Khary Payton

Khary Payton (born May 16, 1972) is an American actor. He is known for his roles as King Ezekiel on the AMC horror drama series The Walking Dead (2016–2022), as well as voicing Cyborg across various DC media and Kaldur'ahm / Aqualad in the animated series Young Justice (2010–2013; 2019–2022).

Early life Payton was born in Augusta, Georgia. At the age of 14, he won Showtime's first annual Kid Talent Quest, and a recording exists of him introducing an animated film called Sherlock Holmes in the Baskerville Curse broadcast on Showtime in September 1986.

Career Live-action work Payton appeared on a recurring basis as Dr. Terrell Jackson on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital. He portrayed King Ezekiel on AMC's The Walking Dead.

Voice work

Payton has voiced Cyborg in both Teen Titans animated series and Aqualad in Young Justice, reprising his role in Teen Titans Go!. Payton has also voiced Cyborg and Doomsday in Injustice: Gods Among Us, as well as Cyborg and Grid in Injustice 2. In the animated series Justice League, Payton provided the voice of the villain Ten from the Royal Flush Gang. He also provided the voice of Drebin in the game Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Ripcord in G.I. Joe: Renegades, Blade in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Grimlock in Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Harold McBride in The Loud House (replacing Wayne Brady), Quinn Derringer in République, Killer Croc in Batman: Arkham Origins, Batman: Arkham Underworld, and Batman: Arkham Shadow, Wasabi in Big Hero 6: The Series and Kingdom Hearts III (replacing Damon Wayans Jr.) and Rafiki in The Lion Guard (replacing the late Robert Guillaume).

Personal life Payton has three children. He married Linda Braddock in 2001, and they divorced in 2009. He married Stacey Reed in 2010 and they filed for divorce in 2019. He has two children with Reed. 2003 Justice League Ten Episode: "Wild Cards" –2017 Transformers: Robots in Disguise Grimlock, Bisk, Divebomb, additional voices Sofia the First Barley Episode: "Bunny Swap"

DC Super Hero Girls Cyborg, Lion-Mane 5 episodes Justice League Action Cyborg, Kanjar Ro 6 episodes

Film Year Title Role Notes Source Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo Cyborg TV movie Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Attack of the Legion of Doom Cyborg, Cy-Bot 2024No Time to Spy: A Loud House MovieHarold McBride

Video games

Live action roles Television Year Title Role Notes Source Walker, Texas Ranger Gillis Episode: "Justice for All" Imagine That Demetrius Episode: "The Married Balladeer" JAG Seaman James Westin Episode: "Touchdown" The Shield Kaliel "Lil' Psych" Wilkes Episode: "Cracking Ice" –2008 Emily's Reasons Why Not Josh 6 episodes Hannah Montana Roger the Director Episode: "More Than a Zombie to Me" How I Met Your Mother Guy #3 in Booth Episode: "The Fight"2009 Medium Mr. Bronson Episode: "Baby Fever" Criminal Minds Det. Landon Kaminski Episode: "Slave of Duty"2010 I'm in the Band Director Kaz Ridley Episode: "Spiders, Snakes and Clowns" Lie to Me Cpt. Stan Renshaw Episode: "React to Contact" CSI: Miami Aaron Taber Episode: "Manhunt" General Hospital Dr. Terrell Jackson 24 episodes2012 Fairly Legal Tom Finnerman Episode: "Kiss Me, Kate" Go On Don Episode: "Pilot" Body of Proof Brad Carter Episode: "Breakout" –2022 The Walking Dead Ezekiel Sutton Hand of God Major Tom 2 episodes Critical Role Shakäste 2 episodes UnDeadwood Aloysius Fogg 4 episodes 2025 Watson Miles McClung Episode: "A Son in the Oven"

Film Year Title Role Notes Source Dracula II: Ascension Kenny Latter Days Andrew Hellraiser: Hellworld Derrick Ping Pong Playa JP Money Blood: The Last Vampire Creature The Legend of Awesomest Maximus King Erotic Astronaut: The Last Push Michael ForrestAlso producer

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2014 BTVA Voice Acting Awards Best Male Vocal Performance in a TV Series in a Guest Role - Action/Drama Ben 10: Omniverse 2015 Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a TV Series Transformers: Robots In Disguise 2018 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series The Walking Dead 2019 Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series