Tyler Lepley

Black Actors - Male · Black Christmas Movies · Leading Men

Tyler Lepley is an actor from Philadelphia known for his prominent role as Benjamin “Benny” Young on Tyler Perry’s prime time soap opera “The Haves and the Have Nots,” which airs on the Oprah Winfrey Network. This role marks his status as a series regular on the first scripted television series of the network.

Lepley’s journey began in a sports-centric environment, participating in a range of sports during his early life and focusing primarily on football during his later school years. Despite an injury that nearly ended his football pursuits, he recovered and continued to excel, even earning the title of MVP at a sports camp.

Lepley’s transition from athletics to acting was serendipitous. After relocating to Los Angeles, where he worked as a personal trainer, he was discovered by a producer while boxing. His acting career was launched with a lead role in the independent film “Slumber Party Slaughter” and an appearance on The CW’s “90210.”

His role in “The Haves and the Have Nots” came after an unexpected audition, which included a surprise appearance by Tyler Perry as Madea. Additionally, Lepley’s film credits include roles in “Baggage Claim” and “Hollywood Chaos,” showcasing his versatility. On television, beyond his breakout role, he has appeared in episodes of series like “Tales” and secured series regular roles in the Starz drama “P-Valley” and the Amazon comedy series “Harlem,” further establishing his place in the entertainment industry.