Spence Moore II
Spence Moore II (born December 16, 1997) is an American actor best known for his recurring and leading roles in television series and films.[1] Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised as the youngest of two children, Moore began pursuing acting during his middle school years in the sixth grade.[2] He relocated to Los Angeles to advance his career and has since built a portfolio of diverse characters across genres, including comedy, drama, and action.[3] Moore gained early recognition for his portrayal of Danny Poythress in the HBO miniseries We Are Who We Are (2020), where he depicted a complex teenager navigating identity and relationships in an Italian military base setting.[1] His breakthrough in television came with the role of Dan Decker in the NBC comedy A.P. Bio (2018–2021), appearing in 40 episodes as a sharp-witted high school student under the tutelage of an unconventional teacher.[4] He followed this with recurring appearances as Chris Jackson in The CW's All American (2018–present), a sports drama centered on high school football and personal growth, and as Michael in the second season of Netflix's 13 Reasons Why (2018).[5] In film, Moore starred as the young Damian Anderson in Creed III (2023), a sports drama sequel exploring boxing, mentorship, and past rivalries in the Rocky franchise.[1] More recently, he has taken on supporting roles in projects like Superman & Lois (2023) as Matteo and Back on the Strip (2023) as Merlin, a magic-themed comedy about aspiring entertainers.[3] Since 2024, Moore has portrayed Dr. Jacob Nash in the NBC medical drama Brilliant Minds, a series inspired by the life of neurologist Oliver Sacks, marking his entry into procedural television with a focus on ethical and personal challenges in neuroscience.[4] In September 2025, he was cast as the young James St. Patrick (Ghost) in the Starz prequel series Power: Origins.[6]Early life
Family and upbringing
Spence Duane Moore II was born on December 16, 1997, in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the youngest of two children and was raised in St. Louis.[7]Entry into acting
Moore's passion for acting was sparked in the sixth grade during a school talent show in St. Louis, Missouri, where he performed and discovered his love for the craft.[7] Growing up, he was influenced by his mother, Tann Moore, a former actress who served as his personal acting coach and encouraged his early explorations in performance.[8] As the "goofy kid" who often made others laugh despite his own insecurities, Moore found acting to be a natural outlet for expression during his formative years.[8] He relocated to the Los Angeles area with his family sometime before high school, attending Crespi High School in Encino, California, where he balanced his emerging interest in acting with other activities like football.[9] He graduated in 2016.[9]Acting career
Early television appearances
Spence Moore II began his television career in 2016 with a supporting role as Neil in the Lifetime TV movie Double Mommy, marking his debut on screen as a young actor navigating family drama and relationships.[10] That same year, he made a guest appearance as the young Gabriel Lewis in the episode "Mirror Image" of the long-running CBS series Criminal Minds, portraying the teenage brother of Dr. Tara Lewis in a storyline exploring family secrets and psychological tension. He also appeared as David in an episode of ABC's Last Man Standing, playing a student facing academic pressures in a family sitcom setting. In 2017, Moore continued building his resume with several guest roles, including Jack in an episode of HBO's Ballers, where he depicted a young athlete in the high-stakes world of professional football management.[11] He guest-starred as Bill in the episode "Fridge Over Troubled Daughter" of Netflix's Lady Dynamite, contributing to the show's surreal comedy through a minor but memorable part. Additionally, Moore had a recurring role as Damon across two episodes of Crackle's StartUp, embodying a streetwise friend involved in a tech-crime thriller. That year, he also portrayed Amari in the short-lived BET series Rebel, tackling themes of social justice and personal rebellion. By 2018, Moore secured a more prominent recurring role as Eric Harper in the first season of Facebook Watch's Five Points, a drama series produced by Kerry Washington that follows interconnected stories of Chicago high school students dealing with identity, family, and community issues; he appeared in all 10 episodes, helping to establish his presence in ensemble casts. These early appearances came after Moore relocated from his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, to Los Angeles following high school graduation to pursue acting professionally, a move that involved persistent auditions and the challenge of competing in a competitive industry to accumulate credits and gain visibility.[12]Breakthrough roles
Moore's breakthrough in television came with his recurring role as Chris Jackson in the CW drama All American, beginning in 2018, where he portrayed a football player and friend of Tamia "Coop" Cooper across multiple seasons, appearing in 27 episodes through 2024. This role marked a significant step up from earlier guest appearances, providing sustained exposure on a popular young adult series centered on high school football and personal growth.[13][14] He also recurred as Michael in five episodes of the second season of Netflix's 13 Reasons Why (2018), playing a friend involved in the school's social dynamics and secrets.[15] Concurrently, Moore secured a main cast position as Dan Decker in the NBC comedy A.P. Bio from 2018 to 2021, playing a rebellious high school student in 40 episodes over four seasons. His portrayal of Dan, a bully with underlying vulnerabilities, contributed to the show's ensemble dynamic and showcased his comedic timing alongside leads like Glenn Howerton.[4] In 2019, Moore guest-starred as Jamal Thompson in the Freeform series Good Trouble, depicting a young activist embroiled in social justice issues in a single episode titled "Less Than." The following year, he appeared as Young Campbell in the ABC procedural The Rookie, flashbacking to a character's past in the episode "The Hawke." That year, Moore also earned acclaim for his main role as Danny Poythress in the HBO miniseries We Are Who We Are, portraying a teenager on an American military base in Italy navigating identity, family, and relationships.[16] These roles from 2018 to 2021 elevated Moore's visibility in the television landscape, positioning him as a versatile supporting player in young adult dramas and comedies.[3]Recent projects
In 2023, Moore expanded his film portfolio with supporting roles in two notable releases. He portrayed young Damian Anderson in Creed III, directed by Michael B. Jordan, depicting the childhood friendship that shapes the protagonist's backstory in the boxing franchise.[17] Earlier that year, he starred as Merlin, an aspiring magician navigating loss and reinvention in Las Vegas, in the comedy Back on the Strip, alongside Wesley Snipes and Tiffany Haddish.[18] He also recurred as Matteo Mannheim in the third season of The CW's Superman & Lois (2023).[19] Transitioning to television, Moore guest-starred as Jared Vance in a 2024 episode of the long-running procedural NCIS, marking his entry into established crime drama formats.[1] That same year, he joined the main cast of NBC's medical drama Brilliant Minds as Dr. Jacob Nash, a confident neurology intern inspired by Oliver Sacks' cases, showcasing his versatility in ensemble-driven narratives about unconventional patient care.[20] The series has garnered positive early reception for its fresh take on the genre, with Moore's performance earning praise for blending charisma and vulnerability amid the team's high-stakes diagnostics.[21] Looking ahead, Moore's career trajectory points toward lead roles in genre-expanding projects. He was cast as the young James "Ghost" St. Patrick in Starz's prequel series Power: Origins, exploring the origins of the drug empire from the Power universe alongside Charlie Mann as young Tommy Egan.[22] In film, he leads as Jaden in the indie thriller Going Places (2025), a story of high school friends entangled in a hit-and-run cover-up and ensuing crime ring.[23] Additionally, he appears as Teddy in an episode of the CBS Studios series Crutch (2025).[24] As of November 2025, Moore has not received major award nominations for these works, though Brilliant Minds has generated industry buzz for its innovative storytelling.Filmography
Television
Spence Moore II's television credits from 2016 to 2025 are cataloged below, drawn from verified production records.[2]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Double Mommy (TV movie) | Neil | 1 |
| 2016 | Criminal Minds | Young Gabriel Lewis | 1 |
| 2016–2017 | StartUp | Damon | 2 |
| 2018 | 13 Reasons Why | Wells | 5 |
| 2018–2021 | A.P. Bio | Dan Decker | 40 |
| 2018–present | All American | Chris Jackson | Recurring (30+ as of 2025) |
| 2018–2019 | Five Points | Eric Harper | 10 |
| 2020 | We Are Who We Are | Danny Poythress | 7 |
| 2020 | The Rookie | Young Campbell | 1 |
| 2022–2023 | Grown-ish | Big Brother Big Boy | Recurring |
| 2023 | Superman & Lois | Matteo | Recurring (3) |
| 2024 | NCIS | Jared Vance | 1 |
| 2024–present | Brilliant Minds | Dr. Jacob Nash | Main (26+ as of November 2025) |
| 2025–present | Power Origins | James "Ghost" St. Patrick | Series regular (TBD) |
Film
Spence Moore II's contributions to cinema include a range of supporting and leading roles in feature films, beginning with his early work. His roles span drama, animation, and comedy, often portraying young characters navigating personal growth and challenges.| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | My Father's Dragon | George the Tiger | Voice role, animated feature |
| 2023 | Creed III | Young Damian "Dame" Anderson | Supporting role |
| 2023 | Back on the Strip | Merlin | Lead role [25] |
| 2025 | Going Places | Jaden | Lead role, released March 2025 [23] |
| 2025 | ...And Out Comes the Wolf | TBA | Starring role, independent drama, post-production [26] |