Brandon Perea
{{short description|American actor (born 1995)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Brandon Perea
| image =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|05|25}}
| birth_name =
| birth_place = Schaumburg, Illinois, U.S.
| death_date =
| other_names =
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 2016–present
}}
Brandon Perea (born May 25, 1995) is an American actor and professional jamskater, best known for his performance as Alfonso "French" Sosa on The OA and his breakthrough role of Angel Torres in Jordan Peele's 2022 science fiction horror film Nope.{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/krishrach/lets-talk-about-how-hot-french-from-the-oa-is|title=We Need To Talk About The Hottest Character In "The OA"|website=BuzzFeed|date=6 January 2017 |accessdate=2019-03-16}}{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/937528/brandon-perea-is-a-scene-stealer-in-nope-so-now-we-want-him-in-everything/|title=Brandon Perea Is A Scene Stealer In Nope, So Now We Want Him In Everything|website=/Film|date=23 July 2022 |accessdate=2022-07-23}}
Early life
Perea was born in Schaumburg and raised throughout Chicago. He has an older brother, Mike, and a younger brother, Jordan.{{Cite web |last=Wakeman |first=Gregory |date=2022-07-28 |title=From roller rinks to R-rated movies |url=https://chicagoreader.com/film/from-roller-rinks-to-r-rated-movies/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Chicago Reader |language=en-US}} He is of Filipino and Puerto Rican descent.{{Cite web |last=Manaloto |first=Nicolo |date=2022-08-07 |title=Meet Brandon Perea, the Filipino-Puerto Rican actor who stars in Jordan Peele's latest horror flick, Nope |url=https://www.ungeek.ph/2022/08/meet-brandon-perea-the-filipino-puerto-rican-actor-who-stars-in-jordan-peeles-latest-horror-flick-nope/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=UnGeek |language=en-US}}
He has been breakdancing since he was a kid, his father being a breakdancer,{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=2022-07-21 |title=Brandon Perea Talks His Road To 'Nope', Jam Skating, Alien Existence And Impact Of Jordan Peele's Inclusive Cinematic Universe |url=https://thediasporatimes.com/2022/07/21/brandon-perea-talks-his-road-to-nope-jam-skating-alien-existence-and-impact-of-jordan-peeles-inclusive-cinematic-universe/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=DIASPORA |language=en-US}} and would become the youngest-ever pro Jamskater.{{Cite web |last=Davids |first=Brian |date=2024-07-18 |title='Twisters' Star Brandon Perea on the Daunting Task of Following Philip Seymour Hoffman and Why 'The OA' Isn't Over to Him Yet |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/twisters-brandon-perea-philip-seymour-hoffman-1235952704/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Stuart |date=2023-01-28 |title='Nope' Scene Stealer Brandon Perea on How His Character Changed the WGA-Nominated Script |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/spotlight/nope-brandon-perea-1235504966/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} From the ages of 14 to 16, he traveled the United States performing in roller rinks a mashup of disco-style skating with modern breakdance.{{Cite web |last=LeBlanc |first=Pam |date=24 Sep 2012 |title=Brandon Perea jams it up at the skating rink |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/lifestyle/2012/09/24/brandon-perea-jams-it-up-at-the-skating-rink/10192456007/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Austin American-Statesman |language=en-US}} He moved out at the age of 16, with permission from his parents, to pursue his dreams in Los Angeles of acting.{{Cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Taylor |date=20 Jan 2017 |title=Man On The Rise: Brandon Perea – Contrast Magazine |url=https://contrastmag.com/man-on-the-rise-brandon-perea/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |language=en-AU}}
In 2012, Perea made an appearance on the Nickelodeon show Figure It Out, performing as a Jamskater, where he won the grand prize of a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge.{{Citation |title=Rollerskates & Worm Races |date=2012-07-03 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2250178/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |series=Figure It Out |others=Jeff Sutphen, Elle Young, Lorenz Arnell}} He would also appear on the tenth season of the reality competition show America's Got Talent with his jam skating crew, Honor Roll.{{Cite web |last=Ridley-Teal |first=Alice |date=2016-02-18 |title=SpinnerZ To Hold Jam Skating Competition Feb. 19th & 20th |url=https://thecitymenus.com/2016/02/18/spinnerz-to-hold-jam-skating-competition-feb-19th-20th-2/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=The City Menus |language=en-US}} The group made it the Judge Cuts round, however was eliminated before Quarterfinals.{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Lincee |date=3 June 2015 |title='America's Got Talent' recap: 'Audition 2' |url=https://ew.com/recap/americas-got-talent-season-10-episode-2/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=EW.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Leah |date=2016-08-17 |title=Rollin' with the Homies: Honor Roll Skate Crew Gives us the 411 |url=https://www.flavorwire.com/586137/rollin-with-the-homies-honor-roll-skate-crew-gives-us-the-411 |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Flavorwire |language=en}}
Career
Perea was discovered by a talent manager at a skating convention in Las Vegas, whom asked him to audition for a movie. Although he did not get the role, it eventually led to his first gig years later.{{Cite web |last=Minutaglio |first=Rose |date=2024-05-30 |title=Brandon Perea on His 'Brotherhood' Bond With Glen Powell and Being Labeled the 'New Hot Boy' |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a60595191/brandon-perea-hollywood-rising-interview-2024/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=ELLE |language=en-US}} Perea began his acting career playing Alfonso "French" Sosa on the Netflix mystery drama series The OA. He continued in this role from 2016 to the show's cancellation in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Adeyemi |first=Boluwatife |date=2024-07-22 |title="Feeling It's Not Over": Controversially Cancelled Netflix Show's Future Gets Hopeful Update From Star |url=https://screenrant.com/the-oa-show-future-netflix-cancelled-brandon-perea-response/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} He also had his first minor movie role in the 2016 comedy drama Dance Camp, which was released onto Youtube Red.
In 2020, Perea had a guest star role in DC's Doom Patrol television series as the Terrible Doctor Tyme, a clock-headed villain who uses a time-altering space mineral to throw roller disco parties.{{Cite web |last=Stussie |first=Andrew |date=2020-06-20 |title=Doom Patrol Season 2 Photos Reveal The Super Weird Dancing (?) Villain, Dr. Tyme |url=https://screenrant.com/doom-patrol-season-2-dr-tyme-villain-photos/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Abdulbaki |first=Mae |date=2020-06-25 |title='Doom Patrol' Season 2's bizarre new villain, explained |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/dr-tyme-doom-patrol-season-2-comics-spoilers |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Inverse |language=en}}
In 2022, he was cast as Romy Faith in the drama The Faith of Long Beach, set to be directed by Eric Amadio. As of 2024, the film is still in pre-production and unclear if it will continue.{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2022-03-24 |title='The Faith Of Long Beach': 'Nope's Brandon Perea To Star Alongside Common In Boxing Drama From 'Snowfall' Co-Creator Eric Amadio |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/brandon-perea-joins-common-in-eric-amadios-the-faith-of-long-beach-1234986054/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
Perea got his breakout role in 2022 with Jordan Peele's American western science fiction horror film, Nope. His cast mates included Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, and Steven Yeun. Peele originally wrote the character of Angel Torres as a "happy-go-lucky" geek-like character until Perea was cast as the character, who wanted to expand upon the character and portray him as more grounded.{{Cite news |last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |date=2022-07-27 |title=Why Brandon Perea's 'Nope' Audition Made Jordan Peele Cry |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/movies/brandon-perea-nope-angel.html |access-date=2024-08-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Peele, who found Perea's audition portrayal more compelling, altered and expanded the script to create a larger character for him.{{Cite web |last=Casio |first=Jerome |date=2022-11-18 |title=Jordan Peele Reveals Heartwarming Video Of Moment Nope Star Was Cast |url=https://screenrant.com/nope-movie-jordan-peele-brandon-perea-casting-video/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} Perea was praised for his performance, being named a "scene stealer" for his comedic relief and depth.{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Clarissa |date=July 23, 2022 |title='Nope' scene stealer Brandon Perea: 'No one's going to expect this' |url=https://ew.com/movies/nope-breakout-star-brandon-perea-interview/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=EW.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wittmer |first=Carrie |date=2022-07-27 |title='Nope' Scene-Stealer Brandon Perea Says Jordan Peele Rewrote the Character Around Him |url=https://www.gq.com/story/nope-brandon-perea-jordan-peele-interview |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=GQ |language=en-US}} Screen Rant
In 2024, Perea portrayed tornado wrangler Boone in the summer blockbuster Twisters, a stand-alone sequel to the 1996 film. He starred alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |date=2023-05-12 |title='Nope' Star Brandon Perea Joins 'Twisters' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/twister-sequel-brandon-perea-1235610677/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} He also had a small role in the 2024 horror suspense film Amp House Massacre, playing Niko.{{Cite web |last=DeFellipo |first=Michael |date=2024-06-29 |title=Review: 4 Digital Media's Amp House Massacre |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2024/06/29/review-4-digital-medias-amp-house-massacre/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Horror Society |language=en-US}}
He is set to appear in Kogonada's romantic fantasy film A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, alongside Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell. The film is to release May 9, 2025.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2024-05-03 |title=Billy Magnussen, Sarah Gadon And Hamish Linklater Among Those Rounding Out Cast Of Imperative And Sony's 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/billy-magnussen-sarah-gadon-hamish-linklater-a-big-bold-beautiful-journey-1235903700/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-15 |title=Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell Romantic Fantasy 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' Sets Mother's Day 2025 Release |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/margot-robbie-colin-farrell-romantic-161139996.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLnB0Lw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHND6DW695jMeJZ3_s5n3GUY1RJMTI73VkK9NWGUolRc8mN7wpoKBqIy5cAWBHn1F5a3mMDd_R74VU90hje9Q8KSHCrekWqkTm4IULw_Zal3ScVqdEPcCZSrhwi3oTceTXDCjiRxwVI5DCSzuwuu-cuBiNGS60dsLnL3omFLvoOL |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}
Personal life
Perea's main talents include acting, jamskating, dancing, and BMXing. He is also trained in boxing, Muay Thai, and MMA.{{Cite web |last=Wally |first=Maxine |date=2022-09-15 |title='Nope' Star Brandon Perea Has Had Enough of Mid Culture |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/brandon-perea-nope-coach-interview |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=W Magazine |language=en}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable"
|+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Denotes productions that have not yet been released}} | Denotes productions that have not yet been released |
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2016
| Kenton | |
| 2021
| Arjay | |
| 2022
| Nope | Angel Torres | |
| rowspan="2" | 2024
| Twisters | Boone | |
| Amp House Massacre
|Niko | |
| 2025
| style="background:#FFFFCC;" |A Big Bold Beautiful Journey {{dagger}} | | Post-production |
| {{TableTBA}}
| style="background:#FFFFCC;" | The Faith of Long Beach {{dagger}} | Romy Faith |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2012
|Self - Jam Skater |Episode: "Rollerskates & Worm Races" |
| 2015
|Self - Honor Roll Skate Crew |Episode: "1002," "1010" |
| 2016–2019
| The OA | Alfonso "French" Sosa | Main role (12 episodes){{cite web|url=https://techaeris.com/2019/02/27/two-years-later-the-oa-returns-for-part-ii|title=Two years later, The OA returns for Part II|website=Techaeris|date=27 February 2019 |accessdate=2019-03-16}} |
| 2020
| Dr. Jonathan Tyme | Episode: "Tyme Patrol" |
| 2024
| Laid | Simon | |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Song ! Role ! Artist(s) |
|---|
| 2018
| "One Day" | Diego | Logic, Ryan Tedder |
| 2021
| "Yours" | Himself | Maye |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Award !Category !Nominated work !Result !Ref. |
| 2022
|British Academy of Film and Television Arts |U.S. Breakthrough |Nope |{{N/a}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|id=5155952}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perea, Brandon}}
Category:Male actors from Chicago
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male actors of Filipino descent
Category:American actors of Puerto Rican descent