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Jamal Woolard
Woolard in 2019
Woolard in 2019
Background information
Born (1975-07-08) July 8, 1975 (age 48)
OriginBrooklyn, New York, United States
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Actor, rapper
Years active2003–present
LabelsDirty Money Records / Warner Bros. Records

Jamal "Gravy" Woolard (born July 8, 1975) is an American actor and rapper. He portrayed rapper The Notorious B.I.G. in the film Notorious,[1] and reprised the role as a supporting character in the Tupac Shakur biopic All Eyez on Me.

Life and career

Woolard is from Bensonhurst Brooklyn and Lafayette Gardens, Brooklyn.[2] In real life he raps under the name "Gravy". He is featured in the song "Untouchable" by Tupac Shakur on the Pac's Life album. He had to add over 50 pounds to his frame to play The Notorious B.I.G. in the film Notorious.

Woolard was previously known for being shot near radio station Hot 97 in 2006 and giving an interview on the Funkmaster Flex show directly afterwards.[3] His music was later banned from play at the station as a result of a policy that bans "music by any artist who is involved in an altercation at the station."[4]

In 2016, he starred in the movie Barbershop: The Next Cut as Marquese. Woolard reprised his role as The Notorious B.I.G. in All Eyez on Me, a biopic about Tupac Shakur, which was released in June 2017.[5][6][7]

Mixtapes

Select filmography

Awards and nominations

References

  1. ^ "Jamal Woolard is 'Notorious' – Cinematical". Retrieved 2008-11-22.
  2. ^ Kam Williams (2009-01-08). "Jamal Woolard: The Notorious Interview". KamWilliams.com. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
  3. ^ "The Role of Notorious B.I.G. to Be Played by That Guy Who Got Shot in the Ass". March 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
  4. ^ Reid, Shaheem (May 18, 2006). "Gravy Wonders Why Hot 97 Banned Him, Not 50, After Shooting". MTV.com. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
  5. ^ McNary, Dave (24 December 2015). "Tupac Biopic Casts Lead Roles for Shakur, Biggie Smalls". Variety. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  6. ^ Kent, Chloe (27 December 2015). "The Tupac Biopic Has Cast Its Lead & The Movie Sounds So Promising". Bustle. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  7. ^ "Tupac Shakur biopic casts lookalike as lead actor". The Express Tribune. 26 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.