Susan Kelechi Watson

Susan Kelechi Watson (born November 11, 1981) is an American actress. She is known for her work on the television show Louie and for her role as Beth Pearson in This Is Us. She was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the latter.

Early life

Watson was born in Brooklyn on November 11, 1981. Her parents were born in Jamaica. Watson's middle name, "Kelechi" is of Nigerian Igbo origins meaning "Thank God". Watson obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Howard University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Acting Program.

Career

Watson had a recurring role on the television show Louie from 2012 through 2014. She has had recurring roles on NCIS, The Following, and The Blacklist. She appeared in a play at the American Airlines Theatre in New York City by playwright Richard Greenberg entitled A Naked Girl on the Appian Way in 2005. Since 2016, she has starred in the NBC drama series This Is Us as Beth Pearson.

Watson played Andrea Vogel in the Fred Rogers biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood alongside Tom Hanks in 2019.