Frankie Faison Biography: Wife, Age, Kids, Height, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows

Frankie Faison is a distinguished American actor, renowned for his compelling performances across film, television, and theater.

Best known for his roles as Ervin Burrell in The Wire, Barney Matthews in the Hannibal Lecter franchise, and his appearances in films like Coming to America and White Chicks, he has built a prolific career spanning nearly five decades, earning acclaim for his versatility and depth.

Profile

• Full Name: Frankie Russel Faison
• Stage Name: Frankie Faison
• Born: June 10, 1949
• Age: 76 years old
• Birthplace: Newport News, Virginia, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m)
• Parents: Edgar Faison, Carmena Faison
• Siblings: Donald Adeosun Faison
• Spouse: Samantha Jupiter Faison (m. 2017), Jane Mandel (m. 1988–2016)
• Children: Blake Faison, Amanda Faison, Rachel Faison
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2.5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Frankie Faison was born on June 10, 1949, in Newport News, Virginia, to Edgar Faison and Carmena Faison (née Gantt). Raised alongside his younger brother, Donald Adeosun Faison, a well-known actor from Scrubs and Clueless, Frankie grew up in a vibrant community where he embraced his role as a class clown at Huntington High School.

His Black American heritage and Gemini zodiac sign reflect his adaptable and outgoing personality. He pursued drama at Illinois Wesleyan University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1971, and later obtained a Master of Fine Arts from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 1974. At Illinois Wesleyan, he joined the Theta Chi fraternity, further nurturing his passion for performance.

Career

Frankie Faison launched his career in 1974 with the New York Shakespeare Festival’s production of King Lear, starring alongside James Earl Jones. His Broadway debut in Fences (1987) earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor. He made his film debut in Permanent Vacation (1980) and gained recognition with roles in Ragtime (1981), Cat People (1982), and Coming to America (1988) as the landlord.

Faison holds the distinction of being the only actor to appear in the first four Hannibal Lecter films: Manhunter (1986) as Lt. Fisk, and The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Hannibal (2001), and Red Dragon (2002) as Barney Matthews.

His television work includes starring as Ervin Burrell in The Wire (2002–2008), Ron Freeman in True Colors (1990–1991), and Richard Evans in One Life to Live (2009–2012). Notable film roles include White Chicks (2004), The Cookout (2004), and Till (2022), where he played John Carthan. Recent projects include The Rookie: Feds (2022–2023) as Christopher “Cutty” Clark and Hello Tomorrow! (2023). Faison‘s ability to bring depth to both leading and supporting roles has made him a respected figure in the industry.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @frankiefaison
• Twitter Handle: @FrankieFaison

Personal Life

Frankie Faison, 76, is married to Samantha Jupiter Faison, whom he wed in 2017. He was previously married to Jane Mandel, a film producer, from December 26, 1988, until their divorce in 2016. With Jane, he has three children: Blake, Amanda, and Rachel.

The family resides in Montclair, New Jersey, where Frankie is recognized for his community involvement and charitable efforts, notably earning praise from Montclair State University’s president, Susan Cole, in 2002. Despite sharing a surname, he is not related to actor Donald Faison. Frankie enjoys a private life, focusing on his family and career, and is known for his warm, engaging personality. His hobbies include supporting community theater and engaging in local philanthropy.

Selected Filmography:

• Permanent Vacation (1980) – Man in Lobby (Film)
• Ragtime (1981) – Gang Member (Film)
• Cat People (1982) – Detective Brandt (Film)
• Manhunter (1986) – Lt. Fisk (Film)
• Coming to America (1988) – Landlord (Film)
• Do the Right Thing (1989) – Coconut Sid (Film)
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – Barney Matthews (Film)
• True Colors (1990–1991) – Ron Freeman (TV series)
• Hannibal (2001) – Barney Matthews (Film)
• Red Dragon (2002) – Barney Matthews (Film)
• The Wire (2002–2008) – Ervin Burrell (TV series)
• White Chicks (2004) – Chief Elliott Gordon (Film)
• The Cookout (2004) – JoJo Anderson (Film)
• One Life to Live (2009–2012) – Richard Evans (TV series)
• Banshee (2013–2016) – Sugar Bates (TV series)
• The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain (2021) – Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. (Film)
• Till (2022) – John Carthan (Film)
• The Rookie: Feds (2022–2023) – Christopher “Cutty” Clark (TV series)

Net Worth

Frankie Faison‘s net worth is estimated at $2.5 million USD. His wealth is primarily derived from his extensive acting career in film, television, and theater, with significant earnings from roles in The Wire, the Hannibal Lecter franchise, and Till. Additional income comes from guest appearances and his involvement in community-focused projects. His consistent work across decades and recent high-profile roles continue to support his financial success.