Comedy / Film & TV / Music
Brandon T. Jackson
born 1984 · actor, stand-up comedian, rapper
Detroit-born comedian and actor of Tropic Thunder and the Percy Jackson films, who first performed at youth nights in his father's Detroit church.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan
age 42- Birth name
- Brandon Timothy Jackson
- Detroit years
- 1984–early 2000s
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Brandon T. Jackson was born in Detroit, the son of Bishop Wayne T. Jackson of Great Faith Ministries International. He grew up between the city and its suburbs, a double life he has credited for his sense of humor, and graduated from West Bloomfield High School. As the self-described class clown he entered local talent shows and performed at youth nights in his father's church, and by 14 he was doing stand-up at school events and community shows. After high school he moved to Hollywood, where he broke through in Roll Bounce (2005) and as the rapper-actor Alpa Chino in Tropic Thunder (2008). He went on to play Grover in the Percy Jackson films and starred in the Hulu comedy Deadbeat, and he has also released comedy and rap recordings.
Highlights
- Alpa Chino in Tropic Thunder (2008)
- Grover in the Percy Jackson films (2010, 2013)
- Lead in Lottery Ticket (2010)
- Roofie on the Hulu series Deadbeat (2014–2016)
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · late 1990s–early 2000s
West Bloomfield High School
Suburban high school he graduated from before moving to Hollywood.
Performed here · 1990s
Great Faith Ministries International
His father's church, where he performed at youth nights as a boy. Address is the congregation's present home.