Adam Jeffries
Adam Jeffries | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1976 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1989–2003 |
Adam Jeffries (born 1976) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Lester Freeman on the Fox series True Colors (1990−92) and Jarvis Turrell Jr. on ABC's Thea (1993−94), both of which are sitcoms.[1] Jeffries won two Young Artist Awards during his career.
Early life[edit]
Jeffries was born in Tuskegee, Alabama[2] around 1976.[3] He was raised in Atlanta, Georgia.[3] As a child, Jeffries performed in community theater and school productions.[3] In the mid-1980s, he and his mother moved to Los Angeles, California, embarking on an acting career.[3]
Career[edit]
Jeffries first began acting in 1989 in the role of Eddie in the educational short film A Nightmare on Drug Street, which was released on VHS as a teaching tool for schools.[3] After appearing in several television series and television movies, Jeffries landed the role of Lester Freeman in the Fox sitcom True Colors, a series about an interracial couple and their children from previous marriages.[4] The creator of the show, Michael J. Weithorn, stated Dulé Hill auditioned for the part, but Jeffries was chosen based on his sense of humor.[5] John J. O'Connor, a reviewer for The New York Times, viewed Jeffries as charming in the role of Lester.[6] He received two consecutive Young Artist Awards for his work in the series.[7][8] The series was canceled in 1992.
The next year, he portrayed Thea Vidale's oldest son, box boy Jarvis Turrell, Jr.,[9][10] in the short-lived ABC series Thea. Jeffries received his third Young Artist Award nomination, in the category of best ensemble alongside his television siblings.[11] In 1995, he appeared in an episode of The Client, another short-lived series that was based on the 1994 hit film. In it, Jeffries portrayed an expelled student who burned the American flag.[12] Jeffries made guest appearances on Family Matters and The Wonder Years,[3] and had a small role in Ghost Dad (1990), his only role in a feature film.[13]
After his appearance on The Client, Jeffries took a five-year hiatus from acting. In 2000, he had a role in the soap opera Days of Our Lives, and guest starred on sitcom Just Shoot Me!. His last acting role was in the 2003 television movie Newton.[14]
Filmography[edit]
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
| 1990 | Ghost Dad | Buddy #2 | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1989 | A Nightmare on Drug Street | Eddie | Short film |
| The Wonder Years | Simeonee | 1 episode | |
| Family Matters | Mark | 1 episode | |
| 1990 | Capital News | Television movie | |
| 1990–1992 | True Colors | Lester Freeman | 46 episodes |
| 1991 | Seeds of Tragedy | Six Pack | Television movie |
| Miss Jones | 2nd Boy | Television movie | |
| 1993–1994 | Thea | Jarvis Turrell, Jr. | 19 episodes |
| 1995 | The Client | Jamal James Garrett | 1 episode |
| 2000–2001 | Days of our Lives | Larry Morris | 1 episode |
| 2002 | Just Shoot Me! | Danny | 1 episode |
| 2003 | Newton | Tom the Mailman | Television movie |
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Won | Young Artist Awards | Best Young Actor Starring in a New Television Series | True Colors |
| 1992 | Outstanding Young Comedian in a Television Series | True Colors | ||
| 1994 | Nominated | Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Television Series | Thea (Shared with Brenden Jefferson, Brandy Norwood, and Jason Weaver) |
References[edit]
- ^ Fearn-Banks, Kathleen (July 16, 2009). The A to Z of African-American Television. Scarecrow Press. p. 221. ISBN 9780810863484.
- ^ Smith, Stacy Jenel (February 11, 1994). "Actress Seymour is older than her 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman' character". Bangor Daily News. p. 3-1.
- ^ a b c d e f Otoupal, Lisa (September 6, 1991). "Adam Jeffries knows art of 'True Colors'". Palo Verde Valley Times. p. 13.
- ^ Bianco, Robert (August 30, 1990). "Weekend TV: Fox's 'True Colors' pale imitation of topical humor". The Pittsburgh Press. p. B1.
- ^ Leszczak, Bob (August 31, 2018). Single Season Sitcoms of the 1990s: A Complete Guide. McFarland & Company. p. 255. ISBN 9781476670775.
- ^ O'Connor, John J. (October 8, 1990). "Both 'Prince,' 'Colors' are missing marks". The Vindicator. p. 12.
- ^ "Twelfth Annual Youth in Film Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "Thirteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "Highlights". The Tuscaloosa News. November 24, 1993. p. 4B.
- ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 1377. ISBN 9780307483201.
- ^ "Fifteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on April 3, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
- ^ "Tonight's Best TV". Daily Union. March 5, 1996. p. 7.
- ^ Lentz, Harris M. (1994). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits: Supplement 2, through 1993. Vol. 4. McFarland & Company. p. 449.
- ^ Terrace, Vincent (October 9, 2018). Encyclopedia of Unaired Television Pilots, 1945-2018. McFarland & Company. p. 172. ISBN 9781476633497.