Coby Bell | |
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Born | Coby Scott Bell May 11, 1975 Orange County, California, U.S. |
Other names | Colby Bell, Cobins Robins Rue |
Occupation | Actor, producer |
Years active | 1997–present |
Spouse | Aviss Pinkney-Bell |
Coby Scott Bell (born May 11, 1975) is an American actor and producer. He is best known for his roles as NYPD officer Tyrone Davis, Jr. on the NBC drama Third Watch, and professional football player Jason Pitts on the CW/BET comedy-drama The Game. He currently co-stars as Jesse Porter on the USA Network original series Burn Notice beginning since the show's fourth season all the while continuing to appear on The Game on a recurring basis.
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Born in Orange County, California, Bell is the son of Broadway actor Michel 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 also starred Third Watch regular Jason Wiles and Third Watch recurring guest star Yvonne Jung. Bell also 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.
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.
Bell is married to Aviss Pinkney-Bell and has four children; two sets of twins: girls (Serrae and Jaena) and girl/boy (Quinn and Eli).[4][5][6] In addition to acting, Bell is also a musician and songwriter in a reggae band. He also serves as a mentor to underprivileged youths in the Big Brothers of America.[7] Bell supported Barack Obama for president in 2008.[8]
Film | |||
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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 | |
Television | |||
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 | 13 episodes |
1999 | A.T.F. | Agent Dinko Bates | Television movie |
1999–2005 | Third Watch | Officer Tyrone "Ty" Davis, Jr. | 130 episodes |
2005 | Half & Half | Glen | 3 episodes |
2006 | Girlfriends | Jason | Episode: "The Game" |
2006–Present | The Game | Jason Pitts | 64 episodes; Starring seasons 1-3, Recurring season 4-present |
2007 | CSI: Miami | Tony Decker | Episode: "Kill Switch" |
2010 | Archer | Conway Stern | Episode: "Diversity Hire" |
2009–Present | Burn Notice[9] | Jesse Porter[10] | Season 4 : Main cast |
He told a good story and all of us kids listened
'Bout his life on the border and the way it was then
And we all believed him and when he would finish
We'd ask the old cowboy to tell 'em again
You could almost hear those prairie winds blowin'
His saddle a creakin' 'neath his old faded jeans
You could taste the dry dust from the trail he was ridin'
As he sat there and painted those west Texas scenes
And the grown-ups would tell us
You boys keep your distance, that old man's just tellin' you lies
But to all of us kids Cowboy Bill was a hero
Just as true as his blue Texas skies
He told of a time when he rode with the Rangers
Down on the pecos and he saved the day
Outnumbered by plenty, they were almost too cover
With thirty banditos headed their way
He looked back just in time to see a horse stumble
The captain went down and Bill pulled up on his rains
And through a flurry of bullets he rescued the captain
And they rode for a sunset, just the story remains
And the grown-ups would tell us
You boys keep your distance, that old man's just tellin' you lies
But to all of us kids Cowboy Bill was a hero
Just as true as his blue Texas skies
Well I still remember the day that it happened
We waited and we waited but Bill never showed
And the follks at the feed store said they hadn't seen him
So we set out for his place down Old Grist Mill Road
And we cried when we found him lying there with his mem'ries
The old trunk wide open, things scattered about
He was clutchin' a badge that said Texas Ranger
And an old "yeller" letter said Texas Is Proud
And the grown-ups that told us
You boys keep your distance, that old man's just tellin' lies
Well now they're all sayin' Cowboy Bill was a hero
Just as true as his blue Texas skies