LaRoyce Hawkins | |
|---|---|
 Hawkins in 2022 | |
| Born | (1988-05-04)May 4, 1988 (age 37) Harvey, Illinois, US |
| Alma mater | Illinois State University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Children | 1 |
LaRoyce C. Hawkins (born May 4, 1988) is an American actor, stand-up comedian, spoken word artist,[1] and musician. Hawkins stars onNBC's police dramaChicago P.D., where he portraysOfficer Kevin Atwater. The show is in its twelfth season. Hawkins also has a regular role on the crossover showChicago Fire.[2]
Hawkins was born and raised inHarvey, Illinois, a southern suburb of Chicago.[3] His parents are Leah Bradley and Leonard Hawkins.[4] While Hawkins was growing up he lived with his grandparents until he was 13 and he credits them with shaping his life and the lives of his siblings.
Hawkins attendedThornton High School,[3] where he initially played basketball.[5] Influenced by his grandfather's advice to "choose what makes you feel better," Hawkins left the basketball team sophomore year and joined the speech team, where he became a two-time state champion.
In 2005, Hawkins won the state title in theIllinois High School Association's Original Comedy event, also placing third at the IHSA state competition in Humorous Interpretation. In 2006, he and a partner won the state title in Humorous Duet Acting, while Hawkins also placed fourth at state that year in Original Comedy.[6] He graduated later that year.[3]
Hawkins attendedIllinois State University on a full tuition scholastic scholarship where he majored in theatre arts. In his first college play, he starred as Toledo from theAugust Wilson productionMa Rainey's Black Bottom. While in college, he landed his first major motion picture role in the feature filmThe Express: The Ernie Davis Story, the biopic ofErnie Davis, portraying Davis' teammateArt Baker.[4] He took a year-and-a-half off from school, returning in 2007 and graduating in 2012.[7] He is a member ofOmega Psi Phi fraternity.[7]
In 2008, the same year Hawkins starred as Art Baker inThe Express: The Ernie Davis Story, Hawkins appeared inTyler Perry's House of Payne.[4] Hawkins appeared in one episode of ABC'sDetroit 1-8-7 in 2011.[4] In 2012, he appeared in an episode ofMTV'sUnderemployed.[4] In 2013, Hawkins began appearing in a recurring role asKevin Atwater inChicago Fire. In 2014, Hawkins was cast in a main role inChicago Fire's spin-off,Chicago P.D..[8][4] Starting in 2019, Hawkins began appearing in a recurring role in a second spin-off,Chicago Med. Hawkins has also made appearances inHBO'sBallers[9] andTBS'Tyler Perry's House of Payne. In 2018, Hawkins appeared inCanal Street andHope Springs Eternal. In 2019, Hawkins was cast as Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. inThe Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain. Hawkins also had a recurring role as Michael "Shaw" Owens on the television showSouth Side from 2019–2022.[10]
His son, Roman John was born April 13, 2017.[11][12]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Express: The Ernie Davis Story | Art Baker | [4] |
| 2018 | Canal Street | Amari Crawford | [13] |
| Hope Springs Eternal | Mr. Baser | ||
| 2019 | The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain | Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. | [13] |
| 2021 | Hands Up | Ty Lord | |
| 2022 | North of the 10 | Kyle Shaw | Streaming film[4] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Tyler Perry's House of Payne | 1 episode[4] | |
| 2011 | Detroit 1-8-7 | Dorcey Gamble | Episode: "Ice Man/Malibu"[14] |
| 2012 | Underemployed | N\A | Episode: "The Gig"[4] |
| 2013–present | Chicago Fire | Kevin Atwater | Recurring role, 12 episodes |
| 2014–present | Chicago P.D. | Kevin Atwater | Main role |
| 2015 | Ballers | Rodney | 1 episode[9] |
| 2019–2022 | South Side | Michael 'Shaw' Owens | Recurring role[10] |
| 2019–present | Chicago Med | Kevin Atwater | 3 episodes |
| 2025 | Ironheart | Gary Williams | Miniseries; 4 episodes |