The actor, who was born in Harvey, spent much of his youth in Alabama, and returned to the Chicago area at age 14 to attend Dolton’s Thornridge High School. He later studied at Columbia College Chicago, at Illinois State University and at New York’s prestigious Juilliard School.

As Lafayette, Ellis has been a rousing success since 
”True Blood” debuted in 2008. The character, a gay man in a small Southern town, is a favorite among fans for his wit, his outrageous style and his ferocious desire to hustle his way into a better life.

So what’s next for Lafayette? Ellis says he doesn’t usually talk to the show’s writers about what’s coming for his character, though he will mention to executive producer Alan Ball one idea he has for Season 3, which begins production in December. He wants Lafayette to get some flashback scenes with his mother.

“There are so many lines about how his mother treated [Lafayette],” Ellis said. “It would be nice if we found out in the flashbacks that she was a vampire.”

“I think Alan has been great in keeping even fanatical readers [of the Harris books] on their toes. He’s changed things,” he said.

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I love Lafayette on True Blood. Knowing more about Nelsan Ellis makes me realize whta a great actor he is. It would be cool to get more of a backstory on Lafayette.

What do you think of what Nelsan had to say? Would you like to see a backstory on Lafatyette?