Niles Fitch
Fitch in 2019
Born (2001-07-12) July 12, 2001 (age 22)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active2011–present
RelativesRayshard Brooks (cousin)

Niles Fitch (born July 12, 2001) is an American actor who began his career as a child actor. He gained prominence through his role in the NBC series This Is Us (2016–2022). He received praise for his role as Quinton in the drama film The Fallout (2021).

Personal life

Fitch was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Frederick and Nakata Fitch, Niles currently lives in Los Angeles, California where he studies at the University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts. He has expressed a desire to be known as a separate entity from creative labels and hence, is dabbling in behind-the-camera work in addition to acting and related artistic endeavours. His father, Frederick, died from lupus when Niles was 12 years old.[1] He has since collaborated with Lupus LA as an ambassador in spreading awareness- contributing to the lives of people who live with lupus.

Fitch was the cousin of Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old African American man fatally shot by the Atlanta Police Department on June 12, 2020.[2]

Career

Fitch started print modeling when he was four years old. His first job was in a back-to-school ad for Parisian. He then made his stage debut in the 2012 North American tour of The Lion King as Young Simba's replacement. He also played Emmanuel in the 2014 Off-Broadway show, Our Lady of Kibeho.[3][4]

He made his television debut with a guest appearance in Tyler Perry's House of Payne, followed by a recurring role in Season 7 of Army Wives. His early film credits include St. Vincent and Roman J. Israel, Esq.[5]

Fitch was cast to play a young version of Randall Pearson in the NBC series This Is Us, a role that has won him an ensemble Screen Actors Guild Award. He, along with the rest of the teenage cast, was promoted to series regular from Season 2 onwards.[6]

Fitch had roles in 2019 films If Not Now, When?[7] and Miss Virginia.[8] In May 2019, it was announced that Fitch would star as Prince Tuma in the 2020 Disney+ film Secret Society of Second-Born Royals.[9] In August 2020 it was announced that Fitch had begun filming The Fallout.[10]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2014 St. Vincent Brooklyn
2017 Roman J. Israel, Esq. Langston Bailey
2019 If Not Now, When? Michael
2019 Miss Virginia James
2020 Secret Society of Second-Born Royals Prince Tuma Disney+ film[11]
2021 The Fallout Quinton Hasland
2023 We Have a Ghost Fulton Presley

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2011 Tyler Perry's House of Payne Tommy Brooks Episode: "Do the Fight Thing"
2013 Army Wives Deuce Recurring role (season 7), 9 episodes
2015 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Keon Williams Episode: "Transgender Bridge"
2016 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Tyler Episode: "Kimmy Meets a Celebrity!"
2016 Best Friends Whenever Elliott Episode: "Girl Code"
2016 Mistresses Noel 4 episodes (season 4)
2016–22 This Is Us 16–21 Year Old Randall Recurring role (season 1); main role (season 2–6)
2019 Drunk History Michael Patrick Episode: “Good Samaritans”
2019 Atypical Lacrosse Sam 3 episodes
2020 Social Distance Lee Graham Episode: "everything is v depressing rn"
2021 Mixed-ish Jay Episode: "On My Own"

Stage

Year Title Role Notes
2012 The Lion King Young Simba (replacement) North American tour
2014 Our Lady of Kibeho Emmanuel Pershing Square Signature Center, Off-Broadway

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2012 Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a TV Series - Guest Starring Young Actor Ten and Under Tyler Perry's House of Payne Nominated
Best Performance in Live Theater - Young Actor The Lion King, North American Tour Nominated
2018 Gold Derby Awards Ensemble of the Year This Is Us Nominated [12]
2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Won [13]

References

  1. ^ Pearl, Matthew (June 1, 2018). "'He sacrificed all that, why should I stop' - 'This Is Us' star reflects on father's guidance". 11 Alive. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  2. ^ Kacala, Alexander (October 29, 2020). "'This Is Us' star Niles Fitch breaks silence on death of cousin Rayshard Brooks". Today. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  3. ^ "WHEN I GROW UP: Niles Fitch Makes the Leap from Pride Rock to "This Is Us"". Young Broadway Actor News. March 14, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  4. ^ Purcell, Carey (September 30, 2014). "Casting Announced for Katori Hall's Our Lady of Kibeho; Michael Greif Directs". Playbill. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  5. ^ Brolley, Brittany. "What you don't know about the kids on This Is Us". The List. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  6. ^ Miller, Victoria (September 25, 2017). "'This Is Us' Teens Talk Working With Their Older And Younger Alter Egos For Season 2". Inquisitr. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  7. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (July 11, 2018). "Mekia Cox & Meagan Holder Join Meagan Good In Sisterhood Film 'If Not Now, When'". Deadline. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  8. ^ "Major Actors Round Off Star-Studded "Miss Virginia" Cast". Moving Picture Institute. April 18, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  9. ^ Morales, Wilson (May 9, 2019). "This Is Us Actor Niles Fitch Joins Cast Of Disney+ Original Movie 'Secret Society of Second Born Royals'". Blackfilm. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  10. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2020-08-14). "'This Is Us' Actor Niles Fitch Joins Jenna Ortega In 'The Fallout'". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
  11. ^ "Meet the Characters of Secret Society of Second-Born Royals". d23.com.
  12. ^ "2018 Gold Derby TV Awards winners: 'Versace' and 'Handmaid's Tale' are top winners, but 'Game of Thrones' takes Best Drama". Gold Derby. September 6, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  13. ^ Schnurr, Samantha (January 28, 2019). "The This Is Us Cast Had an Unforgettable Time at the 2019 SAG Awards". E! News. Retrieved June 7, 2019.

External links

Categories