Leland Gantt
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Leland Gantt is an American actor and writer known for his roles in various television series and films. Gantt is also a theatre actor, and has appeared in a one-man show, ''Rhapsody in Black''.


Early life and education

Gantt was born and raised in
McKeesport, Pennsylvania McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is situated at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and within the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The population was 17,727 as of the 2020 census. It ...
. After graduating from McKeesport Area High School, he attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from
Point Park College Point Park University is a private university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Formerly known as Point Park College, the school name was revised in 2004 to reflect the number of graduate programs being offered. History Beginnings The university bega ...
. After struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, Gantt was inspired to pursue acting by a theatre teacher and moved to New York City in 1983.


Career

After moving to New York, Gantt appeared in Broadway productions of '' Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'', ''Fences'', ''Richard III'', ''
Crumbs from the Table of Joy ''Crumbs from the Table of Joy'' is a play written by Lynn Nottage. Production history The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theatre from May 9, 1995, through July 1, 1995. Directed by Joe Morton, the cast featured Kisha Howard (E ...
'', '' Gem of the Ocean'', ''Judas Iscariot,'' ''and'' ''The Fall of Heaven.'' In 1991, Gantt was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in ''Let Me Live'', losing to Kevin Spacey. Gantt has also appeared in episodes of ''
Law & Order ''Law & Order'' is an American police procedural and legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment, launching the '' Law & Order'' franchise. ''Law & Order'' aired its entire run on NBC, premiering on ...
'' and ''JAG''. He portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1987 miniseries ''
Hoover vs. The Kennedys ''Hoover vs. The Kennedys: The Second Civil War'' is a four-hour 1987 made-for-television mini-series depicting the political struggles between FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. The ...
''. He also starred in ''The Affair''.


Filmography


Film


Television


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gantt, Leland Living people African-American male actors People from McKeesport, Pennsylvania Point Park University alumni Male actors from Pennsylvania 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors Male actors from New York City Year of birth missing (living people) 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American people