Billy Baker in “All American”

In The CW’s drama “All American,” Taye Diggs stars as Billy Baker, Crenshaw’s prodigal son and Principal of South Crenshaw High. A former NFL player, Billy is coming into his own as a pillar for his community while becoming a better person for himself and his family. However, he must face the challenges that come with watching someone else coach Jordan (Michael Evans Behling) and Spencer (Daniel Ezra).

An established star of film, television and theatre, Diggs made his feature film debut starring opposite Angela Bassett in the box office hit “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” Next, he will reprise his role of Harper Stewart in the newest rendition of the Best Man-franchise, “The Best Man: The Final Chapters.” The limited series will bring together the core cast and directorial team of the comedic hit franchise and is set to premiere on Peacock on December 22^nd.

Born in New Jersey, Diggs grew up in Rochester, New York, attending High School of the Arts. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Syracuse University, where he studied theater, and was discovered by an agent while performing in a showcase during his senior year in college.

He began his career in 1994 appearing in a coveted role in the ensemble cast of the five-time Tony Award winning musical “Carousel.” Later that same year, he starred in his breakout role of Benny in the Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical debut of “Rent.” He continued his Broadway career from late 2003 to early 2004 filling in for Norbert Leo Butz in the role of Fiyero in the Tony Award-nominated musical “Wicked,” and appeared as Billy Flynn in the widely-popular musical “Chicago.” Most recently, Diggs took over the title role in Broadway’s “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” in 2015, marking the first time an African American man lead as Hedwig in New York.

His off-Broadway theatre credits include: Second Stage Theatre’s “A Soldier’s Play” (for which he earned a Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance), Manhattan Theater Club’s “The Wild Party,” (for which he earned an Outer Critics Circle Award for the category of Best Off-Broadway Musical) and his first job out of college, in 1994, was a coveted role in the ensemble cast of the five-time Tony Award winning musical “Carousel.”

Diggs’s other film credits include: “Set It Up” (2018), “River Runs Red” (2018), “My Little Pony: The Movie” (2017), “Til Death Do Us Part” (2017), “The Best Man Holiday” (2013), “Baggage Claim” (2013), “RENT” (2005), the Academy Award-winning “Chicago” (2002) (for which he also earned a SAG Award in the category of Best Ensemble Performance), “Brown Sugar” (2002), “Equilibrium” (2002), “The Way of the Gun” (2000), “The Wood” (1999), “The Best Man” (1999), “Just A Kiss” (1999), “The House on Haunted Hill” (1999), “Go” (1999), “Drum” (1999), “Cake” (1999) and “Malibu’s Most Wanted” (1999).

His other television credits include: “Empire,” “Murder In The First,” “The Good Wife,” “Private Practice” (for which he earned an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series), “Daybreak,” “Kevin Hill” (for which he earned an NAACP Image Award for Best Actor – Television), “Ally McBeal,” “Will & Grace,” “Ed,” “The West Wing,” “New York Undercover” and “Law & Order.”

Diggs is also an author and has written several children’s books alongside his longtime friend and illustrator, Shane W. Evans. Their newest children’s book in the rendition, “Why? A Conversation About Race,” which released in February 2022 by MacMillan Publishers. His previous children’s books include “My Friend!” (2021), “I Love You More Than…” (2018), “Mixed Me!” (2015) and “Chocolate Me!” (2011).

He currently resides in Los Angeles.

September 2022