Wardell Richardson was born and raised in Atlanta, Ga. by his mother. Not having a father in his life, he had to work to help pay bills while going to school starting at age 14. He recalls middle and high school days filled with extracurricular activities like debate team and drawing as well as athletics; mainly an obsessive love of playing basketball, track, and cross country. He often wonders how he still managed to graduate with honors.
After graduating from Marietta’s Osborne High School, Wardell sought to obtain a degree in architecture, but experienced financial difficulties and dropped out. At that point, he pursued a rap career instead and 2 short years and 2 shady producers later, he was disheartened. Add to this, a custody battle over his son, and everything proved to be too much. He dropped everything, left the rap business and focused on obtaining custody of his son. In 2000, he gained full sole custody and settled into a career in multimedia and his role of being a good father to his son, Quamon.
Although he was secure in his new career, his artistic passions drew him to occasionally dabble in modeling over the next few years. By 2004, he was filled with renewed determination to seriously pursue modeling professionally, so he started networking. A few short months later he landed his first professional photo shoot by JWJ Photography while continuing to make friends in the industry.
Having been a huge movie buff since childhood, Wardell’s innate curiosity for acting continued to grow. Less than a year after his first photo shoot, at the urging of a friend, he landed his first acting role in the hit stage-play “Will A Real Man Please Stand” directed by Shay Mack and produced and written by Monique Shaw in 2008.
Admittedly a novice actor at best, Wardell recalls his acting coach, JB Brown being his true inspiration and spark behind his drive to become a better actor when he called him the “weakest link” in the play. Wounded but challenged, Richardson enrolled in The Company Acting Studio for acting classes and sought Brown’s professional tutelage. After nearly six months of rehearsals, a freak twist of events left an opening for the lead role and Wardell was instantly promoted to lead actor a month prior opening night. This opened the flood gates for his career.
In just over six years, Wardell has built an impressive resume’ of work including roles in television, movies, music videos and theater. His impressive resume can be viewed here.
Through all of his ups and downs, Wardell thanks God and credits two things for his success; His mother’s unyielding support for giving him his “I can do anything” attitude and his natural drive to be the best at everything he endeavors to accomplish. Growing up quickly with the responsibilities of caring for his mother and son have given him the confidence to overcome anything. As for the future, Wardell has his eyes set on some behind the camera action, as well as nurturing a fascination with teaching others about acting.
