# Jahmil French

Jahmil French (July 29, 1991 – March 1, 2021) was a Canadian actor, most noted for his role as Dave Turner in Degrassi: The Next Generation (2009–2013).

## Early life

Jahmil French was born on July 29, 1991 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He went to Vradenburg Elementary School, where he performed in the play "Name of the tree" based on an illustrated book. He attended the Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts in Scarborough, Ontario.
He was an only child.

## Career

French made his television debut in 2009, guest starring on the Canadian police procedural series Flashpoint. The episode would earn him a Best Performance in a TV Series - Guest Starring Young Actor 14 and Over nomination at the Young Artist Awards.
From 2009 to 2013, French starred as Dave Turner in the Canadian teen drama show Degrassi: The Next Generation. During his time on the show, he earned a nomination from the Canadian Screen Awards for Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series.
In 2014, he starred alongside Nia Long in the American legal drama The Divide.
In 2016, he joined the cast of the television series The Infamous as Luke Ward, however the series was passed on by A&E. It was not picked up by any other network.
He appeared in Pop TV's 2018 series Let's Get Physical as Snacks.
French was in the film Boost, for which he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 6th Canadian Screen Awards and as well as at the Prix Iris in 2018.
His final role was in Netflix's musical drama series Soundtrack as ex-felon Dante Sands.

## Death

French died on March 1, 2021, at the age of 29. Neither the circumstances nor the cause of his death were disclosed.

### Legacy

In 2021, the Armstrong Acting studio announced the "Jahmil French Legacy" scholarship in memory of French and his work with the studio.
At its inaugural ceremony in 2022, the Legacy Awards introduced the Jahmil French award. The award is meant to recognize rising Black stars in Canadian media.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2012 | Jamestown | Duane | Short film |
| 2013 | Detention | Jeremy | Short film |
| 2016 | Boost | Anthony "A-Mac" Macdonald | |
| 2018 | At First Light | Nathan | |
| 2018 | TMI Crossing the Threshold | James Langston | |
| 2019 | Dalia | Rock | Short film |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2009 | Flashpoint | Matt Medeiros | Episode: "Exit Wounds" |
| 2009–2010 | Degrassi: Minis | Dave Turner | 7 episodes |
| 2009–2013 | Degrassi: The Next Generation | Dave Turner | Main cast |
| 2014 | The Divide | Trey Page | 7 episodes |
| 2014 | A Day Late and a Dollar Short | Dingus | TV film |
| 2014 | Rocky Road | Razor | TV film |
| 2015 | Lead with Your Heart | Jackson | TV film |
| 2015 | Remedy | PJ Byrd | 7 episodes |
| 2016 | Incorporated | Spider | Episode: "Cost Containment" |
| 2016 | The Night Before Halloween | Kyle | TV film |
| 2018 | Let's Get Physical | Snacks | 7 episodes |
| 2019 | Soundtrack | Dante Mendoza | 10 episodes |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2010 | Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Series - Guest Starring Young Actor 14 and Over | Flashpoint (Episode: "Perfect Storm") | Nominated |
| 2013 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Performance in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Degrassi: The Next Generation (Episode: "Smash Into You") | Nominated |
| 2018 | Canadian Screen Awards | Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role | Boost | Nominated |
| 2018 | Prix Iris | Best Performance by an Actor in Supporting Role | Boost | Nominated |