{{Short description|American actor and singer (born 1989)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = <!-- defaults to article title when left blank --> | image = File:Dijon Talton.JPG | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = Talton in 2009 | birth_name = Dijon Hendra Talton | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|09|17}} | birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.<ref name=TVG>{{cite web|title=Dijon Talton|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/dijon-talton/3000273548/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=TVGuide|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501165519/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/dijon-talton/3000273548/|url-status=live}}</ref> | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) --> | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = | years_active = 1998-present | known_for = | notable_works = | relatives = La'Myia Good (cousin)<br />Meagan Good (cousin) }} '''Dijon Hendra Talton''' (born September 17, 1989) is an American producer, actor, singer and director. He won several awards as part of the cast of ''Glee'', and has since continued to play roles on television and film, as well as producing through his company The Talton Company. In his projects, he typically works with his cousin Meagan Good.
==Early and personal life== Dijon Hendra Talton was born in Los Angeles, California, on September 17, 1989,<ref name=TVG/> to Len and Gina Talton. He has said that his older cousin Meagan Good is his "best friend" and was "like a second mother growing up".<ref name=Nikky>{{cite AV media|title=Meagan Good Spills Tea on New Shows, Marriage and Dijon Talton!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVfqfOmaYNY|work=C Nikky|via=YouTube|access-date=May 1, 2022|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501150926/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVfqfOmaYNY|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Good has said, of their shared grandparents, that their grandmother is Puerto Rican and black, and their grandfather was from Barbados.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasblack.com/entertainment/interviewmeagangood|title=DallasBlack.com: Interview: Meagan Good|accessdate=March 11, 2009|work=DallasBlack.com|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123063714/http://www.dallasblack.com/entertainment/interviewmeagangood|archivedate=January 23, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= Kam Williams|title= Meagan Good: The Unborn Interview|url=http://www.kamwilliams.com/2009/01/meagan-good-unborn-interview.html |date=January 20, 2009 |publisher= KamWilliams.com|accessdate=June 30, 2009}}</ref> Talton and Good have visited the Bahamas together.<ref name=Nikky/>-->
In 2016, he was part of the Artistic Alliance for Justice campaign video encouraging black people to vote in the 2016 United States presidential election.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meagan Good, Russell Simmons, Keisha Epps, Tisha Campbell Martin And More Urge Black Voters To Hit The Polls|url=https://www.essence.com/news/politics/meagan-good-russell-simmons-voting-psa/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=Essence|archive-date=December 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216025132/https://www.essence.com/news/politics/meagan-good-russell-simmons-voting-PSA/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Career== After playing the young fisherman who catches Tyra Banks in a McDonald's commercial in 1996, Talton had his first acting role in 1998, portraying the kid in ''L.A. Without a Map''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=LA without a Map (1998)|url=http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/review/222|access-date=May 1, 2022|magazine=Sight & Sound|publisher=BFI|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002520/http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/review/222|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CjkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36|magazine=Jet|title=Cute Catch|date=September 30, 1996|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|page=36|access-date=May 1, 2022|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501164930/https://books.google.com/books?id=CjkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, Talton played Matt Rutherford, a member of the glee club in the first season of ''Glee''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Glee-Premiere-Fox-1022702.aspx|title=Seen and Heard at the Glee Premiere: A Surprise Boob Job and Finn's Rocky Horror Mankini|last=Martin|first=Denise|date=September 8, 2010|work=TV Guide|access-date=September 8, 2010|archive-date=September 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910221500/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Glee-Premiere-Fox-1022702.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> He described his character as a fun person who always wanted to join the glee club but, as a member of the football team, felt this was unacceptable until quarterback Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith) did.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://starrymag.com/content.asp?ID=4744&CATEGORY=Interviews&PAGE=1|title=Dijon Talton|last=Steinberg|first=Lisa|date=December 2009|work=Starry Constellation Magazine|access-date=December 18, 2009|archive-date=July 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722115046/http://starrymag.com/content.asp?ID=4744&CATEGORY=Interviews&PAGE=1|url-status=live}}</ref> He was a dancer on the show but never sang a solo on screen.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bentley|first=Jean|title='Glee' Season Two Had Better Answer Some Questions|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1641159/glee-season-two-had-better-answer-some-questions/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=MTV News|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501160814/https://www.mtv.com/news/1641159/glee-season-two-had-better-answer-some-questions/|url-status=dead}}</ref> As part of the main ensemble cast, he received a Screen Actors Guild Award<ref>{{cite web|title=Glee|website=Screen Actors Guild Awards|url=https://www.sagawards.org/node/1149|access-date=May 1, 2022|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620231401/https://www.sagawards.org/node/1149|url-status=live}}</ref> and Peabody Award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Glee|url=https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/glee/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=The Peabody Awards|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620231402/https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/glee/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also toured with the cast in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/glee-cast-to-make-toronto-debut-1.982002|date=June 10, 2011|title=Glee cast to make Toronto debut|access-date=May 1, 2022|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501161439/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/glee-cast-to-make-toronto-debut-1.982002|url-status=live}}</ref> His next appearances on the show were in its final two episodes in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last=Swift|first=Andy|date=February 21, 2015|title=Glee Cast Says Goodbye: Photos from Their Final Days of Filming|url=https://tvline.com/2015/02/21/glee-series-finale-photos-spoilers-lea-michele/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=TVLine|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620231402/https://tvline.com/2015/02/21/glee-series-finale-photos-spoilers-lea-michele/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Glee2009">{{cite episode |title=2009 |episode-link=2009 (Glee) |series=Glee |series-link=Glee (TV series) |credits=Paris Barclay (director), Ryan Murphy (writer), Brad Falchuk (writer), Ian Brennan (writer) |network=Fox |airdate=March 20, 2015 |season=6 |number=12}}</ref><ref name="Dreams Come True">{{cite episode |title=Dreams Come True |episode-link=Dreams Come True (Glee) |series=Glee |series-link=Glee (TV series) |credits=Bradley Buecker (director), Ryan Murphy (writer), Brad Falchuk (writer), Ian Brennan (writer) |network=Fox |airdate=March 20, 2015 |season=6 |number=13}}</ref>
After ''Glee'', Talton starred as Raven in ''I Will Follow'', directed by Ava DuVernay, with Omari Hardwick, which was released in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 10, 2011|title=I Will Follow: Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/i-will-follow-film-review-166540/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501152905/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/i-will-follow-film-review-166540/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Ebert|first=Roger|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=myjAbXKovjMC&pg=PA298|title=Roger Ebert's Movie Yearbook 2012|date=December 6, 2011|publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing|isbn=978-1-4494-0813-8|pages=298–299|access-date=May 1, 2022|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501165810/https://books.google.com/books?id=myjAbXKovjMC&pg=PA298|url-status=live}}</ref> He released his debut music single "Wild Out" in 2012, with a music video directed by Meagan Good and starring Logan Browning,<ref name=Nikky/><ref>{{cite news|date=September 2, 2012|title=Meagan Good-Franklin 's Directorial Debut for Dijon Talton's New Music Video "Wild Out" - RnB|work=RnB magazine|url=https://rnbmagazine.com/meagan-good-directs-cousin-dijon-taltons-new-music-video/|access-date=May 1, 2022|archive-date=March 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304224129/https://rnbmagazine.com/meagan-good-directs-cousin-dijon-taltons-new-music-video/|url-status=live}}</ref> and "Shorty She Bad" with Jay Blaze in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 21, 2014|title=Glee's Dijon Talton Joins Jay Blaze For New Single, "Shorty She Bad"|url=https://popwrapped.com/glees-dijon-talton-joins-jay-blaze-for-new-single-shorty-she-bad/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=PopWrapped|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620231411/https://popwrapped.com/glees-dijon-talton-joins-jay-blaze-for-new-single-shorty-she-bad/|url-status=live}}</ref> The "Shorty She Bad" music video premiered on Vibe before receiving airtime on MTV VOD.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Video Alert: Jay Blaze "Shorty She Bad"|url=http://hiphopenquirer.com/new-video-alert-jay-blaze-shorty-bad-ft-dijon-talton/|website=HipHopEnquirer|accessdate=July 2, 2015|archive-date=July 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702151516/http://hiphopenquirer.com/new-video-alert-jay-blaze-shorty-bad-ft-dijon-talton/|url-status=live}}</ref> Talton starred as Kendall, a gay black man, in the Lena Waithe-produced television pilot ''Bros'', which was picked up for development by HBO in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 4, 2014|title=HBO Orders Family Dramedy About a Gay Black Man|url=http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2014/11/04/hbo-orders-family-dramedy-about-gay-black-man|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=Out|archive-date=June 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609234813/http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2014/11/04/hbo-orders-family-dramedy-about-gay-black-man|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=November 3, 2014|title=HBO Developing 'Bros' Black Brothers Comedy From 'Red Tails' Director & 'Dear White People' Producer|url=https://deadline.com/2014/11/bros-comedy-anthony-hemingway-hbo-1201272095/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=Deadline|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501160512/https://deadline.com/2014/11/bros-comedy-anthony-hemingway-hbo-1201272095/|url-status=live}}</ref>
He took a supporting role, starring alongside Hardwick and Good in the 2018 Sundance Film Festival-premiered ''A Boy. A Girl. A Dream.''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|date=January 12, 2018|title='A Boy. A Girl. A Dream.' Sundance Clip: Omari Hardwick, Meagan Good & Election Night 2016|url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/a-boy-a-girl-a-dream-omari-hardwick-meagan-good-first-look-video-1202241825/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=Deadline|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501160618/https://deadline.com/2018/01/a-boy-a-girl-a-dream-omari-hardwick-meagan-good-first-look-video-1202241825/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kay|first=Jeremy|title=Samuel Goldwyn Films picks up 'A Boy. A Girl. A Dream.'|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/samuel-goldwyn-films-picks-up-a-boy-a-girl-a-dream/5128047.article|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=Screen Daily|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926011220/https://www.screendaily.com/news/samuel-goldwyn-films-picks-up-a-boy-a-girl-a-dream/5128047.article|url-status=live}}</ref> Talton then played Diggy in the 2018 movie ''Never Heard''<ref>{{cite web|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|date=November 8, 2018|title=Robin Givens Set For ABC Legal Drama 'The Fix' In Major Recurring Role|url=https://deadline.com/2018/11/robin-givens-the-fix-abc-marcia-clark-robin-tunney-adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje-1202498073/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=Deadline|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501155618/https://deadline.com/2018/11/robin-givens-the-fix-abc-marcia-clark-robin-tunney-adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje-1202498073/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tbn.org/programs/behind-scenes/episodes/clifton-davis-hosts-brian-white-and-dijon-talton-los-angeles-ca|title=Clifton Davis hosts Brian White and Dijon Talton from Los Angeles, CA|website=TBN|date=October 31, 2018|access-date=May 1, 2022|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620231403/https://www.tbn.org/programs/behind-scenes/episodes/clifton-davis-hosts-brian-white-and-dijon-talton-los-angeles-ca|url-status=live}}</ref> and Nate in 2021's ''Take Out Girl''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jeanne|date=November 2, 2020|title='Take Out Girl' Film Review: Hedy Wong literally lights up the screen|url=https://www.starkinsider.com/2020/11/take-out-girl-film-review-hedy-wong-literally-lights-up-the-screen.html|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=Stark Insider|archive-date=June 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621225650/https://www.starkinsider.com/2020/11/take-out-girl-film-review-hedy-wong-literally-lights-up-the-screen.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=May 17, 2021|title=Hedy Wong & Hisonni Johnson Talk New Film 'TAKE OUT GIRL'|url=https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2021/05/hedy-wong-hisonni-johnson-talk-new-film-take-out-girl/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=blackfilm|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501154240/https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2021/05/hedy-wong-hisonni-johnson-talk-new-film-take-out-girl/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was also a producer of ''Take Out Girl'', which was in competition for the Best Narrative Feature award at the 2020 American Black Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|date=July 23, 2020|title=American Black Film Festival Sets 'Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn', 'Farewell' And More For Virtual Edition|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/american-black-film-festival-yusuf-hawkins-storm-over-brooklyn-farewell-abff-1202992546/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=Deadline|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501162527/https://deadline.com/2020/07/american-black-film-festival-yusuf-hawkins-storm-over-brooklyn-farewell-abff-1202992546/|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2020, Talton launched a talk show, ''Cousins'', with Meagan and La'Myia Good.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Exclusive: Meagan Good & Cast Of 'Cousins' Spill On New Talkshow|website=That Grape Juice|url=https://thatgrapejuice.net/entertainment/2020/07/exclusive-meagan-good-cast-cousins-spill-new-talkshow/|access-date=May 1, 2022|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501144409/https://thatgrapejuice.net/entertainment/2020/07/exclusive-meagan-good-cast-cousins-spill-new-talkshow/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|title=Drew Discovers Meagan Good and Her Cousin Dijon Are in Her Favorite Dance Class|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9pc-V8YuKI|work=The Drew Barrymore Show|via=YouTube|access-date=May 1, 2022|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501145635/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9pc-V8YuKI&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>
He started a production company, The Talton Company, as he wanted to see stories of black and brown people that are not stereotypical and that are more diverse.<ref>{{cite web|title=ALLBLK RELEASES TRAILER FOR À LA CARTE – TVMEG.COM|url=https://tvmeg.news/index.php/2022/04/19/allblk-releases-trailer-for-a-la-carte/|access-date=May 1, 2022|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620231426/https://tvmeg.news/index.php/2022/04/19/allblk-releases-trailer-for-a-la-carte/|url-status=live}}</ref> For the company, he is executive producer and director of the 2022 Allblk show ''À la carte'' with Meagan Good.<ref>{{Cite web|last=White|first=Peter|date=November 8, 2021|title=Millenial Dramedy 'À La Carte' From Breanna Hogan, Dijon Talton & Meagan Good Gets AllBlk Series Order|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/millenial-dramedy-a-la-carte-from-breanna-hogan-dijon-talton-meagan-good-gets-allblk-series-order-1234869205/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=Deadline|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422094813/https://deadline.com/2021/11/millenial-dramedy-a-la-carte-from-breanna-hogan-dijon-talton-meagan-good-gets-allblk-series-order-1234869205/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=April 21, 2022|title=ALLBLK Releases Trailer For New Millennial Dating Dramedy, 'À La Carte'|url=https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2022/04/allblk-releases-trailer-for-new-millennial-dating-dramedy-a-la-carte/|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=blackfilm|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422074441/https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2022/04/allblk-releases-trailer-for-new-millennial-dating-dramedy-a-la-carte/|url-status=live}}</ref> The pilot episode was originally screened in 2019. The show is Talton's directorial debut, and he has said that "[he] wanted to direct ''Á La Carte'' because it's a good story. It's a story about human beings and how we're all flawed but still nuanced, graceful, and beautiful in the midst of it".<ref>{{cite web|date=June 13, 2019|title=Fresh, Young, Black Comedy Series Premieres in Hollywood|url=https://lasentinel.net/fresh-young-black-comedy-series-premieres-in-hollywood.html|access-date=May 1, 2022|website=Los Angeles Sentinel|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417165734/https://lasentinel.net/fresh-young-black-comedy-series-premieres-in-hollywood.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|0848316}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Talton, Dijon}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:American television producers Category:Male actors from Los Angeles Category:American male television actors Category:American gay actors Category:LGBTQ people from California