Frankie Hubbard on the ABC Television Network's "The City"
Young, handsome Alimi Ballard (pronounced "Ali-Me") plays Frankie Hubbard, the teenage son of Dr. Angie and the late Jesse Hubbard. Frankie has moved to New York to find his own identity, away from home, and to attend NYU Film School. He is determined to prove his independence -- which he does by throwing himself into his studies -- but Frankie is in for a real education when he meets up with a very special student writer.
Although the role of Frankie on "Loving" was his first on network television, Alimi is no stranger to television. He came to "Loving" directly from "In the Mix," the acclaimed PBS magazine show for teenagers, where he served as co-host. He continues to report for "In the Mix" when his schedule allows.
Born and raised in New York, Alimi was a student at Harry S. Truman High School in the Bronx and was contemplating a career in law when he wandered into a reading at the Mind Builders Creative Arts Center, an organization devoted to exploring issues involving teens. A script was thrust into his hands and the would-be attorney was cast as one of the leads, a detective named Wise, in an original play entitled "No Laughing Matter." Since Alimi's mother performed as part of an African dance troupe, his father was a jazz musician, and his godfather a singer/ songwriter/composer, Alimi's step into performing is not all that surprising.
Alimi appeared as a dancer in "The 1992 Rhythm and Blues Awards," in the music video, "Hip-Hop Hooray," and on stage at the Apollo Theater in "The Crown" and "Birthday Tribute to Gary Byrd," as well as other theatrical productions. Alimi attended Manhattan's City College as a theater arts major but put his studies on hold to perform in an off-Broadway production of "Lotto" in New York and Washington, D.C. Alimi has also appeared on the big screen as an extra in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X," and on the small screen in the HBO film, "Strapped."
Alimi likes all types of music -- including jazz, rap, reggae, and show tunes -- and is working on his own rap lyric. A fan of action movies, he practices Tai-Chi but also enjoys the less active pursuits of reading and drawing.
VITAL STATISTICS
BIRTHPLACE: Manhattan, NY BIRTHDATE: Oct. 17
HEIGHT: 5'10" HAIR: Dark brown
EYES: Brown
-- 1995-96 --
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