Acting 101: 14 Black Male Actors Who Appear On 'Grey's Anatomy'
September 30, 2021, Grey’s Anatomy will debut on ABC for its 18th season. Fans of the show, from those who’ve watched since the premiere on March 27, 2005, to new fans utilizing Netflix and Hulu to binge-watch as much of the medical drama as they can before Thursday, all can’t wait to tune into the first episode.
This week's new installment entitled “Here Comes The Sun” plot reads, “The Grey Sloan doctors treat a patient who encountered illegal fireworks. Bailey has her sights set on hiring new doctors, but she's having trouble finding viable options. Owen and Teddy attempt to take the next step in their engagement.” Season 18 however, will offer more twists and turns. Returning is fan-favorite Kate Walsh reprising her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery. Fresh additions to the cast include Peter Gallagher joining the show in a recurring role, playing Dr. Alan Hamilton. And of course, you can expect no sleeping in the on-call rooms!
New or old viewers to the show, it only takes watching a few episodes from any season to see how truly diverse the cast has been throughout the 17-year run. Actors of all backgrounds have appeared on Grey’s Anatomy but, the show's creator Shonda Rhimes has particularly made Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital a health care institution where black male doctors and nurses thrive! Let’s deep diver into these characters and the actors who play them.
CONTENTS
James Pickens Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber
Jesse Williams as Dr. Jackson Avery
Isaiah Washington as Dr. Preston Burke
Jason Winston George as Dr. Ben Warren
Gaius Charles as Dr. Shane Ross
Maurice "Moe" Irvin as Nurse Tyler Christian
Lance Gross as Dr. Ethan Boyd
August Richards as Young Richard Webber
Charles Michael Davis as Dr. Jason Myer
Daniel Sunjata as Nurse Eli
Anthony Hill as Dr. Winston Ndugu
Anthony Hill as Dr. Winston Ndugu
Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett
Brandon Scott as Dr. Ryan Spalding
James Pickens Jr.: Dr. Richard Webber
Seasons 1-18
Played by James Pickens Jr, Dr. Richard Webber is a general attending surgeon at Grey Sloan responsible for training some of your favorite characters like Miranda Bailey. On the show, Richard is known as "Chief Webber" and has played various roles within the hospital like the former Residency Program Director. He was romantically involved with Meredith's mother Dr. Ellis Grey and Adele Webber, his wife until her death. Currently, Webber is married to Catherine Fox played by Debbie Allen. James Pickens Jr is the only male actor left who is an original cast member.
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Jesse Williams: Dr. Jackson Avery
Season 6 - 17
Actor Jesse Willaims joined Grey's Anatomy in season 6 as Dr. Jackson Avery. Dr. Avery came from rival teaching hospital Mercy West and joined Meredith's crew when Grey Sloan was named Seattle Grace Hospital. Most known as the "Pretty Boy" doctor who was the grandson of Dr. Harper Avery, namesake of the show's prestigious Harper Avery Award granted for medical excellence, Jackson was the head of plastic surgery and the ENT attending. He also had a brief marriage with Dr. April Kepner and they share a daughter.
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Isaiah Washington: Dr. Preston Burke
Seasons 1-3 & 10
Dr. Preston Burke, played by actor Isaiah Washington, was the former head of cardiothoracic surgery at Seattle Grace, infamously known for leaving his fiancée Christian Yang at the wedding altar. Throughout his time at Seattle Grace, Burke had hopes of succeeding Chief Webber to be the next chief and competed with Dr. Derek Shepard for the position. Burke was also shot in the shoulder and experienced trimmers that affected his work as a surgeon. Upon his departure from the hospital (and show at the end of season 3), Burke went on to win a Harper Avery Award and founded the Klausman Institute for Medical Research which, he passed down to Dr. Yang in season 10.
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Jason Winston George: Dr. Ben Warren
Seasons 6-17
Actor Jason Winston George plays Ben Warren, husband of Cheif Miranda Bailey, first appearing in season 6 as an attending anesthesiologist. Warren eventually switched his focus surgery and was a fifth-year surgical resident at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. During his time as a resident, Ben found himself in several situations that put him under probation including operating in the psych ward and on a pregnant woman without the proper surgical equipment. After spending time as a doctor, Dr. Warren went on to become a firefighter and stars Station 19, another Grey's Anatomy spinoff show.
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Gaius Charles: Dr. Shane Ross
Seasons 9-10
Dr. Shane Ross, played by Gaius Charles, was one of Christian Yang's residents on seasons 9 and 10. Ross was one of the several residents who started with Jo Wilson and has a crush on Christina Yang. Ross' most iconic moment on the show was the guilt he experienced over Heather's death which he blamed himself. After recovering from his mental breakdown, he left with Christina Yang for the Klausman Institute for Medical Research Center.
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Maurice "Moe" Irvin: Nurse Tyler Christian
Seasons 1-7 & 10
We all remember Nurse Tyler telling Izzie she had to wake up Nurse Bailey when she didn’t know how to give her patient a central line. Played by Maurice “Moe” Irvin, Nurse Tyler worked at this hospital while it was Seattle Grace, and Grey Sloan hospital. He also was first to refer to Dr. Mark Sloan as “McSteamy,” which stuck with him for the rest of the show
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Lance Gross: Dr. Ethan Boyd
Season 11
Lance Gross played Dr Ethan Boyd, a attending radiologist who briefly dated Maggie Pierce.
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August Richards: Young Richard Webber
Season 6 & 11
August Richards plays Dr. Richard Webber as a resident on Season 6 and 11. During those flashback scenes see Richard’r relationship with Dr. Ellis Grey.
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Charles Michael Davis: Dr. Jason Myer
Season 7
Dr Jason Myer was an OB.GYN resident who dated Dr. Jo Wilson. Myers had a rivalry with Dr. Alex Karev over Jo and was regularly bullied by Karev.
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Daniel Sunjata: Nurse Eli
Season 7-8
Nurse Eli, played by Daniel Sunjata, was the nurse with 12 years of experience who was arguing with Lexi. However, Eli is best remember for his time dating Dr. Bailey.
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Anthony Hill: Dr. Winston Ndugu
Season 16-18
Dr. Winston Ndugu is currently an attending cardiothoracic surgeon at Grey Sloan. Played by actor Anthony Hill, Dr. Ndugu first appeared as a love interest to Dr. Maggie Pierce, who he trained under at Tufts Medical Center. Dr. Ndugu revealed that he had a crush on Maggie since their time at Tufts. Since then, the two have developed a relationship and are currently married.
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Taye Diggs: Dr. Sam Bennett
Seasons 3 & 5
Dr. Sam Bennett, played by Taye Diggs, is founding partner of the Oceanside Wellness Group on the Grey’s Anatomy spinoff series, Private Practice but made few guest appearances on the show surrounding Dr. Addison Montgomery’s storyline. He is the husband of Naomi Bennett, Addison’s best friend.
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Brandon Scott: Surgical Resident Ryan Spalding
Season 5-6
Actor Brandon Scott played surgical resident Ryan Spalding on seasons 5 and 6 of Grey’s Anatomy. Spalding and his fellow residents were most known for removing Saide’s appendix, practicing IVs on each other and gossiping about who broke Dr. Mark Sloan’s penis.
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