Musical fans love the wonderful 2007 film Hairspray and will remember adorable and sweet "Seaweed J. Stubbs" played by Elijah Kelley. What has he been up to since his time in the film?
Hairspray's Elijah Kelley's Rise To Fame
Elijah Kelley was born on August 1st, 1986 in LaGrange, Georgia. He was a major part of his school's choir for years and landed spots in Coca-Cola commercials and the film Mama Flora's Family. He had even joined his family's gospel quartet when he was a mere 4 years old!
At a very young age, he knew he wanted to be a performer and excelled in acting, singing, and dancing. He went on to be featured in shows like The Sheild and Everybody Hates Chris and the Sandra Bullock film 28 days. Elijah was able to utilize his impressive dancing skills when he starred in the Antonio Banderas film Take the Lead.
Good morning Baltimore, she's stepped out of that closet door!
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It was then, in 2007 that he scored his breakthrough role in the smash hit film Hairspray. Elijah portrayed the kindhearted "Seaweed J. Stubbs" who taught the protagonist dance moves and fell for her best friend played by Amanda Bynes, even help save both of them from being trapped by a racist mother. All 3 of his talents came in handy for this impressive role.
Elijah Kelley Since Hairspray
Drop-dead gorgeous Elijah even starred in George Lucas' all-Black cast film Red Tails as '2nd Lt. Samuel "Joker' George." The film starring Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr. centered around the real Tuskegee Airmen, an African-American United States Army Air Forces group in the throes of World War II. He went on to get a role in Lee Daniels' star-studded and award-winning film The Butler. The Butler would not be his last role for infamous Lee Daniels, because in 2017 he would be cast in the hit musical drama series Star.
In 2015 uber-talented Elijah performed as "Scarecrow" in The Wiz Live! Elijah is also a popular BET actor, starring as New Edition's Ricky Bell in both The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story. Now he is also featured in the BET hip hop series Tales.
Nowadays he is an impressive recording artist and activist. Whatever he is a part of next Elijah is sure to bring his all!
A one-hit wonder?
