Tim Reid ’68
Tim Reid is an Emmy-nominated actor, director, and producer whose remarkable career began at Norfolk State University. Reid often shares that his journey into acting started during his junior year at NSU when his English professor, Stanley Wilson, insisted he audition for a role in Oedipus Rex—or fail the class. That pivotal moment launched a 50-year career in entertainment. A native Virginian, Reid earned a B.S. in Business/Marketing from Norfolk State in 1968 and joined Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. After a brief period as a marketing representative, he pursued show business, touring nationally with comedian Tom Dreesen before moving to Hollywood. Reid became a television staple with memorable roles in The Richard Pryor Show, Simon & Simon, Frank’s Place, Sister, Sister, Greenleaf and more. He earned two Emmy nominations in 1988 for Best Actor and Best Producer for Frank’s Place and won the NAACP Image Award for Best Actor in a Comedy. Additionally, he won the Viewers for Quality Television Award. In 1989, he founded Tim Reid Productions, which produced acclaimed projects, including the CBS film About Sarah.
Reid was also a member of the National Student Film Institute's advisory board in the 1980s and 1990s.
Forever grateful to Norfolk State, Reid has supported the university through scholarships, charity fundraisers, and his summer film institute, which has operated on NSU’s campus. In 1983, he co-founded the Stanley Wilson/Tim Reid Award for drama students, continuing his commitment to education and the arts.
From NSU’s stage to Hollywood, Tim Reid exemplifies creativity, perseverance, and dedication to giving back to the institution that helped shape his success.