Biography
What do Barry White, Luther Vandross, Sade, Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez, Macy Gray, Keb Mo, Jill Scott, The Temptations and Michael Jackson have in common? All these music superstars are huge fans of Maurice Warfield.
Born in the inner city of Los Angeles, the oldest of seven children, Maurice faced his share of challenges. He was blessed, however, with the gift of a mother who sacrificed everything to put her children first. Despite their humble surroundings, she always encouraged her kids to pursue their dreams, including young Maurice who wanted more than anything to sing, dance, act, and entertain.
Warfield got his first taste of performance at Dorsey High School, where he became a Yell King (male cheerleader). He then brought his unique cheer style to Valley College. The fans that grooved to his cheers even honored him with a float in his image!
While at Valley College, Maurice attended acting classes and appeared in several productions, earning a Best Supporting Actor Award. Unfortunately, he lost the trophy when his mother had to use it to defend herself!
Maurice could hardly believe his luck when he got his first professional gig at a movie studio. Okay, it was for a Tour Guide at Universal, but his personable approach and affable personality won him a part (as a tour guide!) in a Japanese promotional trailer!
The young performer later transferred to the mail room, a situation that he hoped would help him meet directors and producers. There, he'd read scripts and ask to audition.
Finally, Maurice's persistence paid off and he got his first shot, not at Universal but Paramount, when he was cast on "Mod Squad." That role led to other parts on "Ironside," "Ellery Queen," "Owen Marshall," and "That's My Mama!" TV eventually led to features. Warfield starred in "The Pink Angels."
Maurice still had to supplement his acting income however, so he accepted a position at 20th Century Fox Records to create a mail room. After working there for about a year, Maurice was approached by a big man who asked him to promote his record. Maurice agreed, even before he realized he was speaking to Barry White.
Warfield was so successful promoting Barry White, that CBS Records (later Sony) soon hired him as a promotions executive. There Maurice had the honor of working with many music legends. He spent the next 25 years in the record industry, eventually running Epic's Urban Office. A few months after being honored for his quarter century of service, Sony laid him off. But Maurice is convinced it was a blessing in disguise! Once again, he had the opportunity to pursue his passion, performing.
Since then, Maurice has won the heart of an Agent. He has gone on to costar in "Scrubs," "Committed," "Mind of Mencia, the Movie," and "A Numbers Game"-plus he's appeared in numerous commercials, including ones from Target, Home Depot, Mattel, Subway, Sea Word, just to mention a few.
