Khary Payton

Khary Payton
Payton in 2020
Born (1972-05-16) May 16, 1972
OccupationActor
Years active1986–present
Spouses
Linda Braddock
(m. 2001; div. 2009)
    Stacy Reed
    (m. 2010; div. 2019)
    Children3

    Khary Payton (born May 16, 1972) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as King Ezekiel on the AMC horror drama series The Walking Dead and Dr. Terrell Jackson on the soap opera General Hospital, as well as voicing Cyborg across various DC media and Kaldur'ahm / Aqualad in the animated series Young Justice.

    Early life

    Payton was born in Augusta, Georgia. At the age of 14, he won Showtime's first annual Kid Talent Quest, and a recording exists of him introducing an animated film called Sherlock Holmes in the Baskerville Curse broadcast on Showtime in September 1986.[1]

    Career

    Live-action work

    Payton appeared on a recurring basis as Dr. Terrell Jackson on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital.[2] He portrayed King Ezekiel on AMC's The Walking Dead.[3][4][5]

    Voice work

    Payton has voiced Cyborg in both Teen Titans animated series and Aqualad in Young Justice, reprising his role in Teen Titans Go!.[6][7] Payton has also portrayed Cyborg and Doomsday in Injustice: Gods Among Us, as well as Cyborg and Grid in Injustice 2. In the animated series Justice League, Payton provided the voice of the villain Ten from the Royal Flush Gang. He also provided the voice of Drebin in the game Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Ripcord in G.I. Joe: Renegades, Blade in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Grimlock in Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Harold McBride in The Loud House (replacing Wayne Brady), Quinn Derringer in République, Killer Croc in Batman: Arkham Underworld,[8] and Wasabi in Big Hero 6: The Series and Kingdom Hearts III (replacing Damon Wayans Jr.)[9]

    Personal life

    Payton has three children. He married Linda Braddock in 2001, and they divorced in 2009. He married Stacey Reed in 2010 and they filed for divorce in 2019.[10] He has two children with Reed.[10]

    Filmography

    Voice over roles

    Television

    Year Title Role Notes Ref
    2002 The Proud Family Slapmaster Episode: "The Altos"
    2003–2006 Teen Titans Cyborg, Herald [11]
    2003 Justice League Ten Episode: "Wild Cards" [11]
    What's New, Scooby-Doo? Mitch Episode: "E-Scream"
    2004 The Shield Lil Psych Episode: "Cracking Ice"
    2004–2007 Codename: Kids Next Door Maurice / Numbuh 9, additional voices 3 episodes
    2006-2007 Ben 10 Hex, additional voices 7 episodes [11]
    Loonatics Unleashed General Deuce 3 episodes [11]
    2007 Friday: The Animated Series Craig Jones
    Legion of Super-Heroes Tyr, Hunter 2 episodes
    2008–2010 Ben 10: Alien Force Manny, Hex 6 episodes [11]
    2010 Generator Rex Beasly, Gang Punk, Male Providence Cadet #2, Pilot 3 episodes [11]
    2010–2011 G.I. Joe: Renegades Ripcord, Wallace Weems, Guard #1, Lead Trooper 7 episodes [11]
    2010–2013, 2019–2022 Young Justice Aqualad, Brick, Black Manta, Black Lightning, Robotman, Silas Stone, additional voices [11]
    2012 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien Hex Episode: "The Enemy of My Frenemy"
    2013–present Teen Titans Go! Cyborg, Zan, Couch, Universe Tree, Halloween Spirit, Young Justice Aqualad, Himself, various voices [11]
    2014 Ben 10: Omniverse Manny, Hex, Student 4 episodes [11]
    Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered Cyborg TV special [11][12]
    2015–2017 Transformers: Robots in Disguise Grimlock, Bisk, Divebomb, additional voices [11]
    2015 Fresh Beat Band of Spies Rubberface Rudy, Teller #1 Episode: "Fake Fresh Beats" [11]
    Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Tony, Stan, Axel 2 episodes [11]
    2015–2019 The Lion Guard Rafiki, Muhangus 12 episodes [11][13]
    2016 Sofia the First Barley Episode: "Bunny Swap"
    2016-2017 DC Super Hero Girls Cyborg, Lion-Mane 5 episodes
    Justice League Action Cyborg, Kanjar Ro 6 episodes [11]
    2017–2021 Big Hero 6: The Series Wasabi, additional voices [11]
    2017 Guardians of the Galaxy Jukka, Ship Crasher #2 2 episodes [11]
    Elena of Avalor Captain Chiloya Episode: "Party of a Lifetime"
    2019 Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure Kai
    2021–present Invincible Black Samson, Kyle, additional voices [14]
    2022–2023 The Legend of Vox Machina Sovereign Uriel Tal'Dorei 6 episodes [15]
    2022–present The Loud House Harold McBride, additional voices 3 episodes
    2024–2025 Hot Wheels Let's Race Speedy Getaway 20 episodes
    2024-2025 Krapopolis Additional voices Recurring role

    Film

    Year Title Role Notes Source
    2006 Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo Cyborg TV movie [11]
    2011 The Legend of Awesomest Maximus King Erotic Comedy Film [11]
    2012 Strange Frame: Love & Sax Atem [11]
    2013 Khumba Dassies, Wild Dog English dub [11]
    2014 Batman: Assault on Arkham Inmates, Henchmen Direct-to-video
    2015 Justice League: Throne of Atlantis John Henry Irons [11]
    Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League Cyborg, Cyzarro [11]
    Justice League: Gods and Monsters John Henry Irons [11]
    Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem Cyborg [11][16]
    Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Attack of the Legion of Doom Cyborg, Cy-Bot [11]
    The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar Rafiki [11]
    2016 Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Cosmic Clash Cyborg Direct-to-video [11]
    Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Gotham City Breakout [11]
    DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year [11]
    2017 DC Super Hero Girls: Intergalactic Games Cyborg, Lead
    The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar Rafiki
    2018 Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash Cyborg Direct-to-video [11]
    Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High Cyborg, Wizard Shazam
    Teen Titans Go! To the Movies Cyborg [11]
    Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman – Rage of Atlantis Direct-to-video [11]
    DC Super Hero Girls: Legends of Atlantis [11]
    2019 Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans [11]
    2020 Bobbleheads: The Movie Deuce
    2021 Teen Titans Go! See Space Jam Cyborg TV movie [11]
    2022 Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse Cyborg, Narrator Direct-to-video [11]
    2023 The Super Mario Bros. Movie Penguin King [17]
    2024 No Time to Spy: A Loud House Movie Harold McBride

    Video games

    Year Title Role Notes Source
    2000 Deus Ex Smuggler, JoJo Fine
    2004 Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain Lawrence Mujari
    The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay Rael, Michaels
    Men of Valor Greaser, Random Marines
    2005 X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Bishop, Nick Fury [11]
    Quake 4 Bidwell
    Tony Hawk's American Wasteland Additional voices
    2006 Teen Titans Cyborg [11]
    Reservoir Dogs Mr. Blue
    Saints Row Additional voices
    Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Blade, Paibok [11]
    SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Fireteam Bravo 2 WRAITH
    Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 Zack
    2007 God of War II Rhodes Soldiers, Spartan Soldiers
    Spider-Man: Friend or Foe Blade [11]
    2008 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Drebin 893 English dub [11]
    SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Confrontation Commando 3
    Resistance 2 Warner
    Tom Clancy's EndWar Additional voices
    2009 FusionFall Hex
    Ninja Blade Andy Walker
    The Sims 3 Sim
    Prototype Additional voices
    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Earl Deveraux [11]
    Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Luke Cage, Blade
    2010 No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle Nathan Copeland [11]
    SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Fireteam Bravo 3 WRAITH
    Dead or Alive Paradise Zack [18]
    Ben 10 Alien Force: The Rise of Hex Hex
    Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Soldiers, Extras English dub [11]
    StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Additional voices
    2011 Killzone 3 Additional ISA voices [11]
    Dead or Alive: Dimensions Zack [11]
    Infamous 2 Male Pedestrians
    Spider-Man: Edge of Time Additional voices
    Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Razor Co-Pilot
    Batman: Arkham City Azrael, Inmates
    Star Wars: The Old Republic Additional voices
    2012 Starhawk Emmett Graves [11]
    PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
    2013 SimCity BuildIt Additional voices
    Aliens: Colonial Marines Marine [11]
    Tomb Raider Islanders
    God of War: Ascension Soldier, Slave
    Injustice: Gods Among Us Cyborg, Doomsday [19]
    Metro: Last Light Additional voices
    Fuse Jacob Kimble [11]
    Marvel Heroes Blade, War Machine
    Batman: Arkham Origins Killer Croc, Warden Joseph
    Young Justice: Legacy Aqualad, Black Manta [11]
    République Quinn Derringer [11]
    2014 Infamous Second Son Additional voices [20]
    Infamous First Light [21]
    Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Knox, additional voices
    2015 Infinite Crisis Cyborg
    Lego Dimensions Cyborg (Teen Titans Go!)
    Batman: Arkham Knight Azrael
    2016 Mafia III Additional voices
    2017 Injustice 2 Cyborg [11]
    2019 Kingdom Hearts III Wasabi English dub [11]
    2020 World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Henry Garrick
    2023 Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Pan [22]
    2024 Batman: Arkham Shadow Otis Flannagan, Killer Croc [23][11]
    2025 Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra Azzuri / Black Panther [24]

    Live action roles

    Television

    Year Title Role Notes Source
    2001 Walker, Texas Ranger Gillis Episode: "Justice for All"
    2002 Imagine That Demetrius Episode: "The Married Balladeer"
    2003 JAG Seaman James Westin Episode: "Touchdown"
    2004 The Shield Kaliel "Lil' Psych" Wilkes Episode: "Cracking Ice"
    2006–2008 Emily's Reasons Why Not Josh 6 episodes
    2006 Hannah Montana Roger the Director Episode: "More Than a Zombie to Me"
    2008 How I Met Your Mother Guy #3 in Booth Episode: "The Fight"
    2009 Medium Mr. Bronson Episode: "Baby Fever"
    Criminal Minds Det. Landon Kaminski Episode: "Slave of Duty"
    2010 I'm in the Band Director Kaz Ridley Episode: "Spiders, Snakes and Clowns"
    Lie to Me Cpt. Stan Renshaw Episode: "React to Contact"
    CSI: Miami Aaron Taber Episode: "Manhunt"
    2011 General Hospital Dr. Terrell Jackson 24 episodes
    2012 Fairly Legal Tom Finnerman Episode: "Kiss Me, Kate"
    Go On Don Episode: "Pilot"
    2013 Body of Proof Brad Carter Episode: "Breakout"
    2016–2022 The Walking Dead Ezekiel Sutton
    • Recurring (Season 7)
    • Also starring (Season 8)
    • Main cast (Seasons 9–11)
    • 49 episodes
    2017 Hand of God Major Tom 2 episodes
    2018 Critical Role Shakäste 2 episodes
    2019 UnDeadwood Aloysius Fogg 4 episodes

    Film

    Year Title Role Notes Source
    2003 Dracula II: Ascension Kenny
    2004 Latter Days Andrew
    2005 Hellraiser: Hellworld Derrick
    2008 Ping Pong Playa JP Money
    2009 Blood: The Last Vampire Creature
    2011 The Legend of Awesomest Maximus King Erotic
    2012 Astronaut: The Last Push Michael Forrest Also producer

    Awards and nominations

    Year Award Category Work Result
    2014 BTVA Voice Acting Awards Best Male Vocal Performance in a TV Series in a Guest Role - Action/Drama[25] Ben 10: Omniverse Nominated
    2015 Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a TV Series[26] Transformers: Robots In Disguise Nominated
    2018 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series[27] The Walking Dead Nominated
    2019 Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series[28] Nominated

    References

    1. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018.
    2. ^ "GH's adds Suzanne Whang & Khary Payton to the cast!". Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
    3. ^ Muir, John Kenneth (May 1, 2007). TV Year, Volume 1: The Prime Time 2005-2006 Season. Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 43–. ISBN 978-1-55783-684-7. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
    4. ^ "Comic-Con: 'Walking Dead' Casts Kingdom Leader Ezekiel". The Hollywood Reporter. July 22, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
    5. ^ "'The Walking Dead': Ezekiel speaks! Khary Payton gives first interview about landing coveted role". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
    6. ^ "Khary Payton Talks "Teen Titans Go!" And "Justice League's" Live-Action Cyborg". CBR.com. July 19, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
    7. ^ "Young Justice's Aqualad Voice Actor Has A Good Feeling About A Third Season". Comicbook.com. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
    8. ^ "Killer Croc Voice Actor Talks Arkham Underworld". Arkhamverse.com. May 23, 2016. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2016.
    9. ^ "'Big Hero 6': Maya Rudolph & More Reprise Roles for Disney XD Animated Series". Deadline. November 3, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
    10. ^ a b "'Walking Dead' Ezekiel's Wife Files for Divorce". August 30, 2019.
    11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd "Khary Payton (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved June 27, 2015. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
    12. ^ "Lego Batman: Be-Leaguered". Lego Batman. October 27, 2014. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
    13. ^ "Twitter / kharypayton". Retrieved March 30, 2015.
    14. ^ Trumbore, Dave (September 6, 2019). "Exclusive: Disney's 'Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure' Season 3 Returns This October". Collider. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
    15. ^ Moreau, Jordan (January 20, 2022). "Critical Role's 'Legend of Vox Machina' Adds Stephanie Beatriz, David Tennant, Tony Hale and More as Guest Stars". Variety. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
    16. ^ "EXCLUSIVE TRAILER DEBUT: Joker Rules in "Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem"". Comic Book Resources. June 2, 2015. Archived from the original on December 25, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
    17. ^ Brian (October 6, 2022). "Khary Payton revealed as the voice of the penguin king in The Super Mario Bros. Movie". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved October 6, 2022.
    18. ^ Dead or Alive Paradise (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2014. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
    19. ^ "Twitter / kharypayton: @tomkambur @InjusticeGame We". Twitter.com. April 20, 2013. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
    20. ^ Sucker Punch Productions. Infamous: Second Son. Sony Computer Entertainment. Scene: Credits, 3:43 in, Additional Voice Talent.
    21. ^ Sucker Punch Productions. Infamous First Light. Scene: Closing credits, 1:18 minutes in, Additional Voice Acting by.
    22. ^ Jackson, Zach (April 13, 2023). "Aussie-Made Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Is Hitting The Stage In August".
    23. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (August 20, 2024). "First Look at Batman VR Game Arkham Shadow Gameplay, Voice Cast Revealed gamescom 2024". IGN. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
    24. ^ "'Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra' Unveils Cast and Composer". www.marvel.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
    25. ^ "2014 BTVA Voice Acting Awards". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
    26. ^ "2015 BTVA Voice Acting Awards". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
    27. ^ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
    28. ^ Mancuso, Vinnie (July 16, 2019). "'Avengers: Endgame', 'Game of Thrones' Lead the 2019 Saturn Awards Nominations". Collider. Retrieved July 16, 2019.