Sterling Kelby Brown (born April 5, 1976) is an acclaimed American actor known for his powerful performances across television, film, and theater. He first gained wide recognition for his Emmy Award–winning role as Christopher Darden in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016). Brown became even more prominent through his portrayal of Randall Pearson in the hit NBC drama This Is Us (2016–2022), a role that earned him multiple Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, making him the first African-American actor to win the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Drama in over three decades.
Brown’s career spans diverse projects, including appearances in series like Supernatural and Army Wives, as well as film roles in Black Panther (2018), Hotel Artemis (2018), and Waves (2019). Known for his emotional depth, charisma, and versatility, he is widely respected for bringing complexity and humanity to his characters.
Beyond acting, Sterling K. Brown is recognized as a trailblazer in Hollywood, admired for breaking barriers for Black actors and using his platform to advocate for diversity and representation in the entertainment industry.