Coby Scott Bell (born May 11, 1975) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Jesse Porter on the USA Network original series Burn Notice and professional football player Jason Pitts on The CW/BET comedy-drama The Game. He also co-starred as police officer Tyrone "Ty" Davis, Jr. on the NBC drama Third Watch and as Aaron in the Amazon original series Mad Dogs.
Coby Bell | |
|---|---|
 Bell at the 2017 New York Comic Con | |
| Born | Coby Scott Bell May 11, 1975 |
| Other names | Colby Bell, Cobins Robins Rue |
| Alma mater | San Jose State University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Spouse | Aviss Pinkney-Bell (2001-present) |
| Children | 4 |
Early life and career
editBell was born in Orange County, California, to a white mother and a black father, Broadway actor Michael Bell. Before he began acting, Bell attended San Jose State University, where he graduated with honors.[1] He began his career with a few minor roles in various shows including The Parent 'Hood, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, ER and Smart Guy, before landing a thirteen episode stint as Patrick Owen in L.A. Doctors.
In 1999, Bell landed the role of Officer Ty Davis, Jr. on the NBC drama Third Watch. He was one of only five original cast members to remain on the show throughout its entire six-season run on NBC. During the series' run, he co-starred in Safe, a critically acclaimed play co-written by Third Watch co-star Anthony Ruivivar. The play co-starred Third Watch actors Jason Wiles and Yvonne Jung. He appeared in a Third Watch edition of the American version of The Weakest Link.[2]
In 2005, just months after Third Watch ended its run, Bell landed a recurring role on the UPN comedy series Half & Half as Glen Stallworth, a San Francisco firefighter who is originally set up on a date with main character Mona, but winds up falling for her mother, Phyllis (played by actress Telma Hopkins). Despite appearing in only three episodes, Bell's character was mentioned and referenced throughout the show's fourth and final season. [citation needed]
In 2006, Bell starred in and co-produced an independent film called Drifting Elegant. The project marked his debut as a producer. That same year, Bell guest-starred in an episode of the UPN comedy series Girlfriends in an episode entitled "The Game", which served as the pilot episode for the CW comedy-drama series of the same name. Bell stars as Jason Pitts, the captain of the fictional San Diego Sabers football team. He reprised Jason Pitts in a recurring role when The Game, which was cancelled in 2009, returned on BET in January 2011.[3] In June 2010, Bell joined the cast of the USA Network series Burn Notice as former counter-intelligence agent Jesse Porter.[4][5]
Bell played Agent Turner on the Marvel Studios series The Gifted from 2017–2019.[6] In 2020, Bell was cast as Captain Larry James, a Texas Ranger Captain, in the CW western crime drama series Walker reboot.[7]
Personal life
editBell is married to Aviss Pinkney-Bell and has four children, three girls and one boy, who are two sets of twins.[8][9][10] In addition to acting, Bell is also a musician and songwriter in a reggae band.[11] He also serves as a mentor to underprivileged youths in the Big Brothers of America.[12]
Filmography
editMovies
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Dream Street | Credited as Colby Bell | |
| 2006 | Drifting Elegant | Renny Lyles | Producer |
| 2007 | Showdown at Area 51 | Jude | |
| 2008 | Ball Don't Lie | Dreadlock Man | |
| Flowers and Weeds | Tyler | Voice role |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | The Parent 'Hood | Devigian | Episode: "Father Wendell" |
| Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Young Man | Episode: "Reptile Boy" | |
| ER | Brett Nicholson | Episode: "Good Touch, Bad Touch" | |
| 1997–1998 | Smart Guy | Garret / Anthony Williams | Episodes: "The Dating Game", "Most Hated Man on Campus" |
| 1998–1999 | L.A. Doctors | Patrick Owen | Recurring role; 13 episodes |
| 1999 | A.T.F. | Agent Dinko Bates | Television movie |
| 1999–2005 | Third Watch | Officer Tyrone "Ty" Davis Jr. | Main role; 130 episodes |
| 2005 | Half & Half | Glen | 3 episodes |
| 2006 | Girlfriends | Jason Pitts | Episode: "The Game" |
| 2006–2015, 2021–2022 | The Game | Jason Pitts | Main role (seasons 1–3, 6–9); recurring role (seasons 4–5, 10–11) |
| 2007 | CSI: Miami | Tony Decker | Episode: "Kill Switch" |
| 2009–2013 | Burn Notice | Jesse Porter | Main role (seasons 4–7) |
| 2010, 2015, 2020 | Archer | Conway Stern | Episodes: "Diversity Hire", "Three to Tango", "Bloodsploosh" |
| 2014 | Hot in Cleveland | Baz | Episode: "Auction Heroes" |
| 2016 | Mad Dogs | Aaron | 5 episodes |
| Cruel Intentions | Pascal Barrett | Television film | |
| 2017 | The Quad | Mr. Briggs | 2 episodes |
| Hand of God | C.O.A. Remiel | 3 episodes | |
| 2017–2019 | The Gifted | Jace Turner | Main role |
| 2019–2020 | SEAL Team | Warrant Officer Glen Mack | 3 episodes |
| 2020 | Lucifer | Sam Chavez | 2 episodes |
| 2021–2024 | Walker | Captain Larry James | Main role |
References
edit- ^ "Coby Bell—Third Watch". ctv.ca. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ^ "The Joy of Sets: Third Watch, Learn and Listen!". tvguide.com. February 6, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ^ Madden Toby, Mekeisha (November 7, 2007). "These stars know how to win the 'Game'". The Ventura County Star. Archived from the original on January 23, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 8, 2010). "'Third Watch' actor joins 'Burn Notice'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
- ^ "Coby Bell". Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2010.
- ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (May 9, 2017). "Fox Greenlights Marvel Action Series 'The Gifted' From Bryan Singer & Matt Nix – Watch First Teaser". Variety. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 28, 2020). "Coby Bell To Co-Star In The CW's 'Walker, Texas Ranger' Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
- ^ "Coby Bell: On-air Personalities". cw27.com. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ^ Robertson, Regina. "A Father's Love – Celebrity Dads". essence.com. Archived from the original on December 15, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ^ Karu F. Daniels (April 17, 2009). "Coby Bell: Welcoming Twins For The Second Time Around". Blackvoices Newswire. AOL, LLC. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
- ^ "Coby Bell". BET. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
- ^ "Coby Bell as Jason Pitts". cwtv.com. Retrieved October 15, 2008.