Who is Marques Houston?

American actor, producer and singer-songwriter Marques Barrett Houston was born in Los Angeles, California USA, on 4 August 1981, meaning that Leo’s his zodiac sign. He’s today active in both the film and music industry; Marques has appeared in 36 TV series and movies, and is perhaps still known best for playing Elgin in the 2004 musical film “You Got Served”, which Chris Stokes wrote and directed, and which starred Raz B, Jarell Houston and Omarion. It follows two friends who want to open their own recording studio, but to do that must win their city’s dance competition; the film won one of its six award nominations.

Education and early life

Marques was raised in Los Angeles alongside his siblings Danielle, Brandon and Brandye, by their mother Carolyn and father Michael Houston; not many details have been disclosed about Marques’ family, because he respects their privacy, while it’s known that his cousin is J-Boog, an American singer who was a member of the boy band B2K.

Marques grew up being interested in both singing and acting, and was eight when he made his debut TV series appearance, playing a supporting character in several episodes of the comedy “ABC TGIF”. His following role came in 1992, aged 11, when cast to voice Kahlil in the popular animated fantasy movie “Bebe’s Kids”, directed by Bruce W. Smith and Nolbert Brown Jr, and which starred Faizon Love, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Robin Harris. It follows a man who’s agreed to look after the kids of his girlfriend’s friend, wanting to impress her, and the movie won one of its three award nominations.

It was also in 1992 that Marques launched his career as a musician, as he co-founded the R&B group Immature together with its manager Chris Stokes, and singers Don ‘Half Pint’ Santos and Jerome ‘Romeo’ Jones.

Marques studied at a local high school in Los Angeles, and upon matriculating in 1999, chose to work on his career rather than to pursue a college degree.

Roles in TV series

Marques played Eli Black in two 1993 episodes of the comedy “A Different World”, which Bill Cosby created, and which starred Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison and Lisa Bonet. The series aired from 1987 through 1993, follows the lives of several black students, and won 17 of its 25 award nominations.

The year 1997 saw him appear in the episode “Talent Show” of the comedy “The Weird Al Show”, and from 1994 through 1999, Marques starred as Roger Evans in the hit family comedy “Sister, Sister”, which also starred Tamera and Tia Mowry-Housley, and was created by Gary Gilbert and Kim Bass. It follows twins Tamera and Tia who were separated at birth, but have learned about each other’s existence and reunited as teenagers; the series won nine of its 29 award nominations.

Marques appeared in only three TV series in the 2000s, which are also his most recent TV series roles: the historical family drama “American Dreams”, the comedy “One on One”, and another comedy, “Cuts”.

Why can’t I find this show anywhere 🤦🏻‍♂️😂 @marqueshouston

— JSPG💰 (@MoneyMakinMulah) March 16, 2023

Roles in movies

In 1997, Marques played Jake in the hit family comedy “Good Burger”, directed by Brian Robbins, and which starred Kel Mitchell, Kenan Thompson and Sinbad. It follows two teenagers who are trying to save their burger place from failing now that a new burger restaurant has opened across the street.

Some of Marques’ following roles were in the 2001 comedy “House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute”, the 2004 family fantasy comedy “Fat Albert”, and the 2007 mystery horror thriller “Somebody Help Me”.

In 2013, Marques starred alongside Romeo Miller and Terrill Patterson in the romantic comedy “The Love Letter”, directed by Gary Wheeler, and which follows entertainment columnist Parker who’s realized that she’s in love with her best friend Aaron.

He’s also known for playing a supporting character in the 2019 thriller “Sacrifice”, written and directed by Chris Stokes, and which starred Paula Patton, Juan Antonio and Erica Ash; it follows the life of an entertainment lawyer.

Marques’ three most recent film roles have been in the 2022 thriller “The Stepmother”, its 2022 sequel “The Stepmother 2”, and the 2023 action thriller “No Way Out”.

Other credits

Marques has 24 producing credits, which include the thriller movies “Assistant”, “Best Friend” and “You’re Not Alone”, all released in 2023.

Some of his recent talk-show appearances have been in “The Real”, “On Air with Ka$h” and “Dish Nation”.

Awards and nominations

Marques won a 1995 Young Artist Award for Best Youth Comedian in a TV Show, for his performance in “Sister, Sister”.

He was also nominated for a 2004 MOBO Award for Best Collaboration, for his and Joe Budden’s song “Clubbin’”, a 2004 MTV Movie Award for Best Dance Sequence, for “You Got Served”, and a 2005 Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor: Comedy, for “Cuts”.

Music career

Marques’ music group Immature changed its name to IMx in 1999, and released their debut album “Introducing IMx” in the same year, while their second, self-titled album followed in 2001. They went on to record songs for the movies “House Party 3” and “House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute”, but disbanded in 2002.

Marques then focused on his solo career, and released his first album “MH” on 21 October 2003; it reached #20 on the Billboard 200 chart and #5 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. His second album “Naked” followed on 24 May 2005, reaching #13 on Billboard 200.

Marques’ third album “Veteran” came out on 20 March 2007 and peaked at #1 on Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums; his following two albums were “Mr. Houston”, released on 29 September 2009, and “Mattress Music”, which followed on 14 September 2010.

His sixth album “Famous” came out on 27 August 2013, then the following year saw Marques reunite with other IMx members, and they released their extended play (EP) “Remember” in 2015.

Marques released his seventh album “Me” on 4 February 2022, and most recently, on 4 November 2022, he released his EP “Me: Dark Water”.

Love life and wife

Marques dated American singer-songwriter and rapper Jamila Akiko Aba Chilombo aka Mila J sometime in the first half of the 2000s.

He began dating American actress and model Jennifer Nicole Freeman in 2004, after having met her on the set of the movie “You Got Served”; rumors began circulating the internet in November 2007, claiming that Marques and Jennifer had become engaged, but they split in February 2008.

Marques began dating American model and photographer Marlena Campbell in March 2008, but didn’t reveal that they were together until they celebrated their second anniversary in March 2010; they broke up in 2015.

He began dating American social media star Miya Dickey in 2018, they became engaged in March 2019 and married on 24 August 2020; Marques is 19 years her senior. On 2 December 2021, Miya gave birth to their daughter Zara Houston.

Interesting facts and hobbies

Marques’ mother Carolyn died from cancer in 1997, and his songs “Alone” and “Please Don’t Go” were dedicated to her.

He’s been a Jehovah’s Witness since 2016.

Marques is a huge fan of Michael Jackson and Boyz II Men, and credits both for his interest in founding a band.

He’s passionate about playing basketball, and is also into racing cars and reading books.

In June 2005, the magazine “Ebony” named Marques ‘Most Eligible Bachelor’.

He was nicknamed ‘Batman’ during one of IMx’s tours.

Marques is an Instagram star; more than 6.5 million people are following him on the network today, and he’s posted over 1,200 pictures and videos.

His favorite actor is Ryan Reynolds, while some of his favorite movies include “Deadpool”, “The Proposal”, and “Bullet Train”.

Height, eyes and wealth

Marques’ age is 41. He has brown eyes and short black hair, is 5ft 10ins (1.78m) tall and weighs around 175lbs (80kgs).

Marques’ net worth’s been estimated at over $2.5 million, as of April 2023.