![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5a4b14_d9770a4192a941e184d13f6357261131~mv2_d_5760_3840_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1280,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5a4b14_d9770a4192a941e184d13f6357261131~mv2_d_5760_3840_s_4_2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5a4b14_76ec07cbc9104cebb8a69b381aa7cf8f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_978,h_144,al_c,lg_1,q_85,enc_auto/5a4b14_76ec07cbc9104cebb8a69b381aa7cf8f~mv2.png)
Ty Granderson Jones
![Jonas Work2180.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5a4b14_87e64dc5b057493a9765c7172ee6b4df~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_268,h_403,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Jonas%20Work2180.jpg)
Proud of his Creole/Cuban heritage, was born in Tampa Bay, Florida after his family migrated from New Orleans' French Quarters. He's a protégé of the late iconic theatre director, Alan Schneider, and a former student of the late Lee Strasberg. He has a BA in Theatre from Florida State University and Florida A&M University as a co-op student, and a MFA in Acting by means of a full fellowship from UCSD in La Jolla. As an actor, screenwriter and producer, Ty is the founder and president of Creole Celina Entertainment and Creole Celina Films. Under the banner of Creole Celina Films, he co-produced the award winning film Napoleonic-- a dark, edgy character study co-written by Ty, which was shot on location in New Orleans also starring Ty. The film was produced in association with Bright Idea Entertainment and Imminent Studios. Napoleonic had its debut at Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival 2011 and went on to garner several nominations at the Action on Film International Film Festival 2011 including Best Experimental Project, and Ty for Best Actor for which he was awarded Best Actor First Runner Up. The company's other nominated and award winning films include Diamond which garnered the Abbot Award for Best Short Film in the Other Venice Film Festival 2016, and Tale of Two Dragons which was nominated for Best Action Film of the Year in the Action on Film International Film Festival 2011.
Ty and his producing partners are currently developing an edgy, off-beat gangster thriller written by Ty called The Cool and Creepy (a finalist in the Sundance Feature Film Program) as well as other projects (see Projects in Development).
As an actor, Ty's film credits include the Touchstone actioner Con Air with Nicolas Cage, co-starring in the #1 box office rap cult classic CB4 with Chris Rock from Universal Pictures, Oliver Stone's Oscar nominated Salvador, Guest Starring/Recurring as Cue Ball Rodriguez on the critically acclaimed series ER on NBC, the Golden Globe nominated Everybody Hates Chris, starring as the villainous Max Rice in the urban indie Tapped Out from Madonna's Maverick Entertainment, and starring in the political thriller Window of Opportunity produced by John Densmore, legendary drummer of The Doors.
Mr. Jones' professional credits in legit theatre includes Window of Opportunity, Attitudes and Big Guns (earning him a 2000 ADA Award nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Drama), the Los Angeles premiere of Buffalo Soldier (earning him a NAACP Theatre Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor), the LA premiere of August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone, the West coast premiere of Balm in Gilead, the 20th Anniversary of the Negro Ensemble Company classic, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, and The School for Scandal at the Tony Award winning South Coast Repertory.
Ty's directing credits-- Diamond which was also written and produced by him. Diamond received the Abbot Award for Best Short Film in the Other Venice Film Festival 2016, and was also First Runner Up for Best Action Short of the Year in the Action on Film International Film Festival 2016. Tale of Two Dragons also garnered a nomination for Best Action Short of the Year at the Action on Film International Film Festival 2011. Ty also directed the noted Music Video Change of Scenery with Songtress Caitlin McGrath which he also shared cinematography duties.
An acclaimed acting coach, Ty has taught Acting for the Camera, and Technique at New York Film Academy and he has conducted workshops around the country.
He is a noted poet and has performed his original works featuring John Densmore of The Doors on drums. He is also former amateur Muay Thai Kickboxer, a Class 5 Whitewater rafter, an accomplished Horseman (western), and a testament to turning his life around from the mean streets of Tampa, Florida.