LaRoyce Hawkins is an American actor, comedian, poet, and musician best known for playing Officer Kevin Atwater on NBC’s long-running police drama Chicago P.D. Born and raised in Harvey, Illinois, a suburb south of Chicago, Hawkins developed his passion for performance at a young age. His journey from high-school speech competitions and theater to a major television role has made him a recognizable name in American television.
Hawkins first gained attention on screen with a role in The Express: The Ernie Davis Story and later appeared in television productions including House of Payne, Detroit 1-8-7, Underemployed, Ballers, and Chicago Fire. His breakthrough came when he became part of the One Chicago universe as Kevin Atwater.
Beyond acting, Hawkins has maintained strong connections with his Chicago-area community and has explored spoken word, comedy, music, and other creative projects.
LaRoyce Hawkins Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | LaRoyce C. Hawkins |
| Date of Birth | May 4, 1988 |
| Birthplace | Harvey, Illinois, United States |
| Age | 38 years old (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, comedian, poet, musician |
| Education | Illinois State University |
| Known For | Kevin Atwater in Chicago P.D. |
| Height | About 6 feet 1½ inches (1.87 m), according to IMDb |
| Years Active | 2008–present |
Sources including IMDb, Goodman Theatre, and Illinois State-related profiles identify Hawkins as an Illinois native and a graduate of Illinois State University.
Who Is LaRoyce Hawkins?
LaRoyce Hawkins is a Chicago-area actor who built his career across film, television, theater, comedy, and spoken-word performance. Although he has appeared in numerous productions, he is most widely recognized for his portrayal of Officer Kevin Atwater on Chicago P.D.
Hawkins’ career is notable because his interest in performance developed before he became a professional actor. During his school years, he participated in speech competitions and earned state-level recognition. His experiences in theater, comedy, and competitive speech helped him develop the communication and performance skills that later became important to his acting career.
His connection to the Chicago area has also remained an important part of his public identity. Hawkins has spoken about growing up in Harvey and about his desire to give back to communities in the region.
LaRoyce Hawkins Early Life and Family
LaRoyce Hawkins was born on May 4, 1988, in Harvey, Illinois, and was raised in the Chicago-area community. Public biographies identify his parents as Leonard Hawkins and Leah Bradley.
Hawkins has spoken about the important role his grandparents played during his childhood. According to biographical accounts, he lived with his grandparents until he was 13, and he has credited them with helping shape his values and those of his siblings.
Growing up near Chicago gave Hawkins exposure to a major center for entertainment and the arts. However, his early path was not limited to acting. Basketball was one of his interests during high school, but his participation in speech and performance activities eventually became a major part of his development.
His family and community background continue to influence his public work, particularly his interest in encouraging young people.
LaRoyce Hawkins Education
Hawkins attended Thornton Township High School in Harvey, Illinois. During high school, he initially played basketball before becoming more involved in speech and performance.
His talent quickly became apparent in competitive speech. He won Illinois High School Association state championships in speech-related events and became particularly involved in original comedy and humorous duet acting.
After high school, Hawkins attended Illinois State University on a full-tuition scholarship and studied acting/theater. During his university years, he participated in theater productions, stand-up comedy, open-mic events, and other creative activities.
One of his early stage performances was as Toledo in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. While still a student, he also landed a role in The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. The film opportunity temporarily interrupted his education, but Hawkins eventually returned to Illinois State University and graduated in 2012.
LaRoyce Hawkins Acting Career
Early Acting Career
LaRoyce Hawkins began building his professional acting career while he was still connected to Illinois State University. His first major film role came in The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, a 2008 sports biographical drama.
In the film, Hawkins portrayed Art Baker, a teammate of football player Ernie Davis. The role gave him an opportunity to work in a major motion picture while he was still developing his professional career.
Following The Express, Hawkins began accumulating television credits. He appeared on House of Payne and later had roles in programs including Detroit 1-8-7 and Underemployed. These appearances helped him gain experience across different television formats.
Breakthrough With Chicago P.D.
Hawkins’ major television breakthrough came with the Chicago television franchise. He first appeared as Kevin Atwater in Chicago Fire before becoming part of the main cast of Chicago P.D.
Chicago P.D. premiered in 2014 as a spinoff of Chicago Fire. Hawkins’ character, Kevin Atwater, became one of the show’s recurring central characters and eventually developed into a key member of the Intelligence Unit.
The role transformed Hawkins’ career and established him as one of the recognizable performers in the One Chicago television universe.
LaRoyce Hawkins in Chicago P.D.
LaRoyce Hawkins plays Officer Kevin Atwater on Chicago P.D. Atwater is a Chicago police officer who begins his career in patrol before becoming associated with the Intelligence Unit.
The character has been given storylines involving professional responsibility, family, community, race, policing, and the challenges of working in law enforcement. Hawkins’ performance has allowed the character to develop considerably over the course of the series.
Hawkins has also appeared in the related series Chicago Fire, helping connect Atwater to the wider One Chicago universe. His long-running involvement with the franchise has made Kevin Atwater the role most closely associated with his career.
The actor has also discussed the importance of representing Chicago and his hometown of Harvey. In an interview with Forbes, Hawkins described his connection to the city and his desire to represent his community through his platform.
LaRoyce Hawkins Movies and TV Shows
LaRoyce Hawkins has appeared in film, television, and theater productions throughout his career. Some of his notable screen credits include:
| Movie/TV Show | Year/Period | Role |
|---|---|---|
| The Express: The Ernie Davis Story | 2008 | Art Baker |
| House of Payne | 2008 | Television role |
| Detroit 1-8-7 | 2011 | Television role |
| Underemployed | 2012 | Television role |
| Chicago Fire | 2013 onward | Kevin Atwater |
| Chicago P.D. | 2014 onward | Kevin Atwater |
| Ballers | 2015 | Recurring role |
| South Side | 2019–2022 | Michael “Shaw” Owens |
| The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain | 2019 | Role in the film |
| North of the 10 | 2022 | Film role |
His filmography also includes stage and theater work. Goodman Theatre lists Hawkins among its artists and describes his work across television, film, and theater.
LaRoyce Hawkins Personal Life
LaRoyce Hawkins generally keeps many details of his personal life away from the spotlight. While he occasionally discusses family, fatherhood, creativity, and his community work, he has not made every aspect of his private life public.
This distinction is important when discussing celebrity biographies because online sources sometimes repeat relationship rumors or unverified personal information.
What is publicly established is that Hawkins is a father. Recent coverage from People identifies his son as Roman, born in 2017.
Is LaRoyce Hawkins Married?
There is limited reliable public information confirming a current marriage for LaRoyce Hawkins. Recent coverage of the Chicago P.D. cast describes Hawkins as a father who keeps his romantic life private.
Because relationship information can change and online celebrity sites sometimes publish unsupported claims, it is better to rely on confirmed interviews or direct statements when discussing his relationship status.
Does LaRoyce Hawkins Have Children?
Yes. LaRoyce Hawkins is a father to a son named Roman. Recent People coverage identifies Roman as having been born in 2017.
Fatherhood has also been something Hawkins has discussed in relation to his personal growth and professional life. His public comments indicate that being a parent is an important part of his life, although he generally does not share every detail about his family.
LaRoyce Hawkins Age, Height and Other Details
LaRoyce Hawkins was born on May 4, 1988. As of 2026, he is 38 years old.
His birthplace is Harvey, Illinois, and he is American. IMDb lists his height at approximately 6 feet 1½ inches (1.87 meters). Some entertainment websites list different measurements, so the IMDb figure is a useful reference rather than treating every online height claim as definitive.
LaRoyce Hawkins at a Glance
- Full name: LaRoyce C. Hawkins
- Born: May 4, 1988
- Birthplace: Harvey, Illinois
- Age: 38 in 2026
- Nationality: American
- Education: Illinois State University
- Profession: Actor, comedian, poet, musician
- Best known role: Kevin Atwater in Chicago P.D.
- Height: Approximately 6’1½” (1.87 m)
LaRoyce Hawkins Net Worth
LaRoyce Hawkins’ exact net worth is not publicly confirmed through an audited financial statement or an official disclosure. Various celebrity websites publish estimates, but these numbers can differ substantially and should not be treated as verified facts.
His income has come primarily from his work as an actor, along with other creative activities and professional appearances. His long-running role on Chicago P.D. has been a particularly significant part of his professional career.
For a biography article, it is more accurate to describe his net worth as an estimate rather than a confirmed figure unless Hawkins or a reliable financial source provides specific documentation.
LaRoyce Hawkins’ Other Talents and Interests
Acting is only one part of Hawkins’ creative identity. He has also worked in stand-up comedy, spoken word, poetry, music, and theater.
His interest in comedy began early. His high-school speech achievements included state-level recognition in original comedy, and he continued performing comedy and participating in open-mic events during his university years.
Hawkins has also used creative expression as a way of connecting with audiences outside traditional television acting. His work across different artistic forms reflects the performance background he developed before becoming a television star.
LaRoyce Hawkins Community Work
Hawkins has remained connected to the Chicago-area community throughout his career. His public work has included efforts focused on young people and communities in need.
His Be Powerful initiative has been associated with supporting under-resourced communities in the Chicago area. Goodman Theatre describes his community work as part of his activities away from acting.
In a Forbes interview, Hawkins discussed his desire to use his platform to speak with middle- and high-school students and encourage young people to overcome obstacles. He also connected this interest in service to the influence of his family and grandfather.
LaRoyce Hawkins Awards and Achievements
Some of Hawkins’ notable career achievements include:
- Winning state-level recognition in Illinois high-school speech competitions.
- Earning a full-tuition scholarship to Illinois State University.
- Building a professional acting career beginning with The Express: The Ernie Davis Story.
- Becoming a recurring character on Chicago Fire.
- Becoming a principal cast member of Chicago P.D. as Kevin Atwater.
- Expanding his work into comedy, spoken word, theater, and other creative areas.
- Receiving a 2019 Chicago/Midwest Emmy for a Salvation Army Red Kettle fundraising campaign, according to IMDb’s biography information.
His career is particularly notable for the longevity of his Chicago P.D. role and his continued involvement in creative and community projects.
LaRoyce Hawkins Social Media and Public Presence
LaRoyce Hawkins maintains a public presence where fans can follow his acting projects, creative interests, community activities, and professional appearances.
His official website also features information related to his work and appearances.
For readers looking for his latest professional activities, official social-media accounts and his official website are generally more reliable than fan pages or unofficial celebrity biography sites.
Interesting Facts About LaRoyce Hawkins
Here are several interesting facts about LaRoyce Hawkins:
- LaRoyce Hawkins was born and raised in Harvey, Illinois.
- He initially played basketball during high school.
- He later became highly involved in competitive speech and comedy.
- He won Illinois state speech championships while in high school.
- He attended Illinois State University on a full-tuition scholarship.
- He studied acting and theater at Illinois State.
- His first major film role was in The Express: The Ernie Davis Story.
- He played Kevin Atwater in both Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.
- Hawkins is also known for poetry, spoken word, comedy, and music.
- He is a father to a son named Roman.
- He has remained involved in community-focused work in the Chicago area.
- His role as Kevin Atwater is his best-known television performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About LaRoyce Hawkins
What is LaRoyce Hawkins famous for?
LaRoyce Hawkins is best known for playing Officer Kevin Atwater on NBC’s Chicago P.D. He has also appeared in Chicago Fire, The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, Ballers, South Side, and other productions.
How old is LaRoyce Hawkins?
LaRoyce Hawkins was born on May 4, 1988. He is 38 years old in 2026.
How tall is LaRoyce Hawkins?
IMDb lists LaRoyce Hawkins at approximately 6 feet 1½ inches, or 1.87 meters.
Where is LaRoyce Hawkins from?
He was born and raised in Harvey, Illinois, a suburb south of Chicago.
Who does LaRoyce Hawkins play on Chicago P.D.?
He plays Officer Kevin Atwater, a member of the Chicago Police Department’s Intelligence Unit.
Is LaRoyce Hawkins married?
His current marital status is not clearly established through reliable public sources. Recent coverage indicates that Hawkins keeps much of his romantic life private.
Does LaRoyce Hawkins have children?
Yes. Hawkins is a father to a son named Roman, who was born in 2017, according to recent People coverage.
What movies and TV shows has LaRoyce Hawkins appeared in?
His credits include The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, House of Payne, Detroit 1-8-7, Underemployed, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Ballers, South Side, and The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, among others.
What is LaRoyce Hawkins’ net worth?
His exact net worth has not been publicly verified. Online estimates vary, so specific figures should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed financial information.
Where did LaRoyce Hawkins go to college?
He attended Illinois State University, where he studied acting/theater and graduated in 2012.
Official website:
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Conclusion
LaRoyce Hawkins’ career reflects a long journey from competitive speech and theater in Harvey, Illinois, to one of television’s most recognizable police dramas. After studying acting at Illinois State University and making his film debut in The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, Hawkins gradually built a diverse acting résumé.
His defining role came with Chicago P.D., where he has portrayed Officer Kevin Atwater for many years. The character has given Hawkins the opportunity to explore complex professional and personal storylines while becoming an important part of the One Chicago franchise.
Outside television, Hawkins continues to explore comedy, poetry, spoken word, music, theater, and community work. His connection to his Chicago-area roots remains an important part of his public identity.
From his early success in Illinois speech competitions to his long-running television career, LaRoyce Hawkins has built a multifaceted career that extends well beyond his best-known role as Kevin Atwater.