Antonio David Lyons is an American actor, musician, poet and social activist, popular for his roles as Lawrence in American History X and as Thomas Mirama in Hotel Rwanda, starring alongside Don Cheadle, Sophie Okonedo and Hakeem Kae-Kazim. He is also well known in South Africa, where he has made his home since 2003.
In 2003 Lyons relocated to Johannesburg, South Africa were he quickly became a familiar face on South African television screens with a memorable role on the South African soap opera Generations. However it was Lyons's humble beginnings in the United States, with a notable performance in an episode of Fox's New York Undercover entitled "Toy Soldiers", that set the tone for the successes that followed. Since his early beginnings he has grown into a global brand.
His career continues to evolve with the added dimension of poetic house artist and lyricist. His signature voice and words are featured on the introduction to “Total Bliss” with Azania on Metro FM (9 am–12 pm daily). In 2007 he released his first solo project “Human Jewels”. In March 2011 his sophomore project, “We Dance We Pray”, was released.
He is also the founder of We Are Here, a social sculpture project that seeks to foster an environment where the arts can impact social conditions, attitudes, perceptions and structures. The campaign was founded in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2010. It utilizes discoursive play to engage men and boys in themes of gender violence, identity, relationships and HIV/AIDS. The goal of the campaign is to provide a nurturing environment where men and boys can discover, develop and share tools that will help grow themselves and their communities. This project prompted Lyons to pursue graduate school in New York where he earned an MA in Applied Theatre from the City University of New York (CUNY).
Workshop/Performances of We Are Here have been presented at:
2015 New Masculinities Festival (New York)
2015 MPAACT Theatre (Chicago);dir. Daniel Bryant
2015 Scholars in Residence at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor -
2014 The Soweto Theatre (Johannesburg,SA)
2014 National Black Theatre (New York);dir. Rodney Gardiner
2014 University of the Witwatersrand/Drama For Life(Johannesburg, SA)
2013 The Midnight Projects at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival
2012 The Performing the World Conference( New York);dir. Kelly Thomas
2011 SEASONS: One Act Play Festival(ATH-New York)
2011 The HUB Johannesburg
2010 Space.com/Joburg Theatre (Johannesburg,SA) ;dir. Warona Seane
2009 Tour - Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa.(Fulbright awardee)
The MenEngage Africa Symposium; dir. Lindiwe Matshikiza 2009
Lawrence in American History X
Denzel in the 2010 movie Night Drive
Thapelo Mokoena the in 2009 TV series Society
Tony Nkosi in the 2009 movie Beautiful Contradictions
Joe Presenter in the 2008 movie Surprise!
Marine Pastor in the 2008 TV mini-series Generation Kill
Phil Munroe in the 2007 TV series Ubizo: The Calling
Manny in the 2006 movie False Prophets
Washington Lee in the 2006 TV movie Avenger
Remy in the 2006 TV series Home Affairs
Dr. Ray Nash in the 2006 TV series Jozi-H
Thomas Mirama in the 2004 movie Hotel Rwanda
Samuel in the TV series Person of Interest
Happy Jack in the TV miniseries The Book of Negroes
Cam Stocker in the TV series 24
"The Practice"
"Maximum Bob"
"Philly (TV series)"
"Karen Sisco"
"Jacob's Cross"
"Ga Re Dumele"
"4play: sex tips for girls"
Generations (South African TV Series)
New York Undercover: Toy Soldiers
The District
The Agency
Ga Re Dumele
The Practice
"Snitch"
"Masked and Anonymous"
"The Sum of All Fears"
2013
The DJ Diary (Soundquest/ Soul Candi)
Appears on Candi Roots Volume 3
2012
Step and Rock (Musa Manzini/Manzini Entertainment)
2011
Body Poetry
Appears on BBB Music Series (Compilation/Universal)
We Dance We Pray ( Album) Antonio Lyons/ Soul Candi)
Mama Papa
Lonely Road
If I Gave You
Home
City
Slide
Soul Musiq
Preacher Man
My Hearts Truth: Vol. I
My Africa
We Dance We Pray
Give Me That God Stuff
Appears on Unleashed (Rowick Deep/Soul Candi)
Uhuru Soul (Soltek)
House Nation 2011
Appears on For the Love of house- Special edition (DJ Euphonik/ Soul Candi)
2010
Suga Foot (G. FamilyPhat Suga Drop Remix)/ Suga Foot (Rocco's Dub Remix)
What If ( G. Family Corner Cafe Mix/ What If (Jesus Gonsev Remix)
Appears on the Human Jewels EP (Trouble Kids Records/Spain)
2009
Presidenial Intro
House Nation
Appears on For the Love of House 2 – The Politics of Dance (Dj Euphonik /Soul Candi )
Hot Steppin' Lady (Dj Clock/Wot Recordings)
Remixes: Nick Holder Remix (Appears on For the Love of House 2)/ Brett Jackson & Orion Mix/ Conscious Start Mix)
Medicine Man
Church
Appears on Maf & So : Remixed and Revisited (Dj Mbuso&Jerah/ Shelter Records)/ MedicineMan (M&S Pick Up Mix), Appears on House Flavaz fosho 3/SoulCandi/SABC1
Joburg City
Appears on Room Service (Jenerik Soulz)
2008
Night Shift (G. Family/ Real Tone Records/France)
Remixes (Main Mix/ Phoonshal Dub Mix/ Dubin Dark Dub Mix)
My House
Appears on The Book of Revolution (Revolution/Universal)
2007
Human Jewels (the album) (Antonio Lyons/ Groundworks Music/ Soul Candi)
What If
Sugar Foot
Human Jewels
Sunday Morning
Deep With In
Butterfllies
Life Desn’t Change
Hustler High
Bluest Days
Down By The Riverside
Magical Carpet Ride
Meu Enamarado
Body Poetry
Kunle
Appears on A Taste of Home (Kunle Ayo/ Bulla Music)
2006
Close Your Eyes (Troydon/Freerange Records/UK)
Appears on Freerange Records Colour Series: Red 03 (compilation/UK)
Step Away (Musa Manzini/Manzini Entertainment/ Sheer)
Appears on Simply Life (Musa Manzini/Manzini Entertainment/ Sheer)
2005
Mbuso's Revenge 2005
Appears on Shades of Maf & So (Dj Mbuso/ Soul Candi/ Sheer House)
Blue Bass
Appears on My Bass (Musa Manzini/Manzini Entertainment/ Sheer)
Appears on the Best of Musa Manzini (2009)(Musa Manzini/Manzini Entertainment/ Sheer)
Desert Moon
Appears on It's Me Now (Andile/ Heita Music Entertainment/Sony BMG)
2004
Saturday Night (Undo Music/US)
Appears on Definition of House(Dj Fresh)
Body Poetry
Appears on Smallz Sweet Soundz (Iggy Smallz/Revolution/David Gresham/Gallo)
