Trai Byers is an American actor. He is best known for playing Andre Lyon in the Fox musical television series, Empire (2015–2020). In 2020, Byers co-wrote and starred in the historical drama film, The 24th.
Trai Byers was born in Kansas City, Kansas. After a year of high school in Kansas City, he completed his high-school education in Georgia. Byers then graduated from Andrew College with an Associate of Arts in theatre. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Kansas. Byers also attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles, and the Yale School of Drama, where he obtained his Master of Fine Arts.
Byers made his screen debut in the 2009 comedy-horror film, Caesar and Otto's Summer Camp Massacre. In 2011, Byers had a recurring role on the ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children, and the following year had a role in The CW teen soap, 90210. He starred in two films directed by Kevin Willmott: Destination Planet Negro (2013) and Jayhawkers (2014). In 2014, he played civil rights activist James Forman in the historical epic film, Selma directed by Ava DuVernay.
