Aubrey Joseph Bio
Aubrey Omari Joseph (born November 26, 1997) is an American actor who has built a diverse career spanning stage, television, film, and music. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, Joseph began his artistic journey on Broadway before transitioning to screen acting. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Tyrone Johnson, also known as Cloak, in the Freeform television series Cloak & Dagger, a role that established him as a rising talent in the Marvel television universe. Beyond acting, Joseph has pursued music, releasing his debut album, and continues to expand his creative endeavors while maintaining strong ties to his artistic roots.
Early Life and Background
Aubrey Omari Joseph entered the world on November 26, 1997, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. Growing up in the borough, Joseph developed an interest in performing arts at a young age, though the specific details of his early childhood experiences remain relatively private. He is the middle child of three brothers, with both an older and a younger sibling, which shaped his formative years in the bustling New York environment. His upbringing in Brooklyn, a borough known for its rich cultural diversity and artistic heritage, provided a fertile ground for his eventual pursuit of an entertainment career.
Joseph’s passion for performance led him to pursue formal training and education in the arts. He attended the University of Southern California, where he further developed his craft while balancing his growing list of professional commitments. This educational background equipped him with foundational skills that would serve him throughout his acting career, providing both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in performance techniques.
Path to Acting
Joseph’s entry into professional acting began on the stage, where he discovered his natural ability to command attention and connect with audiences. His first significant breakthrough came when he joined the cast of the Broadway musical The Lion King, one of the most successful and beloved productions in theatrical history. In this production, Joseph portrayed Simba, the iconic character whose journey from cub to king forms the heart of the story. He shared the role with fellow young actor Judah Bellamy, gaining invaluable experience performing in one of Broadway’s most demanding and celebrated shows.
The Broadway experience proved instrumental in shaping Joseph’s understanding of performance, discipline, and the nuances of live theater. Working alongside seasoned professionals in a high-profile production provided him with a comprehensive education in the entertainment industry that textbooks alone could never offer. This theatrical foundation would later translate into his on-camera work, giving him a strong base in expression, timing, and emotional authenticity that casting directors and directors would later recognize as a distinctive asset.
Aubrey Joseph Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Joseph began his professional acting career in 2013, stepping into the entertainment industry with the ambition and drive that would characterize his subsequent years. His time on Broadway with The Lion King served as his primary platform during these formative years, allowing him to hone his craft while building a reputation as a reliable and talented young performer. The transition from stage to screen represents a common but challenging path for many actors, and Joseph prepared carefully for this evolution in his career.
His experience in the demanding environment of Broadway productions taught him resilience, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning. While specific details about his early screen auditions and minor roles remain limited in public records, this period was clearly focused on skill development and positioning himself for larger opportunities in television and film. The foundation he built during these years would prove essential when the right opportunity finally arrived.
Breakthrough (2017–2019)
The defining moment of Aubrey Joseph’s career arrived in January 2017 when he was cast in the lead role of Tyrone Johnson, also known as Cloak, in the Freeform television series Cloak & Dagger. This adaptation of the Marvel Comics characters represented a significant investment by the network and Marvel Television, positioning the young actor at the center of a major franchise within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Joseph’s casting was met with enthusiasm from fans of the comics and newcomers alike, who appreciated his ability to embody the complex character of a teenager grappling with extraordinary powers and difficult moral choices.
The series aired on Freeform and ran for two seasons, concluding in May 2019 before its cancellation in October of that year. Cloak & Dagger explored themes of identity, race, and the challenges of coming of age, with Joseph’s character representing a thoughtful, introspective hero whose powers required him to confront darkness both externally and within himself. The show also featured Olivia Holt as his co-star, playing the character of Tandy Bowen, also known as Dagger, and the two developed a strong on-screen partnership that resonated with audiences. Joseph has described his casting as coincidental, noting that he had been watching Luke Cage, another Marvel property on Netflix, at the exact time he received the audition, adding an ironic dimension to his entry into the Marvel universe.
Notable Works and Milestones
Following the conclusion of Cloak & Dagger, Joseph continued to expand his career through various projects that demonstrated his versatility as an actor. He and Olivia Holt reprised their respective characters in the Disney XD animated series Spider-Man, lending their voices to the popular superhero animation. The duo further returned for a two-episode crossover appearance in the third and final season of Marvel’s Runaways, another Freeform Marvel series, which allowed their characters to interact within the broader Marvel Television universe.
In 2025, Joseph achieved another significant career milestone by starring in Spike Lee’s film Highest 2 Lowest. This project placed him alongside established Hollywood heavyweights including Denzel Washington, A$AP Rocky, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Jeffrey Wright, representing a substantial leap into prestige filmmaking under the direction of one of cinema’s most respected filmmakers. Working with Lee, known for his distinctive visual style and socially conscious storytelling, positioned Joseph in a new tier of the industry and demonstrated his ability to hold his own alongside veteran performers.
Aubrey Joseph Family
Family plays an important role in Aubrey Joseph’s life, though he maintains a relatively private approach to sharing personal details. He is the middle child among three brothers, with both an older sibling and a younger brother who have been part of his life journey. While specific names and details about his siblings remain private, Joseph has acknowledged the importance of family support in his pursuit of an entertainment career, particularly during the challenging early years when he was establishing himself as a professional performer.
Personal Life
Beyond his acting career, Aubrey Joseph has pursued interests in music, releasing his debut album titled XXl on July 24, 2020. This venture into the music industry demonstrates his ambition to explore multiple creative outlets and establish himself as a multifaceted entertainer. The album release during a period when live entertainment was significantly impacted by global events suggests both his entrepreneurial spirit and his desire to connect with audiences through different artistic mediums.
Joseph’s education at the University of Southern California reflects his commitment to formal training and his understanding of the value of academic preparation alongside practical experience. His continued connection to the university suggests an appreciation for the educational foundation that supports long-term career development in the entertainment industry. As he moves forward in his career, Joseph appears committed to building a sustainable and diverse portfolio of work that spans multiple entertainment formats while remaining grounded in the skills and values that have guided him since his early days in Brooklyn.