Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles from the Emmy-winning FX series Atlanta may be struggling to create a lane for himself as a creative, but this is far from the case for the actor depicting him, Brian Tyree Henry. On Tuesday, the nominations for the 2018 Tony Awards were revealed, and the 35-year-old actor garnered his first Tony Award nomination for “Best Featured Actor In A Play,” for his outstanding role as William in Lobby Hero.
Lobby Hero, the critically acclaimed Broadway play, takes place in the lobby of a Manhattan apartment building. According to Deadline, William (Brian Tyree Henry) is one of two of the hotel’s security guards, alongside Michael Cera. The play tells the story of a murder investigation within the lobby of the New York hotel, where two cops search for clues about the slaying, which possibly involved William’s brother. Thus, the good-hearted William must find a way to justice while also attempting to remain loyal to his own family.
While surprising to many because of his polar opposite Atlanta character, Henry is no stranger to the world of theatre. Previously, the Fayetteville native also starred in the Book of Mormon, and attended the prestigious Yale School of Drama where he earned his Master’s.
So, what’s next on the horizon for the versatile actor? As stated by Vanity Fair, Henry is fully booked with six high-profile movies in development, while also continuing with Atlanta.
Other notable nominees of color for the 2018 Tony Awards include Denzel Washington, Condola Rashad, and John Legend. To view the complete list of nominees, click here.
