John West born & raised in Chicago, IL. to single parent Marsha West who passed away Jan 2011.John.s acting/directing career kicked off after his college & pro football career ended. John played in the CFL & NFL for a short period of time due to injuries His acting career was started with the help of Martin Lawrence on the Martin hit TV show. From there he as appeared on such shows as The Wire & New York Under Cover , as well as a number of films and TV shows. John had to take a break from the entertainment world to help his sick mom. Now he is back as more projects come to him. He is very grounded and humble. John West aka J.J was (born June 16, 1970) is an American film and television actor, and former professional football player. West is best known for his role as Ray Ray in the hip hop comedy Bar-BE-Q and as the baliff on the hit TV show Martin in 1997. West's other films and TV appearances include: Southland, Faster, New York Undercover, Waist Deep, Empire, Music & Murder, The P.A.C.K. , S.M.O.K.E , Sista's For Life , Chicago Englewood. Early life: John West aka J.J was born on June 16, 1970, in Chicago, Illinois, to Marsha and John West. West is the only child. Convinced by his mother Marsha, John decided to play high school football after being a huge fan of NFL Chicago Bears Walter Payton.[citation needed] West graduated from Robeson High School in Chicago in 1988. After showcasing his football talent as a running back in high school, John began to get offers from various colleges around the country.[citation needed] He attended Alabama A&M University.[1] West was converted to cornerback by the head coach Ray Green. College coach Ray Green noticed West speed and hitting skills. Career: After John West aka J.J had made an impact on college level, West was signed as a free agent[citation needed] with the NFL Los Angeles Raiders. West later kept his career going as he joined the World Football League of American Football 1995 by getting drafted by the London Monarchs. From the WLAF, West starred[citation needed] with the Ottawa Rough Riders and Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League fall 1995. Then West was lured by the Arena Football League in 1996, Then back to the NFL where West retired early.[citation needed] Then Martin Lawrence's brother Robert Lawrence and Martin Lawrence gave West a break on the hit TV show Martin. Following appearances in such television series as Martin 1997 and New York Undercover 1997, West was cast in the movie The P.A.C.K as the famous Coroner, which he got rave reviews. West decided to step out on his own as a first time film producer and director after watching other film directors behind the camera. West walked out on faith and funded his first major film entitled Bar-Be-Q. It was filmed in 1999 and distributed in 2000 in select theaters around the US, by John West himself. West was turned down by several film distribution companies and was focus on getting the film out on his own. This film was the first ever on screen movie for Omari Hardwick, who is known as Ghost on the hit TV Show Power on the Starz Network. It is also the first ever film for Steve Howse aka Layzie Bone of Bone Thugs N Harmony as well. After John's ak Jay's success of his first ever film, John was offered a role as a Gangster's sidekick in the blockbuster film Waist Deep. Which also starred Larenz Tate, The Game, and Tyrese Gibson. West soon caught the eye of Eddie Murphy, which landed him a role as a bully in Norbit. As well playing a small role in Faster with mega star The Rock, where West played a prison inmate. Moving forward West landed roles on such TV shows as Southland where he played Officer Moore. West did not stop there where he was cast as a rapper on the hit TV show Empire. Known for: West is best known for his role as Ray Ray in the hip hop comedy Bar-BE-Q and as the famous baliff on the hit tv show Martin in the 1997, . West's other films & tv shows include , Southland , Faster , New York Undercover , Waist Deep , Empire , Music & Murder , The P.A.C.K. , $.M.O.K.E , Sista's For Life , Chicago Englewood Notable credit(s): Films Year Title Role 1996 Martin (Season 5 Episode 6) Ref 1997 Martin (Season 5 , Episode 15) Baliff 1997 New York Undercover (Season 3 , Episode 8) Court Officer 1997 New York Undercover (Season 3 , Episode 12) Court Officer 1997 The P.A.C.K Coroner 1997 Ravage Sergeant Armstrong 1998 Why Do Fools Fall in Love Drug Dealer 2000 Bar-B-Q Ray-Ray/Food Line Man/Ugly Man 2003 The Watermelon Heist Judge's Father 2006 Shadow: Dead Riot Riot Inmate 2006 Waist Deep Banger 2007 Norbit Bully 2010 Faster Inmate 2011 Southland (Season 4 , Episode 7) Officer Moore 2011 Southland (Season 4 , Episode 6) Officer Moore 2019 Chicago Englewood. John-West Docu-Film John West 2019 $.M.O.K.E 2019 A Sista's Revenge 2019 Sista's For Life 2019 O.N.L.Y L.U.V 2020 War of the Dragon Benny 2020 My Baby Missin(The Atlanta Children Murders) 2021 This Ain't Da 60's 2021 L.U.V At Any CO$T Television Year Title Role 1996 Martin Ref (Bangin Hard in the School Yard) 1997 Martin Baliff (Power to the People's Court) 1997 New York Undercover Court Officer 2002 A Haunting in Connecticut Thomas 2011 Southland Officer Moore 2011 Southland Officer Moore 2013 Luther DSU Simon 2015 Empire Rapper (The Outspoken King) 2017 Music & Murder Agent Baxter (Strange Day). Show less «