Sean Ringgold Story

Sean Ringgold an American Actor was born on November 03, 1977, raised in Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York.

Before becoming an actor, he was known as a New York State Arm Wrestling Champion for many years. His fans may remember him as the “Rockaway Flash.”

After being cast for the role of Shaun Evans, Ringgold got his break into acting on ABC’s One Life To Live. Since then, he has had acting roles in numerous hit TV shows and series, including Netflix’s Luke Cage, Billions, Orange is the New Black, Shades Of Blue, Gotham, Gossip Girl, and multiple Law and Order. Ringgold has also been featured in commercials for Budweiser, Burger King, Dr. Scholl’s, Dunkin Donuts, Delta Airlines, Kia, Fiat 500 by Gucci, Pfizer Nexium, Nike, Time Warner Cable, and Spike TV.

In 2009, staring as Marion “Suge” Knight, he made his big-screen debut in the Notorious B.I.G. biopic, Notorious.

He has also starred in such films as American Gangster, The Smurfs, and Before I Disappear. Sean can be seen in several upcoming projects, including No More Mr. Nice Guy, Wetlands, and Roxanne Roxanne, and currently stars on the Hit show on BET The Family Business as Junior Duncan

His television credits include Damages, Gotham, Gossip Girl, and Ugly Betty. Sean was featured in episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Criminal Intent. He has also had roles on the popular shows 30 Rock, Are We There Yet?, Taxi Brooklyn, The Carrie Diaries, NYC 22, Blue Bloods, and 106 & Park. Alongside his work in television and movies, Sean has also appeared in numerous national advertising campaigns and commercials for brands including Budweiser, Burger King, Dr. Scholl’s, Dunkin Donuts, Delta Airlines, Kia, Fiat 500 by Gucci, Nexium, Nike, Tampax, Time Warner Cable, and Spike TV.

Sean when not Acting has a history of philanthropy and volunteer work and enjoys working with kids. He has been involved with HeartShare of New York as a youth mentor.

Ringgold has also been involved with various charities such as “Get Reel With Your Dreams,” an initiative started by ABC7’s Sade Baderinwa that helps provide resources and connections for youth with aspirations to work in television and film.

Sean didn’t know he’d end up on the big screen. In fact, as a kid growing up in Rockaway Beach, he aspired to be a fireman.

“I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter,” said Ringgold. “As a lifeguard growing up, most of my lifeguard buddies went on to become firefighters. And it’s a great thing. It gives you a flexible schedule, they go surfing out in places like Costa Rica, and it just gives you freedom.”

Fast forward to 2019, and Ringgold is a working actor whose career trajectory is on a very upward path. So far this year, he’s either wrapped production or is currently working on at least five projects–all with major television networks and film companies.

He’s a main cast member and producer on the BET series “The Family Business,” has booked roles on two upcoming ABC pilots (“Emergence” and a project produced by Hank Steinberg and 50 Cent called “For Life”), and he’s also featured in the upcoming film “Vault,” which has a cast that includes veteran actors like Theo Rossi and Chazz Palminteri. He also worked on “Uncut Gems,” a film starring Adam Sandler that’s set to be released in the Fall.

“Rockaway is the reason why I’m so diverse,” said Ringgold. “Being the black kid that surfed, skateboarded, and was also a lifeguard, some kids would pick on me. The white kids would say, ‘Why aren’t you playing basketball?’ It kind of bothered me, but at the end of the day, I felt so much joy and passion being out on the ocean. When I became a lifeguard, it was fantastic because it made me feel the need to help people. I feel like God has given me blessings for helping others.”

HAVE YOU EVER FACED STRUGGLES ALONG THE WAY ON YOUR JOURNEY?

One of the internal struggles I use to go through in my younger year is thinking and believing I’m not good enough. When we’re beaten down with disappointments and lose opportunities, we form assumptions that crush our confidence. There may also be some people in our lives who contribute to the feeling that we’re never going to make it. They underestimate us and our efforts.

HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT TO KEEP GOING IN THE HARD TIMES AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE PURSUING A CAREER IN THE INDUSTRY WHO FEELS LIKE QUITTING WHEN THINGS GET HARD?

Finding my way back to believing I’m capable of everything I want to be is an uphill battle. Circumstances don’t often go my way and unkind words that underestimate you can be a hard pill to swallow. However, isn’t it the more reason for you to persist? To prove them wrong and rise above whatever obstacles life throws at you?

At the end of the day, we only have ourselves to believe in and do the hard work. Achievements, big or small, always start with us believing we can.

Let’s say I’m in process of a new Character Analysis

I embrace success. The words “I can’t are not in my vocabulary. I refuse to believe my own excuses. I am unstoppable! I am calm in the face of conflict. I brush annoyances off quickly and easily. I agree to disagree. I am bigger than that! I choose to radiate love, joy, and gratitude today. I know life is too short to dwell on negativity. I walk in the light!

I release my need to impress others. I know that I have nothing to prove. I choose to accept myself just the way I am! I am free to create my OWN reality. I have choices in all situations. Nothing stands between me and my highest good.

I release my attachment to everything that no longer serves me. I refuse to let anything or anyone hold me back! I release my need to compare myself to others. I judge myself by my own standards of success. I am ENOUGH just as I am.

I am ready to show the world who I am and what I have to offer. No one can stop me from fulfilling my purpose!

I am making space for more success to come into my life. I let go of my excuses. I am productive and focused on results!

I choose to take responsibility for my own happiness. I will not let anyone “make me angry today. I am in control! I am committed to the possibility of my own success. I take action on my goals now so I can have the lifestyle I want.

I honor my need to rest and recharge. I am committed to finding at least one hour of “me time today!
I am here for a reason. That reason does not include gossip and negativity. I am committed to being a positive influence! I take my goals seriously. I know that my time here on earth is limited. I honor my life by doing what I love.

I am committed to my own success. I go out of my way to meet people I admire and respect. I am on the path to greatness! I am a Child of GOD.

Ringgold tried a host of other occupations. He was a custodian, cab driver, construction worker, and sales and marketing agent, among other things. He eventually got into executive protection, which slowly led him into thinking about giving Hollywood a try.

Before I got into acting“I did protection work on a BET show called 106 & Park,” said Ringgold. “AJ Calloway and “Free” Marie Wright were the hosts. They put me on TV and asked, “How do you dance in the clubs?” I was told not to do anything on TV [as a security guard] but I took a risk. I’m a risk-taker. The crowd went crazy, and I became like a mascot for the show. But from there, it was the best place to network.”

Ringgold saw countless entertainers he admired pass through the doors of the show’s studio. He even did private protection work for some of them. However, something made Ringgold want to be in front of the camera, too.

“I tightened up my suit game, my language, started getting into my books and just looking at people I wanted to be like,” said Ringgold. “After 106 & Park ended, I said, ‘You know what? Let me give this acting thing a shot.”

Then a few consecutive breaks kept his mind on the prize.

“I booked three commercials back to back to back in 2005,” said Ringgold. “The first audition I went on was the first commercial I booked: a Burger King chicken fries commercial.”

In 2009, Ringgold stepped away from bodyguarding indefinitely and became a full-time actor when he booked a role in the film “Notorious,” in which he played the infamous record label executive Suge Knight. Since then, he’s worked on projects like “One Life to Live,” “Orange Is the New Black,” “Billions,” and dozens of others.

“There’s been no looking back since 2009, and now that’s 10 years ago,” said Ringgold. “I have an incredible manager that’s been pushing me like crazy, a fantastic attorney that’s been making things happen. I know where I want to be, and I know that I’m going to get there.”

Ringgold credits Dulé Hill, William Forsythe, Ernie Hudson, and Rossi as some of the actors who have given him valuable mentorship along his journey. He also listed Dwayne Johnson, Jack Nicholson, and Sidney Poitier as other prominent actors he’d like to work with.

In regards to thinking about future projects and roles he’d like to take on, one, in particular, stood out for the Rockaway Beach native.

“I would love to be on something like Chicago Fire,” said Ringgold. “I’ve always wanted to be a firefighter, but God said, ‘I want you to be an actor.’”

Well, this week we are happy to have Sean sit down with Actor Producer and longtime friend DTeflon who is also a former bodyguard who met over 20yrs ago on tour for the BET Spring Bling reunite on this week’s episode of Sunday Service with DTeflon on Hot Topics Celeb TV Hollywood Actors on Actors in Conversation where you will hear Sean’s story in full and the inside of his journey from the Park to Hollywood, Balancing Life as an Actor Husband and Father, His struggles and triumphs in the industry so sit back and enjoy this conversation and leave a comment below and let us know what you thought of this interview.