Grace Byers
Biography
Grace Byers, also known as Grace Gealey, is an American actress born on July 26, 1984, in Butler, Pennsylvania. She is known for her role as Anika Calhoun in the Fox music-industry and musical prime time drama series Empire, which debuted on January 7, 2015, and starred opposite Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. Prior to her television work, Byers moved to New York City to perform Off-Broadway, where her credits included Venus Flytrap: A Femme Noir Mystery and Rent. In 2013, she performed in Chicago theatrical productions of The Misanthrope and Tartuffe. Her career includes multiple known acting credits on television and in theater productions.
Career overview
Grace Byers, born Grace Gealey on July 26, 1984, in Butler, Pennsylvania, is an American actress known for her television and theater work. Early in her career, she moved to New York City, where she performed Off-Broadway in productions that included Venus Flytrap: A Femme Noir Mystery and Rent. She subsequently performed in Chicago theater productions during 2013, appearing in The Misanthrope and Tartuffe.
In 2014, she secured her television role as Anika Calhoun in the Fox musical prime time drama Empire, performing alongside Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. The series made its debut on January 7, 2015. Through her stage and television credits, Byers established her career in the entertainment industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
14 titles- Wife Stalker (2025) as Piper
- The Retirement Plan (2023) as Hector
- The Blackening (2023) as Allison
- Sherri (2022) as Self - Guest
- Harlem (2021) as Quinn Joseph
- Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices (2020)
- Tamron Hall (2019) as Self - Guest
- Bent (2018) as Kate
- The Gifted (2017) as Reeva Payge
- Tales (2017) as Edie
- Empire (2015) as Anika Calhoun
- Whose Line Is It Anyway? (2013) as Self
- One in a Million
- Flash Before the Bang
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Grace Byers best known for?
Grace Byers is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Retirement Plan (2023), The Blackening (2023), Sherri (2022), Harlem (2021).
When and where was Grace Byers born?
Grace Byers was born on July 26, 1984 in Butler, Pennsylvania, USA.
How many credits does Grace Byers have?
Grace Byers has accumulated over 14 film and television credits across a career spanning from 2013 to 2025.
What is Grace Byers's background in cinema and television?
Grace Byers, also known as Grace Gealey, is an American actress born on July 26, 1984, in Butler, Pennsylvania. She is known for her role as Anika Calhoun in the Fox music-industry and musical prime time drama series Empire, which debuted on January 7, 2015, and starred opposite Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. Pr...