Carl Clemons-Hopkins
Birth placeLithonia, Georgia, U.S.
EducationUniversity of the Arts (BFA)
OccupationActor
Known forHacks
Years active2013–present

Carl Clemons-Hopkins is an American actor, best known for portraying Marcus on the Emmy award winning Max comedy-drama series Hacks (2021–2026).

For this role, they were nominated for the 2021 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, and for multiple Actor Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Early life

Clemons-Hopkins was born in Lithonia, Georgia and attended high school in Snellville, Georgia.[1]

Career

Clemons-Hopkins has acted in numerous stage plays. In 2014, they were nominated for a Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theater, which honors Philadelphia-area theater productions, in the category of "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical" for their performance in Little Shop of Horrors.[2] Their performances in 2016 included Time Is On Our Side, in which they were hailed as "immensely likable and sympathetic,"[3] and Richard III.[4] In September 2016, they began performing as an original cast member in the new Chicago company of Hamilton.[5]

Clemons-Hopkins began pursuing television and film opportunities after watching the 2016 film Moonlight. After seeing the film, they wrote in their journal, "I know there will never be another Moonlight, but if there’s another opportunity like this, I want to be ready."[6]

In 2021, Clemons-Hopkins began starring on the HBO Max comedy-drama series Hacks.[7] For the role, they received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.[8] They starred in the slasher film Candyman, which was released on August 27, 2021.[9] In 2022, they starred as James Baldwin opposite Crystal Dickinson as Nikki Giovanni in Lessons in Survival: 1971 at the Vineyard Theatre. The play follows when Giovanni interviewed Baldwin on the TV show Soul![10]

Clemons-Hopkins made their Broadway debut in the world premiere of the Tony Award nominated The Balusters[11] in spring of 2026. [12]

Prior to being cast in Hacks, Clemons-Hopkins had contemplated leaving acting to pursue a career in business and was actively preparing to apply for business school.[13]

Personal life

Clemons-Hopkins is queer and non-binary.[14][15] They use they/them and he/him pronouns.[16][17]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013La méduse rougeWindow Guard
2015Christmas DreamsMusician 2
2018Canal StreetBobby
2019Range RunnersHoward
2021CandymanJameson
2023The Mattachine FamilyTed
The Beanie BubbleJeremy
2026Via NegativaTimPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2018Chicago P.D.DEA Agent ThomasEpisode: "Rabbit Hole"
The ChiJean3 episodes
2020Chicago MedSean Richter4 episodes
NextHarrison ColeEpisode: "FILE #7"
2021–2026HacksMarcus VaughanMain role, 47 episodes
2023Star Trek: Lower DecksNarj (voice)Episode: "I Have No Bones Yet I Must Flee"

Theater

YearProductionRoleVenue
2014Little Shop of HorrorsVoice of Audrey IIBristol Riverside Theatre
2016HamiltonAaron Burr, George WashingtonCIBC Theatre
2022Lessons in Survival: 1971James BaldwinVineyard Theatre
2022The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington[18]Davy/Various RolesSteppenwolf Theatre Company
2026The Balusters[19]Brooks DuncanSamuel J. Friedman Theatre

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2014Barrymore AwardsOutstanding Supporting Performance (Actor) in a MusicalLittle Shop of Horrors (musical)[20]
2021Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesHacks[21]
2022Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series[22]
2023Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series[23]
2024Astra TV Awards[a]Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy[24]
2025Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series[25]
2026Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series[26]
2026Dorian AwardsOutstanding Broadway EnsembleThe Balusters[27]

Notes

  1. ^ Previously known as Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards.

References

  1. ^ Farmer, Jim (July 21, 2021). "Atlanta Native Carl Clemons-Hopkins Finds Success with "Hacks"". Georgia Voice. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  2. ^ "They're Back! 2014 Barrymore Awards Nominations Announced for Excellence in Theatre for the Greater Philadelphia Region". DC Metro Theater Arts. August 31, 2014. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "Review: 'Time Is On Our Side' at Simpatico Theatre Project in Philadelphia". DC Metro Theater Arts. June 13, 2016. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  4. ^ "Review: 'Richard III' at People's Light and Theatre Company in Malvern, PA". DC Metro Theater Arts. March 20, 2016. Archived from the original on May 20, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  5. ^ "Hit Musical Hamilton Begins Tonight in Chicago". Playbill. September 27, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  6. ^ Zemler, Emily (June 9, 2021). "Meet 'Hacks' Breakout Star Carl Clemons-Hopkins". Shondaland. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (February 8, 2021). "Hannah Einbinder & Carl Clemons-Hopkins Join Jean Smart In HBO Max Comedy; Full Cast Set". Deadline. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  8. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (July 13, 2021). "Carl Clemons-Hopkins Nabs First Emmy Nom For 'Hacks', Teases' Season 2". Deadline Hollywood
  9. ^ "Chicago actors join cast of Jordan Peele's 'Candyman'". Reel Chicago. August 23, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  10. ^ BRUNNER, Raven (12 May 2022). "Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Crystal Dickinson Cast in Vineyard Theatre's Lessons in Survival: 1971". playbill.com. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  11. ^ https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/shows/2025-26-season/the-balusters/
  12. ^ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/cast-the-balusters-broadway-1236331889/
  13. ^ "Carl Clemons-Hopkins on his life changing '24-hour turnaround'". The Associated Press. June 10, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  14. ^ Clemons-Hopkins, Carl & Coates, Tyler (July 23, 2021). "Emmy-Nominated 'Hacks' Star Reflects on How he Came to Identify as Nonbinary (Guest Column)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  15. ^ "carlclemonshopkins". Instagram. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  16. ^ Clemons-Hopkins, Carl. "Carl Clemons-Hopkins 🌊 (@carlclemonshopkins)". Instagram. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
  17. ^ Clemons-Hopkins, Carl & Coates, Tyler (August 19, 2021). "'Hacks' Breakout Carl Clemons-Hopkins on Making History With Their Emmy Nom (Exclusive)". ET Online. Retrieved January 22, 2022. …who identifies as nonbinary and goes by the pronouns they/them…
  18. ^ https://www.steppenwolf.org/mizmartha
  19. ^ https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/shows/2025-26-season/the-balusters
  20. ^ https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/entertainment/local/2014/08/29/riverside-gets-5-barrymore-nominations/17700441007/
  21. ^ Blistein, Jon (July 13, 2021). "'The Crown,' 'I May Destroy You,' 'Hacks,' 'Mare of Easttown' Score Major 2021 Emmy Nominations". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  22. ^ "The 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  23. ^ "The 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
  24. ^ https://theastras.com/the-2024-astra-tv-awards-nominations-have-arrived/
  25. ^ "The 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
  26. ^ "The 32nd Annual Actor Awards | Actors Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
  27. ^ https://www.galeca.org/doriantheaterawards/