Hosea Chanchez (born 12th of September 1981, Age: 42 years old) is an American actor best known for portraying the character of Malik Wright on the sitcom The Game and its 2021 revival. He was never married to Tika Sumpter, nor did they date each other.
Hosea Chanchez may not be one of the biggest names in Hollywood, but fans will definitely remember him for his iconic role as the cocky and arrogant football star Malik Wright on the long-running TV drama, The Game. He has also featured in other movies and TV series and recently branched out to directing and producing.
When it comes to his personal life, Chanchez has been romantically linked with a bevy of famous ladies over the years, including actress Meagan Good and tennis superstar Serena Williams. He is also rumored to have dated and even married his The Game co-star, Tika Sumpter, but a deeper dive into their history shows that this is untrue.
Hosea Chanchez’s Profile Summary
- Full name: Hosea Chanchez
- Gender: Male
- Date of birth: 12th of September 1981
- Hosea Chanchez’s Age: 42 years old
- Ethnicity: African-American
- Nationality: American
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Religion: Christianity
- Marital Status: Single
- Siblings: Dwight Richburg
- Hosea Chanchez’s Height in Inches: 6 feet 1 inch
- Hosea Chanchez’s Height in Centimetres: 185 cm
- Hosea Chanchez’s Weight: 93 kg (205lbs)
- Body measurements in inches: 32-26-38
- Body measurements in centimeters: 81-66-96
- Hosea Chanchez’s Net worth: $500,000
- Famous for: The Game
- Hosea Chanchez’s Instagram: @HoseaChanchez
- Hosea Chanchez’s Twitter: @HoseaChanchez
- Hosea Chanchez’s Facebook: @Hosea Chanchez
Hosea Chanchez is a Native of Alabama, Montgomery
Hosea Chanchez is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, and was born on the 12th of September 1981. He and his brother, Dwight Richburg, were mostly raised by their mother and other extended family members, such as maternal grandparents and aunts.
Chanchez spent his formative years in Montgomery and completed his high school diploma at the local Sidney Lanier High School. Afterward, he moved out to Atlanta, Georgia, where he spent some time before heading out to Los Angeles to try his hands at the acting business.
Hosea Chanchez is Rumored to Have Gotten Married to His The Game Co-Star, Tika Sumpter
Hosea Chanchez is also rumored to have dated and even married his The Game co-star, Tika Sumpter. Sumpter is a native of Queens and is popular for movies such as Stomp The Yard: Homecoming, Think Like Man, Ride Along, and Southside With You.
She is also famous for TV series such as The Haves and the Have Nots. Several online sources have it that Chanchez and Sumpter dated in the early 2000s before tying the knot in 2005. Their marriage lasted for about eight years, during which they reportedly welcomed two children. They then divorced in 2013.
This story has gained traction over the years and inspired multiple discussion threads, but it is simply not true. Hosea Chanchez and Tika Sumpter were never married to each other, nor did they date each other.
The only connection they had was that Sumpter portrayed the role of Jenna, Chanchez’s character’s major love interest on The Game. Jenna is a troubled supermodel and meets Malik during a rehab stint in season four of the show in 2011. They fall head over heels in love with each other and dated for about two years before breaking up.
In Reality, The Two Co-Stars Were Never Married Nor Dated Each Other
Due to their work on The Game, Hosea Chanchez and Tika Sumpter became close pals. They were spotted at several premiere parties together and also attended several award ceremonies together. It was this that made many assume that they were dating in real life. The rumors persisted for so long that they were even asked about it.
For instance, during an appearance on The Real talk show in February 2015. Sumpter was asked point-blank about the rumors that she was married to Hosea Chanchez; she stated that they were not married and that if she were ever to get married, she would let the whole world know.
Hosea Chanchez has been Romantically Linked with the Likes of Meagan Good and Serena Williams
Hosea Chanchez’s success as an actor, and his natural good looks, mean that his love life is always a hot topic. The actor has reportedly dated several well-known female personalities over the years, including some of his The Game co-stars.
Hosea Chanchez and Bianca Young nee McDuffy (1995/1996)
One of the very first girlfriends that Hosea Chanchez ever had is Bianca Young, nee McDuffy. Bianca was his girlfriend during his junior year of high school, and they dated between 1995 and 1996. They later broke up but remained pals. On the 15th of August 2019, Chanchez shared a throwback pic of them and tagged Bianca’s Instagram account. He stated that he was very much in love with her back when she was “just tolerating” him.
Hosea Chanchez and Meagan Good (1996 – 1998)
Upon breaking up with Bianca, the next person that Hosea Chanchez reportedly dated was Meagan Good. Good is a well-known model and actress. She has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows over the years, including Deliver Us From Eva, You Got Served, Stomp The Year, One Missed Call, Think Like A Man, and Deception.
Chanchez and Good reportedly dated from 1995 to 1998. They then broke up but remained pals. In 2011, Good had a recurring role on The Game, and she and Chanchez worked together. They also featured on the 2012 drama-comedy, Dysfunctional Friends, and attended several award ceremonies together, including the 2011 BET Awards.
Hosea Chanchez and Eva Marcille (2002 – 2005)
Upon breaking up with Meagan Good in 1998, Hosea Chanchez did not have any notable relationship for the next few years. However, in 2002, he commenced a romance with actress and model Eva Marcille. Marcille was the winner of the 3rd cycle of America’s Next Top Model in 2004. She has since modeled for the likes of DKNY and Samsung.
She has also featured on several TV Shows such as The Real Housewives of Atlanta, The Young and The Restless, Everybody Hates Chris, etc. Chanchez and Marcille reportedly dated for about three years and even got engaged. They sadly never made it down to the altar as they broke off their engagement. It seems the break-up was without ill feelings as in 2007, Marcille made a cameo appearance on The Game playing the role of Chanchez’s character’s ex-girlfriend.
Hosea Chanchez and Drew Sidora (2007)
Hosea Chanchez is also said to have dated Drew Sidora. Sidora is a singer and actress. She has featured in several movies and TV series, including the Disney original series, That’s So Raven. She has also dropped at least one album. Chanchez and Sidora are said to have dated in 2007, but it is not confirmed. The rumored relationship may have stemmed from the fact that they are close friends.
As Drew revealed in a 2018 interview, she and Chanchez are best friends, and it was her sister who helped him get the audition for The Game. She (Drew) also bought him the outfit that he wore, and he ended up getting a major role while she landed a recurring role on the show’s first season. Chanchez, on his part, clearly appreciates the role that Drew played in his life and hosted a big party for her on the occasion of her 25th birthday in 2010.
Kendra C. Johnson and Hosea Chanchez (2007)
Another The Game star that Hosea Chanchez is said to have dated is actress Kendra C. Jonhson. Johnson is a native of Connecticut and has featured in several movies over the years, including the Monique classic Phat Girlz. Chanchez and Johnson are said to have dated for about five months in 2007. Of course, this may have just been a mere rumor that arose due to the fact that Johnson featured on The Game. She appeared in three episodes of the show in 2007 and portrayed Renee Royce, a TV personality who is a love interest of Chanchez’s character.
Hosea Chanchez and Serena Williams (2008)
Hosea Chanchez reportedly dated tennis star Serena Williams in 2008. Williams is one of the most successful athletes in the world. In a mercurial career spanning three decades, she has won numerous titles, including 23 grand slam titles, more than any man or woman in the open era. She has also scored numerous endorsement deals and now has a net worth of about $210 million.
Chanchez and Williams first crossed paths with each other on the set of The Game. Williams guest-starred on the show as a tennis pro who is set up on a date with Chanchez’s character in season 2, episode 1. The on-screen romance didn’t make much headway, but they dated in real life from March to April 2008 before going their separate ways.
Hosea Chanchez and Tamera Mowry (2009)
In 2009, Hosea Chanchez embarked on a short-lived romance with actress, singer, and TV personality, Tamera Mowry. Mowry first rose to fame alongside her twin sister, Tia, on the sitcom Sister, Sister. She has since featured in other productions and notably co-hosted the talk show, The Real from 2013 to 2020.
Chanchez was introduced to Tamera by her sister, Tia, who happened to be one of his co-stars on The Game. He and Tamera found each other attractive and began dating. The romance sadly lasted for a short while before they broke up that same year. Tamera went on to get engaged to Fox news correspondent Adam Housley, and they wed in 2011.
Hosea Chanchez and Francia Raisa (2009 – 2013)
Following his break up from Tamera Mowry, the next person that Hosea Chanchez dated was actress Francia Raisa. Raisa has Latina origins and has appeared in several movies and TV series over the years, including Grown-ish, The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, etc. Chanchez and Raisa dated from 2009 up until 2013, when they got engaged. They never walked down the aisle, as they called off their engagement that same year.
Naturi Naughton and Hosea Chanchez (2014, 2016, and 2019)
Hosea Chanchez is also rumored to have dated actress and singer Naturi Naughton. Naughton belonged to the defunct R&B group 3LW and dropped at least one album with them. She has also dropped some solo songs and is now focusing on her acting career. She is synonymous with TV shows such as Power, The Client List, and Queens. Chanchez and Naughton are rumored to have dated in 2014, 2016, and 2019, but this is not confirmed. One thing that is for sure is that they are good friends. For instance, in October 2020, Naughton organized a baby shower for her first pregnancy, and Chanchez was one of those in attendance.
He Portrays Malik Wright in the Long-Running Drama, The Game
Breaking into the movie industry is not easy, and Hosea Chanchez experienced his fair share of setbacks. At some point, he was so poor that he had to sleep in his car. He nevertheless continued pursuing his dreams, and his hard work paid off in 2005 when he landed guest roles in shows such as NCIS and Everwood. Since then, Chanchez has featured in several movies and TV shows such as Let the Church Say Amen, Down for Whatever, Fanatic, Dysfunctional Friends, Major Crimes, etc. However, his biggest role remains as Malik Wright on the long-running TV series, The Game.
The Game focuses on the lives of several pro football players and their loved ones as they navigate their careers, friendships, romantic relationships, etc. The series featured the likes of Tia Mowry, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Pooch Hall in the lead roles. Hosea Chanchez, on his part, also portrayed the lead role of Malik Wright, a cocky and arrogant quarterback who is also an immature womanizer and often gets into trouble. The Game first debuted on the CW Network in 2006, and Chanchez and his cast members helped popularize the show for the next three years. It was sadly canceled in 2009, but by 2011, it was picked up by BET. Chanchez and his co-stars returned once more and ensured that the show had a successful run on BET for the next four years.
He is Also a Budding Producer and Director
Hosea Chanchez is presently based in Los Angeles and continues to make waves as an actor, producer, and director. After The Game came to an end on BET in 2015, he enrolled at the UCLA film program to learn every inch of the movie-making business. He successfully completed the program and, with the skills learned, is trying his hands at directing and producing. He has directed and produced several episodes of The Game in recent times. The series was previously on a hiatus from 2015 until 2020 when steaming service, Paramount+, picked it up. Chanchez and many of his original co-stars returned for the show and made their debut in 2021.
In its new form, The Game is not only focusing on personal relationships and the likes but is also tackling heavier issues. One of them is the black lives matter era and the athlete-led activism that has made waves in the NFL. Another is also the issue of mental health in the black community, a topic that is quite important but is often not talked about much. The comeback of The Game on TV screens has been greeted with resounding applause by fans, and Hosea Chanchez and his co-stars are happy that the show is finally receiving its due. The Montgomery native is also happy that the show has given him the opportunity to direct and produce several of the episodes.
According to him, the show is not only a world where he feels safe but one where he can build in. Therefore, he is glad that it is within that safe environment that he is taking his first steps as a director and producer and hopes to do even greater exploits in the future.
The Actor/Director/Producer is Presently Single
Hosea Chanchez is presently single, going by his dating history. A visit to his social media pages will also show that he mostly posts about his career, and there is no mention of a significant other. Chanchez has also become an activist and uses social media to talk about pertinent issues. For instance, during the height of the covid-19 pandemic in January 2021, he criticized his fellow celebrities and black business owners who were running their restaurants and strip clubs as normal. He advised them to stop putting the health and life of their patrons at risk, all for the purpose of making a quick buck.
