Johnny Ray Gill Shines as a Breakout Star in Amazon’s Cross, Cementing His Rise as a Global Force in Film and Television

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Johnny Ray Gill defines the modern renaissance artist. As an actor, writer, director, producer, executive producer, urban gardener, poet, and activist, Gill is rapidly emerging as a global force in television and film. Currently, he stands as one of the most talked-about actors in the industry, earning widespread acclaim and numerous honors from film festivals around the world.

However, Johnny’s journey into acting didn’t begin on a traditional path. Instead, it started with poetry.

“I’m a spoken word poet. I have always been an artist,” Johnny shared. “Around 1998, there was a film named Slam that came out. It had just done its Sundance run, and I saw Saul Williams do a poem in the middle of a prison yard. It stopped people in their tracks. I remember at age 13 thinking—that’s what I want to do.”

That moment became a catalyst. Consequently, Johnny immersed himself in poetry throughout high school and beyond, performing at open mics and sharpening his voice as a storyteller. Eventually, his passion pulled him toward film.

“I left Temple and applied to graduate film programs and conservatories, which are drama schools,” he explained. “Then after that, I booked a series with Kathy Bates, and the rest was history.”

That history is still being written—and it’s happening at a rapid pace.

A Breakout Moment with Cross

Johnny Ray Gill’s profile skyrocketed thanks to his chilling and magnetic portrayal of sociopathic ex-cop Bobby Trey in Amazon’s global hit series Cross. His scene-stealing performance became one of the standout elements of the first season, helping propel the show to Amazon’s #1 spot both domestically and internationally.

Furthermore, the highly anticipated second season of Cross premieres February 11, 2026, and Johnny’s character continues to leave a lasting impact.

“ Cross was developed for television by Ben Watkins, who also serves as executive producer and showrunner,” Johnny said. “It continues the story of D.C. detective Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge) as he hunts a vigilante targeting corrupt billionaires. I love the themes this show explores, and they gave me the agency to create Bobby Trey as a culturally authentic character. It was an exciting challenge for me.”

Moreover, the global response has been overwhelming.

“It feels good. It always feels good to be recognized,” Johnny said. “The international component was phenomenal. I was getting feedback from people in Germany. Even people in South Africa loved it. They couldn’t speak to me in English, but the story resonated with them.”

Expanding His Range

Beyond Cross, Johnny Ray Gill continues to showcase his versatility. In fact, he will next appear—quite literally—in a different form, lending his voice in cat form to Oscar-winner Gore Verbinski’s upcoming animated feature Cattywumpus.

“I can’t really talk about the project yet,” Johnny said with a smile. “But I can say this—it’s gonna be good. I had great fun on it. I was able to showcase my range and bring sophistication to the comedy too.”

Additionally, his résumé includes impactful roles in acclaimed series like Snowfall and Underground, both of which hold deep personal significance for him.

“I got to meet John Singleton before he passed, so working on Snowfall was great,” Johnny said. “And I enjoyed working with Damson Idris.”

Regarding Underground, his appreciation runs just as deep.

“Another project that really mattered. Seeing those characters depicted in that way was very special. It was a great show—I wish we would have had the chance to do more with it.”

Creating Space Through First Flock Pictures

Significantly, Johnny’s creative vision extends far beyond acting. Through his production banner First Flock Pictures, he is building toward something even bigger.

“The long-term vision is to open up a film studio in Portland, Oregon,” he said. “It’s important because Portland is one of the most progressive cities in the country. It would be nice for people to have a great workspace—a place where they can do powerful things without sacrificing their vision for humanity or fair pay. That’s the long-term vision.”

Viral Impact and Cultural Commentary

Johnny is also known for his sharp wit and social commentary, which garnered viral attention with the parody The Purge: The Morning After, featured in The Hollywood Reporter.

“First off, shoutout to DA’Vine Joy Randolph,” Johnny said. “She came and worked with me on that project. I love doing sketches. Daniel Rubiano and I wrote it, and I was like—what do you think would happen if I tried to kill you during the Purge the night before, but then we go back to work the next morning? We wrote it that weekend, and it ended up in The Hollywood Reporter.”

Music, Storytelling, and Healing

Adding yet another layer to his artistry, Johnny Ray Gill is preparing to release his forthcoming debut album, Screenplays, a genre-blending project that fuses hip-hop, jazz, and poetry.

“It’ll come out this year sometime,” he said. “It’s my debut album. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a storyline album—kind of a modern-day Slick Rick mixed with Nas, who are my inspirations.”

The concept is deeply cinematic.

“It follows a filmmaker going to a major studio to pitch movie ideas. Each movie idea is a record—a song on the album.”

One of the most powerful tracks, “Green Shoe Music,” carries profound emotional weight.

“It tells the story of a pair of green Converse that come to life and rap about the Uvalde incident,” Johnny explained. “A young elementary school girl named Maite Rodriguez was killed. She was so unrecognizable that the only way they could identify her was by her green sneakers.”

Purpose Beyond the Spotlight

Despite his rising fame, Johnny remains grounded in purpose and community.

When asked about his greatest challenge, he didn’t hesitate.

“Not letting the bigotry and racism in this country and this industry eat me alive,” he said. “It can be very frustrating at times. That’s a difficult thing to endure on a day-to-day basis—not just for my journey, but that’s an American thing as well.”

However, his greatest accomplishment is deeply personal.

“My relationship with my mom, and the love I have between my family and friends. They’re proud of the things I put out into the world.”

And when asked how he hopes people remember him?

“That I was a community builder,” Johnny said. “Someone who wanted to push the community forward, who wanted to heal our environments and undo the legacy of slavery.”

Johnny Ray Gill is more than a rising star—he is a storyteller with purpose, an artist with conviction, and a builder of worlds both on-screen and off. As his global ascent continues, one thing is clear: his impact is only just beginning.

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