You’ve probably seen his face a dozen times without even realizing he’s the same guy. Honestly, Malik Sanon (often credited simply as Malik S.) is the definition of a "quiet heavy hitter" in Hollywood. He’s a comedian who became a writer, who became a producer, who became that one guy in your favorite sitcom you can't help but laugh at.
Most people know him as Trey on the CBS hit The Neighborhood. He’s the one constantly hanging out with Malcolm and Marty, bringing that specific kind of dry, lived-in humor that makes the show feel real. But if you think he just shows up and reads lines, you're missing about 80% of his career.
Malik Sanon Movies and TV Shows: More Than Just Trey
While the cameras are rolling on The Neighborhood, Malik is usually doing double duty. He isn't just an actor on the show; he’s a supervising producer and a staff writer. That’s a rare trifecta in network TV. Most actors are lucky to get a seat at the table, but Malik is basically helping build the table.
He didn't just stumble into this. He’s been grinding since the late 2000s.
Look at his early credits and you’ll find The Law back in 2009. It was a small start, but it set the stage. Fast forward a bit, and he’s popping up in Kenya Barris’s world with a role in #BlackAF (2020) and later in the Netflix film You People (2023) alongside Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy. He plays "Customer," but in a movie that heavy with improv-style comedy, you have to be fast to stay on screen. Malik is fast.
The Breakdown of His Key Projects
If you’re trying to track down his best work, don’t just look for his face. Look for his name in the rolling credits. Here is where you’ve actually seen or heard his influence:
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- The Neighborhood (2018–Present): His most visible role as Trey (later revealed to be named Leslie). He’s been a staple since Season 1.
- You People (2023): A Netflix original where he holds his own in a cast of comedy legends.
- Welcome Matt (2021): He plays Dave in this indie comedy-drama about a man struggling with agoraphobia. It’s a bit more grounded than his usual sitcom energy.
- Legends of Chamberlain Heights: This is a deep cut. He wrote the "Class President" episode for this animated Comedy Central series.
The Cedric the Entertainer Connection
You can’t talk about Malik Sanon movies and tv shows without talking about Cedric the Entertainer. They are a duo in the truest sense. Malik has spent years as one of Cedric's go-to writers and openers on the stand-up circuit.
That chemistry is why The Neighborhood works so well. But their partnership is evolving. As of 2025 and 2026, they have been deep in development on a new project called The Hilsons. This is a multi-cam family comedy for CBS that Malik actually wrote. It’s based on a mother and her two adult sons forced to live together again after 20 years.
It’s basically Malik’s "graduate degree" in television—moving from the guy in front of the camera to the guy creating the entire world the cameras live in.
Why He Matters to the Industry
Hollywood is full of "types." You have the leading men, the character actors, and the writers. Malik Sanon is a "utility player." He understands the rhythm of a joke because he’s a stand-up at heart. He understands the structure of a scene because he’s a producer.
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He's also been vocal about the "duty" of comedians to write from a real place. In various interviews, like his appearance on the Breakbeat Media podcast, he’s talked about how consistency is the only way to survive. He isn't chasing viral fame; he’s chasing longevity.
What Most People Get Wrong
There is a common misconception that Malik is "just" Cedric’s friend who got a part. That’s a lazy take. If you look at the writing credits for The Neighborhood, you’ll see his name on some of the show's most poignant episodes. Specifically, the Season 3 premiere that dealt with police misconduct and the Black Lives Matter movement? Malik was central to that narrative. He uses his platform to inject actual substance into what could have been a standard "odd couple" sitcom.
How to Watch His Evolution
If you want to see the full range of Malik Sanon, start with his stand-up clips from The Ice House or South Beach Comedy Festival. Then, binge the early seasons of The Neighborhood. Notice how his character, Trey, grows from a background buddy to a pivotal part of the Butler family's extended universe.
The next big thing for him? Keep your eyes on the CBS fall schedule. With The Hilsons in the works and his continued work as a producer, Malik is transitionally moving into the "Showrunner" phase of his career.
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If you're a fan of smart, character-driven comedy, you should:
- Watch the Season 3 premiere of The Neighborhood to see his range as both an actor and a writer handling heavy themes.
- Check out Welcome Matt on VOD for a look at his more indie, dramatic-comedy side.
- Follow the development of The Hilsons, as it marks his debut as a primary creator.
He’s one of those rare talents who proves that if you stay in the room long enough—and work harder than anyone else while you're there—you eventually get to run the room.