Clifton Powell (born March 16, 1956) is an American actor who primarily plays supporting roles in films, such as in '' Ray'' (2004), for which he received an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture nomination.

Career

Powell has appeared in more than one hundred films, beginning in the 1980s. His credits include ''

Menace II Society ''Menace II Society'' (pronounced ''Menace to Society'') is a 1993 American teen drama film directed by the Hughes Brothers in their directorial debut. The film is set in Watts and Crenshaw neighborhoods of Los Angeles, and follows the life of ...

'' (1993), ''

Dead Presidents ''Dead Presidents'' is a 1995 American crime film co-written, produced and directed by the Hughes Brothers. The film chronicles the life of Anthony Curtis ( Larenz Tate), focusing on his teenage years as a high school graduate and his experience ...

'' (1995), '' Why Do Fools Fall in Love'' (1998), '' Rush Hour'' (1998), ''

Next Friday ''Next Friday'' is a 2000 American stoner comedy film and the sequel to the 1995 film ''Friday''. It is the first film to be produced by Ice Cube's film production company Cubevision. It was directed by Steve Carr and stars Ice Cube, Mike Epps, ...

'' (2000), and its 2002 sequel, ''

Friday After Next ''Friday After Next'' is a 2002 American stoner comedy film directed by Marcus Raboy and starring Ice Cube (who also wrote the film), Mike Epps (in a dual role), John Witherspoon, Don "D.C." Curry, Anna Maria Horsford, and Clifton Powell. ...

'', '' Woman Thou Art Loosed'' (2004), and '' Ray'' (2004). He played

Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. (born Michael King Jr.; January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American Baptist minister and activist, one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968 ...

in the 1999 television film '' Selma, Lord, Selma''. Powell also has had many supporting roles in smaller direct-to-video films in 2000s and 2010s. On television, Powell had the recurring roles on '' Roc'', '' South Central'', and ''

Army Wives ''Army Wives'' is an American drama television series that followed the lives of four army wives, one army husband, and their families. The series premiered on Lifetime on June 3, 2007, and ran for seven seasons, ending on June 9, 2013. The sh ...

'', and well as guest-starred on '' In the Heat of the Night'', ''

Murder, She Wrote ''Murder, She Wrote'' is an American crime drama television series, created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link, starring Angela Lansbury, and produced and distributed by Universal Television for the CBS network. The ser ...

'', '' NYPD Blue'', '' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'', and '' House MD''. In 2016, Powell was cast as main antagonist in the

Bounce TV Bounce TV is an American digital multicast television network owned by Katz Broadcasting, a subsidiary of E. W. Scripps Company. Promoted as "the first 24/7 digital multicast broadcast network created to target African Americans", the channel ...

first prime time soap opera, '' Saints & Sinners'' opposite

Vanessa Bell Calloway Vanessa Bell Calloway ( Bell; born March 20, 1957) is an American actress. Beginning her career as a dancer, Bell Calloway became known for her film roles as Princess Imani Izzi in the 1988 comedy ''Coming to America'', as well as for her roles ...

and

Gloria Reuben Gloria Elizabeth Reuben is a Canadian-American actress, producer, and singer. She is well-known for her role as Jeanie Boulet on the medical drama '' ER'' (1995–1999, 2008), for which she was twice nominated for an Emmy Award, and for portrayi ...

. Powell is also known for his voice acting role as Big Smoke in the 2004 video game '' Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas''. In 2017, Powell appeared in the second season of ''My Step Kidz''.

Personal life

Powell was born in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

, and grew up in Mayfair Mansions in

Northeast D.C. Northeast (NE or N.E.) is the northeastern quadrant of Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. It encompasses the area located north of East Capitol Street and east of North Capitol Street. Geography Northeast includes the 35 neighbor ...

Attended HD Woodson Senior High School. He transferred and graduated from the

Duke Ellington School of the Arts The Duke Ellington School of the Arts (established 1974) is a high school located at 35th Street and R Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C., and dedicated to arts education. One of the high schools of the District of Columbia Public School syst ...

. Powell is married to Kimberly, with whom he has two children.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Powell, Clifton 1956 births Living people American male film actors Male actors from Washington, D.C. African-American male actors American male television actors American male voice actors American male video game actors 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American people