his acting career.[4]
Career
Sanders made his film debut in The Retrieval, directed by Chris Eska.[5] The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 11, 2013.[6] It was released in a limited release on April 2, 2014 by Variance Films.[7][8]
In 2015, Sanders had a small role in Straight Outta Compton.[9] In 2016, he appeared in an episode of Refinery29's web series The Skinny.[10]
The same year, Sanders appeared in the drama film Moonlight, directed by Barry Jenkins.[11] The film had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2016, and began a limited release on October 21, 2016 by A24.[12][13] Moonlight received massive critical acclaim as well dozens of accolades, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture – Drama.[14] The film also won three Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor for Mahershala Ali.[15] Sanders' role in the film was praised by critics;[16] Benjamin Lee of The Guardian called his performance "powerful".[17]
Sanders co-starred in The Equalizer 2, a sequel to the hit action film The Equalizer, opposite Denzel Washington.[18] In 2019, Sanders starred in Rupert Wyatt's science fiction thriller film Captive State, opposite John Goodman and Vera Farmiga.[19] He also played the lead in HBO's adaptation of the novel Native Son.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Making Possibilities[20] | Donnie | Short film |
2013 | The Retrieval | Will | |
2015 | Straight Outta Compton | Kid | |
2016 | Moonlight | Teen Chiron | Austin Film Critics Association Special Honorary Award for Best Ensemble Gotham Special Jury Award – Ensemble Performance Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss Nominated – Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor Nominated – Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture |
We Home | Javan | Short film | |
The Last Virgin in LA | Josh | Short film | |
2018 | The Equalizer 2 | Miles Whittaker | |
The Kids Are Alright | Angel | Short film based on the Grammy-nominated album The Kids Are Alright by American R&B duo Chloe x Halle | |
2019 | Native Son | Bigger Thomas | |
Captive State | Gabriel Drummond | ||
2020 | All Day and a Night | Jahkor | |
2021 | Judas and the Black Messiah | Jimmy Palmer | |
Television series
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | The Skinny | Tyler | Episode: "Squad" |
2019 | Wu-Tang: An American Saga | Bobby/The RZA | Series regular |
References
- "Ashton Durrand Sanders (@ashtondsanders) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com.
- Robehmed, Natalie (January 6, 2017). "Meet Ashton Sanders, Star Of 'Moonlight' And 30 Under 30 Honoree". Forbes.
- Duncan, Fiona. "ASHTON SANDERS". Wonderland Magazine. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
- Cuby, Michael. ""Moonlight"'s Ashton Sanders Opens Up About Being Bullied". Teen Vogue. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- Harris, Brandon (April 3, 2014). "Battle Cry: Chris Eska on The Retrieval". Filmmaker Magazine. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- "The Retrieval". South by Southwest. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- McNary, Dave (February 13, 2014). "SXSW Winner 'The Retrieval' Gets US Distribution". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- "The Retrieval". Apple Trailers. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- Phillips, Michael (September 15, 2016). "'Moonlight' reveals struggles of a young African-American man". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- "The Skinny". Refinery29. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- McNary, Dave (October 21, 2015). "Naomie Harris, Andre Holland, Mahershala Ali to Star in 'Moonlight'". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- Hammond, Pete (September 1, 2016). "Telluride Film Festival Lineup: 'Sully', 'La La Land', 'Arrival', 'Bleed For This' & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 28, 2016). "A24 Sets Dates For 'Moonlight' & Cannes Jury Prize Winner 'American Honey'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- Berman, Eliza. "'Moonlight' Wins Golden Globe for Best Picture, Drama". Time. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- Opam, Kwame (January 24, 2017). "Oscar nominations 2017: Moonlight and La La Land will go head-to-head at the Academy Awards". The Verge. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
- "Meet 'Moonlight' Star Ashton Sanders". EW.com. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- Lee, Benjamin (April 22, 2017). "Moonlight's Ashton Sanders: 'America isn't made for the black man'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- Jr, Mike Fleming (August 24, 2017). "'Moonlight's Ashton Sanders Lands A Lead In 'Equalizer 2'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- "'Moonlight' Breakout Ashton Sanders Joins John Goodman in 'Captive State' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- Shand, Rohan, Making Possibilities, Mandy Aceves-Lopez, Karina Maddox, Ashton Sanders, retrieved October 24, 2017