Celebrities I Have Met and Or Worked With
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- Composer
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A tall, lanky and twinkle-eyed African-American actor with wonderful onscreen charisma, Antonio Fargas has been appearing on stage and screen for nearly 60 years as of 2021. His film debut was in Shirley Clarke's The Cool World (1963), a gritty, uncompromising tale about African-American youth growing up in Harlem, New York. He then made his acting presence felt in many "blaxploitation" films of the early 1970s, including the classic Shaft (1971), the Mafia flick Across 110th Street (1972), the ultra-violent Pam Grier vehicle Foxy Brown (1974) and the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn (1975).
Around this time ABC-TV executives were looking for a capable actor to play the role of golden-hearted street informant "Huggy Bear" on Starsky and Hutch (1975), and Fargas scored the role with which he is most closely identified. His career continued to flourish after "Starsky and Hutch" wrapped up after four years, and he has appeared in over 50 movies to date, many TV shows and numerous stage productions. He has played a 90-year-old witch doctor in "The Great White Hope", was in Melvin Van Peebles' "Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death", and appeared in productions of "The Rainmaker", "The Emperor Jones" and "Dream on Monkey Mountain". A strong advocate of the strength and diversity of African-American culture, Fargas holds positions on the boards of Rhode Island's Langston Hughes Center for the Arts and The Martin Luther King Center of Newport.Met at National Black Theatre Festival.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Ted Lange is a graduate of London's Royal Academy with a career as a prolific director, writer, and actor since the 1980's. This classical background as well as his years before the camera have enabled him to become known as an actor's director inspiring not only emotional but also comedic scenes.
His four-camera directing expertise includes sixty episodes for Entertainment Studios', The First Family and Mr. Box Office, and twelve episodes of Are We There Yet?, for Executive Producer, Ali Leroi.
His one-camera directing experience is showcased in the independent films, Othello and For Love of Amy as well as the one-camera television comedies, The New Gidget and The Brothers Garcia for Universal.
The Fall Guy and Mike Hammer exemplify his directorial work in action shows.Was in a Reader's Theatre Production with him at National Black Theatre Festival- Music Artist
- Actor
- Music Department
Isaac Hayes, the second-born child of Eula and Isaac Hayes Sr., was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Wade Sr. The child of a poor family, he grew up picking cotton in Covington, Tennessee. He dropped out of high school, but later his former high-school teachers to get his diploma, which he earned when he was 21. Otis Redding, Johnnie Taylor, The Bar-Kays, and Booker T. Jones (later of Booker T. & the M.G.s fame) were some of the "Memphis Sound" musical luminaries Hayes worked with during his early years as a budding musician and vocalist. He was a multi-talented composer, singer, and arranger who played the piano, vibraphone, and saxophone equally well. In 1971 he won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for a Motion Picture for the "Theme from Shaft" (1970) and was nominated for Best Original Dramatic Score for Shaft (1971).Appeared at the Bull Durham Blues Festival, had the pleasure of introducing him..A truly wonderful gentleman....- Actor
- Producer
- Director
With an authoritative voice and calm demeanor, this ever popular American actor has grown into one of the most respected figures in modern US cinema. Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. The young Freeman attended Los Angeles City College before serving several years in the US Air Force as a mechanic between 1955 and 1959. His first dramatic arts exposure was on the stage including appearing in an all-African American production of the exuberant musical Hello, Dolly!.
Throughout the 1970s, he continued his work on stage, winning Drama Desk and Clarence Derwent Awards and receiving a Tony Award nomination for his performance in The Mighty Gents in 1978. In 1980, he won two Obie Awards, for his portrayal of Shakespearean anti-hero Coriolanus at the New York Shakespeare Festival and for his work in Mother Courage and Her Children. Freeman won another Obie in 1984 for his performance as The Messenger in the acclaimed Brooklyn Academy of Music production of Lee Breuer's The Gospel at Colonus and, in 1985, won the Drama-Logue Award for the same role. In 1987, Freeman created the role of Hoke Coleburn in Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Driving Miss Daisy, which brought him his fourth Obie Award. In 1990, Freeman starred as Petruchio in the New York Shakespeare Festival's The Taming of the Shrew, opposite Tracey Ullman. Returning to the Broadway stage in 2008, Freeman starred with Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher in Clifford Odets' drama The Country Girl, directed by Mike Nichols.
Freeman first appeared on TV screens as several characters including "Easy Reader", "Mel Mounds" and "Count Dracula" on the Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop) show The Electric Company (1971). He then moved into feature film with another children's adventure, Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow! (1971). Next, there was a small role in the thriller Blade (1973); then he played Casca in Julius Caesar (1979) and the title role in Coriolanus (1979). Regular work was coming in for the talented Freeman and he appeared in the prison dramas Attica (1980) and Brubaker (1980), Eyewitness (1981), and portrayed the final 24 hours of slain Malcolm X in Death of a Prophet (1981). For most of the 1980s, Freeman continued to contribute decent enough performances in films that fluctuated in their quality. However, he really stood out, scoring an Oscar nomination as a merciless hoodlum in Street Smart (1987) and, then, he dazzled audiences and pulled a second Oscar nomination in the film version of Driving Miss Daisy (1989) opposite Jessica Tandy. The same year, Freeman teamed up with youthful Matthew Broderick and fiery Denzel Washington in the epic Civil War drama Glory (1989) about freed slaves being recruited to form the first all-African American fighting brigade.
His star continued to rise, and the 1990s kicked off strongly with roles in The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), and The Power of One (1992). Freeman's next role was as gunman Ned Logan, wooed out of retirement by friend William Munny to avenge several prostitutes in the wild west town of Big Whiskey in Clint Eastwood's de-mythologized western Unforgiven (1992). The film was a sh and scored an acting Oscar for Gene Hackman, a directing Oscar for Eastwood, and the Oscar for best picture. In 1993, Freeman made his directorial debut on Bopha! (1993) and soon after formed his production company, Revelations Entertainment.
More strong scripts came in, and Freeman was back behind bars depicting a knowledgeable inmate (and obtaining his third Oscar nomination), befriending falsely accused banker Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption (1994). He was then back out hunting a religious serial killer in Se7en (1995), starred alongside Keanu Reeves in Chain Reaction (1996), and was pursuing another serial murderer in Kiss the Girls (1997).
Further praise followed for his role in the slave tale of Amistad (1997), he was a worried US President facing Armageddon from above in Deep Impact (1998), appeared in Neil LaBute's black comedy Nurse Betty (2000), and reprised his role as Alex Cross in Along Came a Spider (2001). Now highly popular, he was much in demand with cinema audiences, and he co-starred in the terrorist drama The Sum of All Fears (2002), was a military officer in the Stephen King-inspired Dreamcatcher (2003), gave divine guidance as God to Jim Carrey in Bruce Almighty (2003), and played a minor role in the comedy The Big Bounce (2004).
2005 was a huge year for Freeman. First, he he teamed up with good friend Clint Eastwood to appear in the drama, Million Dollar Baby (2004). Freeman's on-screen performance is simply world-class as ex-prize fighter Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris, who works in a run-down boxing gym alongside grizzled trainer Frankie Dunn, as the two work together to hone the skills of never-say-die female boxer Hilary Swank. Freeman received his fourth Oscar nomination and, finally, impressed the Academy's judges enough to win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance. He also narrated Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds (2005) and appeared in Batman Begins (2005) as Lucius Fox, a valuable ally of Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne/Batman for director Christopher Nolan. Freeman would reprise his role in the two sequels of the record-breaking, genre-redefining trilogy.
Roles in tentpoles and indies followed; highlights include his role as a crime boss in Lucky Number Slevin (2006), a second go-round as God in Evan Almighty (2007) with Steve Carell taking over for Jim Carrey, and a supporting role in Ben Affleck's directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone (2007). He co-starred with Jack Nicholson in the breakout hit The Bucket List (2007) in 2007, and followed that up with another box-office success, Wanted (2008), then segued into the second Batman film, The Dark Knight (2008).
In 2009, he reunited with Eastwood to star in the director's true-life drama Invictus (2009), on which Freeman also served as an executive producer. For his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the film, Freeman garnered Oscar, Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award nominations, and won the National Board of Review Award for Best Actor.
Recently, Freeman appeared in RED (2010), a surprise box-office hit; he narrated the Conan the Barbarian (2011) remake, starred in Rob Reiner's The Magic of Belle Isle (2012); and capped the Batman trilogy with The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Freeman has several films upcoming, including the thriller Now You See Me (2013), under the direction of Louis Leterrier, and the science fiction actioner Oblivion (2013), in which he stars with Tom Cruise.Met briefly while he was taping Kiss the Girls in Durham.- Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
Buddy Guy was born on 30 July 1936 in Lettsworth, Louisiana, USA. He is an actor and composer, known for In the Electric Mist (2009), Idiocracy (2006) and Nothing to Lose (1997).Has appeared several times at the Bull Durham Blues Festival....- Actress
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Ruby Dee was an American actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist. She is best known for originating the role of "Ruth Younger" in the stage and film versions of A Raisin in the Sun (1961).
She also starred in The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Cat People (1982), Do the Right Thing (1989), and American Gangster (2007).
Her film debut was That Man of Mine (1946).
For her performance as Mahalee Lucas in American Gangster (2007), she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. As of 2019, she stands as the second oldest nominee for Best Supporting Actress, behind Gloria Stuart who was 87 when nominated for her role in Titanic for the 70th Academy Awards, 1998.
Dee died on June 11, 2014, at her home in New Rochelle, New York, from natural causes at the age of 91.Met several times at the National Black Theatre Festival, and also appeared at Hayti presenting her one woman play which was co-sponsored by the Deltas...- Actress
- Writer
- Director
Dr. Troy is a mental health care expert and holds a doctorate in clinical psychology. She specializes in stress reduction, anger management and organic, emotion regulation. Dr. Troy is a best-selling published author and she is the founder of MindologyFitness an organization that offers fun, effective and affordable mind care to everyone, everywhere.
Dr. Troy's books "Ex-Free: 9 Keys To Happiness After Heartbreak" and "How To Be A Powerfully Responsible Bitch & Take Your Life To New Heights" topped Amazon's best-seller list several times. Dr. Troy's last book was inspired by the female domestic abuse perpetrators Dr. Troy has worked with over the years.
A show business veteran, Dr. Troy began her on-camera career at the age of four as one of the original cast members on the PBS hit show, Sesame Street. In addition to being a veteran actress, director and screenwriter,
On a personal note, Dr. Troy is the bi-racial daughter of a black mother and a white father. Troy has an inspirational story to tell about surviving and being the victor of child abuse, child abandonment, juvie hall and the foster care system. Troy is the proud mother of a 24 year-old son and a 21 year-old daughter. Troy currently resides in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona.Met when she was taping White Girls in Durham, NC.....- Producer
- Actor
- Director
Long time friend.....Has shown films at the Hayti Heritage Film Festival and spoken on panels......- Actor
- Producer
- Executive
Cedric Pendleton Actor I Producer I Creative Executive
Bio
Cedric Pendleton, a seasoned actor, producer, and creative executive, stands at the apex of his career. With an unparalleled blend of raw talent and magnetic charisma, he has seamlessly transitioned from working behind the lens to commanding the spotlight across live events, theater, television, and film.
Born in Florence, Alabama, Cedric's journey as a multi-talented artist and executive began at a young age, nurtured by his mother's invaluable lessons in the art of captivating storytelling.
To date, Cedric has left an indelible mark on over forty productions, including collaborations with entertainment giants like Lion's Gate, Fox Searchlight, Warner Brothers, and Tyler Perry Studios.
His on-screen presence has graced groundbreaking films from Tyler Perry's illustrious repertoire, such as the iconic "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" and the heartwarming "Madea's Family Reunion." Cedric's versatility extends to the small screen, where his supporting and recurring roles in hit shows like FX's "The Shield," CBS's "The Guardian," and The CW's "One Tree Hill" have garnered acclaim. He has also made memorable appearances on The WB's "Dawson's Creek," Lifetime's "Strong Medicine," HBO's "True Blood," CBS's "CSI: NY," TBS's "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," and Tyler Perry's "The Haves and The Have Nots." Notably, his portrayal in the award-winning Lifetime film "The Fantasia Barrino Story" was a testament to his exceptional talent.
Beyond his on-screen contributions, Cedric is a sought-after visionary as an Executive Producer. He has breathed life into remarkable events and stories, including the awe-inspiring national tour of "High School Battle of the Bands," captivating audiences of up to 60,000 per show. Noteworthy productions under his guidance include Tyler Perry's breakout tour, "I Know I've Been Changed," and Juanita Bynum's powerful "Weapons of Power Conferences," reaching 3.1 million households through televised broadcasts. Recently, Cedric's expertise was instrumental in the Executive Production of the captivating film, "For the Love of Money." Next, he is immersed in a national tour of a groundbreaking mental health initiative for children titled "Don't Bully Me " and held the Co-Executive Producer and star position for the PBS series "The Cool and The Strong."
Cedric's unwavering dedication to his craft drives him to conquer new challenges continually. He passionately embraces the mantra, "I find that the experiences that keep me sharp often lead to opportunities." Notably, his impeccable comedic timing has graced esteemed venues such as The Comedy Store, The Ice House, and Mixed Nuts in Los Angeles, leaving audiences in stitches.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, Cedric effortlessly combines intellect and artistry. He fearlessly pushes the boundaries of his craft while nurturing his love for the arts as an active practitioner of Kapoeira Angola.
Prepare to be captivated by Cedric Pendleton, an accomplished professional who leaves an indelible impression on every project he undertakes. His sheer talent and unwavering passion are an unstoppable force, propelling him to ever-greater heights in the realm of entertainment.
#####Appeared as a guest on a panel and as our special guest for one of the years of the Hayti Heritage Film Festival.....- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Rebbie Jackson was born on 29 May 1950 in Gary, Indiana, USA. She is an actress, known for Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (1995), Rebbie Jackson: Plaything (1988) and Rebbie Jackson & Robin Zander: You Send the Rain Away (1986). She was previously married to Nathaniel Brown.Gave a concert at the Hayti Heritage Center ....- Actress
- Soundtrack
KoKo Taylor was born on 28 September 1928 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. She was an actress, known for Blues Brothers 2000 (1998), Wild at Heart (1990) and Adventures in Babysitting (1987). She was married to Hay Harris and Robert 'Pops' Taylor. She died on 3 June 2009 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.Appeared several times at the Bull Durham Blues Festival...- Producer
- Cinematographer
- Composer
Clarence Carter was born on 14 January 1936 in Montgomery, Alabama, USA. He is a producer and cinematographer, known for Die Hard (1988), The Nutty Professor (1996) and Mission: Impossible III (2006). He was previously married to Candi Staton.Definitely gave a great show at the Bull Durham Blues Festival when he appeared...- Actor
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Dick Gregory was born on 12 October 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for The Hot Chick (2002), The Leisure Seeker (2017) and Reno 911! (2003). He was married to Lillian Gregory. He died on 19 August 2017 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA.A great comedian and also a political activist...Had the pleasure of seeing him appear at the Hayti Heritage Film Festival many years ago......- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Halie Gerima arrived in the United States from his native Gondar, Ethiopia, to study acting and directing at the Goodman Theater in Chicago, Illinois. He later transferred to the Theater Department at UCLA where he completed the Master's Program in Film. Afterward, he relocated to Washington, DC, to teach at Howard University's Department of Radio, Television, and Film where he has influenced young filmmakers for over twenty-five years.
Influenced by UCLA classmate and filmmaker Charles Burnett, and by the celebrated Black poet and educator Sterling Brown, Gerima's films are noted for their exploration of the issues and history pertinent to members of the African diaspora, from the continent itself to the Americas and Western Hemisphere. Often corrective of Hollywood versions of slave stories, his films comment on the physical, cultural, and psychological dislocation of Black peoples during and after slavery. What distinguishes his films are that the narratives are told from the perspectives of Africans and members of the African Diaspora itself, rather than being sanitized and misinterpreted by more commercially oriented filmmakers.
Gerima's unique filmmaking aesthetic is coupled with a personal mission to correct long-held misconceptions about Black peoples' varied histories throughout the world; for this reason, he is considered--by colleagues and students alike--to be a master teacher in the classroom and behind the camera.His film Sankofa was a powerful film that I had the pleasure of bringing both to Hayti and the Carolina Theatre- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Director
Melba Moore has shot to super-stardom in the early 1970s with her debut album ("I Got Love"), that garnered her a 1971 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, the following year, she also scored with a variety television show that co-starred Clifton Davis. Despite the show's being a modern success, the real-life couple fell victim through an ongoing self-destruction, hence, it was canceled. She was also in a crisis, when her career was put to an end, before it took a few years for her to comeback.
A four-time Grammy nominee and one-time Tony Award winner, prior to being a singer/actress, Melba Moore also made guest appearances on nearly all of the following shows: The David Frost Show (1969), Soul Train (1971), The Mike Douglas Show (1961), Dinah! (1974), The Dick Cavett Show (1968), 13 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962), Captain Kangaroo (1955), The Tim Conway Show (1980), Solid Gold (1980), among many others.
Born Melba Hill in New York City, New York, to a very popular musical family, for the time being, she was raised in Harlem, New York, and until aged 9, despite of her parents divorce, her mother remarried Clement Moorman, who introduced her to several agents, while she was growing up, in Newark, New Jersey, where she had been raised, where she attended school, there. Prior to Melba's birth, her mother penned the #1 song "Don't Stop Now". Although her biological father encouraged her to pursue a career in music, it was actually her stepfather/saxophonist, Teddy Hill, who insisted on young Melba to do it, which successfully he did, which gave her a four decade career on the map. In her early years, she even learned how to play the piano. In 1967, after graduation from college, she won the original role of Dionne (when, unfortunately Donna Summer lost the role to her) in the musical, "Hair" with Ronnie Dyson and Diane Keaton, whom Moore replaced her in the role of Sheila. In 1970, she won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in Purlie, which she portrayed Lutiebelle.
After her successful, short-lived series The Melba Moore-Clifton Davis Show (1972), she went on sabbatical, then, formed Hush Productions, her own production company. This was 1 year after, when in 1974, she signed with Buddah Records, before Epic Records, which allowed her to make some records over the next decade, and had some chart topping hits with "This Is It," which reached #2 on the U.S. dance charts, which was also popular in the UK, a country that was used for that song. Other chart toppers that Melba scored over the years of the Disco-R&B era were, "Lean On Me," "Make Me Believe In You," "You Stepped Into My Life," "Let's Stand Together," and "Take My Love." Unlike fellow singer Donna Summer, Moore struggled to garner some disco hits of the 1970s.
The 1980s saw Moore made a remarkable turn in her career, as she signed with Capitol Records, in 1982, and scored such hits as "Love's Comin' At Ya," which was a major song in the UK and in Europe. She also scored such songs with "Keepin' My Love Satisfied," "Love Me Right," "Read My Lips," (which she was nominated for her fourth Grammy) and "When You Love Me Like This." She also starred in her own series Melba (1986), for CBS, a show that was canceled unexpectedly. The following year, Moore also had a recurring role on the long-running Falcon Crest (1981), opposite Oscar Award-winner Jane Wyman. At the end of the decade, Moore also garnered some songs with, "Do You Really (Want My Love)," and "Lift Every Voice and Sing".
In the mid-1990s, Moore traveled with Gospel Play called, "Mama I'm Sorry" aside Gospel's sisterly duo of Erica and Tina Atkins that was Written and Produced by Michael Matthews.
With a total of 11 U.S. Top 10 Hits (singles and albums) on the Billboard Pop/R&B,Disco/Dance, Album charts combined, over a period of 40 years, Melba Moore is one of the most enduring artists of the 21st century.
By the late 1990s, Melba Moore was back where she felt she belonged, reaching out and entertaining America through her acting, her singing and her comedy.
In 2003, Moore was featured in the film, The Fighting Temptations (2003), which starred Cuba Gooding Jr. and Beyoncé. In 2007, she landed a role in the Broadway revival of Ain't Misbehavin'. In 2009, independent label, Breaking Records released the EP Book of Dreams, in which Moore was featured. That same year Moore told her life story on TV-One's Unsung and later that year released her first R&B album in nearly 20 years, a duet release with Phil Perry called, The Gift of Love.A very charming lady who gave a great concert at the Hayti Heritage Center......- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Regina Carter is known for These Girls Are Missing (1995), Fandango at the Wall (2020) and Violin Masters: Two Gentlemen of Cremona (2010).A incredibly talented musician who also made a appearance at the Hayti Heritage Center...- Robert Kirk Griffin is known for Sun's Last Days (2001) and Durham County Library Centennial Celebration Documentary (1997).Filmmaker originally from North Carolina who has had a couple of films shown at the Hayti Heritage Center...
- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Obba Babatundé is an actor, singer, dancer, director, writer and producer. Obba's breadth of work is known worldwide by audiences of all ages, and his face is one of the most recognizable in the entertainment industry. His career spans over 4 decades and he is a unique breed in today's industry as a triple-threat (and more). Obba is comfortable in the expression of various musical instruments and all forms of dance. In addition to his award-winning performances on stage and screen, he is a nationally renowned speaker and master class teacher for adult and young audiences alike.
Obba has often been referred to, and is considered a 'living legend' and is a treasured role model to actors and entertainers of all generations. Central to Obba's career is his unrelenting work ethic and his pursuit of a standard of excellence in everything he does.
Amongst Obba's many professional awards and nominations is his Daytime Emmy Award win (2016) for CBS's Bold & the Beautiful, his Emmy nominated performance in the HBO movie "Miss Evers' Boys," his Tony Award nomination for his role as "C.C. White," in the original Broadway cast of "Dreamgirls", his "Best Actor" Award win for the Musical "Sammy" from the San Diego Critic's Circle Awards, his NAACP Image Award win as "Best Actor" for his role as "Sarge" in "A Soldiers Play", the NAACP Trailblazer Award win, an NAACP Image Award-nominated performance in the HBO movie "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," multiple Ovation Award nominations, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Peachtree Village International Film Festival.
Obba has appeared in more than 17 stage productions (several on Broadway), 33 films, 60+ television series and made-for-television movies. Presently, Obba can be seen in 4 prime-time series for; Netflix(Dear White People), Showtime (I'm Dying Up Here), Comedy Central (Detroiters) and CBS (Bold & Beautiful). Many people will remember him from his groundbreaking entry into the entertainment industry during his international tour and co-starring roll with Liza Minnelli in "Liza in Concert", which lead to his close relationship with professional mentor, Sammy Davis Jr. Obba's contributions and starring roll (as CC White) in the original production of Dreamgirls on Broadway is one of his most treasured accomplishments.
His distinct, unique speaking and singing voice can be heard in multiple ads, commercials, as well as narration for docu-dramas. His animation career includes the feature film The Wild Thornberrys, Air Bud Entertainment / Fandango Production's Pup Star movies, Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike and Disney Infinity 3.0 [1] and Rocket Power... to name a few.
Obba's writing, directing and producing skills include the Lionsgate Home Entertainment feature film "American Bad Boy" starring Katt Williams, co-producer and director roles in "Oscar's Black Odyssey," co-producer of "Dorothy Dandridge An American Beauty," co-producer of "TV in Black The First 50 Years." He was the associate producer of the horror classic film "Voodoo Dolls" and the executive producer and director of the award-winning short films "Journey" and "Clarissa's Gift. " He co-authored, directed and produced the critically-acclaimed theatrical stage play "In The Blink of An Eye."It is easy to see why Obba is often referred to as one of the busiest actors in Hollywood.
Obba has dedicated his life and career to sharing his time, expertise and creative talents with all people, be it professional or personal. He has an uncanny way of making everyone feel as if he is always speaking to them directly and personally. People have described Obba as being genuine, passionate, engaging and at times...very funny!
In addition to his on-going acting and artistic projects, Obba is constantly being asked to teach, emcee, host, serve as a keynote speaker and facilitate classes, events, festivals and projects around the world. He leaves an indelible mark everywhere he goes. Obba often says "your do is not your who." When asked to explain, he says "your do is how you affect change in your life. Your who if how you affect change in someone else's life."
Obba's journey into the entertainment industry became intentional in high school when he began writing poetry and then, while attending Brooklyn College. His pursuits deepened when he began to expand his poems into one-act plays. Simultaneously, he immersed himself into the New York theatre and dance worlds. Studying under many noted directors and choreographers like Geoffrey Holder, Bob Fossey, Michael Bennett, Hal Prince, Thelma Hill, Frank Hatchett, Henry LeTang, Louis Johnson and Titos Sompa just to name a few.
Obba learned early on in his career that being authentic and tapping into ones humanity were important to develop and inform his craft. He comes from the mindset that it is essential to deliver diverse types of artistic skills to his audiences and, always in the highest caliber possible. Be it the big screen, the small screen, or the stage. He discovered purpose and community at the same time.
Some little-known facts about Obba is that has a strong background rooted in the educational field. He was a co-founder with his brother Akin Babatundé and teacher of one of NYC's first arts-based schools (in Brooklyn, NY). Fluent in American Sign Language (self-taught), and also a horse whisperer, as well as a rodeo competitor. Obba is a dedicated father and proud grandfather.
It has been said, that Obba has a way of communicating that helps inspire, encourage and enlighten through his stories and phrases that he identifies as "Obba-isms."
"As proud as I am of all that I have done, I am even more excited about what I am to do." - Obba BabatundéWas a featured guest at the 2020 Hayti Heritage Film Festival- Producer
- Cinematographer
- Composer
Clarence Carter was born on 14 January 1936 in Montgomery, Alabama, USA. He is a producer and cinematographer, known for Die Hard (1988), The Nutty Professor (1996) and Mission: Impossible III (2006). He was previously married to Candi Staton.- Actress
- Writer
- Director
Kathleen Kinmont Smith was born in Los Angeles, California to actress, Abby Dalton and businessman, Jack Smith. Kathleen is of Swedish, Irish and Welsh descent. She began her acting career in commercials as a young child and then moved on to a short lived modeling career before she started seriously pursuing acting in film and television as a young teen. Kathleen is best known for her roles in horror films, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Meyers (1988) and Bride of Re-Animator (1989) Kathleen also starred in Stephen J. Cannell television series, Renegade (1992-1996) She starred and costarred in numerous feature films and worked with writer/director Nick Vallelonga in The Corporate Ladder (1997) and Tom Hanks writing and directorial debut, That Thing You Do! (1996) Brat's, Zoe Valentine (2019) Hallmark's, A Merry Christmas Match (2019) and feature films, The Silent Natural (2019) and Ernesto's Manifesto (2019) Kathleen has also stepped behind the camera to write, produce and direct short thriller, Mrs. Sweeney (2013) and TV pilot, Fame Game (2014)Actress who was a featured guest on Podcast I do Straight Talk with Dean and Marc