Boasting an athletic body, sexy smile and raw intensity, this native New Yorker found overnight success when he attended an open call for Spike Lee's 1995 drama
Clockers and landed the leading role of a drug dealer. After earning accolades for his debut, Phifer turned in credible performances in movies of various genres, from the silly comedy
High School High to the popular thriller
I Still Know What You Did Last Summer to the sadly underappreciated
O, an adaptation of
Othello set in the world of high-school sports. In 2002, he made his professional breakthrough with his winning turn as Eminem's pal in
8 Mile and his addition to the cast of
ER as a cocky doctor. Phifer stayed on
ER until 2008, when his character was killed off, and the following year he became a regular on the FOX police procedural
Lie to Me. Off screen, the actor owns a number of Athlete's Foot stores in California.
Mekhi Phifer Fast Facts:
- Planned to study electrical engineering before landing his debut role in Clockers (1995).
- Recorded a rap album titled New York Related: The HF Project.
- Starred in the music video for Brandy and Monica's 1998 hit single "The Boy Is Mine."
- Owns a number of Athlete's Foot stores in California.
- Mekhi Phifer Relationships:
- Oni Souratha - Fiancée
- Mekhi Thira Phifer - Son
- Rhoda Phifer - Mother
- Fernando Cameron - Half Brother
- Malinda Williams - Ex-wife
- Omikaye Phifer - Son