Akbar Gbaja Biamila

Akbar Gbajabiamila transitioned from an NFL defensive end to a prominent television personality, co-hosting ‘American Ninja Warrior’ and ‘The Talk’, and is recognized for his motivational insights. After signing with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2003, Akbar Gbajabiamila established himself as a formidable NFL defensive end before transitioning into a celebrated television personality. During his rookie season with the Raiders in 2003, he played in 13 games, recording seven tackles and one sack. In 2004, he appeared in 14 games, accumulating a career-high 14 tackles and another sack.

Further solidifying his presence across diverse media, Gbajabiamila joined CBS’s ‘The Talk’ as a permanent co-host in 2021, a role he maintained through 2024. He expanded into the literary world with the release of his book, ‘Everyone Can Be a Ninja’, in 2019. His acting credits include roles in ‘The Sac Fly’ (2015), ‘The Night Shift’ (2017), ‘StoryBots: Answer Time’ (2023), and ‘The Neighborhood’ (2023). Demonstrating his versatility behind the camera, he served as an Executive Producer for ‘Yemi’s Dilemma’ in 2018 and as a Producer for the critically acclaimed film ‘Sylvie’s Love’ in 2020.

In 2024, Gbajabiamila continued his prolific output, serving as an Executive Producer for ‘The Knife’ and co-hosting ‘Stanley Pup’. Beyond his extensive entertainment career, he is deeply committed to philanthropic endeavors, actively serving on the boards of both the Asomugha Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation, championing causes close to his heart. His ongoing engagement with ‘American Ninja Warrior’ and new projects underscore his dynamic and evolving career in media.