Tray Chaney

Tray Chaney (born August 2, 1981) is an American actor, dancer, and musician best known for his portrayal of Malik "Poot" Carr, a street-level drug dealer who evolves into a shoe salesman, across all five seasons of the HBO crime drama series The Wire (2002–2008).^[1][2] Born in Forestville, Maryland, near Washington, D.C., Chaney began his entertainment career as a hip-hop dancer and R&B artist at age eight, winning multiple competitions at the Apollo Theater and performing with artists such as Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, and Slick Rick in the late 1980s.^[3][2] Transitioning to acting in his early twenties after being discovered in Washington, D.C., Chaney landed his breakthrough role as Poot on The Wire, which aired from 2002 to 2008 and is widely regarded as one of television's most acclaimed series for its realistic depiction of urban life in Baltimore.^[2][3] Following the show's conclusion, he continued building his career with recurring roles such as Kendrick Murphy on the Bounce TV series Saints & Sinners (2016–2022), appearing in all six seasons and the subsequent film, and Bleek in Season 2 of the STARZ drama BMF (2023).^[2][3] Other notable credits include police officer Gordon Hawk in HBO's We Own This City (2022), a role in the Lifetime biopic of Keyshia Cole, and production work on independent films like Antwan (Tubi) and the upcoming Full Circle series.^[3] Chaney has also founded Chaney Vision Entertainment and released music, including his 32nd music video "Know The Feeling" in 2023, while launching a fragrance line called "Aye Body."^[2][3] In his personal life, Chaney has been married to Ayesha Chaney since November 24, 2004, and they have a son, Malachi, born around 2006.^[1] The family relocated from the Washington, D.C. area to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2017, and later to Locust Grove, Georgia.^[2] In May 2025, Chaney and his family survived an EF-2 tornado that destroyed their Locust Grove home, during which 18-year-old Malachi was thrown approximately 300 feet, suffering severe injuries including broken ribs, facial fractures, a punctured lung, a broken vertebra, and traumatic brain injury but ultimately recovering after intensive care and rehabilitation at Shepherd Center.^[4][5] By October 2025, the family was actively rebuilding their lives and home, with Chaney crediting faith and community support for their resilience.^[5]

Early life

Childhood and family

Tray Chaney was born on August 2, 1981, in Forestville, Maryland, a suburb just outside Washington, D.C., to a family deeply rooted in the local community.^[1][6] His father, Skip, was a FedEx worker, and his mother, Elaine worked for the Vietnam Veterans of America. He grew up in a two-parent household with his sister in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where his family provided a stable and supportive environment amid the challenges of nearby urban neighborhoods.^[3][7][8] From an early age, Chaney's family encouraged his creative expression, fostering his interest in performance as a way to navigate the realities of life near Southeast Washington, D.C.'s tougher streets.^[3] His exposure to the arts began through local community events and school activities, including talent shows where he showcased his skills as a dancer and performer from an early age.^[8] A pivotal childhood anecdote occurred around age eight, when Chaney, already performing as an R&B hip-hop dancer and rapper, won first place four consecutive times at the Apollo Theater's amateur night in New York City, an experience that highlighted his budding talent and family-backed determination.^[2][8][9] During one such event, he was inspired backstage by witnessing rapper Big Daddy Kane's command of the crowd, solidifying his passion for entertainment in a setting supported by his family's involvement in traveling to competitions.^[3]

Entry into entertainment

Tray Chaney entered the entertainment industry as a child performer, beginning his career as a dancer and hip-hop artist at the age of eight in the late 1980s. Growing up in Forestville, Maryland, near Washington, D.C., he performed alongside established artists such as Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, and Slick Rick, drawing early inspiration from the vibrant hip-hop scene.^[3] A pivotal early opportunity came through competitive dance, where Chaney won first prize at the Apollo Theater's amateur night in New York City, marking his initial recognition in the field. By age 18, his dancing talent had secured professional representation, opening doors to further performance prospects in the D.C. area. These experiences laid the foundation for a career spanning over 30 years in entertainment by 2025.^[8] While formal acting training is not documented from his youth, Chaney's immersion in live performances and youth-oriented hip-hop events served as practical preparation during the mid-1990s, honing his stage presence amid the local arts community. His family provided crucial support, emphasizing education alongside artistic pursuits, which his parents reinforced by requiring him to save earnings from competitions for future college expenses.^[8] As a young performer, Chaney faced challenges in balancing school with frequent auditions and rehearsals, navigating the demands of a stable two-parent household while resisting the temptations of D.C.'s street life. In 11th grade, after his parents discovered drugs in his car, he was sent to live with an uncle, an intervention that redirected his focus toward honest opportunities in entertainment.^[8][3]

Acting career

Breakthrough role in The Wire

Tray Chaney landed his breakthrough role in 2002 after auditioning in Baltimore for HBO's The Wire, where casting director Pat Moran selected him from local talent due to his authentic Washington, D.C., background and versatile appearance that fit the streetwise characters. Originally reading for the part of Wee-Bey Brice, Chaney impressed during callbacks with series creator David Simon and the producers, leading to his recasting as Malik "Poot" Carr despite it being his first professional audition. Moran guided the inexperienced actor through the process, noting his raw talent and lack of stage fright honed from high school drama.^[10][8] As Poot, Chaney portrayed a low-level drug dealer and loyal sidekick to Bodie Broadus in the Barksdale organization, appearing across all five seasons from 2002 to 2008 and evolving from a naive corner boy into a survivor navigating the harsh realities of Baltimore's drug trade. Initially intended for just a few episodes, Poot's arc highlighted his moral dilemmas, such as participating in violent acts under pressure while forming personal relationships, including a romance with Felicia "Suga" Pearce, which underscored the human side of street life. By the series' end, Poot emerges as the "last man standing" among his peers, transitioning to legitimate work like a job at Foot Locker, symbolizing rare redemption amid systemic failure.^[11][12] Chaney's performance received praise for its realistic depiction of urban youth, convincingly capturing the nuances of a street hustler so authentically that audiences often assumed he drew from personal experience, despite his stable suburban upbringing. Casting director Pat Moran commended his innate ability to embody the role during auditions, contributing to the ensemble's overall acclaim for portraying Baltimore's underclass with depth and verisimilitude. The series itself garnered widespread critical recognition, with Chaney's contribution as Poot enhancing its reputation for groundbreaking social commentary.^[8] The role significantly elevated Chaney's visibility in Hollywood, marking his transition from obscurity to a recognized face in prestige television and opening doors to subsequent projects, though it also sparked typecasting concerns that limited major opportunities in the years immediately following the show's 2008 finale. Post-Wire, Chaney faced challenges securing diverse roles, leading him to take on smaller parts and non-acting work while leveraging the exposure for independent ventures. Ultimately, the part's enduring legacy helped sustain his career, allowing him to build on its foundation in later television appearances.^[8][11]

Subsequent roles and projects

Following the conclusion of The Wire in 2008, Tray Chaney faced a challenging period in his acting career, experiencing a seven-to-eight-year stretch with limited opportunities, during which he pursued other endeavors to sustain himself.^[2] His trajectory shifted in 2016 with a recurring role as Kendrick Murphy, the son of church leaders played by Clifton Powell and Vanessa Bell Calloway, on the Bounce TV drama series Saints & Sinners, which aired for six seasons through 2023 and marked a significant revival for his on-screen presence in ensemble casts exploring urban family dynamics and moral conflicts.^[13][14] In the 2020s, Chaney expanded into more prominent television supporting roles, leveraging his The Wire recognition for characters blending streetwise authenticity with nuanced depth. He portrayed Bleek, a defiant drug kingpin resisting alliance with the Black Mafia Family, in seasons 2 and 3 of Starz's BMF (2023–2024), a role he credits to manifesting through his music by referencing the show in a track sent to its director.^[13][15] On HBO's limited series We Own This City (2022), he played Gordon Hawk, a detective in the Harford County Narcotics Task Force navigating corruption probes, reuniting him with The Wire alumni in a narrative extension of Baltimore's institutional themes.^[16] Chaney also appeared as Kent, a brief but memorable conversational foil to the protagonist, in the Prime Video anthology Swarm (2023), earning recognition amid the series' three Emmy nominations.^[13][17] Parallel to television, Chaney took on diverse film roles in independent productions, transitioning from early 2010s supporting parts in street dramas like Streets (2011) as Troy to more varied characters in the 2020s. Notable examples include O, a shadowy figure in the thriller Secret Society (2021), and Calvin in the drama Omission (2023), where he also served as producer.^[18] By 2024–2025, his work extended to action-oriented indies such as Clutch (2024) and The Probe (2024, executive producer and role as Munch), alongside cameos that capitalized on his established persona, demonstrating sustained activity in low-budget features distributed via platforms like Tubi. In 2025, he appeared in films including Deadly Attraction, Jon, and Callie the Movie, while announcing the upcoming limited series Love and Larceny set for winter release.^[1] Throughout this phase, Chaney has attributed his career endurance to a "D.C. work ethic" of persistence and versatility, evolving from typecast street roles to multifaceted portrayals across genres while maintaining a steady output of over a dozen projects in the past five years.^[13]

Other pursuits

Music career

Tray Chaney began pursuing music in the early 2010s, expanding beyond acting into hip-hop and R&B as a rapper, writer, and producer. His tracks often draw inspiration from urban life in Washington, D.C., reflecting personal growth and street experiences. This shift allowed him to blend his entertainment background with musical expression, using lyrics to convey motivational messages aimed at youth.^[19][2] Early releases included the EP Hungry Humble Honest Volume One in 2013 and the album The Curriculum in 2017, marking his independent entry into the genre with raw, introspective content.^[20] By 2017, he issued the album S.A.M. (Strictly About Music), which chronicles his hip-hop journey through storytelling verses and features a video highlighting neighborhood settings. Later projects encompassed Chaney Vision Dreams Vol. 1 - Do Y'all Hear Me? in 2022 and albums like In My Spare Time: The Hollywood Key Era in 2024, as well as the single Celebrate in 2024, showcasing evolving production and thematic depth.^[19][21][22] Post-2015, Chaney collaborated with D.C.-area artists, incorporating go-go influences in tracks such as "Go-Go Therapy" featuring Fat Joe in 2024. He has performed at local venues in the DMV area and leveraged online platforms like SoundCloud and Spotify for distribution, emphasizing motivational themes drawn from life's challenges to inspire positive change.^[23][21][24] In 2025, Chaney released the album Life of a Hustler, an independent project with 21 tracks and accompanying videos, available exclusively via his official website, tying into narratives of perseverance and recovery. This work continues his pattern of integrating real-life resilience into hip-hop and R&B fusions.^[25]

Entrepreneurship and media ventures

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Tray Chaney has built a portfolio of entrepreneurial endeavors centered on media production and youth empowerment. During the 2010s, he launched Chaney Vision Entertainment, a production company dedicated to creating original content and fostering opportunities for local filmmakers in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Co-managed with business partner Jordan Marcel, the company emphasizes storytelling that resonates with underrepresented communities and has produced independent films to support emerging talent.^[26] A key project under Chaney Vision Entertainment is the 2022 holiday film The Naughty Christmas, which exemplifies the company's focus on accessible, family-oriented narratives. Beyond production, Chaney has diversified into motivational speaking and educational workshops tailored for youth aspiring to enter the entertainment industry. These sessions cover acting fundamentals, character development, audition strategies, and professional grooming, often held in D.C.-area venues to inspire local performers and promote positive role models. For instance, in 2016, he led a workshop at Waldorf West library in Maryland, engaging young participants with practical advice drawn from his own career experiences.^[13][27] In 2025, Chaney released the three-part documentary series Undeniable: The Tray Chaney Story on YouTube, chronicling his personal and professional journey from childhood performer to seasoned entertainer. Featuring testimonials from industry figures such as Clifton Powell and J.D. Williams, the series serves as both a reflective memoir and a motivational resource for community initiatives, highlighting resilience and community impact in the D.C. region. These ventures collectively underscore Chaney's role in bridging entertainment with mentorship, providing tools and inspiration for aspiring artists while contributing to local cultural development.^[28][29]

Personal life

Family and relationships

Tray Chaney has been married to Ayesha Chaney since November 24, 2004.^[1] The couple, who met in the early 2000s, have maintained a long-term partnership spanning over two decades, with Chaney frequently describing Ayesha as his lifelong companion and a key source of strength in public reflections on their relationship.^[30] Chaney is a devoted father to his son, Malachi Chaney, born on June 1, 2006.^[31] He has often highlighted the joys and challenges of fatherhood, emphasizing how raising Malachi has instilled strong family values and shaped his priorities amid professional demands in the entertainment industry.^[32] In 2017, the Chaney family relocated from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area—where Chaney grew up—to Henry County, Georgia, specifically Locust Grove, to provide a more stable and nurturing environment for their son.^[33] This move reflected their commitment to prioritizing family stability over urban opportunities. Chaney has made public statements underscoring the importance of balancing his Hollywood pursuits with family responsibilities, noting that being a present father and husband remains central to his life, often crediting his family for grounding him through career ups and downs.^[34]

2025 tornado survival and recovery

On May 29, 2025, an EF2 tornado struck Locust Grove in Henry County, Georgia, completely destroying the home of actor Tray Chaney and trapping his family inside.^[4] Chaney, his wife, and their 18-year-old son Malachi were at home when the storm hit around 3:30 p.m., with Malachi upstairs in his bedroom playing video games moments before the structure collapsed.^[5] The tornado hurled Malachi nearly 300 feet from the second floor into a nearby woodline, leaving him unconscious with severe injuries including multiple broken ribs, a punctured lung, facial fractures, cuts, and internal trauma; Chaney sustained a head gash but was able to escape the debris.^[35][36] Neighbors quickly located Malachi and alerted emergency services, leading to his airlift to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he was placed in critical condition in the ICU for six days.^[37] Henry County Fire Rescue Company 1 played a pivotal role in the rescue operation, extracting the family from the rubble and providing immediate life-saving aid, with firefighters later crediting their rapid response for Malachi's survival.^[35] After stabilization at Grady, Malachi transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta for intensive rehabilitation, where he made remarkable progress, walking independently within three weeks of the incident and being discharged by late June 2025.^[38] Throughout the ordeal, Chaney emphasized his family's resilience rooted in faith, describing the survival as a "miracle" and attributing their strength to God's grace and unwavering prayer.^[39] He publicly thanked the community for overwhelming support, including donations via a GoFundMe campaign that raised funds for medical bills and relocation, highlighting how collective aid helped them navigate the emotional toll of the disaster.^[40] In August 2025, Chaney and Malachi reunited with the Henry County firefighters at the site of their former home, an emotional event where Malachi expressed lifelong gratitude, stating he would "appreciate them forever," while Chaney praised their heroism as instrumental to his role as a father and husband.^[35] The family announced plans for a documentary chronicling the experience, with pre-production beginning shortly after.^[35] As of October 2025, the Chaney family had moved into permanent housing and continued rebuilding their lives and home, crediting faith and community support for their resilience.^[5]

Filmography

Film roles

Tray Chaney's film career includes a range of roles in both major studio productions and low-budget independent films, often portraying streetwise characters or supporting figures in urban dramas and thrillers. His appearances demonstrate a shift toward leading and producing roles in indie projects starting in the 2010s.

Selected Film Credits

Key Film Roles

In Head of State (2003), Chaney made an early uncredited appearance as an extra in the major comedy, marking his entry into feature films alongside stars like Chris Rock. ^[41] Chaney portrayed JJ's Homeboy in The Salon (2005), a supporting role in the indie drama depicting life in a beauty salon community. ^[42] As Lorenzo in Lorenzo & Monica (2012), he played the lead in this low-budget indie, embodying a young man on a desperate crime spree with his partner. ^[43] In Dead Money (2012), Chaney took on the role of Tiger, a key figure in the indie thriller's plot of international organ trafficking and moral dilemmas. ^[44] Chaney appeared as Ox in Raising Wolves (2012), contributing to the ensemble of this independent film about deceptive gang dynamics and survival. ^[45] He played Ironman in Good Brutha Bad Brutha (2013), a character in the low-budget indie that blends humor with explorations of brotherhood and conflict. ^[46] In Secret Society (2021), Chaney depicted O, a mentor-like figure in the independent adaptation of Miasha's novel focusing on women's pursuit of wealth and power. Chaney embodied Tango Unchained in We Need to Talk (2022), a comedic supporting role in the indie rom-com involving quirky relationships and personal growth. ^[47] As Willie in Absence of Innocence (2022), he portrayed a complex family member in this low-budget thriller uncovering hidden truths and betrayals. ^[48] For upcoming works like Jon (2025), Chaney stars in the independent drama following a young man's quest for change amid hardship, expanding his involvement in inspirational narratives. ^[49]

Television roles

Tray Chaney began his acting career in television with a breakthrough role in the early 2000s, transitioning from child performances in music and dance to scripted series. His television work spans dramatic ensemble casts, soap operas, and limited series, often portraying complex characters in urban settings. Over two decades, he has accumulated credits in more than a dozen productions, with recurring and guest roles highlighting his versatility in ensemble-driven narratives.

• The Wire (2002–2008, HBO): Chaney portrayed Malik "Poot" Carr, a streetwise drug dealer who evolves into a shoe salesman, appearing as a series regular across all five seasons in 54 episodes.
• Saints & Sinners (2016–2022, Bounce TV): He played Kendrick Murphy, a conflicted family member in a church community, in a recurring role over six seasons, contributing to the soap opera's exploration of faith and scandal.
• Groads Bay High (2018): Chaney appeared as Mr. Anthony Jackson, a teacher navigating school dynamics, in this short-lived drama series.^[51]
• Transitions (2019): As Mario Daniels in the episode "Nigerian Nightmare," he depicted a figure entangled in themes of mental health and crime.
• Boomerang (2020, BET+): Chaney guest-starred as Barber in the episode "End of the Road," a romantic comedy exploring modern relationships.^[52]
• We Own This City (2022, HBO): He recurred as Gordon Hawk, a narcotics task force detective, across all six episodes of the miniseries examining police corruption.^[16]
• BMF (2023–2025, Starz): Chaney portrayed Bleek, a rival drug kingpin resisting collaboration, in a recurring capacity across seasons 2 through 4.^[53]
• Swarm (2023, Prime Video): In the episode "Honey," he played Kent, a brief but memorable encounter in the thriller's obsessive narrative.^[13]