Some people hit the scene and almost immediately make their imprint on culture. Whether it is a hit song, a breakout role, or sex appeal – some people just have that it factor. And with his inclusion in a previous version of People Magazine’s “Most Beautiful People” list, Boris Kodjoe has been making his impact in that way for some time now.
Born in Vienna, Austria, Kodjoe is a German-Ghanaian actor and model whose career in the entertainment industry has spanned a few decades. Before he became a household name, Kodjoe earned a marketing degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 1996. According to ESPN, Kodjoe was a four-year letterman athlete winning 75 career singles while on the tennis team at VCU.
However, he suffered a back injury that prevented him from pursuing the sport professionally. Instead, Kodjoe decided to focus on and pursue modeling and acting.
The star appeared in the 1995 recording of TLC’s video for “Red Light Special.” He would go on to get his breakout acting role on Showtime’s hit series “Soul Food.”
Following that success, Kodjoe would be seen in several other television shows and films, including “The Last Man On Earth,” “Brown Sugar,” and “The Real Husbands of Hollywood.”
While on the “Soul Food” set from 2002 – 2004, he acted alongside actress Nicole Arie Parker. The two would marry and start a family.
The 50-year-old still experiences success through his acting and, to date, Boris Kodjoe has earned an estimated net worth of $5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Although the “Fire Zaddy” of “Station 19” and advocate for prostate cancer awareness has a long resume that has earned him several nominations and awards, it is Kodjoe’s identity as a husband and father that he celebrates most.
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Kodjoe and Parker share two children together, Sophie Tei-Naaki Lee and Nicolas Neruda. Let’s take a look at how the family of four is charting their path forward.
Sophie Tei-Naaki Lee
Sophie is the 18-year-old daughter of Kodjoe, and based on a People Magazine report, her parents revealed she was diagnosed with spina bifida. This neural tube defect occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly.
Since the diagnosis, Kodjoe and Parker have become strong advocates for a cure, starting the foundation Sophie’s Voice and actively raising funds for medical research and advancement.
Nicolas is 16-years-old and a current youth basketball athlete.
Nicolas Neruda
He was most recently a small forward for the 2022 FIBA U16 European Championship Division B.
