Thomas Jefferson Byrd (June 25, 1950 – October 3, 2020) was an American actor. Byrd was best known for appearing in many of director Spike Lee's films, such as in Clockers, Get on the Bus, and He Got Game. He also made appearances in the films Set It Off and Ray. He was also a stage actor, playing Toledo in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and was nominated for a Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Play and won a Theatre World Award for the role.
On October 3, 2020, Byrd was shot dead, with multiple gunshot wounds to his back. A 30-year-old man was arrested in connection with his murder on October 17, 2020. Byrd is survived by his son, three daughters, and four grandchildren.
Selected Filmography
Film
- Clockers (1995) - Errol Barnes
- Girl 6 (1996) - Caller #18
- Get on the Bus (1996) - Evan Thomas Sr.
- Set It Off (1996) - Luther
- He Got Game (1998) - Sweetness
- Bulworth (1998) - Uncle Rafeeq
- Bamboozled (2000) - Honeycutt
- Ray (2004) - Jimmy
- Brooklyn's Finest (2009) - Uncle Jeb
- Red Hook Summer (2012) - Deacon Zee
- Da Sweet Blood Of Jesus (2014) - Bishop Zee
- Chi Raq (2015) - Apollo
- Freedoms Path (2020) - Abner Posthumous release, final film role
Television
- She's Gotta Have It (2017-2019) - Stokely Darling, 10 episodes
Theatre
- Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2003) - Toledo
