Corey Hawkins is an American actor known for his work in film, television, and theater. He attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. before graduating from the Juilliard School in New York City. Hawkins gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Dr. Dre in the 2015 biographical drama film Straight Outta Compton. He also played the role of Heath on the popular television series The Walking Dead. In 2017, he starred as Harold 'Hank' Johnson in the film Kong: Skull Island. He received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in the Broadway revival of Six Degrees of Separation. Hawkins portrayed the lead character, Eric Carter, in the television series 24: Legacy. He appeared as Benny in the 2021 film adaptation of the musical In the Heights. In 2023, he starred as Macduff in Joel Coen's film The Tragedy of Macbeth. He has also appeared in films such as BlacKkKlansman and The Last Voyage of the Demeter. Throughout his career, he has been praised for his versatility and intense dramatic performances. He continues to be a prominent figure in contemporary American cinema and theater.