Vaniglia Honeycomb Dinner Jacket by Sebastian Cruz Couture
White Trousers by Sebastian Cruz Couture
White Dress Shirt by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Vanilla Jumbo Pre Tied Bow Tie by Sebastian Cruz Couture
White Nieve with Wheat Border Pocket Square bySebastian Cruz Couture
Bow-tie and Pocket Square by Sebastian Cruz Couture

“Developing great relationships and a blessed skill set for telling magnificent stories all shape me into the man I have become,” actor J. Bernard Calloway tells us. He believes that it's his passion for extracurricular pursuits such as basketball, softball, tennis, playing musical instruments and chess that have made him into the human we see today.

Calloway has an extensive career in acting where he is recognized for roles such as Terry Carson from “The Ms. Pat Show,” Attorney Marcus Wallace from “Law & Order,” Charles Simms from “The Equalizer” and Ted on Netflix’s “The Crew.”

Yet, it’s Calloway’s family that has been the largest influence on his professional career. “Truly, they are the loves of my entire life,” Calloway reveals about his wife Carmen Ruby Floyd and his son Jacob. “FOUNDATION. LEGACY. BALANCE.”

With a background in Broadway, Calloway sheds light on some of his upcoming projects. And let’s just say—we know it’s going to be good.

Growing up in Fort Lauderdale, what inspired you to pursue a career in acting and performance?
Honestly, the acting bug literally bumped into me and bit me like a mosquito on a hot Florida summer night. I was in college at that point. Second semester of my freshman year at Alabama State University. Never saw it coming! The inspiration simply came from my curiosity in the arts from the storytelling performing medium perspective. To be able to captivate and engage an audience from a musical, dramatic, and comedic nuance was fascinating to me. The opportunity presented itself in the form of a random audition for a part in the classic musical, “The Gospel at Colonus.” As they say, the rest is history!

Do you have any memorable moments from being a Broadway cast member of “Memphis the Musical” and “Oklahoma!”?
Yes indeed!! My most memorable Broadway moment is performing live at Radio City Musical Hall with my Memphis the Musical castmates for the 2010 Tony Awards. We won the Tony for Best Musical, Score, Book, and Orchestrations that year! The whole time I was thinking to myself, “Michael Jackson introduced his version of the “moonwalk” right here on this stage!” I’m still in awe reminiscing on that powerful moment in life and my career!

Powder mica blu boucle jacket by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Powder mica blu boucle trousers by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Pocket Square by Sebastian Cruz Couture
White Big & Tall Stretch Dress Shirt, Non-Iron Pinpoint Spread Collar
by Brooks Brothers

You have been playing the role of Terry Carson in various seasons of Emmy-nominated, “The Ms. Pat Show!” on BET Plus. How has this influenced your career and what can fans expect from upcoming seasons?
“The Ms. Pat Show” has influenced my career by giving me more exposure to a wider audience. Globally, giving folks a full course meal to experience my storytelling gifts. In upcoming seasons, audiences can expect more juicy, authentic, storylines that currently evoke the masses’ conscience with more fun and crazy times mixed with exceptional guest stars. You are in for streaming TV comedy gold at its best!

Playing roles in TV series such as “The Equalizer" and "Wu-Tang: An American Saga," how do you prepare for such wide-ranging characters?
Whatever the story is giving, and the chosen character is experiencing, I try my best to embrace it and portray the character fully. Taking the words off the page and allowing them to evoke my spirit through the inhale and exhale of breath. When the spirit is moved, then I can “act” within the confines of my mind...until something “real” happens and I can believe it, to make it true for myself. Each role is unique in its own life and process.

Your screen presence extends across a diverse range of television series such as “The Crew" and "When They See Us.” How do you feel about starring on Netflix—the leading premium streaming service?
It was a magnificent experience to work with Kevin James and the cast of The Crew. Kevin’s comedic timing is impeccable! “When They See Us” was a very important story for me to be a part of and I’m grateful to Netflix for allowing their platform to be used to tell it. Ava DuVernay (director and creator) is an extraordinary visionary and leader.

What was your experience working on the voiceover commercial “The General Auto Insurance?”
Well, I didn’t physically work with nor meet Shaquille O’Neal. The General Auto Insurance campaign was a voice-over gig for me. I viewed the commercial with producers, it was already shot and they patched me vocally as Shaq! It was a blast!

Do you have any mentors or fellow actors that have inspired you throughout your career?Dr. Tommie Tonea Stewart, Paul Robeson, Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, Bryan Cranston, Vanessa Williams, Denzel Washington, Oskar Eustis, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Lynn Nottage, John Kander, Chuck Cooper, Liesl Tommy, David Bryan, August Wilson, and Ossie Davis just to name a few.

How has the encouragement of your wife, Carmen Ruby Floyd, and your son Jacob, had an influence on your professional career?
In every way shape and form! Carmen and Jacob are the reason why I do it. They drive my passion for the craft. Carmen is my rock! Strong, loving, and very truthful, yet soft and consoling. She gives me all the nuance of a real fruitful life that reflectively mirrors my art. Jacob keeps me vibrant, and mentally young, continuously challenging me to remember to embrace my imagination. Truly, they are the loves of my entire life. FOUNDATION. LEGACY. BALANCE. Generational wealth.

Big & Tall Stretch Wool Two-Button 1818 Suit by Brooks Brothers
Pink Big & Tall Stretch Dress Shirt, Non-Iron Pinpoint Spread Collar
by Brooks Brothers
Hat by W & W by Orlando Palacios

You take pride in extracurricular pursuits such as basketball, softball, tennis, playing musical instruments and chess. How do these passions help to shape the person you are and your career?
IT IS WHO I AM. These traits, sound choices, and many other personal passions, are what made me the human you see today. The manifestations of daily affirmations with positive energy and proactive actions, embracing my uniqueness and holding myself accountable for my actions, developing great relationships and a blessed skill set for telling magnificent stories all shape me into the man I have become.

What do you believe has been your greatest accomplishment thus far?
Longevity. Relevancy. Continuously being a part of greatness creatively and having the canvas to express it.

We’re excited to see what else you’ll add to your long list of talents. Do you have any upcoming projects that you can tell us about?
I’m currently doing a workshop for the new musical “Purple Rain” and shooting an Independent film entitled “Booties” all in NYC. The 4th season of “The Ms. Pat Show” is streaming right now on BET Plus and on BET. The 5th season will be coming soon!

Instagram - @jbernardcalloway
Facebook - jbernardcalloway
IMDB - J Bernard Calloway
Wikipedia – Jeffrey B. Calloway

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: J. Bernard Calloway
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Keith Major
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Groomer: Andrea Fairweather
Tailor: Shanelle Butler
Fashion Stylist Intern: Atėnė Asakavičiūtė
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Brya Sheridan
RADAR Created by Ayoka Lucas

J. Bernard Calloway Currently starring in The Ms. Pat Show