Lamon Dezjon Archey (; born April 9, 1981) is an American actor. He is known for the roles of Mason Wilder on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless (2012 to 2014), Eli Grant on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives (2017 to 2022, 2023, 2024), and D'Angelo Carter on The CW series All American (2020 to present).
Early life Archey was born in Daly City, California and raised in San Mateo by his grandparents. He was an only child and his father died when Archey was 20 years old. He played baseball and football during his first two years of high school. Archey graduated from San Mateo High School. After graduation, he worked as a carpenter and emergency veterinarian technician. In 2001, he decided to move to Los Angeles and live with his uncle.
Career Less than a year after moving to Los Angeles, Archey was approached by a modeling scout while attending a job fair. He eventually landed modeling jobs for Macy's, Gap Inc., Kohl's, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana. In 2004, he was chosen by Beyoncé to play her love interest in the music video for Destiny's Child's "Cater 2 U". He credits modeling with helping him break out of his shell.
Archey's manager, Michael Bruno, advised him that if he took acting classes, he could get him a job on a soap opera. He was cast in a short film, Let's Get Laid! (2010). Archey also appeared in television commercials for Chase Bank, McDonald's, and Gap Inc. After about two years of acting classes, he was ready to give up. He finally booked two episodes as an under-five on Days of Our Lives, playing Centerville Cop in 2011.
In October 2012, Archey was cast in the recurring role of Mason Wilder on The Young and the Restless. His first air date was December 12, 2012. Archey made his last appearance on the show on January 7, 2014. In 2013, he had a recurring role on Diary of a Champion. He starred in The B Word, a short film about bulimia nervosa.
In 2016, Archey made guest appearances on Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life and 2 Broke Girls. He had a recurring role on Roadies. He appeared in the film The Woman in the Red Dress. He also narrated the television film Dope Boys.
In December 2016, Archey returned to Days of Our Lives in the newly created contract role of Eli Grant. The character is the grandson of Julie Olson Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes). Archey's first air date was February 23, 2017. The character of Eli was paired romantically with Lani Price (Sal Stowers).
In 2017, Archey played Vince in the television film Can't Buy My Love. In 2020, Archey guest starred as D'Angelo Carter in the season two finale of The CW series All American. In December 2020, it was announced that Archey would reprise his role in season three in a recurring capacity. He continued to make recurring appearances on the show in seasons four, five, and six.
In 2021, Archey played Eli Grant in Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem, a spin-off miniseries streaming on Peacock. In June 2022, it was announced that he and his co-star, Sal Stowers, would be leaving Days of Our Lives. His last air date was in early July 2022. Archey made return appearances to Days in 2023 and 2024.
He appeared in the Lifetime film Every Breath She Takes (2023).
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2010 Let's Get Laid! Sundi Short film 2014 The B Word Rashid Short film 2016 The Woman in the Red Dress Vin 2023 Bomb PizzaRob
Television Year Title Role Notes 2011 Days of Our Lives Centerville Cop Episodes: "Episode #1.11574" & "#1.11575" 2012–2014 The Young and the Restless Mason Wilder Recurring role 2013 Diary of a Champion TJ Lawson 3 episodes 2016 Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life Guy Episode: "How to Survive Losing Your Phone" Roadies Detective Rick Davidson 3 episodes 2 Broke Girls Jake Episode: "And the 80's Movie"2017Can't Buy My LoveVinceTelevision film 2017–2022; 2023; 2024 Days of Our Lives Eli Grant Contract role 425 episodes2018EngagedDr. HoustonTelevision film 2020–2024 All American D'Angelo Carter Recurring role 20 episodes 2021 Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem Eli Grant Main Cast: Season 1 4 episodes2023Every Breath She TakesPaul JonesTelevision film
Music video Year Artist Song Role 2005 Destiny's Child "Cater 2 U" Beyoncé Love Interest
References
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