Khary Payton
WAKANDA FOREVER!
KHARY DEBUTS AS AZZURI, T’CHALLA’S
(CHADWICK BOSEMAN) GRANDFATHER AND WWII ERA BLACK PANTHER, IN THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MARVEL/SKYDANCE
VIDEO GAME, 1943: RISE OF HYDRA,
PREMIERING IN 2025, THE GAME FEATURES GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGY AND IS BEING DIRECTED BY MULTI-AWARD WINNING WRITER-DIRECTOR AMY HENNIG.
Payton, a veteran in the superhero realm, has become synonymous with one of DC’s hottest heroes Cyborg, having voiced the character for over 20 years in numerous series, DVM’s and games, including the critically acclaimed feature Teen Titans Go! To the Movies based on the #1 cartoon series Teen Titans Go! , which has become the longest running animated superhero series of all time.
Khary can be seen on Netflix, as fan-favorite King Ezekiel on AMC’s global hit, The Walking Dead. For over a decade, TWD broke records across the globe and has garnered a massive fanbase.
From one King to another, Khary is Penguin King in Universal’s animated $1.36 Billion global hit, based on the beloved long running video game, The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The new record holder for largest worldwide opening for an animated film ever.
Khary will also reprise his role of Black Samson in Amazon Studio’s huge hit, Invincible with season 2 in 2024. He also returns for season 2 of The Legend of Vox Machina.
A few video games: The Sims, Reigel in Starcraft, Drebin in Metal Gear Solid, Azrael & Killer Croc in the Batman: Arkham franchise & Knox from Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, are just some of the many roles he’s known for.
Born in Augusta, Georgia, Payton caught the acting bug after seeing a production of Cyrano De Bergerac in the 1st grade. As a teenager, he developed a local rep as a rapper and stand-up comic, sharing the stage with such notables as Tom Kenney & Chris Rock. After spending his teenage years consoling comedians at the bar between sets, Payton opted for college at Southern Methodist University in Dallas to study acting and directing. He stayed in Texas for several years thereafter, honing his craft in classical and experimental theatre before finally making his way to Hollywood.
Payton co-wrote, produced & starred in the independent sci-fi feature, Astronaut: The Last Push. The film soared through festivals from London to LA, winning 13 awards including Best In Show at the IFS & Fargo Film Festivals. Payton took home three awards for Best Actor.