One of Thompson's earliest roles was as an entertainment reporter for CNN's 'Real News for Kids'. As a child he was a fan of The Price Is Right which he referred to as 'my first love' and 'very joyful viewing', which had an effect on his future acting style. He auditioned for a theater company, The Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (YEA). He continued acting throughout his youth, appearing in school plays such as The Gingerbread Duck.
His first role as Toto in a church production of The Wiz had no lines. Thompson's mother enrolled him in acting classes at age five.
His family moved to Atlanta, Georgia when he was 9 months old. He has two siblings: an older brother and a younger sister. His parents are Fletcher and Elizabeth Ann Thompson.
