Lance Gross

Lance Darnell Gross, born on July 8, 1981, in Oakland, California, established a career in acting, modeling, and photography. After graduating from Bonanza High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, he pursued higher education at Howard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in theater. He further refined his acting skills through training at The Ivanna Chubbuck Studio and the Tasha Smith Acting Studio. Gross began his professional life modeling for brands such as Karl Kani and appearing in music videos for prominent artists like Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, and Mariah Carey. His early acting roles in 2006 included minor appearances in “Eve” and “The Bernie Mac Show,” which laid the groundwork for his future success.

Gross’s breakthrough came with his casting as Calvin Payne in “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” in 2006, a role which he reprised in later iterations of the series through 2020. This performance earned him four NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He transitioned to the big screen with his film debut in the 2008 romantic comedy-drama “Meet the Browns.” Subsequent film roles included “Our Family Wedding” (2010), “The Last Fall” (2012), and the critically divisive “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor” (2013). His television career continued with main roles in the NBC political drama “Crisis” (2014), and regular appearances in “Sleepy Hollow” (2015–2016), “Star” (2017–2019), and “Our Kind of People” (2021–2022). He also expanded his creative endeavors by creating, producing, and starring in the digital series “I Turn My Camera On” for Essence, combining his passion for photography with celebrity interviews.

Over the years, Gross has continued to take on diverse roles across film and television. His recent projects include the crime drama film “Dutch” (2021), the romantic comedy “Unthinkably Good Things” (2022), and the action thriller “Call Her King” (2023). He has also had recurring roles in popular series such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “MacGyver,” and “Hawaii Five-0.” In addition to his on-screen work, Gross is a husband and father of two children. In November 2021, he became an official member of Kappa Alpha Psi, further highlighting his community involvement.