You probably know Lionel Boyce as Marcus, the gentle, pastry-obsessed soul from The Bear. He’s the guy who went to Copenhagen to learn how to make the perfect shiso gel. But if you were lurking on the internet in 2012, you knew him as L-Boy. He was the dude in the "Sabrina and Mars Williams" sketch on Loiter Squad, wearing a terrible wig and swinging a tennis racket with zero athletic grace.
It's a wild pivot. From absurdist Adult Swim sketches to winning Emmys.
But the glue behind that entire career trajectory is a friendship that started in a high school drama class. Lionel Boyce and Tyler, the Creator aren’t just old friends; they are essentially the blueprint for how to build a creative empire without losing your mind—or your day-one circle.
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The Drama Class Handshake That Changed Everything
Honestly, most high school friendships fade. You graduate, you move, you stop texting. But Lionel and Tyler met during their senior year and just... clicked. They had the same weird, off-kilter sense of humor.
Tyler told him back then, "If I ever do a show, I want to do it with you."
Most 17-year-olds say stuff like that. They don't usually follow through with a multi-season deal on Adult Swim. Lionel was actually at community college, trying to figure out if he should pursue football or transfer to a university, when Tyler’s music group, Odd Future, started blowing up.
The choice was simple: Go to class, or go be a professional menace on TV with your best friend. Lionel chose the latter.
From L-Boy to Bald Fade Productions
A lot of people think Lionel was just a "hanger-on" in the Odd Future days. That’s a massive misconception. While he wasn't a rapper—despite some legendary "additional vocals" on tracks like "2SEATER" and "911 / Mr. Lonely"—he was the structural backbone of their visual comedy.
He didn't just act in Loiter Squad. He learned how to build a show.
- Learning the Ropes: By Season 2 of Loiter Squad, Lionel was teaching himself Final Draft. He was transitionining from "guy who does funny bits" to "writer who understands pacing."
- The Jellies!: After the live-action chaos ended, the duo co-created The Jellies!. It was an animated series about a human boy raised by jellyfish. It was weird. It was colorful. It was exactly what happens when you give two creative kids a budget and a writers' room.
- Business Partners: In 2015, they formalized things with Bald Fade Productions. This wasn't just a vanity project. They eventually signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television.
The dynamic is interesting because Tyler is often the loud, visionary front-man, while Lionel is the steady, observant partner. You can see that same "steady" energy in his portrayal of Marcus.
The Odd Future "Glow Up" is Real
It's 2026, and the Odd Future "breakup" (if you can even call it that) is the best thing that happened to them. Usually, when a collective splits, everyone fades into obscurity except the leader.
Not this group.
Frank Ocean is a recluse legend. Earl Sweatshirt is the rapper’s rapper. Syd is a neo-soul icon. And Lionel Boyce? He’s arguably the most successful actor to come out of the camp.
Seeing Lionel at the Emmys or the Golden Globes feels like a victory for everyone who grew up watching Yonkers on a grainy YouTube player. It’s a testament to the fact that their "weirdness" wasn't a gimmick. It was genuine talent that just needed a different medium to shine.
What Most People Get Wrong About Their Collaboration
People always ask if they’re still "together."
Friendship in Hollywood is usually transactional. You see two people together because they have a movie to promote. With Lionel and Tyler, it’s clearly different. They’ve managed to maintain a working relationship that doesn't feel forced.
When Lionel talks about The Bear, he often credits the DIY spirit he learned with Tyler. That "just make it" attitude. They didn't wait for permission to start Loiter Squad. They just shot a pilot in a week and handed it over.
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What’s Next for the Duo?
While Lionel is busy being one of the most sought-after actors in prestige TV, he and Tyler still have projects in the pipeline. There have been long-standing rumors and development talks about a project titled Middle School through their production company.
They’ve also been spotted at major events recently, including the 2025 award circuit, proving the bond hasn't frayed.
If you want to understand why their partnership works, look at the credits of Tyler's albums. Lionel's name pops up in the "Special Thanks" or "Additional Vocals" sections consistently. It’s a support system that survived the transition from "skate rats" to "industry powerhouses."
Actionable Insights for Creative Collaborators:
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- Learn the technical side: Lionel didn't just stay the "funny guy." He learned scriptwriting (Final Draft) and production, which made him indispensable.
- Diversify early: Don't get stuck in one lane. The transition from sketch comedy to voice acting to prestige drama happened because they weren't afraid to be "bad" at something new.
- Ownership is everything: By forming Bald Fade Productions, they kept control of their ideas rather than just being "talent" for hire.
- Keep your circle small: Success is easier to manage when you're doing it with people who knew you before the fame.
The legacy of Lionel Boyce and Tyler, the Creator isn't just about the shows they made. It's about proving that the "weird kids" in the back of the drama class can actually run the building if they stick together and keep learning.