Trade It All

Orlando Brown: There are two things that you immediately notice when you meet Orlando Brown for the first time; he has such contagious positive energy and boy can he talk. So it is really no surprise that this Los Angeles native is one of the most recognized young men in television and movies today. He was simply born to be a star. Born on December 4, 1987 to a single mom, Orlando was singing and dancing as soon as he could walk and talk. In fact, he was discovered at a young age while entertaining his mom and her dinner guests with his natural abilities one afternoon. “ I was running through the house acting a fool, performing all of these different songs, and a friend of a friend of my mom’s, who happened to be visiting with him, thought I was really talented. He knew some people, got me an audition for a commercial and the rest is history.” So just like that, Orlando was featured in a Burger King commercial, and has never looked back. He has appeared in over 25 television shows and movies, including “Major Payne” with Damon Wayans and the hit Disney show, “That’s So Raven”. Growing up as a child actor can sometimes mean not getting to experience life the same way other kids do, but Orlando’s mom was determined to try and keep his life as normal as possible. Even though Orlando was seen on television every week, he still had to do his chores around the house to earn an allowance. He even attended public school with the rest of his friends until the rigors of his work schedule rendered it necessary for him to get a private tutor. “I love my mom for keeping me in check. Since she was a single mother, she had to be both Mom and Dad to me. It was hard for her, but she did it. We are very close now, and I call her whenever I have an issue that I need to talk to someone about.” Orlando was also fortunate to have men come into his life and serve as father figures to him, most notably, Damon Wayans. After meeting Orlando on the set of “Major Payne”, Wayans took him under his wing, and “showed me how to be a man”. It’s no wonder that Orlando regards Wayans to be the most influential person in his career and considers the day he offered to fill in as his dad the happiest moment of his life. Orlando is also a talented singer/songwriter. In fact, he sings part of the “That’s So Raven” theme song. “Music has always been a passion of mine, in fact it was my first love. It serves as an outlet for my emotion, and let’s me work out whatever is going on in my life.” When you ask most young men who their favorite artist is, 50 Cent or Eminem are the first names out of their mouths. While Orlando gives them credit for their talent, he’s more of a Michael Jackson, and Gerald Levert fan. “Taking it back to the old school”, he likes to say. But he is quick to add that Mike Jones is in his CD player right now. He is currently working on a CD project, and hopes to release it soon so he can let his fans in on some of the more emotional aspects of his life. Don’t rule out law school either for this young man. “If I wasn’t an entertainer, I would definitely be a lawyer. I love to help people, I love to fix things and I love to talk.” His most memorable fan experience was when a teenager around his age came up to him and told him that he saved his life. “He told me that he was depressed and having bad thoughts in his head about harming himself. But then he watched me on the show, and my character made him laugh and lifted his spirits. I mean, that’s what this whole thing is about. If I can help people in their struggle in life, then I am not only doing my job as an actor, I am doing my job as a human being.” Every day when Orlando wakes up, he thanks God for the opportunities he has been given. “I could have been anywhere, but God put me in a situation where I have a job that I love that also allows me to help others. It hasn’t always been easy, but with faith, I can do anything, and I want my fans to know they can too.” Filmography – Actor: 01.- The Proud Family Movie (2005) (TV) (in production) (voice) …. Sticky Webb. 02.- That’s So Raven: Supernaturally Stylish (2004) (V)…. Eddie. 03.- “Clifford’s Puppy Day’s” (2003) TV Series (voice)…. Evan Thomas Taylor. 04.- Eddie’s Million Dollar Cook-Off (2003) (TV)…. Frankie. 05.- Maniac Magee (2003) (TV)…. Mars Bar. 06.- “That’s So Raven” (2002) TV Series …. Eddie Thomas. … aka Absolutely Psychic (USA). … aka That’s So Raven! (USA: promotional title). 07.- “Fillmore!” (2002) TV Series (voice)…. Cornelius Fillmore. … aka Disney’s Fillmore! (USA: complete title). 08.- Max Keeble’s Big Move (2001)…. Dobbs. 09.- "The Proud Family” (2001) TV Series (voice)…. Sticky Webb. 10.- The Tangerine Bear (2000) (voice)…. Bear #2/Little Boy #3. 11.- “The ‘70’s” (2000) (mini) TV Series …. Jo-Jo (12). 12.- Perfect Game (2000) (V) …. Marcel Williams. 13.- “Safe Harbor” (1999) TV Series …. Chris. 14.- “Two of a Kind” (1998)…. TV Series …. Max. 15.- Senseless (1998) …. Brandon Witherspoon . 16.- A Walton’s Easter (1997) (TV). 17.- “Family Matters” (1989) TV Series …. 3J (1996-1998). 18.- “Waynehead” (1996) TV Series …. Damey “Waynehead” Wayne. 19.- Family Values (1995) (TV) …. Chuckie. 20.- Major Payne (1995) …. Cadet Kevin “Tiger” Dunne. Filmography – Himself: 01.- “ Express Yourself” (2001) TV Series … Himself. Notable TV Guest Appearances: 01.- “One on One” playing “DeWayne” in episode: He’s Not Heavy, He’s My  Half-Brother” (episode #3.16) 2 March 2004. 02.- “Lizzie McGuire” playing “Travis Elliot” in episode: “Random Acts of Miranda” (episode #1.14) 8 June 2001. 03.- “Moesha” playing “James” in episode: “The Robbing Hood” (episode #5.20) 8 May 2000. 04.- “Malcolm & Eddie” playing “Cairo” in episode: “Daddio” (episode #3.19) 4 May 1999. 05.- “Nash Bridges” in episode: “Gimme Shelter” (episode # 4.13) 15 January 1999. 06.- “Moesha” in episode: “A Terrible Thing Happened on My Tour of College” (episode # 4.7) 17 November 1998. 07.- “The Jamie Foxx Show” playing “Nelson” in episode: “We Got No Game” (episode # 3.8) 12 November 1998. 08.- “The Jamie Foxx Show” playing “Nelson” in episode: “The Afterschool Special” (episode # 2.20) 26 April 1998. 09.- “413 Hope St.” in episode: “Falling” (episode # 1.10) 1 January 1998. 10.- “Malcolm & Eddie” playing “Max” in episode: “Hoop Schemes” (episode # 2.10)  10 November 1997. 11.- “The Pretender” playing “Bruno” in episode: Back From the Dead Again” (episode # 2.1) 1 November 1997. 12.- “The Jamie Foxx Show” playing “Nelson” in episode: “Save the Drama for Your  Mama” (episode # 3.21) 7 May 1997. 13.- “The Wayans Bros.” playing “Charlie” in episode: “Say It Ain’t So, Marlon” (episode #3.21) 7 May 1997. 14.- “Sister, Sister” playing “Clayton” in episode: “Little Man Date” (episode # 4.13)  15 January 1997. 15.- “The Jamie Foxx Show” playing “Nelson” in episode: The Bad Seed” (episode #  1.2) 4 September 1996. 16.- “Moesha” playing “Chucide” in episode: Hakeem’s New Flame” (episode # 1.14)  21 May 1996. 17.- “The Parent ‘Hood” playing “George Washington Carver’ in episode: I’m O’Tay,  You’re O’Tay” (episode # 2.16) 21 February 1996. 18.- “In the House” playing “Steven” in episode: To Die For” (episode # 2.13)  15 January 1996. 19.- “Coach” playing “Kid” in episode: “Ten Percent of Nothing” (episode # 7.23)  4 April 1995.