Kendrick Sampson (born March 8, 1988) is an American actor and activist from Houston, Texas. He is best known for his role as Nathan Campbell on HBO’s Insecure and for founding the nonprofit organization BLD PWR.
Who is Kendrick Sampson?
Kendrick Sampson is an American actor, producer, and social activist. He built his career through a string of recurring television roles before landing his most prominent part on HBO’s acclaimed comedy series Insecure.
His work spans drama, comedy, and film. Beyond acting, he co-founded BLD PWR, a nonprofit connecting the entertainment industry to grassroots social justice movements.
Sampson also launched his own production company, Sampson Studios, to develop independent projects.
He appeared in the 2026 major motion picture Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic released by Lionsgate, playing legendary music producer Quincy Jones.
Early Life of Kendrick Sampson
Kendrick Smith Sampson was born and raised in Houston, Texas. His parents are Daphne Smith Sampson and Hoyle Sampson Sr. He grew up as an only child.
His mother enrolled him in music lessons from a young age, as he came from a family of musicians and artists. Daphne used to play the piano for him as a child.
Sampson expressed an interest in acting around age ten, after watching a Gap commercial. His mother helped him find an agent, who then referred him to the Kim Terry Studio in Texas.
Sampson is a devout Christian.
Kendrick Sampson Age
Kendrick Sampson is 38 years old as of June 16, 2026, born on March 8, 1988. His birthday already passed earlier this year in March.
His zodiac sign is Pisces. In 2026, Sampson took on one of his biggest career roles yet, appearing in the Michael Jackson biopic Michael as Quincy Jones.
Kendrick Sampson Ethnicity and Nationality
Sampson holds American nationality and was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He is biracial, born to a Black father, Hoyle Sampson Sr., and a white mother, Daphne Smith Sampson.
He has spoken publicly about his mixed background and how it shaped his perspective on race and activism. Growing up surrounded by musicians and artists in Houston directly influenced his path toward the performing arts.
Kendrick Sampson Height and Weight
Kendrick Sampson stands at 5 feet 11 inches (1.81 m) tall. His weight is reported to be around 165 lbs (75 kg).
Sampson has spoken about working out four to five times a week with a trainer, noting that consistent exercise helps him manage anxiety. He follows a full-body workout routine designed specifically for his fitness goals.
His athletic and lean build has made him a recognizable presence both on screen and at public events.
Kendrick Sampson Education
Sampson attended Elkins High School in Missouri City, Texas, where he began performing in theater productions during his senior year.
He moved to Los Angeles at age 18 to pursue acting. Between 2007 and 2008, he took private coaching, improv, and scene study lessons in Los Angeles.
Sampson also trained at the Ivana Chubbuck Studio in Los Angeles, one of the most respected acting schools in Hollywood.
Kendrick Sampson Career
Kendrick Sampson first appeared on screen in 2005, playing Lamar in the independent film Resurrection: The J.R. Richard Story. This early role came before he established himself in Los Angeles.
In 2008, Sampson appeared in two episodes of the ABC Family sitcom Greek. He followed that with a guest role on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation in 2010.
He also served as a principal actor in television commercials for Church’s Chicken and Chevrolet early in his career, while building his resume in the Los Angeles market.
Breakthrough Role
Sampson’s breakthrough came in July 2013, when he booked the recurring role of Jesse in the fifth season of The CW‘s supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries. He appeared in five episodes of the series.
In January 2014, he was cast as Dean Iverson in the Fox miniseries Gracepoint, alongside Nick Nolte, Anna Gunn, and Michael Peña. The show marked his first series regular role on network television.
In November 2014, he starred in the music video for Hayley Kiyoko’s song “This Side of Paradise,” expanding his visibility beyond scripted television.
Notable Projects
In July 2015, Sampson joined the cast of ABC’s legal thriller How to Get Away with Murder, produced by Shonda Rhimes. He played Caleb Hapstall across the second season, appearing in 13 episodes.
He recurred in 2017 across multiple shows including Supernatural (two episodes as Max Banes), The Flash (three episodes as Dominic Lanse/Brainstorm), and the Showtime comedy White Famous (four episodes).
Sampson co-starred in the 2020 independent film Miss Juneteenth, which earned strong critical praise with a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes. He played Ronnie, a love interest to the lead character.
Insecure and Recent Work
From 2018 to 2021, Sampson had a recurring and then main cast role as Nathan Campbell on HBO’s Insecure, created by Issa Rae. He appeared in 20 episodes across Seasons 3 through 5.
In 2022, he starred as Ethan Greene in the Amazon Prime Video romantic comedy Something from Tiffany’s. That same year, he launched BLD PWR Productions through Variety.
In 2026, Sampson appeared in the Lionsgate biopic Michael, portraying legendary producer Quincy Jones alongside Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson. The film was directed by Antoine Fuqua and grossed over $846 million worldwide.
Kendrick Sampson Filmography
Film
- Resurrection: The J.R. Richard Story (2005) — Lamar
- Miss Juneteenth (2020) — Ronnie
- Something from Tiffany’s (2022) — Ethan Greene
- Michael (2026) — Quincy Jones
Television
- Greek (2008) — Woodchuck (2 episodes)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2010) — Derrick Gold
- The Vampire Diaries (2013) — Jesse (5 episodes)
- Gracepoint (2014) — Dean Iverson (miniseries)
- How to Get Away with Murder (2015–2016) — Caleb Hapstall (13 episodes)
- Supernatural (2016–2017) — Max Banes (2 episodes)
- White Famous (2017) — Robbie MacDonald (4 episodes)
- The Flash (2017) — Dominic Lanse/Brainstorm (3 episodes)
- Insecure (2018–2021) — Nathan Campbell (20 episodes)
- I’m a Virgo (2023) — Edwin Garrison (1 episode)
Kendrick Sampson Awards and Recognition
In 2022, Sampson received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the NAACP Image Awards for his work on Insecure. The nomination recognized his portrayal of Nathan Campbell across Seasons 3 through 5.
He received the nomination at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards ceremony. His performance on the show stood out for its layered depiction of mental health, specifically bipolar disorder, within a Black male character.
Sampson’s activism has also earned him public recognition alongside his screen work.
Kendrick Sampson Girlfriend
Kendrick Sampson keeps his personal life largely private. As of 2026, he has not publicly confirmed being in a relationship.
In 2018, he attended a Burberry Christmas party with supermodel Naomi Campbell. The two appeared together on the March 2019 cover of British Vogue, where Sampson played her love interest in a high fashion photo shoot by Steven Meisel.
No confirmed long-term relationship has been publicly announced by Sampson.
Kendrick Sampson Net Worth
Kendrick Sampson’s estimated net worth is $2 million as of 2026. His income comes primarily from his acting career across television and film.
He has appeared in major network and prestige cable productions including HBO’s Insecure, ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder, and the Lionsgate film Michael. His production company Sampson Studios and nonprofit BLD PWR Productions represent additional professional ventures.
His brand work and commercial history, including spots for Chevy and Church’s Chicken, also contributed to his early earnings.
Kendrick Sampson Social Media
Sampson is active on Instagram under the handle @kendrick38. He uses the platform to share updates on his acting projects, activism work, and BLD PWR initiatives.
He also maintains a presence on TikTok under the same handle @kendrick38. His social media platforms serve as a direct connection between his entertainment career and his advocacy work with BLD PWR.
His Instagram bio identifies him as a storyteller and abolitionist, linking directly to BLD PWR’s donation page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kendrick Sampson’s net worth?
Kendrick Sampson’s estimated net worth is $2 million as of 2026, earned through his acting career on major television and film productions.
How old is Kendrick Sampson?
Kendrick Sampson is 38 years old as of June 16, 2026, born on March 8, 1988, in Houston, Texas.
Who is Kendrick Sampson dating?
Kendrick Sampson has not publicly confirmed a current relationship. He keeps his personal life private and no partner has been officially announced as of 2026.
What is Kendrick Sampson’s height?
Kendrick Sampson stands at 5 feet 11 inches (1.81 m) tall.
What movies and projects has Kendrick Sampson been in?
Sampson is best known for Insecure (HBO), How to Get Away with Murder (ABC), The Vampire Diaries (CW), Miss Juneteenth (2020), and the 2026 Michael Jackson biopic Michael, where he portrayed Quincy Jones.
Where was Kendrick Sampson born?
Kendrick Sampson was born in Houston, Texas, USA, on March 8, 1988.
The Bottom Line
Kendrick Sampson spent over a decade building his career before landing his most prominent role as Nathan Campbell on HBO’s Insecure, a part he held across four seasons from 2018 to 2021.
In 2019, he co-founded BLD PWR, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that bridges the entertainment industry with grassroots social justice organizing. The organization mobilized thousands during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Los Angeles.
His 2026 role as Quincy Jones in the Lionsgate blockbuster Michael marked his highest-profile film appearance to date, as the biopic crossed $846 million at the global box office. We hope you enjoyed reading about Kendrick Sampson. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!