Columbus Short has built a diverse career across television, film, and stage. Beginning with early roles on shows like That’s So Raven, Short quickly made a name for himself through a combination of charisma and versatility. His work has spanned genres and formats, from musical drama to political thrillers, and he continues to expand his range with new projects.
One of Short’s early breakout roles came in Stomp the Yard, a film that resonated culturally and commercially. More recently, he gained widespread recognition for his work on the hit ABC series Scandal, playing Harrison Wright. The series, created by Shonda Rhimes, became a cultural phenomenon and gave Short a platform to showcase his dramatic abilities on a national scale.
In this week’s episode of the Scoop B Radio Podcast, Short reflects on key milestones in his career, including his time on Scandal and the impact of its political storylines. He discusses the behind-the-scenes access the cast had while filming, including visits to Washington, D.C., and how aspects of the show blurred the line between fiction and real-world political developments.
He also revisits his experience filming Stomp the Yard, which he describes as a substitute for a traditional college experience. The production took place on several historically Black college campuses, exposing Short to HBCU culture and the influence of the Divine 9 — Black Greek-letter organizations with long-standing historical and professional significance.
Beyond past projects, Short also discusses what’s ahead. He’s currently working on Mind Your Business, a comedy series created by Jamie Foxx and Bentley Kyle Evans. In addition, he’s developing a film about former MLB pitcher Dock Ellis, known for throwing a no-hitter while under the influence of LSD. According to Short, the post-baseball story is just as compelling as the headline moment.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Looking back on your early TV career, was there a particular show or moment that made you feel like you’d officially ‘made it’ in the industry?
Columbus Short: I did That’s So Raven when I was a kid on the Disney Channel. I did Studio 60 coming up through the ranks with Aaron Sorkin and then I eventually landed on Scandal with Shonda Rhimes, Kerry Washington, Guillero Diaz, Katie Lowes… shout out to all you guys! Tony Goldwyn… the whole OPA. Now I’m on a show called Mind Your Business. It’s a Jaime Foxx show. I’ve never done comedy as a series and so now I’m with Bentley Kyle Evans on there and I’m havin’ a ball in Season 2.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Looking back on the show Scandal from 4 years ago, how much of a self-fulfilling prophecy or level of reality exists at this point versus back then on the show?
Columbus Short: That’s a great question because, when we were doing it we had meetings and all kinds of things with high level — how we went to the White House and we got all this information and I’m like, Are we allowed to be here? Is this real? And to see it unfold, I think that Shonda might be Miss Cleo!
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: When you look back at Scandal several years later, how much do you think the show reflected real-life politics — and has any of that felt prophetic in hindsight?
Columbus Short: Oh it’s the same. There’s politics in every game. I didn’t mean for that to rhyme but, it’s the same. It’s just in international politics, our nationwide politics, what we do affects the nation and it affects the world. The same way we do with movies. The same way we do with television. The same way we do with film and music and it’s about what agenda are we propagating? But that’s everybody to make their own choice but there’s enough information for you guys out there to make educated decisions.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What was your experience like filming Stomp the Yard, and how did being on set shape your understanding of college life?
Columbus Short: It WAS my college experience! I didn’t get to go to college. My college was Stomp the Yard. I got the college experience. I was on Morris Brown’s campus, Clark Atlanta campus, Morehouse campus… living a college life but I was getting paid for it. It was for 3 months because we had to rehearse for a month and then we shot for 2 months.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: During your time filming Stomp the Yard, what did you learn about HBCU culture and the significance of the Divine 9 in the broader Black community?
Columbus Short: I got educated on What is it? What is it to be a part of an HBCU? What is the Divine 9? What does it mean? Why do you guys do it and what are the long-term effects of that? And as you can see, there’s probably a lot of people out here today that are part of one of the Divine 9 and has gotten jobs because they were a neophyte and their guy is a boss at a company now and so you get to see how it progresses and how it moves forward and the importance of that and the importance of that for our community.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: “Is there a particular role or real-life figure you’ve always wanted to portray on screen, and what draws you to that story?
Columbus Short: I wrote a movie about a pitcher and his name was Doc Ellis. He threw a no-hitter on LSD back in 1972 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. So I’m developing that project as we speak; it’s an amazing story but the story of what he did after is even more amazing, so that’s what I’m working on.
Columbus Short’s body of work spans a wide range of genres and platforms, with each project reflecting a different facet of his experience as both a performer and a storyteller. From youth-oriented programming to dramatic series and now comedy, he has continually adapted to changing roles and industry shifts.
His reflections on Scandal highlight not only the impact of the series itself but also the ways in which entertainment can mirror — and in some cases anticipate — political developments. Short emphasizes the intersection of media and public influence, noting the responsibilities that come with storytelling on a national platform.
His comments on Stomp the Yard provide insight into how film productions can also serve as immersive cultural experiences. The exposure to HBCU traditions and the Divine 9 during filming offered Short a broader understanding of community, legacy, and professional networks that extend beyond the screen.
With upcoming work in television and feature film development, Short is continuing to pursue stories that resonate. His interest in telling the story of Dock Ellis, for example, reflects a growing trend in the industry toward complex, character-driven biographical projects.
As he enters the next phase of his career, Columbus Short remains active in multiple sectors of the entertainment industry, contributing both in front of and behind the camera. His evolving filmography points to a professional trajectory marked by range, resilience, and ongoing creative development.
