Mekhi Thira Phifer is an American actor. He was born on December 29, 1974 in Manhattan, New York. In 1994, Phifer atetnded an open casting call made by director Spike Lee for his film Clockers. He beat over a thousand others and got the role as a narcotics dealer embroiled in a murder cover-up. Afterwards he landed a role in High School High, and co-starred in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer with Jennfier Love Hewitt. He also co-starred with Eminem in the film 8 Mile. His notable television reoles include that of Dr. Greg Patt on NBC's medical drama ER. He was also a regular on Fox's crime show Lie to Me, and starred as CIA agent Rex Matheson in Torchwood: Miracle Day.