Born in Augusta, Georgia, Khary Payton discovered his love for acting after watching a production of Cyrano de Bergerac in the first grade. In his teens, he gained a local reputation as a rapper and stand-up comedian, sharing the stage with the likes of Tom Kenny and Chris Rock. After years of consoling comedians at the bar between sets, Payton shifted course, choosing to study acting and directing at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He remained in Texas for several years, refining his craft in classical and experimental theater before heading to Hollywood.
A veteran of the superhero realm, Payton has become synonymous with one of DC’s most iconic characters, Cyborg, having voiced the hero for more than 20 years across numerous television series, direct-to-video films and video games. His work includes the critically acclaimed feature Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, based on Teen Titans Go!, the longest-running animated superhero series of all time.
Payton is also beloved as King Ezekiel on AMC’s global phenomenon The Walking Dead. From one king to another, Payton voices Penguin King in Universal Pictures’ animated smash The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed $1.36 billion worldwide and set the record for the largest global opening weekend for an animated film. In 2027, Payton will return as Black Samson in Season Five of Amazon MGM Studios’ hit animated series Invincible.
In addition to acting, Payton has written for the animated series Young Justice. He made his directorial debut with the 2025 documentary The Faith of the Dreamer: One Woman’s Story of Racial Trauma and Healing. He also co-wrote, produced and starred in the award-winning independent science fiction film Astronaut: The Last Push, which screened at film festivals worldwide, from London to Los Angeles, winning 13 awards, including Best in Show at both the IFS and Fargo Film Festivals. Payton earned three Best Actor awards for his performance.
