Biography
B'nard Lewis, born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, is an actor, writer, and director known for works such as 'Father Figures' (Warner Bros., 2017), 'A Better Way to Die' (HBO, 2000), 'Apartment 304' (LewisFilms/Hidden Soldier Inc., 2017), 'Getting to the Punchline' (Code 11 Comedy, 2012), 'The First Shot' (LewisFilms & Ent., 2012), and 'Houseguest' (Disney/Caravan, 1995). As a child, B'nard was discovered by Dustin Hoffman in Los Angeles, California, and was immediately cast in the film 'Straight Time,' although his scene was ultimately cut. He was later selected by ABC Television for their Talent Development Program, leading to his starring role in the aired pilot 'Heat & Soul' (1988) and a co-starring role in the aired NBC pilot 'Jackée' (1989). TV Guide Magazine named him "one to watch."
B'nard began his acting career in theater in Columbus at Centre Stage Theater under Carol Khan-White and in Los Angeles at The Inner-City Cultural Center, performing lead and supporting roles in plays such as 'First Breeze of Summer,' 'Golden Boy,' 'Purlie Victorious,' and 'The Fantasticks.'
He pursued further training at Cincinnati's Eden Park Conservatory under Dewey Hawthorne; studied voice and diction at West Valley College; and learned Method and Sense Memory techniques at the Young Actor's Studio Workshop near The Ohio State University.
Early in his career, B'nard worked as an early morning disc jockey at Z-103, performed stand-up comedy alongside Sinbad and Eddie Griffin, did print modeling, and was employed as a factory worker for a defense contractor assembling the B1 Bomber, Honda, and General Motors vehicles. Currently, he develops intellectual properties for LewisFilms & Entertainment (2024) while expanding his roles in producing, writing, and directing.
