You’ve probably seen his face pop up while scrolling through your DVR or catching a snippet of a soap opera in the doctor’s office. Brandon Claybon is one of those actors who seems to be everywhere at once right now. Honestly, if you haven’t seen him in something yet, you aren’t looking hard enough. He’s transitioned from being a "guy in a commercial" to a legitimate powerhouse in daytime and primetime television.
It’s pretty wild to think about how far he’s come since his days in Oakland, Tennessee. He wasn't born with a silver spoon in Hollywood. He started out as a model—working in cities like Chicago and Dallas—before finally deciding to take the plunge and move to Los Angeles. That move paid off big time. Since then, he’s booked dozens of national commercials and slowly but surely started invading our favorite TV series.
Breaking Down the Brandon Claybon Movies and TV Shows List
If you’re trying to track the rise of his career, you have to start with the sheer variety of his credits. Most people know him best from his recent work, but he’s been grinding for a while. One of his most recognizable early "big" breaks was on The Neighborhood where he played a promoter. It was a guest spot, sure, but it showed he could hold his own in a high-energy comedy environment.
He’s also made the rounds on the heavy hitters. You might have spotted him in Grey’s Anatomy, S.W.A.T., or 9-1-1. He’s even done the sitcom thing with a role on Two and a Half Men. It’s basically a rite of passage for working actors in LA to hit those major network shows, and Claybon checked those boxes pretty quickly.
But where things really started to heat up was his work with Tyler Perry.
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Claybon appeared in Zatima, playing the character Malachi. If you know anything about the Tyler Perry universe, you know that being a part of those shows is like joining a family. Fans are intensely loyal. He also had a role in Sistahs, further cementing his place in the "TPU" (Tyler Perry Universe). People often talk about the "Tyler Perry acting style"—very theatrical, very enunciated—and Claybon definitely leaned into that before evolving into the more nuanced roles he’s playing today.
The Big Shift: Beyond the Gates and Martin Richardson
As of early 2026, the project everyone is talking about is Beyond the Gates.
This show is a massive deal because it’s the first daytime soap opera to feature an all-Black lead cast. Claybon plays Martin Richardson, and let’s just say the character is a lot to handle. Martin is a man with massive political aspirations, but he’s also carrying a truckload of trauma and secrets.
He’s married to Bradley "Smitty" Smith, played by Mike Manning. Their relationship on the show is actually pretty groundbreaking for daytime TV. They play a gay couple with two teenage kids, navigating the messy, scandalous world of a posh gated community.
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- Complex Dynamics: Martin isn't just a "good guy." He’s ambitious. He’s flawed. He’s sometimes a bit of a jerk.
- The "Secret": A huge part of his 2025-2026 storyline involves a trauma from his past that he’s terrified to share with his husband.
- Fan Reception: Honestly, fans were polarized at first. Some people on Reddit thought Martin was "the worst representative ever," while others have praised Claybon for adding a sense of "sensitivity and swagger" to the role as the show progressed.
Why Brandon Claybon is More Than Just an Actor
It’s easy to look at a filmography and assume that’s the whole story. But Claybon is kinda a multi-hyphenate. During the pandemic, when Hollywood basically shut down, he didn't just sit around and wait for the phone to ring. He launched a YouTube talk show called The Actors Break.
He used that platform to interview other actors and industry insiders. He’s also hosted for BET.com, where he’s sat down with huge names like Queen Latifah and Samuel L. Jackson. That’s a specific skill set—being able to flip the switch from being the one being directed to being the one asking the questions.
He’s also dipped his toes into producing. He produced a project called Free to Be, which actually did quite well on the festival circuit, screening at over 25 festivals globally. It shows that he’s thinking about the business from 360 degrees, not just looking for his next lines.
What Most People Miss About His Career
There’s a misconception that soap opera actors are "just" soap opera actors. In the case of Brandon Claybon, his work in General Hospital (as Brent Snyder) and now Beyond the Gates is actually more demanding than most primetime gigs. Soap actors have to memorize dozens of pages of dialogue every single day. There are no weeks off for rehearsals.
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If you look at the Brandon Claybon movies and TV shows list, you see a guy who can pivot from a gritty drama like Shameless to a holiday movie like Carole’s Christmas. That versatility is why he’s still working when a lot of other actors from his era have faded out.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're following Claybon’s career or trying to emulate his path, here is what you should actually do:
- Watch "Beyond the Gates" on CBS/Paramount+: If you want to see his range, this is the definitive performance. Pay attention to how he handles the scenes with his on-screen husband; the chemistry and the tension are what make that subplot work.
- Check out his YouTube history: Finding old episodes of The Actors Break gives you a much better look at his real personality than any scripted role ever will.
- Keep an eye on his producing credits: Claybon is clearly moving toward more behind-the-scenes work. Following the production companies he’s associated with is a good way to see where his career is headed in the next five years.
Whether you love Martin Richardson or love to hate him, there’s no denying that Brandon Claybon has become a fixture of modern television. He’s managed to bridge the gap between "working actor" and "household name" by being consistent, taking risks in daytime TV, and refusing to be put in a single box.
If you want to stay updated on his latest roles, the best move is to follow his official social channels (@brandonclaybon) or keep a close eye on the CBS daytime lineup, as Beyond the Gates continues to be a major ratings driver in 2026.