Omikaye Phifer is the first child of the actor Mekhi Phifer and his ex-wife, Malinda Williams. His parents had him during their union which lasted from 1999 to 2003.
While he is the only child of his mother, his father has another child from a previous relationship. Omi as he is also known is currently a student at San Francisco State University. Nevertheless, he is focused on building his career in Computer Programing, Software Engineering, and Software programming.
Here are 10 Fascinating Facts about Mekhi Phifer Son, Omikaye Phifer
1. Omikaye Phifer is the Only Child of His Parents
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On August 12, 1999, Mekhi Phifer and his ex-wife Malinda Williams welcomed Omikaye as their first child. He was the only child the actors had before they parted ways.
95 year-old Omikaye attended Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach before he proceeded to El Camino College.According to his LinkedIn profile, he would be graduating from San Francisco State University in November 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
2. His Parents Divorced When He was Barely Four Years
The ER star Mekhi Phifer married his co-star in High School High, Malinda Williams in 1999. Their marriage, however, was plagued with alleged infidelity issues so it was short-lived.
In 2003, the pair decided to end the marriage but agreed to raise their son together. According to reports, Omikaye’s parents had a better relationship as co-parents than they were as a couple.
Mekhi revealed they had to keep their differences aside and become good friends for their son’s sake. The actor also added that at the time they married, he was around 24 and was beginning to break into the movie industry.
On his own part, he revealed that some of the problems they encountered in their marriage were the fact that he flirted with a couple of women but he never cheated on Malinda. He said it he couldn’t have cheated on her since they were married but technically living separately at that time.
However, Malinda, on her own part said he was an adulterer.
3. Omikaye Phifer is a Computer Programmer
Phifer has shared that he would love to work as a computer programmer, Software Engineer, Software Developer, and Software Programming.
4. Omi Phifer and his Cousins Created a Nonprofit Organization When he was a 12th-Grade Student
At the age of 17, Omikaye and his cousins Sean Dunn, Eric Sorensen Jr., and Ellis Sorensen started a nonprofit organization in the summer of 2016 to help provide basic essentials to the needy.
The nonprofit organization, Bare Needs Inc. completed its first successful donation drive where they collected boxes and tons of basic essentials to donate to Safe and Sound in the Somerset section of Franklin.
Phifer revealed he started Bare Needs with his cousins to help the less privileged. The boys also had the support of Phifer’s maternal grandfather, Fred Williams, a Vietnam veteran.
Omikaye seems to be following in his father’s footsteps. Mekhi Phifer, 50, has also engaged in various charity events and has once served as the Chairman of the Board of the non-profit organization The Vine Group USA.
5. Omikaye Phifer’s Parents Have Both Remarried
Following their divorce, both Mekhi and Malinda moved on with their lives. The Divergent star had a son, Mekhi Thira Pjiler Jr., with his ex-girlfriend Oni Souratha in 2007 before he married his longtime girlfriend Reshelet Barnes.
Omaikaye’s father has been married to Barnes for 12 years now and it seems they have no children together yet.
His mother, on the other hand, is currently in her third marriage. She married rapper D-Nice in August 2008 but they separated a year later in August 2009. The divorce was finalized in February 2010.
In 2019, it was reported that the Soul Food actress announced her engagement to her journalist and digital media specialist beau Tariq M. Walker. Malinda and Tariq created a lifestyle and travel brand that helps couples celebrate life. The pair tied the knot in 2020 in the presence of their loved ones.
6. His Parents are Well Known in the Entertainment Industry
Omikaye’s parents are well known in the movie industry. His father started acting in 1995. He became known for his portrayal of Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC’s medical drama ER. He has been nominated twice for an NAACP Image Award for his role in the TV series. Some of his television/movie credits include:
- Subway Stories: Tales from the Underground (1997)
- Soul Food (1997)
- Hav Plenty (1997)
- Hell’s Kitchen (1998)
- I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
- Shaft (2000)
- Obsession (2019)
- Truth Be Told (2019-)
His mother has been in the entertainment industry for more than three decades. She began her career on television before she ventured into acting in films. She has received two NAACP Image Awards nominations for her role in Soul Food.
She has also appeared in the following television series and films:
- The Wood (1999)
- Dancing in September (2000)
- A Day in the Life (2009)
- Back Then (2009)
- The Undershepherd (2012)
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2004)
- The District (2004)
7. Phifer’s Father Filed for Bankruptcy in 2014
In 2014, ET reported that the actor filed for bankruptcy in U.S Bankruptcy Court on April 22, 2014. According to the report, Mekhi claimed he had only $67,701 in assets and has a monthly income of $7,500 compared to monthly expenses of $11,500. Also, it stated that he accumulated about $1.2 million in back taxes, $50,000 in lawyer fees, and not less than $4,500 in back child support.
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8. His mother Has a License in Cosmetology
According to the actress, growing up, her dream was to become an actress and also a beautician. She worked in her aunt’s salon for five years after she left high school.
It is obvious she has achieved both. Malinda went to cosmetology school where she earned a license in that field. Malinda,51, runs a YouTube channel with DIY videos. her mother was also a cosmetologist.
9. Omikaye Phifer’s Father Allegedly Owned Several Athletic Footwear Franchise Stores
Aside from acting, Omi’s father is said to be a businessman as well as an entrepreneur. He is the owner of Athlete’s Foot in California and also the head of the production company called Third Reel Films which was launched in January 2011.
10. What is His Net Worth?
Omikaye Phifer’s net worth is unavailable at the moment. Even his father, who has spent years in his career has not shared his income with the public but he is rumored to have a net worth of nothing less than $500,000.
Also, that of his mothers is also rumored to be around $2.5 million. She must have made her net worth from her long-span career in entertainment and other business ventures.
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