Omari Hardwick Talks Fatherhood and Fortitude on the Season Finale of TV One’s Uncensored
We may know him as Ghost in ‘Power’ to Byron from ‘Beauty Shop,’ but his favorite role has been playing a father.
TV One’s edgy docu-series UNCENSORED, highlights actor Omari Hardwick on the season finale as he reflects on his past as a struggling actor, and the audition that changed his life and set him on the path to even larger roles.
Omari Hardwick was born in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Joyce and Clifford Hardwick III, an attorney. Growing up in Decatur, Georgia, Hardwick wrote poetry on a regular basis and participated in many sports. Omari excelled in sports, which eventually led him to a football scholarship for University of Georgia. Even though he was a star on the field, Hardwick minored in theater and focused on poetry.
After graduation, Hardwick initially pursued a career in football, hoping to join the San Diego Chargers. He declared himself for the NFL Draft where he was not selected and returned to acting.
As a struggling actor, Hardwick did odd jobs to pay for acting classes. After being unsuccessful, he started living in his car. Through it all, he kept the faith and kept pushing; refusing to give up on his dreams.
His big break finally came in 2003, when he was cast in his first major role the 2004 TV movie Sucker Free City. Two years later, he landed feature roles in The Guardian (2006) and TNT’s Saved (2006) – both of which he booked within a three-week span in 2005.
“I felt like I had arrived when I went back to one of my odd jobs that had let me go several years prior, and I looked out over Sunset Boulevard right next to the Chateau Marmont, and saw myself plastered on a billboard overlooking the city,” says Hardwick. “I had to break down a little at that point, it was a big moment for me.”
Omari Hardwick (courtesy: TV One)
From there, he went on to star in Lionsgate’s “Tyler Perry‘s For Colored Girls,” Sony Pictures’ “Sparkle,” and many more.
Today, Hardwick is best known for his role as James “Ghost” St. Patrick on the Starz drama ‘Power.’ He starred for 6 seasons in the critically acclaimed and ratings hit series, earning him the 2020, 2019 & 2018 NAACP Image Award for leading actor in a drama series.
In addition to his journey to fame, the talented actor also opens up about his personal connection with Denzel Washington. After losing his son and not knowing whether his father would survive 6 bullet wounds, Omari Hardwick shares how the legendary actor and humanitarian helped get him through one of the hardest and darkest moments he’s ever lived.
.
.
Hardwick also discusses how ‘Ghost’ plays role in Omari Hardwick’s approach to fatherhood, sharing how he believes that being a dad comes with the same complications as the character he portrayed in the show.
Don’t miss the season finale of UNCENSORED airing this Sunday, Oct. 18 at 10/9C followed by an encore presentation at 11 P.M. ET/10C on TV One. The episode will re-air on Wednesday, October 21 at 10 PM/9C.
For more information on UNCENSORED, visit TV One’s YouTube Channel and check out exclusive, behind-the-scenes content on www.tvone.tv. Viewers can also join the conversations by connecting via social media on TV One’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) and the UNCENSORED Facebook and Instagram (@UncensoredTVOne) using the hashtag #UNCENSORED.
omari hardwick uncensored tv one
