Khris Davis, an American actor, is conquering both on screen and live stage roles. His impressive resume includes roles in the award-winning show “Atlanta” and Malik from the Oscar nominated “Judas and the Black Messiah”. He will soon be seen taking on the lead role of George Foreman in the upcoming biopic “Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World”, which will be in theaters April 28, 2023.

Black Fiore dinner jacket by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Shirt by Miranda Kurtishi Fine Menswear
Bow Tie by Miranda Kurtishi Fine Menswear

What got you into acting?
I’ve always wanted to act, even as a child. I didn’t know what it was called at such a young age, all I knew is that I wanted to do it. I would play around and imitate what I saw in movies, I would mimic the lines the actors were saying, I would even relegate my siblings to putting on performances for my parents. But around middle school my mother would write short stories for me, my siblings, and my friends to do in church. Which affirmed my desire to want to act.

Who inspires you in terms of acting?
Wow, that’s a good question. I would have to say that over time I have been inspired by so many actors that it is hard to name them all. Some inspire me because of their journey. Some because of their work ethic and commitment. Others inspire me because, to me, they are practitioners of the craft. The inspiration is also determined by where I am, or where I want to be in life.

**Left:**
Fantasia dinner jacket
Black trousers
Onyx geo silk tie all by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Arnie Oxford Shirt by Billy Reid
**Right:**
Black and White Cotton Chemise Zippee Shirt by agnès b.

How did you prepare for your role as George Foreman?
The preparation for the role had many different phases. First, I got the script and began to break it down to as simple, and fine a point as I could. I simultaneously read all of his autobiographies and worked on the dialect. I watched hours and hours of research material with some curiosity into what wasn’t so obvious, as it pertained to his behavior. I spent some time with Mr. Foreman to get a grasp of his personal energy. Then, I had to learn how to box! Which took months of training. After that, I blended everything I had in hopes of formulating a representation of Mr. Forman that was as accurate as I could muster. Following that, I had to relearn his mannerisms and speaking patterns, as well as gain weight, to play him in his later years. I gained 50lbs in five weeks on a 7,000 calorie diet. That’s how I prepared.

Were you a fan of boxing before you got this role?
I was absolutely a fan of boxing before getting this role. Big time.

**Left:**
Black and White Cotton Chemise Zippee Shirt by agnès b.
**Right:**
Top and pants by Hardcore Fashion at The Confessional Showroom NYC
Harness Top by LANDEROS NEW YORK

How different was this role compared to other roles you have played?
It was different in the sense that I would be playing an actual, living person., that almost everyone knows, while telling a story about him that only a few know. Playing an actual, historical figure was a space that was uncharted for me. I think because Mr. Foreman is also so well known it had some extra weight for me. You really just don’t want to mess it up, you know? Even with a strong theatre background. This role really stretched and challenged me in a way that I never could have imagined as an actor. It is, by far, the most unique role I’ve ever had the privilege of taking on.

What was your experience like representing a character based on a real person?
Ha! I think I kind of answered that in the previous question. But, to answer it further, it was surreal. It felt like I had a responsibility to uphold the already impressive legacy of Mr. Foreman. It was a great challenge and an immense pleasure to be chosen to take on the task.

How do you think this film honors the story of George Foreman and his legacy?
Well, it is my hope that this film honors his legacy. While filming, honoring his legacy was the primary motivation for me. I wanted everything that we did to be in service of that. Sacrifices were made in service of that. I think this film succeeds in honoring his legacy because everyone believed in the story, and the intentionality in authenticity. From taking real punches, to me gaining the weight, to the family life, all of it was in service to one thing: Mr. Foreman’s legacy.

**Left:**
Black Fiore dinner jacket by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Shirt by Miranda Kurtishi Fine Menswear
Bow Tie by Miranda Kurtishi Fine Menswear
**Right:**
Top and pants by Hardcore Fashion at The Confessional Showroom NYC
Harness Top by LANDEROS NEW YORK

How important is it to tell these stories?
Important? It’s imperative. We don’t know what can inspire whom. So, it is important that we tell these stories that dig deeper into life’s journey. Not just its impressive moments. But, more so, the moments that make us human. The moments where there is failure, and struggle. Where we see that even our hero’s fall, and have to rise up again, just like us! I think these stories, if we can tell them right, speak to a larger human experience. They give us hope, a road map, an understanding. That, to me, it why it is important to tell these stories.

How difficult is it playing roles that require a lot of intensity and emotion?
Hmm, that’s an interesting question. I never actually thought about it. It can be exhausting, at times. But I think all emotions are intense. Even if one had to play “Joy” for a two-hour performance, that would be really exhausting too. I think I just locked into the story we had to tell, and it was a part of the larger responsibility. I have had to deal with the intensity of playing specific and complex emotions before, so now it’s more like stepping in and out of an outfit.

What do you want the audience to take away from this film?
What I want the audience to take way from this film. Is that our truest selves, are our best selves, our highest achieving selves, our most loving selves. I want the audience to take away the courage to believe in what their spirit is saying. I want them to leave ready, at the very least, to investigate who they are as the truest, highest version of themselves they can be.

**Left:**
Black Fiore dinner jacket and pant by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Shirt by Miranda Kurtishi Fine Menswear
Bow Tie by Miranda Kurtishi Fine Menswear
Shoes by Stylist Own
**Right:**
Black and White Cotton Chemise Zippee Shirt by agnès b.

Do you have any hobbies or things you like to do outside of acting?
I do. To name a few, I love yoga. I like finding new complex recipes to play with in the kitchen (Usually requires me using every dish in the kitchen, while spreading over all the usable counter space). I love reading about history and the Cosmos. Like all of us, I love to travel. Also, I am an outdoorsy person, I really enjoy being in nature.

Are there any dream roles that you are dying to play?
Yes! I just finished playing a dream role. That was Biff Loman in “Death Of A Salesman” on Broadway this past season. I have had the absolute pleasure of playing some intricate and challenging roles so far in my career. But playing Biff really meant so much to my heart. You know, dream roles usually reveal themselves as time goes on and you read more stuff. But as of now? I don’t have one on deck. Playing Biff on Broadway was a role of a lifetime moment for sure.

What can we expect from you as an actor in the future?
Sheesh, well. Art is fluid, It waxes and wanes, ebbs and flows. In the future, I hope, that you will see me continuing my quest to delve into the deep complex nuances of the human experiences, and that I can emulate that with great specificity. I hope that in the future you will continue to take that journey with me.

**Left:**
Fantasia dinner jacket
Black trousers
Onyx geo silk tie all by Sebastian Cruz Couture
Arnie Oxford Shirt by Billy Reid
**Right:**
Suit by Miranda Kurtishi Fine Menswear
Shirt by Miranda Kurtishi Fine Menswear
Bow Tie by Miranda Kurtishi Fine Menswear
Shoes by Stylist Own

You recently starred in "Death of a Salesman" on Broadway. What was it like tackling such a classic American play?
What can I say, thrilled would be an understatement. It was, like playing Mr. Foreman, such a huge event in my career. In my life really. Playing BIFF in “Death Of A Salesman” on BROADWAY, was a dream come true! I had wanted to play that role, that way, on Broadway, so for many years. It was sitting deep in my heart for so long. Getting the opportunity to be in that play as the first Black Biff, in the first Black Loman family, to be on Broadway? Who would have thought? Who could have ever imagined? To work alongside such deeply passionate and talented actors. To see and feel the power of the story resonate through us to audiences, night after night? It was magic. That is what it was like. Like living in magic. I am so proud of that production, and every single person who was committed to seeing the story was told in such new and innovative way.

Social Media.
@daviskhris

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Khris Davis
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon
Groomer: Cheryl Bergamy-Rosa at Exclusive Artists
Assistant Fashion Stylist: Sienna Ropert
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Summer Safi, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine