Mekhi Phifer is a significant name in the American entertainment industry. He is known for his diverse ability to crack any role with perfection and commitment towards his career. His acting skills and hard work have garnered huge respect and fame in the industry.
Mekhi is a popular American actor based in New York City and also works as a film producer and director.
Physical Appearance
Mekhi Phifer, at the age of 47, presents a striking and well-maintained appearance. His short black hair, a signature look that adds to his distinguished persona, complements his deep brown eyes, giving him a compelling and charismatic presence. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches (or 1.7 meters), he has a balanced and athletic build, weighing approximately 178 pounds (or 81 kg). His physical attributes contribute to his strong screen presence and enduring appeal in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Background
Mekhi Thira Phifer was born to American parents in the vibrant neighborhood of Harlem, New York City. But he was raised solely by his mother Rhoda Phifer alongside his twin brother Fernando. His mother worked as a high school teacher and struggled alone to raise her children well. She instilled qualities like perseverance, determination, and passion to follow their dreams in their children. Owing to his mother’s values, Mekhi was inspired to become what he is today.
Education
Mekhi has completed his schooling from a local school in Harlem – Lincoln Square Auxiliary High School. He was interested in sports while in school and was also a part of basketball and football school teams. After he finished high school, Mekhi attended Columbia University in New York to study electrical engineering. He developed an interest in theater or performing arts and started losing interest in studies. Therefore, he didn’t complete his degree and decided to focus on acting. This was a turning point in his life where he explored his interests and chased his passion.
Career
Mekhi Phifer started his acting career in 1994 while he was just 19 years old. Director Spike Lee offered him the role of a narcotics dealer for his Clockers (1995) which was an American drama film. He continued acting in films like High School High (1996), I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998), and Paid in Full (2002).
Following some films, Mekhi joined a drama TV series ER. He appeared till Season 14 of the series, the character was killed by the next season. This series continued till April 2009 when Mekhi worked for about six years in the show.
In 2009, Mekhi started acting in a Fox drama series Lie to Me. Some of the works garnered him notable recognition. These include Soul Food, Imposter, Paid in Full, 8 Mile, and many more. In the year 2011, Phifer starred in two series – Touchwood: Miracle Day and Stick Fly. He portrayed the role of Agent Collins in the fourth season of the series White Collar.
Furthermore, Phifer appeared as a guest in Husbands Season 2. Phifer joined the TV show Frequency in 2016. More recently, he starred in an action thriller Lights Out in 2024.
As of now, Mekhi has some upcoming projects lined up for him. Besides acting in films, he also plays in the World Poker Tour for charity. He is a chairman of the board of trustees of The Vine Group, an NGO in the USA. Moreover, he is also an owner of the Athletic footwear franchises in California.
Awards and Achievements
Mekhi Phifer received multiple NAACP Image Award nominations for his performances in various films and series, including:
- ER – six years of performances in 14 seasons
- A Lesson Before Dying – a TV film
Additionally, Mekhi has won two awards:
| Award | Year | Title |
| NAACP Image Award | 2004 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – ER |
| Screen Actors Guild Award | 2007 | Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Drama Series (ER) |
Personal Life
Mekhi Phifer has married twice and has two sons. He married his former wife Malinda Williams in 1999, who is an American actress and producer. The former couple has a son Omikaye together. They divorced in the year 2003 after things didn’t work out. Another son was born to his girlfriend Oni Souratha in Los Angeles in 2007.
Mekhi has been dating another girl since 2008. He finally married his long-time girlfriend Reshelet Barnes on March 30, 2013, in California.
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Net Worth
As of recent updates, the overall net worth of Mekhi Phifer is estimated to be $8 Million. The major sources of income for Mekhi are his acting projects and other financial endeavors.
Other Facts
- Mekhi Phifer had filed for bankruptcy in 2014 and revealed that he has had a debt of approximately 1 Million. Hence, he faced financial struggles during those times.
- Other than acting in films, Mekhi has also produced some films like Puff Puff Pass, The Christmas, Nora’s Hair Salon II, and The Suspect.
- He has also appeared as a guest in various talk shows including Hollywood Today Live and Access Daily.
