From Forest Whitaker as Eddie Barker to Phylicia Rashad as Diana DuBois, Empire continues to make excellent casting choices. Some of the show’s other new cast members include:
- Taye Diggs as Angelo DuBois
- Demi Moore as Nurse Claudia
- Teyonah Parris as Pamela Rose
- Kierra Bunch as Tamara
- Ptosha Storey as Chyna
- Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Poundcake
- Raj Bond as Calvin Moore
- Reilly Nelson as White Stacy
- Charles Clark as Shyne’s Enforcer
This article presents the cast of Empire season 4 and it also discusses the show’s record breaking first season. The article will also take a look back at some unforgettable Empire moments!
Contents
What Is The Show Empire About
Cookie Lyon Takeover
The Fall of Lucious Lyon
Hakeem, Leader of the New School
Jamal, Ready to Go!
Andre, Beautiful Mind
Anika, You Will Never Be a Lyon
Black Girl Named Becky
Porsha, Taxes!?
Blame It On Tiana
#WhoPushedRhonda
- Bryshere Y. Gray – Hakeem Lyon
- Gabourey Sidibe – Becky Williams
- Grace Gealey – Anika Calhoun
- Jussie Smollett – Jamal Lyon
- Kaitlin Doubleday – Rhonda Lyon
- Serayah – Tiana Brown
- Ta’Rhonda Jones – Porsha Taylor
- Taraji P. Henson – Cookie Lyon
- Terrence Howard – Lucious Lyon
- Trai Byers – Andre Lyon
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| Cast of Empire Season 4 |
- Debbie Allen
- Paris Barclay
- Kevin Bray
- Craig Brewer
- Lee Daniels
- Michael Engler
- Sanaa Hamri
- Rob Hardy
- Antony Hemingway
- Paul McCrane
- Mario Van Peebles
- Dee Rees
- Rosemary Rodriguez
- John Singleton
- Danny Strong
- Sylvain White
- Joshua Allen
- Radha Blank
- Wendy Calhoun
- Ilene Chaiken
- Lee Daniels
- Ingrid Escajeda
- Eddie Gonzalez
- Jeremy Haft
- Eric Haywood
- Janeika James
- JaSheika Ashel James
- Attica Locke
- Robert Munic
- David Rambo
- Carlito Rodriguez
- Malcolm Spellman
- Danny Strong
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| Cast of Empire Season 3 Jussie Smollett Azmarie Livingston |
- AzMarie Livingston – Chicken
- Malik Yoba – Vernon Turner
- Rafael de la Fuente – Michael Sanchez
- Lizzy Leigh – Employee
- Jamila Velazquez – Laura Calleros
- Tyler Ravelson – Tay-O
- Naomi Campbell – Camilla Marks
- Andre Royo – Thirsty Rawlings
- Bre-z – Freda Gatz
- Shannon Brown – Little Dwight Walker
- Derek Luke – Malcolm Deveaux
- Tasha Smith – Carol Hardaway
- Antoine McKay – Bunkie Williams
- Marisa Tomei – Mimi Whiteman
- Adam Rodriguez – Laz Delgado
- Kelly Rowland – Leah Walker
- Leah Jeffries – Lola
- Eka Darville – Ryan Morgan
- Nealla Gordon – Harlow Carter
- Tyra Ferrell – Roxanne Ford
- Damon Gupton – Detective Calvin Walker
- Yani Marin – Carmen
- Raquel Castro – Marisol
- James T Alfred – Tyree
- Jerry MacKinnon – One Stop
- Victor Almanzar – Big Heavy
- Christopher Powell – L’il Prince
- Genis Wooten – Young Jamal
- Jordan Woods – Celebrity Wedding Guest
- Judd Nelson – Billy Beretti
- Jennifer Hudson – Michelle White
- James Washington – Titan
- Jennifer Joan Taylor – Dr Shahani
- Veronika Bozeman – Veronica
- Mike Moh – Steve Cho
- Alex Henderson – Young Andre
- Patrick Mulvey – Jago Locke
- Alejandro Cordoba – Carlos
- Ivan Ellis – Royale-T
- Dan Flannery – Tony ‘Tricky’ Trichter
- Kevin Wigfall – Guard #2
- Alex Zelenka – Executive
- Marisol Correa – Shareholder
- Tobias Truvillion – D-major
- Courtney Love – Elle Dallas
- Alicia Keys – Skye Summers
- William Fichtner – Jameson Henthrop
- Vivica A Fox – Candace
- Raven-Symoné – Olivia Lyon
- DeRay Davis – Jermel
- Becky G – Valentina Galindo
- Sway – Sway Calloway
- Adam Busch – Chase One
- Dennis William Grimes – Marvin Menchel
- Max Beesley – Guy
- Kristopher Lofton – Kidd Fo-Fo
- Chris Redd – Roger
- Charles Malik Whitfield – Reverend LC Price
- Terria Joseph – Judith
- Reggie Baker – Ralph Anderson
- Eric Staves – Ammo
- Lihtz Kamraz – Homeboy
- Danny Martinez – Ed
- Deron J Powell – Engineer
- Alex Weisman – Simon
- Stephen Conrad Moore – Bones
- Petey Pablo – Clyde
- Jeffrey T Rogers – Detective Frost
- Will Kinnear – Leonard Bernstein
- Tyrone Ward – Frank Gathers
- Christopher R Ellis – Guard #1
- John Carrafa – Choreographer
- Sari Sanchez – Deputy Mayor Raquel Alvarez
- Shanequa Beal – Keisha
- Tyler Tharpe – Luther
- Gary W Golden – Bartender
- Caitlin Erin Anderson – Red Carpet Celebrity
- Ryan Kearney – ASA Voter
- Cuba Gooding Jr – Puma
- Patti LaBelle – Patti LaBelle
- Snoop Dogg – Snoop Dogg
- Preston Tate Jr – Patron
- Estelle – Delphine
- Tim Mosley – Timbaland
- Chris Rock – Frank Gathers
- M Emmet Walsh – Harold Blakeley
- Tim Hopper – Dr Steve Calhoun
- Ludacris – Officer McKnight
- Ne-Yo – Ne-Yo
- Mary J Blige – Angie
- John Hoogenakker – Dr Lester Mason
- Rada Portzer – Janet Blakeley
- Clarence Williams III – Huey Jarvis
- Roblé Ali – Chef
- Shanesia Davis – Mrs Calhoun
- Jerod Haynes – Reg
- Carolyn Hoerdemann – Prison Officer
- Rita Ora – Rita Ora
- Jordan Houston – Juicy J
- Yanis Kalnins – Carl Johnson
- Rosie O’Donnell – Pepper O’Leary
- Elizabeth Whitson – India Spring
- Marcus Davis – Goose
- Charles Hamilton – Black Rambo
- Gladys Knight – Herself
- Andre Teamer – Barry Richardson
- Lee Daniels – Lee Daniels
- Funkmaster Flex – Funkmaster Flex
- Triston Gandy – Lucious
- Charlamagne Tha God – Charlamagne Tha God
- Cindy Gold – Dominque Prado
- James Earl Jones II – Marcus Mitchell
- Mo McRae – J Poppa
- Da Brat – Jezzy
- David Darlow – Terry Schiller
- David Girolmo – Dr Sirak
- Corey Hendrix – Brick
- Shane Kenyon – Travie Wild
- Doug MacKechnie – Server
- Dan Waller – Drew Riley
- Jamon Williams – Andre
- Antonia Arcely – Bailiff
- Jason Derulo – Jason Derulo
- Thomas Gaitsch – Lawyer
- Coburn Goss – Agent Nelson
- Jaime Lynn Henderson – Caitlin Peters
- Audrey Morgan – Juanita
- Pitbull – Pitbull
- Jim Saltouros – Lamont Harris
- Kathy Searle – Shelly Jaworski
- Swizz Beatz – Himself
- Owais Ahmed – Arjun
- Ben Chang – Doorman
- Sean Cross – Himself
- Corr Kendricks – Black Rambo
- Tosin Morohunfola – A-Train
- Sam Porretta – Andre’s Doctor
- Nicole Richie – Nicole Richie
- F David Roth – Lead Agent
- Makaylo Van Peebles – A&R Rep #1
- Olivia Washington – Dee
- Nicholas Bailey – Mitch Mehner
- Rinska Carrasco – Marcy
- Olivia D Dawson – Fatima
- Jacquelyn Hydock-Leweiss – Jackie
- Miss Lawrence – Miss Lawrence
- Joel Madden – Joel Madden
- J Salome Martinez – Driver
- Paloma Nozicka – Brenda
- Joseph Sultani – Sports VP
- Pierre Antoine – Antoine Dixon
- DuShon Monique Brown – Ilene
- Sharon Carpenter – Sharon Carpenter
- Chris De Salvo – Elle’s Guitarist
- Dara Key – Linda
- Aron Lamar – Raheem
- Antonio Polk – Samad
- Ryan Robinson – Young Hakeem
- Al Sharpton – Himself
- Jake Tapper – Jake Tapper
- Phillip Edward Van Lear – Dr Kippelman
- Karla Beard – Muslim Lady
- Prince Eazy – P-Busta
- Joe Keery – Tony Trichter III
- Chris Love – Thuggish Musician
- Jamar McNeil – Vince Boyd
- Lia D Mortensen – Kelly McGann
- Lydia Rooks – Mecca
- André Leon Talley – Himself
- Jossie Thacker – Video Director
- Karin Anglin – Reporter #1
- Jim Cantafio – US Attorney Ippolito
- Christian Castro – EMT
- Richard Gallion – Hawk
- John Gawlik – Police Officer
- KJ – Heckler
- Don Lemon – Himself
- David Parkes – NYSE President
- Bobby Richards – Engineer #1
- Robin Robinson – Fox News Reporter
- Erica Watson – Danielle
- Mercedes White – Spider
- Annabel Armour – Spokeswoman Protestor
- Lamar Barnes – Officer Jabaar
- Jason Bradley – Reporter #2
- Andy Cameron – Nurse
- Billy Dec – Alan Lester
- Samuel Evan Horowitz – Boxer
- Kiley B Moore – 7 Reporter
- Francisco Posada – Trap
- Sammy A Publes – Detective
- Toya Turner – FBI Agent
- Jacqueline Williams – Warden Athena Myers
- Umar Abdul-Alim – Rap Battle Dude
- Veronica Bruce – Photographer
- Spencer Curnutt – Brother
- Richard Daniels – Band Leader
- Shayla Day-Davenport – Inmate
- Antonio Duca – Esteban Calleros
- Minita Gandhi – Reporter #1
- Peter Goldsmith – Businessman
- Tiesheko Houston – April
- Steve Pickering – Commissioner Marshall
- J Burton Reynolds – Bloomberg News Anchor
- Phil Ridarelli – Nurse
- Mark Spates Smith – Engineer
- Tiffany L Addison – Hood Girl #1
- Caitlin Collins – Alison Penfield
- Montana of 300 – Jamming Prisoner #2
- Ellie Reed – Fashion VP
- Jenniffer Weigel – Marketplace Morning Report
- Kris Wolff – Philly Cop
- Tyler Young – Shy Fan
- Anton Bassey – Mel
- Kiah Campbell – Hood Girl #2
- Leigh Foster – First Paramedic
- Big Il – Jamming Prisoner #3
- Ryan Kitley – Fox News Reporter #2
- Nick Lang – Stan Fitz
- Church Lockett – Prison Guard
- Jeffrey McDancer – Special Agent Koenig
- Antonio St James – Jarvis
- Joshua L Green – Guest
- Torrey Hanson – Judge Robbins
- Simeon Henderson – CO
- Kevin Miller – Herbert McDermott
- April Rose – Buxom Woman
- Aaron Stigger – Junkie
- Dwayne Taylor – Ennis Green
- R Charles Wilkerson – Guard
- Justin Cornwell – Songwriter
- Patrick Deal – Goon #2
- Trent Eisfeller – Journalist #1
- Tim Holmes – Wiry
- Lindsey Pearlman – Patti Sharp
- Sara Sevigny – Edna
- Sean Sullivan – Security Guard #2
- Christopher James Ash – Hans Jorgenson
- Cheyenne Herezi – Ominous Bad Ass
- Ram Jhally – Taxi Driver
- Ron OJ Parson – Bartley
- Rightmind215 – Engineer
- Jin You – Journalist #2
- Claudette Burchett – Housekeeper
- Gabriel Franken – Bjorn Jorgenson
- Ahmir-Khalib Thompson – Questlove
- Darcy Wood – Singer #1
- Howie Johnson – Gus Berger
- Bethany Thomas – Singer #2
- Angela Yee – Angela Yee
- Jamaica Craft – Choreographer
- Carlo Lorenzo Garcia – Guard #3
- Zoe Ishmael – Tanya
- Ripper Brown – Goon #1
- Morela Rina Bryant – Frank Gathers’ Daughter
- Maryam Basir – Foxy Waitress
- Tyrie S Rudolph – Attractive Waitress
- Brad Armacost – Ol’ Salty
- Cyril Smith – Uniformed Cop
- Keith Gill – Little Boy
- Brittani Green – Young Mother
- Aj Brander – Club Goer
- Ryan Carr – Riot Cop
- Charles Powell – Club goer
- Michael Aaron Clark – Concert Fan
- Dejean Deterville – Neighborhood Boy
- Taylar Fondren – Wife
- Jonathan Helvey – Flash Mob Dancer
- Elaina Levy – Screaming Fan
- Chelsea Mee – Red Carpet Celebrity
- Chris Routhe – FOX Reporter
- Jack Ruocco – NYC Pedestrian
- Tara Tyler – Olive
- Autumn Victoria – Little Sister
- Emery Johnson – Empire Employee
- Jamie Kranig – Employee
- Samantha Sookdeosingh – Club Girl
- Nicole DePue – Paparazza
- Bishop Stevens – Empire Security
- Mark Carlson – Concert Attendee
- Christopher Kahler – Concert Goer
- Samuel Meadows – Pedestrian
- Matthew Salter – All White Party Patron
- Mino Mackic – Prison Guard
- Jacqueline Martinez – Bar Patron
- Elizabeth Reiners – Corporate Product Executive
- Jacqueline Saland – VIP Cocktail Waitress
- Muhammad Ali Sanders – Bunker Patron
- Lindsay Teske – Concert Goer
- Justin M Tolliver – Crew Member
- Bradley Vargovick – Board Member
- Varick Addler – Doorman
- Xavier Armanno – FBI Agent
- Olivia Bird – Bikini Dancer
- Vincent Bolger – Waiter
- Adrian Bond – Bartender
- Larson Lee Brumfield – Neighborhood Kid
- Gene Bryant – Brian – Hakeem’s Driver
- Summer Cain – Model
- Brandon Carlson – Security
- Patricia Urbonas Clark – Protester
- Sharon Coleman – Neighborhood Resident
- Chase Crawford – Vlogger
- Lamar Curtis – Grand Juror
- Jackie Dallas – NYC Club Patron
- Jerome Davis – Security Guard
- Orel De La Mota – Fan
- M Elizabeth Dickerson – Protesting Mother
- Montae Dixon – Creedmor Record Exec Dong
- Emily Eruraviel – Wannabe
- Alexa Farneman – Bartender
- Carly Gelb – Club Girl
- Christy Gianneschi – Sexy Waitstaff
- Vito Glazers – Fan
- Malte Grohnert – Clubgoer
- Enrique Guzman – Boxing Coach
- Kareem Hamdy – Court Room Clerk
- Anthony Hamilton – Himself
- Mark Harper – Paramedic
- James Hoelzel – Reporter
- Meredith Kochan – Upscale Party Guest
- Craig Lemons – Prison Guard
- Adrian Lockett – Prisoner
- Alexa Lowery – Fan
- Al Luis – Red Carpet Spectator
- Tim Mass – FBI Agent
- Natasha Laws Mick – Protester
- Brian Neal – Club Dancer
- William Nero Jr – Teenager
- Russ Panzarella – High End Patron
- Delphine Pontvieux – Elle Dallas’ Handler
- Leonard D Sales – Investor
- Epic Scon – Record Executive
- Chase Smith – Concert Attendee
- Kenneth Strong – Dancer
- Lauren M Vance – Grand Juror
- Barry Vaughnj – Yacht Party Patron
- Al Vento – FBI Tactical Leader
- Hans Dieter Wolff – Homeless Man
- Justin Wright – Cameraman
- Erin Luboff – Fan at Hospital
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| TV Show Empire Cast |
What Is The Show Empire About?
The Empire TV show’s cast includes numerous talented actors that have shown broadcast networks the power of appealing directly to African American viewers. Empire is a drama that explores the hip hop music industry through the Lyon family as they fight for control of the company.
Lucious Lyon, former drug dealer who has since become a musical mogul, is on a mission to appoint one of his sons successor of Empire Entertainment after he finds out about his terminal illness. In the show’s first season Lucious’ sons, Andre, Jamal and Hakeem each try to prove that they are fit to lead the company.
While Lucious and his sons plan Empire’s future, Lucious’ ex-wife Cookie is released from prison. Cookie served 17 years in prison for selling drugs. She was sent to prison for her role in a drug deal worth $400,000, the money that was used to start Empire Entertainment.
Empire Season One Ratings
Empire’s first season was simply amazing as the show shattered numerous records. In its initial season Empire became the first show to increase viewers every week during its freshman season since at least the 1990s when Nielsen began tracking such information. Empire’s season finale drew 16.5 million viewers and averaged a 6.5 rating among the adult under 50 demographic.
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| Cookie Lyon Empire |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Lucious |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Hakeem |
Hakeem has made such a major impact on hip-hop that rumors have suggested that he is Jay-Z’s son. These rumors were false of course yet similar to Jay-Z, Hakeem works with Timbaland in order to deliver classic tracks. In the show’s first season Hakeem delivered the track “Drip Drop”, helping the show become more popular as we couldn’t stop singing the song!
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| TV Show Empire Hakeem Freda Rap Battle |
Freda and Hakeem’s rap battle was one of Empire season 2’s best moments, as Hakeem showed off his lyrical arsenal and ultimately gave Lucious back his last name. As Empire’s new leader Hakeem may not be able to find time for anymore battles. Hakeem’s older brother Jamal experienced major difficulties in his attempt to lead Empire and create music. It will be interesting to see how Hakeem treats Jamal now that he is his boss.
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Jamal |
Jamal, Ready to Go!
Jamal Lyon went from recording music at “Ghetto Ass Studios” to being featured in epic commercials as the new face of Pepsi. In one of the most enjoyable Empire-moments to date Jamal Lyon has a coming-out moment while he is performing a song and Lucious’ reaction is pure comedy:
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| Lucious Lyon Empire |
While Jamal is performing, flashbacks of Lucious putting him in a trashcan are shown. The powerful scene emphasizes the fact that Jamal has moved forward with his life despite Lucious being stuck in the past.
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| TV Show Empire Rhonda Bib Andre |
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| Empire TV Show Fight |
Becky Williams (Gabourey Sidibe) was Lucious’ assistant during his time at Empire Entertainment. After Lucious names Jamal his successor Jamal promote Becky to A&R.
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| Becky Empire Fox |
Porsha, Taxes!?
Porsha Taylor (Ta’Rhonda Jones) is Cookie’s assistant. In Empire’s first season, Anika pays Porsha to spy on Cookie but Porsha makes it clear that she wasn’t having it: “And I spied right back on your ass!”
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| Porsha Empire Fox |
Cookie fires Porsha for telling cops that her name is “Cookie Lyon” when she is caught jumping a subway turnstile. Then, Porsha shows up to Cookie’s office with her Grandma’s mut, Whoopty Whoo and is able to convince Cookie to give her another chance.
Blame It On Tiana
Tiana Brown (Serayah McNeill) is an artist that was previously signed to Empire Entertainment and is currently signed to Lyon Dynasty. Tiana and Hakeem are a couple in the show’s first season but the two part ways after Hakeem finds out that Tiana has a girlfriend.
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| Tiana Empire Fox |
#WhoPushedRhonda
Rhonda Lyon (Kaitlin Doubleday) is Andre’s wife. At one point everything seemed to be perfect between Lucious, Andre and Rhonda. Despite Lucious making
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| Empire Season 2 Rhonda Pushed Down Stairs |
While many Empire fans believe Anika pushed Rhonda down the stairs the show is always delivering surprises making it more difficult to guess #WhoPushedRhonda.
A Star Attraction
While some have complained about the Empire’s large number of guest stars I absolutely love it! The first season featured some of the industry’s most familiar faces, including Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Cuba Gooding Jr. and even Gladys Knight!
Alicia Keys
Empire’s second season has also included numerous unforgettable guest stars. Alicia Keys appeared on Empire as singer, Skye Summers. Summers teamed up with Jamal Lyon for the song “Powerful”:
Taraji P. Henson and Jussie Smollett’s chemistry on Empire is amazing and their chemistry in real life is very similar. The following video shows some of their most hilarious moments:
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Jamal Cookie |
Empire 2016 Premiere
Empire’s 2016 premiere date is September 21! Empire season 2 included 18-episodes total which Fox has split into two halves. The first season of the Empire TV show was 12 episodes. Here are some screenshots from the show’s 2016 premiere episode, “Death Will Have His Day”:
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Camilla |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Hakeem Camilla |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Hakeem |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Cookie |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Camilla |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Hakeem |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Camilla Lucious |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Andre Thirsty Lucious |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Hakeem |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Jamal Cookie Andre |
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| Empire 2016 Premiere Hakeem Camilla |
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| Empire Fox Anika Twerk |
