David Paul Ramsey (born November 17, 1971) is an American actor and director. He is best known for his roles in The CW Arrowverse series Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Batwoman as John Diggle / Spartan, portraying Diggle and Bass Reeves in Legends of Tomorrow, recurring as an alternate universe version of Diggle in Superman & Lois, recurring as Anton Briggs on the Showtime TV series Dexter, and starring in the film Mother and Child (2009) as Joseph.
Early life Ramsey was born November 17, 1971, in Detroit, Michigan. He was educated at Mumford High School, then attended the 'College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts' at Wayne State University in Detroit, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
Career
From 1997 to 1998, he starred as pastor David Randolph in the UPN sitcom Good News. In 2000, he starred as Muhammad Ali in the Fox television film Ali: An American Hero. That year, he appeared in Pay It Forward and started a recurring role in For Your Love. In 2001, he starred as Vince Lee in the South African comedy film Mr Bones. He has also starred in recurring roles in NCIS, All of Us, One on One, The West Wing, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Ghost Whisperer, Wildfire, and Hollywood Residential.
From 2008 to 2009, he appeared in 17 episodes of Dexter as Anton Briggs, a pot-smoking confidential informant who has an affair with Debra Morgan in Season 3 and at the start of Season 4. In 2010, he appeared in an episode of Grey's Anatomy and in the short-lived NBC courtroom drama series Outlaw. From 2012 to 2020, he appeared in the main cast of CW's superhero show Arrow, as John Diggle, a military veteran who is Oliver's partner, confidant, bodyguard, and later gained an alter ego, Spartan, since the fourth season. The season seven episode "Past Sins" was Ramsey's directorial debut. As part of the greater Arrowverse, Ramsey has reprised his role as Diggle on The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl and Batwoman, as well as portraying an alternate version of the character on the non-Arrowverse Superman & Lois. Ramsey also starred as Mayor Carter Poole in the TV series Blue Bloods .
Personal life Ramsey is an accomplished Jeet Kune Do practitioner. He has also studied boxing, Taekwondo, Wing Chun, and trained in kickboxing under Benny Urquidez.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1987 Scared Stiff George Masterson 1996 The Nutty Professor Student A Very Brady Sequel Brent 1997 Con Air Londell 1998 A Short Wait Between Trains Jenkins 1999 Three to Tango Bill 2000 Pay It Forward Sidney Parker 2001 Mr Bones Vince Lee 2004 Hair Show Cliff2005 Resurrection: The J.R. Richard Story J. R. Richard Bathsheba King David Short film 2007 The Death and Life of Bobby Z Wayne 2008 The Coverup Bill Daily2009 The Rub Cam Stewart Mother and Child Joseph 2014 Draft Day Thompson 2015 Accidental Love Rep. Bill Harshtone 2026 Legend of the White Dragon Mayor Trevon Sterns
Television Year Title Role Notes 1995 Murder One Reporter #3 Episode: "Chapter Two"1996 Deutschlandlied George Mniseries Space: Above and Beyond Supervisor Episode: "The Angriest Angel" Her Costly Affair Shep Walker Television film 1997–1998 Good News Pastor David Randolph Main role1998 CHiPs '99 Officer Sergeant McFallTelevision film Mama Flora's Family Booker Palmer (Adult) 1999 Mutiny Vernon Nettles 2000 Ali: An American Hero Muhammad Ali 2000–2001 For Your Love Brian 4 episodes 2001 Girlfriends Randall Episode: "Mom's the Word" Thieves Agent Victor Episode: "The Long Con"2002 For the PeopleN/A Episode: "To DNA or Not to DNA" Romeo Fire Television film The Guardian Debord's Lawyer Episode: "No Good Deed" 2002–2003 One on One Jayden Episodes: "Everybody Loves Whom?", "It's a Miserable Life"2003 The Flannerys Sam Gable Television film Strong Medicine Jake Cortese Episode: "Breathing Lessons" NCIS Special Agent Richard Owens Episode: "The Curse"2004 Crossing Jordan Agent Scannell Episode: "Is That Plutonium in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Happy to See Me?" CSI: Miami Officer Everhart Episode: "Wannabe" Charmed Upper Level Demon Episode: "Witch Wars" Second Time Around Travis Byrd Episode: "A Kiss Is Still a Kiss"2005 Central Booking Troy Stonebreaker Television film Huff Clay 3 episodes All of Us Rusty Recurring role (6 episodes) Jane Doe: The Wrong Face Mac Television film 2005–2008 Ghost Whisperer Will 4 episodes2006 Hello Sister, Goodbye Life Uncle Dennis Klein Television film The West Wing Teddy – Santos's Turnout Briefer Episodes: "Welcome to Wherever You Are", "Election Day: Part 1" Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America Curtis Ansen Television film CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Gerald Crowley Episode: "Burn Out"2007 Criminal Minds Wakeland Episode: "Fear and Loathing" Journeyman Det. Wilson Hargreaves Episode: "The Legend of Dylan McCleen"2008 Hollywood Residential Don Merritt Main role Wildfire Dr. Noah Gleason Recurring role 2008–2009 Dexter Anton Briggs Recurring role, 17 episodes;Nominated - Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series 2009 Castle Jim Wheeler Episode: "Fool Me Once..."2010 Grey's Anatomy Jimmy Thompson Episode: "Sympathy for the Parents"Outlaw Al Druzinsky Main role 2011–17 Blue Bloods Carter Poole Recurring role 2012–2020 ArrowJohn Diggle / Spartan / Bass ReevesMain role 2014–2023 The Flash 11 episodes 2016–2021 Legends of Tomorrow 4 episodes 2017 IllicitGuy / HusbandTelevision Film 2018 & 2021 SupergirlJohn Diggle2 episodes2021–2022 Batwoman Superman & Lois 2022 The Rookie: FedsGreg Wright Episode: "Countdown" 2024 Bel-AirLamont Alton 2 episodes2025The Hunting PartyArlo Brandt Episode: "Arlo Brandt"2026TrackerHale RipleyEpisode: "Breakaway"
Director Year Production Notes 2019 Arrow 2 episodes: "Past Sins" & "Reset" 2021–2023 Superman & Lois 4 episodes: "Man of Steel", "The Ties That Bind", "Truth and Consequences" & "Head On"2021 Legends of Tomorrow Episode: "Stressed Western" Supergirl Episode: "Blind Spots" Batwoman Episode: "A Lesson from Professor Pyg" 2023 All American Episode: "Stand Up for Something"
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