When Tramell Tillman graces the cover of Variety, it’s more than just a career milestone; it’s a testament to the resilience and vulnerability that have shaped his journey. The Severance star’s rise in Hollywood has been marked by acclaimed performances and an undeniable presence on screen, but behind the craft lies a deeply personal story about identity, family, and the realities of navigating the industry as a Black gay man.
Tillman’s passion for acting began at an early age. At just 10 years old, he told his family he wanted to become an actor. Instead of encouragement, he received a crushing response from his father: he’d “never make it” and would be “a waiter for the rest of [his] life,” Tillman told Variety.
His father rarely attended his performances, and that lack of support left a lasting mark. “Maybe I just won’t make it,” Tillman remembers thinking at the time.
Years later, while in his 20s, Tillman took a quiet car ride with his mother to visit his grandmother in Petersburg, Virginia. During that trip, he decided to share a truth that had been sitting with him for years: “Mom, I’m bisexual.”
Her reaction was almost casual, surprised, “How’s that going for you?” But when he later told her more directly, “I’m gay,” her response shifted. This time, it came with fear.
“I don’t want this to ruin your career,” she told him. “I don’t want you to be blackballed. I don’t want you to be pigeonholed.”
As a deeply religious woman, her love for her son outweighed any judgment, but she understood all too well the challenges Black actors, especially openly gay Black actors, face in an industry still wrestling with bias and representation.
Tillman has since proven that authenticity is its own power. His nuanced performance as Milchick in Apple TV+’s Severance has earned him critical acclaim, and his growing body of work shows an artist in full command of his talent and voice.
Yet, the memory of those early conversations remains, not as an anchor but as fuel, proof that one can transform doubt and fear into a career that’s as bold as it is unapologetic.
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