Namir Smallwood

Namir Smallwood is an American stage & film actor. He is best known as a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois.

Early life Smallwood grew up in Newark, New Jersey, and has been pursuing acting seriously since the age of 14.

Career In 2017, Smallwood joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. In 2019 he was one of the leads in the company's first revival of True West. In 2020, he was a lead in the company's production of Bug. Both performances earned him nominations for a Jeff Award for Outstanding Performer in a Principal Role in a Play. Smallwood reprised his role in Bug for the play's 2025 Broadway premiere.

In 2022, he had his film debut in Rounding.

Filmography Year Name Role Notes 2012 Chicago Fire James Episode: "Merry Christmas, Etc." 2019 Live from Lincoln Center Omari Episode: "Pipeline" 2019 Elementary Jarius Episode: "Red Light, Green Light" 2021–2024 American Rust Frank Deluca 10 episodes 2022 Rounding Dr. James Hayman 2023 Power Book IV: Force Jamal Franklin 3 episodes

Stage