Henry Simmons

Simmons was born in Stamford, Connecticut. He is the son of Aurelia, a school teacher, and Henry Simmons Sr., an IRS Revenue Officer. He is one of three children, including his twin sister, and another sister. Simmons earned a basketball scholarship to Franklin Pierce University, where he earned a business degree.

While attending Franklin Pierce University, he experimented in theater. After graduating from college, he briefly worked at a Fortune 500 company in Stamford. Unhappy with his job, Simmons moved to New York City and began to study acting and after a few bit roles, he landed a recurring role on the soap opera Another World.Simmons played Detective Baldwin Jones on the ABC drama NYPD Blue for six seasons. He had a leading role in the CBS legal drama Shark, a leading role in World's Greatest Dad, and the ABC-TV comedy series Man Up!

His film work includes the 2004 action/comedy film Taxi, From the Rough, and 2014's No Good Deed.

Simmons won the Grand Jury Award for Best Actor at the American Black Film Festival, for his portrayal of Dr. Walter Chambers in the 2007 film South of Pico.

From 2014 to 2020, Simmons starred in the ABC superhero drama series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., portraying S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Alphonso "Mack" Mackenzie. After being a recurring character in the second season, he was promoted to a series regular for season 3, and for all remaining seasons.

In 2021 he starred as the lead in the Ava DuVernay series, Cherish the Day.

Next he will star in the MGM+ drama series, Emperor Of Ocean Park, with Forest Whitaker.