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 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