Who are Tyriq Withers’ parents? The American actor known for roles in Atlanta, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Him,and Reminders of Him, is the son of Kimberly Hart-Johnson and Leon Withers, Jr. Hismother primarily raised him after his parents separated.He comes from a mixed heritage, with African-American roots through his father and European ancestry through his mother. That background has played a key role in shaping his identity and has influenced parts of his acting career.
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Key takeaways
- Tyrique’s mother, Kimberly Hart-Johnson, primarily raised him after his parents separated, while his father, Leon Withers Jr., has gradually rebuilt their relationship in recent years.
- Kimberly Hart-Johnson played a crucial role in supporting Tyriq’s early creative interests and encouraging him to pursue acting.
- Tyriq’s older brother, Kionte Withers, was a major influence and father figure whose 2021 death profoundly affected the actor’s life and career.
- Tyriq’s mixed heritage, with an African-American father and a white mother, has shaped his identity and informed his perspective on race.
Who are Tyriq Withers’ parents?
Tyriq Withers’ parents are Kimberly Hart-Johnson and Leon Withers, Jr. Below is a closer look at each.
Tyriq Withers’ father
Leon Withers, Jr., Tyriq’s father, is African American. Reports indicate he has roots connected to Chicago, though details of his early life and professional background remain relatively private. He and Kimberly welcomed their first son together, Kionte, in January 1995 in Brunswick, Maine, before moving to the Jacksonville area, where Tyriq was born three years later.
The couple separated after Tyriq’s birth. Tyriq has described his childhood relationship with his father as challenging, noting onThe Pivot Podcast in January 2026 that his father was “present, but wasn’t there” and that he and his brother had a “tough” and “specific, hard relationship” with him. Despite these early difficulties, Leon has maintained some involvement in the family.
The relationship between Leon and Tyriq has shown signs of improvement in recent years. Leon has publicly supported his son’s acting career through social media posts. For Tyriq’s birthday in July 2025, Leon shared an encouraging message wishing him success and influence. During the filming of Him, Tyriq arranged a FaceTime call so his father could speak with co-star Marlon Wayans, indicating growing warmth.
Leon’s background as a Black American father has contributed to Tyriq’s understanding of racial identity. Tyriq has spoken about identifying as Black while acknowledging the privileges that come with his appearance as the son of a White mother.
Tyriq Withers’ mother
Kimberly Hart-Johnson, Tyriq Withers’ mother, is of European descent and has family roots in Maine. She raised Tyriq and his older brother, Kionte, in Jacksonville, Florida, after her separation from Leon Withers Jr.
Kimberly actively supported Tyriq’s interests from a young age. She encouraged his early creative endeavours, such as the home videos and Vines he made with Kionte in middle school. When she recognised his talent, she took him to casting calls and connected him with agents.
This support extended to his athletic pursuits, as Tyriq played competitive soccer as a child before transitioning to football in high school. He later walked on to the Florida State Seminoles football team as a wide receiver. Tyriq has stated that his drive in sports was rooted in making his mother proud, though he later reconciled a more complex personal relationship with athletics.
Kimberly’s encouragement proved instrumental as Tyriq pursued acting. After graduating from Florida State University in 2020 with degrees in Business and Marketing, and becoming a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, he moved to Atlanta to focus on his career. Kimberly has continued to celebrate his milestones, attending events like the premiere of Himand red carpet appearances for Reminders of Him.
A look at Tyriq Withers’ siblings
Tyriq Withers has two siblings: an older brother, Kionte Devon Withers (1995 to 2021), and a sister named Cayla. Kionte was a constanters also worked on creative projects together
Kionte’s death in a car crash on 30 April 2021 at age 26 profoundly affected Tyriq Withers’ family. He left behind a fiancée and a young son, Royce. Tyriq has spoken openly about the loss, revealing that he nearly quit acting to help raise his nephew but ultimately found purpose in continuing his career to honour his brother. Both parents have also shared public tributes to Kionte, with Kimberly posting emotional messages about the ongoing pain of his absence and Leon committing to preserving his memory.
Cayla, Tyriq’s sister, maintains a lower public profile. However, she is still actively involved in Tyriq’s life and career.
FAQs about Tyriq Withers
- Where are Tyriq Withers’ parents from? Tyriq Withers’ father is an African American from Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Kimberly Hart-Johnson, is white and from Maine.
- What is Tyriq Withers’ educational background? He attended Paxon School for Advanced Studies in Jacksonville and graduated from Florida State University in 2020.
- How did Tyriq Withers start his acting career? Tyriq began acting seriously after college, moving to Atlanta in 2020. His breakout role came in 2022 in Donald Glover’s Atlantaas a mixed-race student
- Has Tyriq Withers won any acting awards? No, Tyriq Withers has not won any major awards yet.
Final word
From the challenges of growing up in a separated household to the unwavering encouragement that helped launch his career, Tyriq Withers’ parents have each shaped different aspects of the actor’s journey. While Kimberly Hart-Johnson provided the support that nurtured his ambitions and Leon Withers Jr. has worked to rebuild their relationship over time, their influence remains woven into Tyriq’s story.
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Curious about Jeremy’s upbringing, family life and the truth behind the Gene Wilder rumour? Read the full article to discover the story of his parents, his relationships, and other fascinating facts about the actor.
Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Nicholas Nganga (Lifestyle writer)Nicholas joined Tuko in 2024 as a content creator, bringing four years of experience in digital storytelling. He previously held other editorial and journalism positions, including news and articles editing role at FW Africa and a Food Science Writer at PressPublish. He specializes in celebrity biographies, fashion, lifestyle, gaming, and beyond. In 2022, Nick graduated from the Jomo Kenyatta University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology. You can reach him via email: muginicholas5@gmail.com.
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