Khary Payton | |
|---|---|
Payton in 2025 | |
| Born | (1972-05-16)May 16, 1972 (age 53) Augusta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3 |
Khary Payton (born May 16, 1972) is an American actor. He is known for his roles asKing Ezekiel on theAMC horror drama seriesThe Walking Dead, as well as voicingCyborg across various DC media andKaldur'ahm / Aqualad in the animated seriesYoung Justice.
Payton was born inAugusta, Georgia. At the age of 14, he wonShowtime's first annual Kid Talent Quest, and a recording exists of him introducing an animated film calledSherlock Holmes in the Baskerville Curse broadcast onShowtime in September 1986.[1]
Payton appeared on a recurring basis as Dr. Terrell Jackson on theABC daytimesoap operaGeneral Hospital.[2] He portrayedKing Ezekiel on AMC'sThe Walking Dead.[3][4][5]

Payton has voicedCyborg in bothTeen Titans animated series andAqualad inYoung Justice, reprising his role inTeen Titans Go!.[6][7] Payton has also portrayed Cyborg andDoomsday inInjustice: Gods Among Us, as well as Cyborg andGrid inInjustice 2. In the animated seriesJustice League, Payton provided the voice of the villain Ten from theRoyal Flush Gang. He also provided the voice of Drebin in the gameMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots,Ripcord inG.I. Joe: Renegades,Blade inMarvel: Ultimate Alliance,Grimlock inTransformers: Robots in Disguise,Harold McBride inThe Loud House (replacingWayne Brady), Quinn Derringer inRépublique,Killer Croc inBatman: Arkham Origins,Batman: Arkham Underworld, andBatman: Arkham Shadow[8] andWasabi inBig Hero 6: The Series andKingdom Hearts III (replacingDamon Wayans Jr.)[9]
Payton has three children. He married Linda Braddock in 2001, and they divorced in 2009. He married Stacey Reed in 2010 and they filed for divorce in 2019.[10] He has two children with Reed.[10]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Proud Family | Slapmaster | Episode: "The Altos" | |
| 2003–2006 | Teen Titans | Cyborg,Herald | [11] | |
| 2003 | Justice League | Ten | Episode: "Wild Cards" | [11] |
| What's New, Scooby-Doo? | Mitch | Episode: "E-Scream" | ||
| 2004 | The Shield | Lil Psych | Episode: "Cracking Ice" | |
| 2004–2007 | Codename: Kids Next Door | Maurice / Numbuh 9, additional voices | 3 episodes | |
| 2006-2007 | Ben 10 | Hex, additional voices | 7 episodes | [11] |
| Loonatics Unleashed | General Deuce | 3 episodes | [11] | |
| 2007 | Friday: The Animated Series | Craig Jones | ||
| Legion of Super-Heroes | Tyr,Hunter | 2 episodes | ||
| 2008–2010 | Ben 10: Alien Force | Manny, Hex | 6 episodes | [11] |
| 2010 | Generator Rex | Beasly, Gang Punk, Male Providence Cadet #2, Pilot | 3 episodes | [11] |
| 2010–2011 | G.I. Joe: Renegades | Ripcord, Wallace Weems, Guard #1, Lead Trooper | 7 episodes | [11] |
| 2010–2013, 2019–2022 | Young Justice | Aqualad,Brick,Black Manta,Black Lightning,Robotman,Silas Stone, additional voices | [11] | |
| 2012 | Ben 10: Ultimate Alien | Hex | Episode: "The Enemy of My Frenemy" | |
| 2013–present | Teen Titans Go! | Cyborg,Zan, Couch, Universe Tree, Halloween Spirit, Young Justice Aqualad, Himself, various voices | [11] | |
| 2014 | Ben 10: Omniverse | Manny, Hex, Student | 4 episodes | [11] |
| Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered | Cyborg | TV special | [11][12] | |
| 2015–2017 | Transformers: Robots in Disguise | Grimlock, Bisk,Divebomb, additional voices | [11] | |
| 2015 | Fresh Beat Band of Spies | Rubberface Rudy, Teller #1 | Episode: "Fake Fresh Beats" | [11] |
| Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! | Tony, Stan, Axel | 2 episodes | [11] | |
| 2015–2019 | The Lion Guard | Rafiki, Muhangus | 12 episodes | [11][13] |
| 2016 | Sofia the First | Barley | Episode: "Bunny Swap" | |
| 2016-2017 | DC Super Hero Girls | Cyborg,Lion-Mane | 5 episodes | |
| Justice League Action | Cyborg,Kanjar Ro | 6 episodes | [11] | |
| 2017–2021 | Big Hero 6: The Series | Wasabi, additional voices | [11] | |
| 2017 | Guardians of the Galaxy | Jukka, Ship Crasher #2 | 2 episodes | [11] |
| Elena of Avalor | Captain Chiloya | Episode: "Party of a Lifetime" | ||
| 2019 | Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure | Kai | ||
| 2021–present | Invincible | Black Samson, Kyle, additional voices | [14] | |
| 2022–2023 | The Legend of Vox Machina | Sovereign Uriel Tal'Dorei | 6 episodes | [15] |
| 2022–present | The Loud House | Harold McBride, additional voices | 3 episodes | |
| 2024–2025 | Hot Wheels Let's Race | Speedy Getaway | 20 episodes | |
| Krapopolis | Additional voices | Recurring role |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Gillis | Episode: "Justice for All" | |
| 2002 | Imagine That | Demetrius | Episode: "The Married Balladeer" | |
| 2003 | JAG | Seaman James Westin | Episode: "Touchdown" | |
| 2004 | The Shield | Kaliel "Lil' Psych" Wilkes | Episode: "Cracking Ice" | |
| 2006–2008 | Emily's Reasons Why Not | Josh | 6 episodes | |
| 2006 | Hannah Montana | Roger the Director | Episode: "More Than a Zombie to Me" | |
| 2008 | How I Met Your Mother | Guy #3 in Booth | Episode: "The Fight" | |
| 2009 | Medium | Mr. Bronson | Episode: "Baby Fever" | |
| Criminal Minds | Det. Landon Kaminski | Episode: "Slave of Duty" | ||
| 2010 | I'm in the Band | Director Kaz Ridley | Episode: "Spiders, Snakes and Clowns" | |
| Lie to Me | Cpt. Stan Renshaw | Episode: "React to Contact" | ||
| CSI: Miami | Aaron Taber | Episode: "Manhunt" | ||
| 2011 | General Hospital | Dr. Terrell Jackson | 24 episodes | |
| 2012 | Fairly Legal | Tom Finnerman | Episode: "Kiss Me, Kate" | |
| Go On | Don | Episode: "Pilot" | ||
| 2013 | Body of Proof | Brad Carter | Episode: "Breakout" | |
| 2016–2022 | The Walking Dead | Ezekiel Sutton |
| |
| 2017 | Hand of God | Major Tom | 2 episodes | |
| 2018 | Critical Role | Shakäste | 2 episodes | |
| 2019 | UnDeadwood | Aloysius Fogg | 4 episodes | |
| 2025 | Watson | Miles McClung | Episode: "A Son in the Oven" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Dracula II: Ascension | Kenny | ||
| 2004 | Latter Days | Andrew | ||
| 2005 | Hellraiser: Hellworld | Derrick | ||
| 2008 | Ping Pong Playa | JP Money | ||
| 2009 | Blood: The Last Vampire | Creature | ||
| 2011 | The Legend of Awesomest Maximus | King Erotic | ||
| 2012 | Astronaut: The Last Push | Michael Forrest | Also producer |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | BTVA Voice Acting Awards | Best Male Vocal Performance in a TV Series in a Guest Role - Action/Drama[25] | Ben 10: Omniverse | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a TV Series[26] | Transformers: Robots In Disguise | Nominated | |
| 2018 | Saturn Awards | Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series[27] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series[28] | Nominated |