A prolific television career is a feat for any actor, and none have done it so deftly as Jason George. From his beginnings on the daytime soap opera Sunset Beach to the creation of Dr. Ben Warren across two hit dramas, he’s been a steady and steadfast face with his smoldering chocolate skin and megawatt smile. And now he’s proving that you can go home again. As he ends his six-season stint on Station 19, the TV veteran has once again joined Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Ben Warren.
“Coming back to Grey’s Anatomy really has been a homecoming—it actually feels like coming back to your parents’ house,” he tells EBONY. “It’s a blessing to keep exploring Ben Warren’s journey. And that’s what brought me back.”
Here, George reflects on his most memorable TV moments, returning to Grey’s Anatomy and the secrets to his incredible look.
EBONY: You’ve had such a prolific TV career. What have been some of your most memorable moments on screen?
Jason George: One of the funniest gigs I ever had was on Eve. It never sucks to get paid to kiss a beautiful, world-famous rapper. And show nights on Fridays had an absolute vibe: a hilarious warm-up comedian, a DJ killin’ it on the ones and twos, and a fantastic live audience showing mad love.
Another show I was truly proud of was a short-lived miniseries called Platinum that had amazing people working on it. It was written by John Ridley, who I knew would win some awards someday, and he eventually did for 12 Years A Slave. The concept was essentially The Godfather set in the world of a hip-hop record label. I was playing Black Michael Corleone. It had drama, comedy and a bangin’ soundtrack. The show was so dope that years later when the show Empire premiered, The New York Times gave us a shoutout with an article titled, Before Empire: A Foundation Laid By Platinum. I’ll never forget this hilarious but poignant scene: I walk in on one of our record label’s first artists, played by MC Lyte, eating chicken wings and throwing the bones across the room into a bucket…which was in the lap of a naked man! It was so damn hard to keep from laughing, but things got more serious when she explained that she felt her diva behavior was necessary because otherwise, we didn’t pay much attention to a woman who was no longer in her twenties. Like Grey’s, Platinum had a unique ability to switch on a dime from making you laugh to ripping your heart out. I’m still salty about the fact that we never got another season of that show.
One of my most memorable moments on Grey’s Anatomy was in an episode called “Silent All These Years.” It’s a powerful episode about rape and sexual assault, where I played a small but important part. Ben has a talk with his stepson, Tuck, about how a real man treats a woman and what consent means. I felt honored to be repping the true model of masculinity, and the fact that it was a Black man talking to his teenager made it that much more satisfying.
What has it been like returning to Grey’s Anatomy, and what prompted your return?
It’s perfectly comfortable, but enough has changed that you still have to put in some effort to get used to it. There are new faces on camera and behind the scenes in some key positions, which means some changes in the process that I have to get used to as well. All that said, I have to say it’s a blessing to keep exploring Ben Warren’s journey. And that’s what brought me back. I spoke with Meg Marinis (the current showrunner of Grey’s) and a bit with [show creator] Shonda Rhimes, and it was clear that there were still some worthwhile stories to tell about Ben and his relationship with Miranda Bailey.
How does it feel to be one of the hottest Black men on TV, bringing positive, joyous imagery to the screen?
I’m just happy to be healthy and have a damn job! On the real, though, I do feel blessed to actually get paid to play a strong, professional Black man who’s not threatened by powerful women and who’s half of a beautiful image of lasting Black love on a hit network show. I’m proud that our show has so much diversity in front of and behind the camera and works hard to put out positive messages in the world. I kind of feel like I need to earn that privilege. Not gonna lie; having people show you love always feels good. But it feels even better to turn the eyes on you and help them see the things they should really be looking at, the really important stuff in our communities. As for being “hot,” gotta thank Ma and Pop for good genes.
We thank them as well!
All I can say is what I think’s hot: talent is hot, brains are hot (whether street smart or book smart), drive and grit are hot, a sense of humor is hot, putting in real effort to take care of yourself, and be healthy is hot. Those are all qualities I pursue for myself, and they are all work in progress. Beyond that, I just try to stay in shape, be real with folks and carry myself like a grown-ass man.
What are some of your grooming habits to look and feel your best?
Moisturize! And be chill but specific with your scent. I catch my teenage son and his friends wearing a metric ton of cologne. Your scent should be like a whisper for the woman worth getting close to. If your scent is strong enough to hit somebody across the room, it’s gonna push away the woman right in front of you. I kill two birds with one stone by using scented body lotion. Mix that with the right deodorant and Shea Moisture shampoo/conditioner and get a unique scent instantly recognizable by the women who get up close and personal. And keep the fingernails right. Toenails, too.
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursday nights on ABC.
