Don Cheadle extracted from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, distributed under the GNU Free Documentation License

Don Cheadle
Cheadle in February 2007
Born	Donald Frank Cheadle November 29, 1964 (1964-11-29) (age 44) Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Years active	1984-present
Domestic partner(s)	Bridgid Coulter (1997- present)

Donald Frank "Don" Cheadle (born November 29, 1964)¹ is an American actor, film producer, philanthropist, and author. Cheadle rose to prominence after playing supporting roles in films such as Out of Sight, Traffic, and the Ocean's Eleven series of films. In 2004, Cheadle's portrayal of Rwandan hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina in the film Hotel Rwanda gained him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a leading role. Cheadle also campaigns for the end of genocide in Darfur, Sudan, and co-authored a book concerning the issue titled Not On Our Watch: The Mission To End Genocide In Darfur And Beyond.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Filmography 5 As producer 6 Television series 7 Theatre 8 References 9 External links

Early life

Cheadle was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Betty, a bank manager and psychology teacher, and Donald Cheadle, a clinical psychologist.¹² He has a sister, Cindy, and a brother, Colin. Cheadle graduated in 1982 from East High School in Denver, Colorado. Cheadle went on to graduate from the California Institute of the Arts.

Interestingly, the school where his sister Cindy works - The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia - is involved with raising awareness in Darfur.

Career

Cheadle acted in Hamburger Hill in 1987. He also played the role of "Jack" in the April 1, 1988 "Jung and the Restless" episode of Night Court. Although his character "Jack" was supposed to be 16 years old, Cheadle was 24 at the time.

Cheadle then played the role of 'Rocket' in the 1988 movie Colors. In 1989, he appeared in a video for Angela Winbush's #2 hit single "It's the Real Thing", performing dance moves in an orange jump suit, working at a car wash. In 1990, he appeared in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air titled "Homeboy, Sweet Homeboy", playing Will Smith's friend Ice Tray. In 1992, he received a supporting role in The Golden Girls spin-off The Golden Palace. Although the show was highly publicized, it was cancelled after one season. Cheadle subsequently played district attorney John Littleton on two seasons of Picket Fences.

Cheadle first received widespread notice for his portrayal of Mouse Alexander in the film Devil in a Blue Dress, for which he won Best Supporting Actor awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the National Society of Film Critics, and was nominated for similar awards from the Screen Actors Guild and the NAACP Image Awards. Following soon thereafter was his performance in the title role of the 1996 HBO TV movie Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault. A legend among American street basketball players, Manigault is considered by many to be the best streetball player that never reached the NBA as a professional.

Cheadle's fame spread with a recurring role as the district attorney on the television series Picket Fences. Cheadle's other television credits include Emmy-nominated performances in the movies The Rat Pack, A Lesson Before Dying, Things Behind the Sun and in a guest appearance on ER. He has made appearances in films including Rosewood, The Family Man, Boogie Nights, a cameo appearance in the film Abby Singer, Out of Sight, Traffic, and Ocean's Eleven (2001). These last three were directed by Steven Soderbergh. In 2005, Cheadle was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda. He also starred in, and was one of the producers of Crash, which won the 2005 Academy Award for Best Picture. Cheadle himself was nominated for Best Supporting Actor BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Awards for his performance in Crash. He also played the main character in the movie Traitor.

Cheadle was to make his directorial debut with the adaptation of Elmore Leonard's Tishomingo Blues. In a July, 2007 interview he stated, "'Tishomingo' is dead…"³

Cheadle has also appeared in NFL commercials promoting the Super Bowl from 2002 to 2005. He so regularly appeared for the NFL in its Super Bowl advertising that in 2006, in a drive to have fans submit their own advertising ideas, the NFL sought his permission to reference his previous commercials to portray themselves as having no new ideas -- "he quickly signed off on the idea and found it funny." Abe Sutton (along with Etan Bednarsh), one of the finalists in this NFL contest, played on this commercial by proposing an ad where an entire team of football players are Don Cheadle.⁴

In 2010, Don Cheadle will assume the role of James Rhodes in the film Iron Man 2, replacing Terrence Howard⁵, his Crash co-star.⁶

Personal life

Cheadle and his girlfriend, actress Bridgid Coulter, have two daughters: Ayana Tai (born 1995) and Imani (born 1997), they currently reside in Santa Monica, California.

According to Brett Ratner, director of the film After the Sunset, Cheadle is an expert player of the game of Go, and advised Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek for a scene in the film in which they play it.

According to the episode of the "National Heads-Up Poker Championship" aired on NBC on April 15, 2007, Cheadle defeated noted poker champion Phil Ivey in the first round of the tournament. The two met in the "Hearts & Diamonds" bracket. Cheadle, as an amateur player, was considered a significant underdog against the professional Ivey, notorious for his stone-cold "poker face". On the episode aired April 29, 2007, in the second round of the tournament, Cheadle was defeated and knocked out of the tournament by Vegas poker pro Scott Fischman. In the same tournament in 2009, he defeated David Pham in the first round only to lose to Paul Wasicka in the round of 32.

At the 2007 World Series of Poker, Cheadle and poker player Annie Duke organized a charity poker tournament, "Ante Up for Africa". Many Hollywood actors were expected to play in the tournament, which had a $5,000 buy-in. Money finishers were encouraged to donate part of their winnings to The International Rescue Committee or The ENOUGH Project.⁷

In 2007 Don Cheadle was awarded the BET Humanitarian award of the year for his numerous humanitarian services he rendered for the cause of the people of Darfur and Rwanda.

On December 13, 2007, Cheadle and fellow actor George Clooney were presented with the Summit Peace Award by the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in Rome for their work to stop the genocide and relieve the suffering of the people of Darfur. The award was presented by the World Summit of Nobel Laureates, Mikhail Gorbachev, and TheCommunity.com.

In 2008 Cheadle's family history was profiled on the PBS series African American Lives 2. A DNA test shows that he may have ancestry in present day Cameroon.

In early 2009, Cheadle embarked on a new endeavor in automotive retail; He announced that he plans to open Don Cheadle Chevrolet. He will co-manage the dealership, which will specialize in hybrid and alternative energy vehicles, with a childhood friend.

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1984	3 Days	Angel
1985	Moving Violations	Juicy Burgers Worker
1986	Punk
1987	Hamburger Hill	Pvt. Washburn
1988	Colors	Rocket
1992	Roadside Prophets	Happy Days Manager
1993	The Meteor Man	Goldilocks
	Lush Life	Jack	(TV movie)
1995	Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead	Rooster
	Devil in a Blue Dress	Mouse Alexander	Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
1996	Rebound: The Legend of Earl "The Goat" Manigault	Earl "The Goat" Manigault	(TV movie) Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
1997	Volcano	Emmit Reese
	Rosewood	Sylvester Carrier	Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
	Boogie Nights	Buck Swope	Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Cast Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
1998	Out of Sight	Maurice Miller
	The Rat Pack	Sammy Davis Jr.	Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated — Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor – Miniseries or a Movie Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
	Bulworth	L.D.	Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
1999	A Lesson Before Dying	Grant Wiggins	(TV movie) Black Reel Award for Network/Cable - Best Actor Nominated — Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor – Miniseries or a Movie Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film
2000	Traffic	Montel Gordon	Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
	Mission to Mars	Luke Graham
	Fail Safe	Lt. Jimmy Pierce	(TV movie)
	The Family Man	Cash
2001	Things Behind the Sun	Chuck	Nominated — Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor – Miniseries or a Movie Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male
	Manic	Dr. David Monroe
	Swordfish	Agent J.T. Roberts
	Ticker	Passenger
	Rush Hour 2	Kenny	(uncredited)
	Ocean's Eleven	Basher Tarr	(uncredited)
2003	Abby Singer	Himself	(cameo)
	The United States of Leland	Pearl Madison
2004	Ocean's Twelve	Basher Tarr	Nominated — BET Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Theatrical Film Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
	After the Sunset	Henri Mooré
	The Assassination of Richard Nixon	Bonny Simmons
	Hotel Rwanda	Paul Rusesabagina	Satellite Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Cast Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actor Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Actor Nominated — Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Nominated — London Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor also for Crash Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated — Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
	Crash	Det. Graham Waters	Nominated — BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated — Black Movie Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Actor Nominated — Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast Nominated — London Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor also for Hotel Rwanda Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
2006	The Dog Problem	Dr. Nourmand
	King Leopold's Ghost	Narrator
2007	Reign Over Me	Alan Johnson
	Talk to Me	Petey Greene	Gotham Award for Best Ensemble Cast Nominated — Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Male Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
	Ocean's Thirteen	Basher Tarr
	Darfur Now	Himself
2008	Traitor	Samir Horn	Nominated — Black Reel Award for Best Actor Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
2009	Hotel for Dogs	Bernie
	Brooklyn's Finest	Tango
2010	Iron Man 2	Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes
2012	The Avengers	Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes

As producer

Year	Film	Role	Notes
2004	Crash	Producer	Black Movie Award for Outstanding Motion Picture Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature Nominated — BAFTA Award for Best Film
2007	Talk to Me	Executive producer
	Darfur Now	Producer
2008	Traitor	Producer
	Crash	Producer	2 Episodes (2008)

Television series

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1982	Fame	Henry Lee	2 episodes
1986	L.A. Law	Julian Tatoon	Episode "Gibbon Take"
1987	Hill Street Blues	Darius Milton	Episode "Days of Swine and Roses"
	The Bronx Zoo	Carver	Episode "Small Victories"
1988	Night Court	Jack	Episode "Jung and the Restless"
	Hooperman	Himself	Episode "High Noon"
1989	Booker	Himself	Episode "The Pump"
1990	China Beach	Angel	Episode "Warriors"
	The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air	Ice Tray	Episode "Homeboy, Sweet Homeboy"
1992-1993	Hangin' with Mr. Cooper	Bennie	(2 episodes)
	The Golden Palace	Roland Wilson	(23 episodes)
1993-1995	Picket Fences	D.A. John Littleton	(38 episodes) Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (1995, 1996)
2000	The Simpsons	Brother Faith	Episode: "Faith Off"
2002	The Bernie Mac Show	Cousin D	(2 episodes - "Sweet Home Chicago: Parts 1 & 2"
	ER	Paul Nathan	(4 episodes) Nominated — Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor – Drama Series
2003	MADtv	Perry	Episode #9.3

Theatre

• Topdog/Underdog off-Broadway performances (2001)

References

External links

• Official website at the Internet Archive
• Don Cheadle at the Internet Movie Database
• Don Cheadle: The Hotel for Dogs Interview with Kam Williams
• European edition of Don Cheadle's book Not on Our Watch, published by Maverick House Publishers 2007
• 10 Questions for Don Cheadle on Time.com (a division of Time Magazine)
• Don Cheadle interview
• Not On Our Watch: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Jerry Weintraub
• Don Cheadle at the Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Playboy Mansion
• Don Cheadle Wins Sexiest Man 2009
• Don Cheadle signs TV production deal

Persondata
NAME	Cheadle, Don
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Cheadle, Donald Frank
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Actor, film producer, philanthropist, and author
DATE OF BIRTH	November 29, 1964
PLACE OF BIRTH	Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH