Adrian Kali Turner

Adrian Kali Turner started acting at the age of 4, when he landed the lead role in a school play. In July 2006, Adrian Kali attended AMTC. He won awards for Monologue and was a finalist for Best Overall Child Actor.

In January 2007, Adrian Kali headed to Los Angeles, where he has since appeared in numerous films, commercials, and voiceover projects. He landed roles on iCarly, Yo Gabba Gabba, Chuck, Lincoln Heights, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards, Numb3rs, Flash Forward and Disney’s 3 Minute Game Show. In 2009, he also starred in the record-breaking Hollywood/Bollywood drama My Name is Khan. Adrian Kali and his parents traveled to India, where they lived for a month during the filming. Recently Adrian Kali completed filming of his second feature film, Bad Teacher, starring Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake and Jason Segal. The film will be released in early 2012.

In addition to acting, Adrian Kali sings, raps and dances. He is the fifth member of the singing group, Boyz Crew, which is currently recording and ready to appear in late 2010. Adrian also writes and performs for the Agape International Children’s Choir. As a member, Adrian Kali sang for “President Obama’s Inauguration: Neighborhood Ball” and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Ellen, and Larry King Live. Adrian Kali has performed with Will.i.am, Donna Summer, and Jamie Foxx.

Adrian Kali is represented by CESD Talent Agency (L.A.& New York).
Visit his website at www.adriankaliturner.com

June 2010 UPDATE

Adrian booked a recurring role in AMC pilot The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead is an American monthly black and white comic published by Image Comics beginning in 2003. The comic was created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore and chronicles the travels of a group of people trying to survive in a world stricken by a zombie apocalypse.

This AMC series, which will run six episodes and have its debut in October, will be directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile), and its executive producers include Gale Ann Hurd (The Terminator, Aliens, The Incredible Hulk).

All filming will be done in Adrian’s hometown, Atlanta, Georgia.

March 2010 UPDATE

Adrian recently booked a role in Bad Teacher, an upcoming feature film starring Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake.

February 2010 UPDATE

Hello Carey,

Adrian’s education is of paramount importance to us. Recently, he was seleted as the “poster child” for his homeschool program, Connections Academy and will be featured in the 2010 CA Program Guide. The School’s officials were impressed with how Adrian maintains a hectic calendar while continuing to benefit from the rigorous requirements of the home school program. Even while in India filming, he adhered to his school schedule. His current grades range from 83-90. Each year, he takes the CA Standardized tests and performs at or above his grade level in math, science and language arts.

Feel free to share this information with parents who are about to enter the industry but are concerned about their child’s education.

Roy

Article featured on TheCitizen.com
By: Michael Boylan
January 5, 2010

Adrian “Kali” Turner,” a former student at Peeples Elementary School and a part-time Fayetteville resident, is getting a taste of Bollywood and Hollywood.

Turner, 12, plays a character named Joel in the film “My Name is Khan.” The movie, which tells the story of a Muslim man with Asperger’s Syndrome suspected of being a terrorist after Sept. 11, 2001, stars two of Bollywood’s biggest stars – Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. Turner’s role was originally supposed to feature only a handful of lines, but the part grew and Turner flew to Mumbai for a month to be a part of a film that will be released in 40 countries in February.

“I can’t say much about my character,” Turner said, not wanting to spoil any surprises. “He is from Wilhelmina, Ga. and his brother died in a war.”

Turner has appeared in several other films, many of them student films with much smaller scales and budgets. “My Name is Khan” was his first major feature film.
Although he was on set for a large part of each day, Turner got to do some sight-seeing and shopping. He visited the Gate of India, Chowpatty Beach, the planetarium and Elephant Island.

“I really liked it in India,” Turner stated. “Everyone was so nice.”

In late 2006, Turner participated in the Actors, Models and Talent Competition (AMTC). He placed second in monologue and commercial and was a finalist in Best Overall Child Act. After meeting with agents and managers at the event in Orlando, Fla., the advice was for him to go out to Los Angeles.

Turner’s first audition was with Larry David for a part on “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
“I had to yell at him for killing my hamster,” Turner said. “It was all improv and really fun.”

He didn’t land the role on the HBO comedy but because of some skills he picked up at Peeples Elementary, he landed his first role on the Nickelodeon children’s program “Yo Gabba Gabba.”

“I had done cup stacking at Peeples and the audition said to bring a cool trick,” said Turner. “I did cup stacking on the show and danced with a banana.”
Turner lives out in Los Angeles most of the time, returning to Fayette County in the summer and at the holidays. In addition to “Yo Gabba Gabba,” Turner has also landed roles on television shows ranging from “iCarly” to “Flash Forward,” among others.

“In ‘Flash Forward,’ I play a Somali kid,” Turner stated, adding that because of all of his roles he has learned Hindi, Zulu and Somali. He is also learning about the behind the scenes aspects of the entertainment business and hopes to one day become a director.

His roles in television and film have brought him all over the world and had him acting with some of the industry’s biggest names, but his love of music put him on the biggest stage last year. Turner was a part of the AGAPE National Children’s Choir and performed at the Inauguration of President Obama as well as on “Oprah,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and “Larry King Live.” Those performances had the choir singing with stars like Will I. Am, Mary J. Blige and Sting.

Turner is currently doing voice-over work for Old Navy’s mannequin campaign and is working on an EP with a boy band called Boyz Crew. Although it seems he is often busy with school (he is home schooled) and work, he still has time to be a normal kid. He enjoys riding his bike, skateboarding and playing XBox. He often goes back to the AMTC conference and talks about his experiences and help other young actors reach their goals.

When asked what kind of career path he’d like to follow in Hollywood, Turner replied, “I just want to try and inspire people with the movies I make, spreading a message of peace.”

It’s a lofty goal, but one that Turner has every confidence that he will reach.

UPDATE November 2009
Adrian’s voice is quite the commodity! Check out Adrian’s voiceover in the Old Navy commercial below (he is the young character that speaks and sings.)

UPDATE October 2009
Adrian Turner and his parents traveled to Mumbai, India, (Bollywood) recently, where Adrian filmed his role in the highly anticipated feature film, My Name is Khan. In this film, Adrian plays the role of a young boy named Joel who lives in a small Georgia town with his mother. Adrian’s character becomes very close friends with the main character, played by Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan. Not only was the trip to Mumbai a personal adventure for Adrian and his parents, but it marked a milestone in his professional career, as he had the opportunity to work with A-listers in the Bollywood industry, such as director Karan Johar and Mr. Khan.

Adrian and his parents were accompanied to Mumbai by a California-licensed teacher and social worker. So, during his 30-day stay in Mumbai, in addition to working on the film, Adrian had to complete his school work, daily. When asked what he liked most about working in Mumbai, Adrian replies:
I met many people. I had a chance to meet and interact with people from South Africa, Afghanistan, Dubai, Germany and India. I learned alot about their cultures, and they learned alot about mine. The South African children on the set even taught me how to speak Zulu, and one of the production assistants taught me how to sing “We Shall overcome” in Hindi. It was an AWESOME trip.

Previous Entry
Adrian Kali Turner is an exceptional child, but exceptional children are the norm in the talent industry! He is a 2006 AMTC Grad who has guest starred in TV shows including “iCarly,” “Yo Gabba Gabba,” “Chuck,” “Lincoln Heights,” “Nick Kid’s Choice Awards,” “Numb3rs,” and Disney’s “3-Minute Game Show.” He has been in eight films, with lead roles in Entitled, Lost and Hound, and the award winning The Cure. Adrian has also been in theatre productions and modeled for clients like Macy’s. In addition to acting and modeling, Adrian can sing and dance!

UPDATE September 2009 Adrian and his parents, Roy and Maria, are in India where Adrian is shooting a film! Details tba!

UPDATE July 2009 Adrian has joined an up and coming boys singing group, called Boyz Crew. Watch them practice the National Anthem:

UPDATE June 22, 2009 Check out Adrian’s new PSA!

UPDATE March 9, 2009 Acholiland Movie won a student Emmy award Adrian had a lead role!

UPDATE March 3, 2009 Adrian’s short film, “The Cure” wins Best in Show at the Stolen Dreams Competition. Adrian stars in this heart-wrenching film!

UPDATE March 2, 2009 Adrian books a national voiceover campaign for Old Navy as a celebrity “supermodelquin” See the youtube video below!

UPDATE January 21, 2009 Check out Adrian at one of President Obama’s Inaugural Balls with recording artist, will.i.am.

UPDATE October 27, 2008 Adrian booked a guest starring role in the CBS Hit Series, NUMB3RS (air date to be announced).

UPDATE October 2008 Check out Adrian’s interview on Real TV Films during Emmy Week ’08!

Adrian Kali Turner is an exceptional child, but exceptional children are the norm in the talent industry! He is a 2006 AMTC Grad who has Guest Starred in TV Shows including iCarly, Yo Gabba Gabba, Chuck, Lincoln Heights, Nick Kid’s Choice Awards, and Disney’s 3-Minute Game Show. He has been in 8 films, and had lead roles in Entitled, Lost and Hound, and The Cure. Adrian has also been in many theatre productions and modeled for clients like Macy’s. In addition to acting and modeling, Adrian can sing and dance!

Take a look at Adrian’s Website for full bio information and notes from the guy himself!

Take a look at Adrian’s IMDB Profile

Adrian is starring as a “modelquin” in a new series of commercials for Old Navy. See the SuperModelquin story on youtube.