Hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Sams is the youngest of seven children. His mother, wise to his early creative leanings, made her son attend the School of Creative and Performing Arts, where he excelled in acting, song and dance. With great academic and creative achievements throughout school, Sams received several scholarships to pursue his education, ultimately graduating from Webster University in St. Louis.

Upon leaving school, Sams went to Chicago, was cast and received critical acclaim in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Heading to New York, he landed numerous Broadway shows, including the smash hits, "The Wiz," "Big River" and "Five Guys Named Moe"; as well as "The Old Settler," "The Taming of the Shrew" and "Little Shop of Horrors," to name a few.

Eventually making the move to Hollywood, Sams has earned an impressive list of film credits, including "Soul Food," "Waiting to Exhale," "Just Write," "Prep"; and "Fly By Night," winner of the Trophy Award at the Sundance film festival in 1995. Sams also has an extensive list of television credits, including the Goldie Hawn-directed film, "Hope"; the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, "For the Roses"; and a part as a personal trainer accused of murder in a "Law & Order" trilogy. Sams has starred as a series regular on such shows as "Sleepwalkers," "Courthouse" and "Medicine Ball."

Sams lives in Los Angeles with his bride, Lisa, and their Himalayan cat, Frank. There he actively supports Equity Fighting AIDS and several other AIDS causes.

Personal Information

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Birthdate: 6/18

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