9 Things You Didn’t Know About OTH Star Antwon Tanner

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8. Horror Star

Back in 2007, Tanner starred in his first ever horror film 7eventy 5ive and while it wasn’t a blockbuster, he was very proud of it. When talking about the film before it came out, he had a hilarious response as to why it is a good horror film. “It’s a really good movie. It’s my first horror movie, and I’m the black guy and I actually live a really long time. I don’t die in the first 10 minutes.”

Photo by David Miller/ABACAUSA.COM

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7. Act Your Age

Although many teen shows don’t actually cast teenagers in the roles, Tanner was the oldest of the high school cast on One Tree Hill as he was 28 when season one was filmed. Then, two years later, he played a teen again in the hit film Coach Carter when he was 30!

(c) Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

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6. One Tree Hill Days

Although his character Antwon “Skills” Taylor was on One Tree Hill right from the start, he didn’t really get more development or a story until season five when his character, as one of Nathan’s best friends, began dating Nathan’s mom, Deb played by Barbara Alyn Woods. At the time, he was asked if he thought it was at all awkward to take on this relationship with an actress he had already been working with for five years, and he had another hilarious response. “Nope! I always thought Barbara was fine. When they told me it was my turn, I was like, ‘Word! I’m there.’ I was at work early that day.” In the same interview with Buddy TV, he also made the good point that out of all the characters he wished he had more scenes with Peyton Sawyer (Hilarie Burton) because as his best friend’s (Lucas Scott) girlfriend they should have hung out more.

Fred Norris/The CW

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5. Basketball Star

Given Skills’ role as river court turned Ravens star alongside Lucas who then pursues a career as a basketball coach for L.A. sets, it shouldn’t be surprising that Antwon Tanner is actually pretty good at basketball. He began playing basketball young in Chicago where he grew up, and after moving to California as a senior in high school was one of his new school’s top players. He then played for two seasons on the Pasadena City College men’s team and, while at school there, he took up acting. “Antwon is the epitome of what you’d want in a student-athlete,” his former PCC coach, Coach Moore, stated. “He was an ambitious young man back then and he badly wanted to play college basketball. He set his sights high and he’s become a successful adult.”

Fred Norris / © The CW / Courtesy Everett Collection

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4. Role Model

Tanner gives credit to none other than iconic actor Samuel L. Jackson for being his role model, mentor and reason for getting into acting.

Do I need to say anything. My mentor and reason for becoming an actor. Great person right here. My Uncle Sam

A photo posted by Antwon Tanner (@antwontanner2214) on Feb 13, 2015 at 9:24pm PST

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3. One Tree Hill Fanatic

There are A LOT of One Tree Hill fans out there, and Tanner is among them. Although the show has been over for a few years now he is always up for a One Tree Hill convention and loves reuniting with his former co-stars. His Instagram is also full of throwback pictures from their days on set as well as their time spent together during these amazing conventions/reunions.

A photo posted by Antwon Tanner (@antwontanner2214) on Mar 13, 2016 at 8:50am PDT

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2. Arrest

While everything seemed to be going well for Tanner, it was shocking when he was arrested in April 2009 for “knowingly and intentionally” transferring Social Security cards with “intent to defraud.” That August he plead guilty to the charges which included selling more than a dozen Social Security numbers and was given a prison sentence of 3 months. At the time, his lawyer stated that Tanner had “suffered financial reversals and lost a $1 million house in California to foreclosure.”

© CW / courtesy everett collection

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1. Family

Due to his lack of spotlight attention, many fans don’t realize that Tanner is a husband and a father. He has two sons and one daughter.

A photo posted by Antwon Tanner (@antwontanner2214) on Apr 8, 2015 at 12:26pm PDT

Telisa Carter

Telisa enjoys learning and writing about all things entertainment in the world of Hollywood. When she isn't catching up on her favorite TV shows, she likes to read, and obsess over all things football.