Namir Smallwood
Namir Smallwood | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2017–present |
Namir Smallwood is an American stage & film actor. He is best known as a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois.
Early life
Smallwood grew up in Newark, New Jersey and has been pursuing acting seriously since the age of 14.[1][2]
Career
In 2017, Smallwood joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. In 2019 he was one of the leads in the company's first revival of True West.[3] In 2020, he was a lead in the company's production of Bug. Both performances earned him nominations for a Jeff Award for Outstanding Performer in a Principal Role in a Play.[4] Smallwood reprised his role in Bug for the play's 2025 Broadway premiere.[5]
In 2022, he had his film debut in Rounding.
Filmography
| Year | Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Chicago Fire | James | Episode: "Merry Christmas, Etc." |
| 2019 | Live from Lincoln Center | Omari | Episode: "Pipeline" |
| 2019 | Elementary | Jarius | Episode: "Red Light, Green Light" |
| 2021–2024 | American Rust | Frank Deluca | 10 episodes |
| 2022 | Rounding | Dr. James Hayman | |
| 2023 | Power Book IV: Force | Jamal Franklin | 3 episodes |
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | True West | Lee | Regional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company | [3] |
| 2020 | Bug | Peter Evans | Regional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company | [4] |
| 2021 | Pass Over | Kitch | Broadway, August Wilson Theatre | [2] |
| 2025 | The Book of Grace | Buddy | Regional, Steppenwolf Theatre Company | [2] |
| 2025 | Bug | Peter Evans | Broadway, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre | [5] |
References
- ^ Vire, Kris (January 17, 2024). "The Committed Player". Chicago Magazine. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ a b c Lamarre, Eddy (April 25, 2025). "Namir Smallwood stars in 'The Book of Grace' at Steppenwolf". Rolling Out. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ a b Jones, Chris (July 15, 2019). "'True West' is back at Steppenwolf, wrestling with the ghosts of Malkovich, Sinise and Shepard". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ a b "Archives - The Joseph Jefferson Awards". Jeff Awards. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ^ a b Glikas, Bruce (December 29, 2025). "Photos: Ethan Hawke Visits Carrie Coon, Namir Smallwood and More in BUG". Broadway World. Retrieved January 1, 2026.