Lyriq Bent

Born Martin Lyriq Bent in Kingston, Jamaica, Lyriq moved to Toronto, Canada, at the age of five. He initially pursued a career as a Computer Graphic Technician, graduating with high honors from Seneca College in North York, Ontario. His entry into acting began as a dare, leading to a prolific career in film and television roles. Bent’s ability to portray a diverse range of characters has earned him recognition in both Canadian and American entertainment industries.

Bent’s career gained momentum with early guest appearances on television series such as “CSI: Miami” alongside David Caruso, “Kevin Hill” with Taye Diggs, and USA Network’s “Kojak” opposite Ving Rhames. He also secured recurring roles in “Platinum” and “Playmakers.” His film credits include significant roles in the popular horror franchise “Saw,” starring in “Saw II,” “Saw III,” and notably as the lead character in “Saw IV,” which reached number one at the box office and grossed over $100 million worldwide. He has also appeared in “Four Brothers” with Mark Wahlberg and Andrè 3000, and “Take the Lead” with Antonio Banderas and Alfre Woodard.

A key turning point in Bent’s career was his portrayal of Chekura Tiano in the BET/CBC mini-series “The Book of Negroes” in 2015, based on Lawrence Hill’s best-selling novel. This role earned him a Best Actor award at the 2016 4th Canadian Screen Awards. He further diversified his portfolio with a co-starring role in Spike Lee’s Netflix series “She’s Gotta Have It” (2017-2019) and appeared in Tyler Perry’s feature film “Acrimony” (2018) opposite Taraji P. Henson. His commitment to roles addressing culturally relevant issues, such as oppression and human rights, has guided his project selections, making him a distinguished actor in modern cinema and television.