Obba Babatundé Headshot

Obba Babatundé

Birth Place: Queens, NY, USA

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Obba Babatundé BIO

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 & 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 12th, 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 and Hayley 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 Barry Gordy in "The Temptations," and "The Visit" among others. The talented artist earned Emmy and Cable ACE Award nominations for his role as "Willie Johnson" in HBO's "Miss Evers' Boys," and a NAACP Image Award nomination for his portrayal of "Harold Nicholas" in HBO's "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge." His additional television credits include the title role in the USA Network's film "Redeemer," 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 and Martin Lawrence's characters in the motion picture "Life," 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 Hal Prince's Grind and he originated the role of the legendary jazz artist "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 Photos

Obba Babatundé STAGE CREDITS

[US Tour]
1st National Tour, 1997
Billy Flynn

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Billy Flynn [Replacement]

Billy Flynn [Replacement]

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1991
Performer

[West End]
Concert [West End], 1988
Performer

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1985
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1985
Leroy [Replacement]

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Off-Off-Broadway Revival, 1984
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
C.C. White

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1980
Sharky

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Rockets

Esau (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1978
Antelope

The Chakaba

Citizen of Timbuktu

Orange Merchant

Ensemble/Other Roles

[Regional (US)]
Regional Revival, 1988
Performer


Obba Babatundé Movies

Leonard Part 6
[ 1987 ] Bongo Drummer Babatunde
Married to the Mob
[ 1988 ] The Face of Justice Obba Babatunde
Miami Blues
[ 1990 ] Blink Willie, Informant
Dead Again
[ 1991 ] Syd Obba Babatunde
The Silence of the Lambs
[ 1991 ] TV Anchor Man Obba Babatunde
The Importance of Being Earnest
[ 1992 ] Lane
Necronomicon: Book of Dead
[ 1993 ] Paul part 3
Undercover Blues
[ 1993 ] Sawyer
Philadelphia
[ 1993 ] Jerome Green Obba Babatunde
Fatal Pursuit
[ 1995 ] Trinidad
A Reason to Believe
[ 1995 ] Prof. Thurman
Born to Be Wild
[ 1995 ] Interpreter
That Thing You Do!
[ 1996 ] Lamarr
Multiplicity
[ 1996 ] Paul
Carpool
[ 1996 ] Jeffery Obba Babatundè
Life
[ 1999 ] Willie Long
The Visit
[ 2000 ] Tony
How High
[ 2001 ] Dean Carl Cain
John Q
[ 2002 ] Sgt. Moody Obba Babatunde
The Wild Thornberrys
[ 2002 ] Boko
The Great Commission
[ 2003 ] Rev. Jesse
The Manchurian Candidate
[ 2004 ] Senator Wells
The Notebook
[ 2004 ] Band Leader Obba Babatunde
After the Sunset
[ 2004 ] Zachari Obba Babatunde
Kangaroo Jack 2
[ 2004 ] Chief Ankamuti
Joy Road
[ 2004 ] Dr. Howard Perkins
Flip the Script
[ 2005 ] Mr. Jones Obba Babatunde
The Celestine Prophecy
[ 2006 ] Miguel Obba Babatunde
Material Girls
[ 2006 ] Craig Obba Babatunde
Cover
[ 2007 ] Attorney Miller Obba Babatunde
The Eye
[ 2008 ] Dr. Hkins
Why Am I Doing This?
[ 2009 ] Cliff
I Do... I Did!
[ 2009 ] Mr. Johnson
Black Dynamite
[ 2009 ] Osiris Obba Babatunde
Trapped: Haitian Nights
[ 2010 ] Ikliff
The Fallen Faithful
[ 2010 ] Rev. Emannuel
Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
[ 2012 ] Mayor Denny
The Last Fall
[ 2012 ] Larry Armstrong
Dolls of Voodoo
[ 2013 ] Iklif
The Dead Sea
[ 2014 ] Mayor
Lap Dance
[ 2014 ] Roscoe
American Bad Boy
[ 2015 ] Ptor Lovely
Death's Door
[ 2015 ] Mesmer
If I Tell You I Have to Kill You
[ 2015 ] Jonathan Black
The Watcher
[ 2016 ] Stark
Til Death Do Us Part
[ 2017 ] John Harris Obba Babatunde
Pup Star: Better 2Gether
[ 2017 ] Big Ears
The Choir Director
[ 2018 ] Mr. Wilcox
Kinky
[ 2018 ] Mr. Bernard
City of Lies
[ 2018 ] Chief of Police
Revival
[ 2018 ] Nicodemus
Kiss Me for Christmas
[ 2020 ] Mr. Porter
The Men in My Life
[ 2021 ] Simon Helms
The Millennial
[ 2022 ] Mr. Burke
A Polished Soul
[ 2022 ] Solomon
Fuhgedd About It
[ 2022 ] Captain Ross
Master of Dreams
[ 2023 ] Dr. Rameses Farrow, PhD
Noble Intentions
[ 2023 ] Ptor Stevens

Obba Babatundé TV Shows

Dawson's Creek
Principal Howard Green
Dear White People
Dean Fairbanks
Detroiters
Mr. Duvet
Half & Half
Charles Thorne
Karen Sisco
Daniel Burden
S.W.A.T.
Daniel Harrelson, Sr.
Soul Food
Benjamin Chadway
Static Shock
Scientist, Singer, Watch Store Salesman
The Bold and the Beautiful
Julius Avant
Winx Club
King Teredor

Obba Babatundé Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Obba Babatunde, Dreamgirls

Obba Babatundé Videos

Obba Babatundé News


THE TEMPEST: An Immersive Experience Comes to The Shakespeare Center LA


The Shakespeare Center LA and After Hours Theatre Company announce the premiere of The Tempest: An Immersive Experience, a fully reimagined immersive performance based on William Shakespeare's The Tempest.  The director is Ben Donenberg, Shakespeare Center LA Artistic Director; Graham Wetterhahn is the Producing Artistic Director at After Hours Theatre Company. 

Liza Minnelli LIVE IN NEW YORK 1979 to Be Released In Ultimate 3-CD Edition and 2-LP Set


Start spreading the news.  On July 1, Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records will revisit a landmark album recorded in the heart of New York, New York by one of the most extraordinary entertainers of all time, Liza Minnelli's electrifying Live in New York 1979. 

BWW Feature: CIRCA HOSTS PRE-GRAMMY GIFTING DRIVE-UP EVENT


In Partnership with Circa’s Steakhouse, Barry’s Downtown Prime, Dubois Penlin & Associates, a Pre-GRAMMY Award Drive-Up Event was held to distribute 75 curated gift bags to GRAMMY Award nominees and presenters.

VIDEO: Effies Unite on Stars in the House- Live at 8pm!


Stars in the House continues tonight (8pm) with everything Effie with DREAMGIRLS Lillias White, Roz Ryan and Kecia-Lewis Evans.

All The Way West Productions to Pay Tribute to Toni Morrison and Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of 'The Bluest Eye'


The Toni Morrison Tribute Gala and production of The Bluest Eye will light up the Hudson Backstage Theatre on Friday, January 24. Following the theatrical adaptation, join playwright Lydia R. Diamond, Actor Obba Babatundé, Actress Ann Marie Johnson, and Director Bernadette Speakes for an intimate discussion of Mrs. Morrison and her work. Appetizers, dessert, & wine reception immediately following.

Line-Ups Set For 6th Annual Actors Fund Benefit Concert Weekend


Cabaret is Alive and Well and Living in Los Angeles, benefit concert weekend for The Actors Fund, is back for the 6th year in a row. Conceived and Directed by David Galligan, the 3-night event is presented by Fraser Entertainment Group. All proceeds benefit The Actors Fund.

Obba Babatundé Will Recur on Hulu's LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE


Deadline reports that actor Obba Babatundé will recur opposite Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Rosemarie DeWitt and Joshua Jackson in Hulu's upcoming limited series Little Fires Everywhere.

Lea Michele, Erich Bergen And More Join Darren Criss In Center Theatre Group's 'A Grand Night' Benefit


Center Theatre Group has announced additional performers and two special guests for 'A Grand Night,' a one-night-only event on Monday, April 22 featuring a 5:30 p.m. pre-show reception in the Ahmanson lobby, a 7 p.m. performance in the Mark Taper Forum and a post-show gala dinner on the stage of the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets are also available for the performance only starting at $100.

Center Theatre Group Announces A GRAND NIGHT Benefit this April featuring Darren Criss, Zooey Deschanel, Adam Pascal and More


Center Theatre Group announced "A Grand Night," a special one-night-only event on Monday, April 22 featuring a 5:30p.m. pre-show reception in the Ahmanson lobby, a 7p.m. performance in the Mark Taper Forum and a post-show gala dinner on the stage of the Ahmanson Theatre.

Center Theatre Group Announces A GRAND NIGHT Benefit


Center Theatre Group announced "A Grand Night," a special one-night-only event on Monday, April 22 featuring a 5:30p.m. pre-show reception in the Ahmanson lobby, a 7p.m. performance in the Mark Taper Forum and a post-show gala dinner on the stage of the Ahmanson Theatre.

Dizzy's Club Coca-cola Presents Once In A Lifetime: Obba Babtundé And Friends


Obba Babatunde's expansive career spans over four decades and his uncanny ability to captivate his audiences has made him a memorable presence in film, television and on the stage. For his Once in a Lifetime evening at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola he has created a dynamic and surprise-filled program. Join him as he takes us back in time to the great jazz era of nightclub performing reminiscent of the legendary artists of that period.

Megan Hilty, Marrisa Jaret Winokur, and Jane Alexander to Star in 'It's a Wonderful Lifetime' Holiday Films


Lifetime has announced the network's It's a Wonderful Lifetime lineup, which features 14 all-new original movies and nine acquired films. Starring in these films includes a slew of Broadway stars such as Megan Hilty, Marrisa Jaret Winokur, and Jane Alexander.

Obba Babatundé FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Obba Babatundé been in?

Obba Babatundé has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Obba Babatundé been in?

Obba Babatundé has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Obba Babatundé's first West End show?

Obba Babatundé's first West End show was King which opened in 1988

What awards has Obba Babatundé been nominated for?

Obba Babatundé has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for his role in Dreamgirls.

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