Corey Hawkins is an American actor known for his versatile performances across film, television, and theater. Born on October 22, 1988, in Washington, D.C., he gained widespread recognition for portraying Dr. Dre in the biographical film Straight Outta Compton. He later appeared as Heath in The Walking Dead, Eric Carter in 24: Legacy, and Houston Brooks in Kong: Skull Island. His other notable credits include BlacKkKlansman, In the Heights, The Tragedy of Macbeth, and The Color Purple. With a strong background in Broadway theater, Hawkins has earned critical recognition for his acting abilities. His career continues to include major Hollywood films, television projects, and acclaimed dramatic roles.
Who Is Corey Hawkins?
Corey Antonio Hawkins is an American actor and producer who has worked across movies, television, and theater. He was born on October 22, 1988, in Washington, D.C., United States.
Before becoming widely recognized in Hollywood, Hawkins studied at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and later attended The Juilliard School in New York City. During his time at Juilliard, he received the John Houseman Award for excellence in classical theater.
His professional career includes major roles in films such as Straight Outta Compton, Kong: Skull Island, BlacKkKlansman, In the Heights, The Tragedy of Macbeth, The Color Purple, and The Piano Lesson. He has also appeared in several notable television productions.
Corey Hawkins Age and Early Life
Corey Hawkins was born on October 22, 1988, which makes him 37 years old in 2026. He grew up in Washington, D.C., and developed an interest in performing while he was young.
According to his biography, Hawkins attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts before moving to New York to study at Juilliard. His training in classical theater helped establish a strong foundation for his later work on stage and screen.
His Broadway career began in 2013 when he played Tybalt in a revival of Romeo and Juliet. This stage experience became an important part of his development as a performer.
Corey Hawkins Ethnicity and Family Background
Corey Hawkins is African American. He was born in Washington, D.C., and comes from a family with roots in the United States.
Public biographical information lists his parents as Grace Hawkins and Eric Hawkins. He has also been associated with his Washington, D.C., upbringing throughout his career.
Rather than being known only for his film roles, Hawkins has built a diverse career that includes classical theater, Broadway, television, and major Hollywood productions.
Corey Hawkins Height
Corey Hawkins is listed at 6 feet 1 inch, or approximately 1.85 meters, tall. His height is reported in his IMDb biography and other entertainment databases.
Is Corey Hawkins Married?
Information about Corey Hawkins’ private life is relatively limited. Unlike some celebrities, he has generally kept his romantic relationships away from the spotlight.
There is no widely established public information confirming a wife or marriage in the major biographical sources reviewed for this article. For that reason, claims about a specific wife or partner should be treated carefully unless they are supported by a reliable source.
His public career has received considerably more attention than his personal relationships, with most coverage focusing on his acting, Broadway work, and major film and television roles.
Corey Hawkins Net Worth
Corey Hawkins’ net worth is estimated at around $3 million by Celebrity Net Worth. However, celebrity net worth figures are estimates rather than officially verified financial statements, so the actual amount may be different.
His income has come primarily from his work as an actor, with credits spanning movies, television, Broadway, and other entertainment projects.
Major productions such as Straight Outta Compton, Kong: Skull Island, 24: Legacy, BlacKkKlansman, In the Heights, and The Tragedy of Macbeth have helped establish his career in the entertainment industry.
Corey Hawkins Movies and TV Shows
His filmography includes a mixture of major studio movies, independent projects, television series, and stage-related work. Some of his most notable credits include:
| Year | Movie or TV Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Allegiance | Actor |
| 2013 | Iron Man 3 | Navy Op |
| 2014 | Non-Stop | Travis Mitchell |
| 2015 | Straight Outta Compton | Dr. Dre |
| 2015–2016 | The Walking Dead | Heath |
| 2017 | Kong: Skull Island | Houston Brooks |
| 2017 | 24: Legacy | Eric Carter |
| 2018 | BlacKkKlansman | Kwame Ture |
| 2019 | 6 Underground | Seven |
| 2019 | Georgetown | Daniel Volker |
| 2020 | Survive | Paul |
| 2021 | In the Heights | Benny |
| 2021 | The Tragedy of Macbeth | Macduff |
| 2023 | The Color Purple | Harpo |
| 2023 | The Last Voyage of the Demeter | Clemens |
| 2024 | The Piano Lesson | Avery |
| 2025 | The Man in My Basement | Charles Blakey |
| 2026 | Crime 101 | Tillman |
| 2026 | The Odyssey | Polybus |
Current filmography listings show that Hawkins has continued working in major productions through 2026.
Notable Movies
Several movies stand out as important milestones in his career.
Straight Outta Compton
One of his biggest breakthrough roles came in Straight Outta Compton (2015), where Hawkins portrayed legendary rapper and producer Dr. Dre.
The film follows the rise of the influential hip-hop group N.W.A. and received significant attention for its portrayal of the group’s history. Hawkins’ performance helped bring him widespread recognition and earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
Kong: Skull Island
In Kong: Skull Island (2017), Hawkins played Houston Brooks, a geologist who joins the expedition to the mysterious island.
The film starred Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, and John Goodman. The role gave Hawkins another opportunity to appear in a large-scale Hollywood production after his success in Straight Outta Compton.
BlacKkKlansman
Hawkins appeared in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman (2018), portraying civil rights leader Kwame Ture, also known as Stokely Carmichael.
The film received strong critical attention and became another notable entry in Hawkins’ growing film career.
In the Heights
In 2021, Hawkins played Benny in In the Heights, the film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical.
The movie gave him an opportunity to combine acting with musical performance and became another prominent credit in his filmography.
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Hawkins portrayed Macduff in Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth alongside Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand.
His performance added another major Shakespearean role to his career and demonstrated his background in classical theater.
The Walking Dead Role
One of Hawkins’ most recognizable television roles came in AMC’s The Walking Dead. He portrayed Heath, a supply runner associated with the Alexandria community.
Hawkins appeared in six episodes during 2015 and 2016. His character’s disappearance later became one of the show’s mysteries. The storyline was eventually connected to the larger CRM storyline, helping explain what happened to Heath.
His time on The Walking Dead came shortly after his breakthrough in Straight Outta Compton, making the series an important part of his rise in television.
24: Legacy and Eric Carter
Following his appearance in The Walking Dead, Hawkins took on the lead role of Eric Carter in 24: Legacy.
The series was connected to the popular 24 franchise and placed Hawkins at the center of a new story involving terrorism, government operations, and high-pressure action.
The role showed his ability to move from supporting television appearances into a leading role in a major network series.
Broadway Career and Awards
Acting on screen is only one part of Hawkins’ career. He has also built an impressive theater résumé.
His Broadway debut came in Romeo and Juliet, where he played Tybalt opposite Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad. In 2017, he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in Six Degrees of Separation.
He also received a Primetime Emmy nomination for his performance as Paul in the short-form series Survive. His theater background has remained an important part of his identity as an actor.
What Is Corey Hawkins Doing Now?
Hawkins has continued expanding his film career with several recent projects. His current filmography includes The Man in My Basement from 2025, as well as Crime 101 and The Odyssey in 2026.
These newer projects show that his career has continued well beyond the roles that first made him famous. He has moved between major films, television, and dramatic performances while maintaining a presence in the entertainment industry.
Quick Facts
| Quick Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Corey Antonio Hawkins |
| Profession | American Actor |
| Date of Birth | October 22, 1988 |
| Age | 37 years (2026) |
| Birthplace | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Father | Eric Hawkins |
| Mother | Grace Hawkins |
| Known For | Straight Outta Compton, The Walking Dead, 24: Legacy, Kong: Skull Island |
| Notable Role | Dr. Dre in Straight Outta Compton |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $3 million |
| Education | Juilliard School |
| Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed |
Note: Net worth is an estimate, and his marital status should be described as “not publicly confirmed” rather than assuming he has a wife.
Conclusion
Corey Hawkins has developed a diverse career across film, television, and theater. From playing Dr. Dre in Straight Outta Compton to portraying Heath in The Walking Dead and Houston Brooks in Kong: Skull Island, he has taken on a wide range of characters.
His work in 24: Legacy, BlacKkKlansman, In the Heights, and The Tragedy of Macbeth further established his versatility. With additional projects including The Man in My Basement, Crime 101, and The Odyssey, his acting career continues to grow in 2026.
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FAQs
Who is Corey Hawkins’ dad?
Corey Hawkins’ father is Eric Hawkins. His mother is Grace Hawkins, and he has a sister named Isabel.
How did Corey Hawkins get famous?
How did Corey Hawkins get famous?
What happened to Corey Hawkins on The Walking Dead?
Hawkins played Heath, who mysteriously disappeared while on a supply run with Tara. The character was later implied to have been taken by the CRM, although his fate was not shown directly.
What nationality is Corey Hawkins?
Corey Hawkins is American. He was born in Washington, D.C., United States, on October 22, 1988.
What actor named Corey passed away?
If you mean an actor named Corey, there have been several. Corey Haim died in 2010 at age 38, while Corey Monteith died in 2013 at age 31. Neither was Corey Hawkins.
