Obba Babatundé filmography and biography
Date of birth: 1 December 1951, Jamaica, New York, USA
Obba Babatundé biography
Obba Babatundé is one of the busiest actors in Hollywood, juggling
careers in film, television and stage.
Babatundé recently appeared in Paramount Pictures'
The Manchurian Candidate, as well as the critically
acclaimed film The Notebook, while continuing to star as
the father on the UPN sitcom Half amp; Half, which began
its fifth season this fall. Other recent projects include a
scene-stealing role in the New Line feature film
After the Sunset, which opened November 12, 2004,
opposite Pierce Brosnan. He next stars in the highly anticipated
feature film The Celestine Prophecy, based on the
top-selling book, which is scheduled for release in 2006.
He recently wrapped production on a co-starring role in the 'Martha
Coolidge'-directed feature film comedy, Material Girls,
opposite Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff, which is also
slated for a 2006 release. In March 2006, he filmed a recurring role in
the pilot for the new HBO Studios' Untitled Kevin Brennan series for
NBC.
Babatundé's acting portfolio includes the blockbuster motion pictures,
John Q, Universal Pictures' How High, a
memorable role as Lamar in That Thing You Do!,
Philadelphia, The Silence of the Lambs, the
role of Berry Gordy in The Temptations (1998) (TV), and
The Visit (2000/I) among others. The talented artist earned Emmy
and Cable ACE Award nominations for his role as Willie Johnson in HBO's
Miss Evers' Boys (1997) (TV), and a NAACP Image Award nomination
for his portrayal of Harold Nicholas in HBO's
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999) (TV). His additional
television credits include the title role in the USA Network's film
Redeemer (2002) (TV) and a role in the award-winning Showtime
drama series Soul Food, portraying Kenny's father.
Babatundé's ability to live a part so flawlessly contributes to his
memorable character portrayals. In the comedy How High,
Babatundé gives a hilarious delivery as the Dean of Freshman at Harvard
University. In John Q, he portrays the cool, unflappable
SWAT team captain out to get his man. As the narrator and fellow
convict to Eddie Murphy (I) and Martin Lawrence (I)'s
characters in the motion picture Life (1999/I), Babatundé
exhibited great diversity as his character aged forty years over the
course of the picture.
While his film and television credits loom exemplary, Babatundé is no
stranger to the stage. With multiple Broadway credits, he is probably
best known for his Tony-nominated role as C.C. White in the original
Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Other unforgettable stage
performances include Harold Prince's Grind and he originated the
role of the legendary jazz artist 'Ferdinand 'Jelly Roll' Morton' in
the world premiere of Jelly's Last Jam. In the summer of 2005, Obba
toured Japan, starring as Billy Flynn in Chicago, reprising the role he
performed in the original tour of the classic musical. The show ran
four weeks in Tokyo and one week in Osaka. In early January 2006, he
was asked to return for a week of special engagements and also
performed select dates on the U.S. National Tour in February. He is
currently scheduled to return to Broadway on April 17, 2006, for a
four-month starring run as "Billy Flynn" at the legendary Ambassador
Theatre.
In addition to his mentorship program, Babatundé enjoys doing his
seminar "show-BUSINESS' at universities throughout the country.
Obba Babatundé trivia
- Brother is Akin Babatunde
- Guest-starred as a record exec named Gordy Berry on The Fresh Prince Of
Bel-Air, then starred as real-life Motown founder Berry Gordy in the
made-for-tv-movie, The Temptations.
- Was nominated for Broadway's 1982 Tony Award as Best Actor (Featured
Role - Musical) for "Dreamgirls."
- He graduated from Jamaica High School in 1969 as Donald Cohen.