Jacob Latimore is an American actor, singer, and songwriter whose dynamic screen presence and versatility have established him as one of the most compelling performers of his generation. Born August 10, 1996, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Latimore began his acting career at a young age and made his feature film debut in the post-apocalyptic thriller Vanishing on 7th Street (2010). He gained early recognition for his starring role as Langston in the musical drama Black Nativity (2013), appearing alongside Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, and Mary J. Blige, which helped showcase both his acting and musical talents. He quickly expanded his film résumé with roles in major studio productions including Ride Along (2014), The Maze Runner (2014), and the critically acclaimed drama Collateral Beauty (2016), where he shared the screen with Will Smith, Helen Mirren, and Keira Knightley.

Latimore achieved a career breakthrough with his leading performance in the Sundance Film Festival favorite Sleight (2016), earning praise for his emotional depth and screen charisma. He continued building his reputation with notable roles in Kathryn Bigelow’s historical drama Detroit (2017), which earned the ensemble the African-American Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble, marking Latimore’s first major industry win. His additional film credits include Candy Jar (2018), Krystal (2017), The Last Summer (2019), Like a Boss (2020), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022), and the Warner Bros. comedy reboot House Party (2023), in which he starred in a leading role.

On television, Latimore is best known for his starring role as Emmett Washington on Showtime’s acclaimed drama series The Chi, created by Lena Waithe. Since the show’s debut in 2018, his portrayal of Emmett—a young man navigating adulthood, fatherhood, and personal growth on Chicago’s South Side—has earned widespread critical praise and award recognition. He received a Black Reel Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and continued to earn honors for his performance, including a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards, with additional Image Award nominations continuing into the 2026 awards cycle.

Beyond film and television, Latimore is also an accomplished recording artist, with multiple albums and independent releases, including his project Closure (2023), demonstrating his range as a multi-hyphenate entertainer. Recognized by Forbes as one of its “30 Under 30” honorees and named by Indiewire among the Best American Actors Under 30, Latimore continues to expand his creative influence across both television and film. As of 2026, he remains a central figure on The Chi, which has continued into its later seasons, while pursuing new film and television opportunities that further solidify his reputation as a leading talent in contemporary entertainment.