The Brooklyn-born Hank Strong (Henry Akinsaya) graduated from Xaverian Brothers High School in Westfield, Massachustts in 1998, then studied pre-law at NYU.
He competed in some amateur bodybuilding competitions, worked as a bodyguard, and did some modeling where he had to show his abs.
His acting career began in 2018, when he was cast as Lunkhead, enforcer for the villain Zachary Trumble. in an episode of Gotham (2018).
In 2020, Hank played Jericho, a member of Kelvin's God Squad in Righteous Gemstones Season 2. When they threaten Keefe, he defends himself by swatting Jericho's nipple. (Actually a courageous act, since Jericho is nearly a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than Keefe).
More Hank after the break
Hank moved on to play more enforcers, bodybuilders, and scowling musclemen, notably, the fighter Iron Long on Ray Donovan.
He appeared in two episodes of Godfather of Harlem as Big Dick Buster. Crime lord Bumpy Johnson, a real figure from the 1960s, keeps "Big Dick" on retainer to rape men who rape black women
As a firefighter in The King of Staten Island, he takes his clothes off, of course, to bond with Pete Davidson.
In 2020, Hank played Jericho, a member of Kelvin's God Squad in Righteous Gemstones Season 2. When they threaten Keefe, he defends himself by swatting Jericho's nipple. (Actually a courageous act, since Jericho is nearly a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than Keefe).
More Hank after the break
