Who is RJ Cyler?
RJ Cyler is an award-winning American actor, probably best known to the world as Earl in the film “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” (2015), also as Adam Proteau in the TV series “I’m Dying Up Here” (2017-2018), and as Jim Beckwourth in the film “The Harder They Fall” (2021), in addition to several other roles that he’s secured so far in his young but already successful career.
RJ Cyler Wiki: Age, Childhood, and Education
Born Ronald Cyler II on 21 March 1995 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, he’s the youngest of three children born to Ronald Cyler, a truck driver, and his wife, Katina, a cook.
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The family struggled financially throughout his childhood, eventually selling everything in Florida and renting an apartment in California in 2013. They bought their first California home in 2015 after RJ received payment for “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”.
He matriculated from Englewood High School, then didn’t pursue further education, opting for an acting career.
Career Beginnings
He became interested in performing arts at an early age – at 12 years old, he started Takes Christ 2 Change group with his brother Broderick, and the same year, he auditioned for commercials in the Jacksonville area.
After initial success, he was sent to Los Angeles to participate in an acting camp. While there, his mentor suggested a permanent move to the City of Angels.
The entire family moved to Los Angeles in 2013, and he made his acting debut the same year, chosen for the part of RJ in the family drama film “Second Chances”, with Madison Iseman and Tristan Lamb in the lead roles.
He had another role in 2013, as he appeared in the short film “The Easy Way”, after which he featured in numerous commercials.
Rise to Prominence
In 2015, RJ was chosen for his first major role, as Earl in the award-winning comedy-drama “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”, co-starring Thomas Mann and Olivia Cooke, for which he received several award nominations, including the Black Reel in the category for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male.
The film made him a star, and he continued his career in a stunning fashion. In 2016, he joined the main cast of the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated comedy series “Vice Principals”, while in 2017, he was chosen for the part of Adam Proteau in the TV comedy-drama series “I’m Dying Up Here”, starring alongside Melissa Leo, Ari Graynor, Michael Angarano and Clark Duke.
He was pretty busy that year, as Andy Moon in the comedy-drama film “War Machine”, with Brad Pitt, Daniel Betts and John Magaro in the lead roles, then starred as Blue Ranger (Billy) in the fantasy action-adventure film “Power Rangers”, co-starring Dacre Montgomery and Naomi Scott, earning his second Teen Choice Award nomination in the category for Choice: Scene Stealer.
In 2018, RJ starred in the romantic comedy-drama film “Sierra Burgess Is a Loser”, alongside Shannon Purser and Kristine Froseth, and then portrayed Todd Green in the TV sci-fi action-drama film “Black Lightning”, with Cress Williams, Nafessa Williams and Christine Adams in the lead roles. Moreover, he featured in the crime-drama film “White Boy Rick”, starring Matthew McConaughey, Richie Merritt, and Bel Powley in the lead roles.
The following year, RJ was selected to portray Deion Elliot in the TV comedy crime-drama series “Scream: The TV Series”, starring Willa Fitzgerald, Bex Taylor-Klaus and John Karna, and the same year, starred in the television thriller-drama movie “Dark Cargo”, alongside Chris Messina and Elena Juatco.
Two years later, he starred in the modern-day adaption of the legendary romantic tragedy “Romeo and Juliet”, entitled “R#J”, next to Camaron Engels and Maurice Irvin. The same year, RJ secured one of his most prominent roles, as Jim Beckworth in the BAFTA awarded action-drama film “The Harder They Fall”, written and directed by Jeymes Samuel, and co-starring Jonathan Majors and Zazie Beetz.
To speak further of his accomplishments, in 2022 RJ starred in the award-winning thriller comedy-drama film “Emergency”, co-starring Donald Elise Watkins and Sebastian Chacon, and co-starred with Gerran Howell and Ewen Bremner in Brett Smith’s historical war-drama film “Freedom’s Path”.
RJ is currently working on the upcoming TV comedy series “Rap Sh*t”, which will star Ralph Hughes, Anna Mezentseva and Meysam Eddie, scheduled for release late in 2022.
Net Worth
As of mid- 2022, RJ Cyler’s net worth has been estimated to be around $1.5 million, earned through his successful career as an actor, during which he’s appeared in more than 15 film and TV titles.
Personal Life, Dating, Girlfriend, Single?
When it comes to his personal life, RJ has been very secretive. Back in 2015 and 2016, he dated a girl named Andrea, but there aren’t further details about their romance.
Since then, he’s remained silent on his relationship status. According to reports, he’s currently single and solely focused on his acting career.
Appearance and Body Measurements
The prominent actor has short black hair and brown eyes. He stands at a height of 6ft (1.83m), while he weighs approximately 172lbs (78kgs). His vital statistics are currently unknown, though he has an athletic figure.
Hobbies, Interests, and Trivia
RJ is a skilled martial artist, as he turned to martial arts training in Los Angeles, a skill needed for his role in “Power Rangers”.
He has since continued to train in various martial arts and does various gym training over the week, such as lifting weights; he’s on a protein-based health diet.
While in high school, RJ was a member of the music group The Crew. Moreover, he plays the drums and also took piano classes in his youth.
His parents weren’t that supportive about his acting career, especially his father, but RJ’s persistence to become an actor defeated all obstacles.
He has stated that Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor are his main influences, and that he takes a lot from them as an actor.
