MySpace a place for friends

Whether in a mainstream film or cult classic hit, I try to stay true to my personal mission of striving for excellence. As an actor, writer, and activist, I apply that same dedication to every aspect of my life.

I grew up on the Westside of Chicago with my two brothers Larron and Lahmard and our parents. At a young age, my family moved to Los Angeles where I got my first acting job as a kid appearing in a Christmas episode of THE TWILIGHT ZONE – THE SERIES. This appearance quickly led to guest starring roles on series such as 21 JUMP STREET, THE WONDER YEARS, and FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR.

Shortly thereafter, I made my silver screen debut in Allen and Albert Hughes' cult classic film, MENACE II SOCIETY. For years, audiences from all over have considered my role as the infamous O-DOG, as ground breaking and unforgettable. The film led me to being cast in many other projects, including the feature comedy, THE INKWELL and the Fox Network TV series, SOUTH CENTRAL . Later, I teamed up with the Hughes Brothers once again for the gritty crime drama DEAD PRESIDENTS.

I soon had the opportunity to star in the audience loved film LOVE JONES opposite actress Nia Long. The film went on to win the Audience Awards for Best Film at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival. The role of Darius Lovehall also garnished a Best Actor nomination at the NAACP Image Awards. Within a short period of time, I was faced with one of my most challenging roles as the singing lothario Frankie Lymon, in the 1998 biopic “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” , which also starred Halle Berry, Lela Rochon, and Vivica A. Fox. The role won me the Acapulco Black Film Festive award for Best Actor in 1999.

In 2004, I co-starred in the Academy Awards recognized film RAY opposite Jamie Foxx. In which I portrayed legendary music producer and pop culture icon Quincy Jones. No stranger to a large ensemble cast, I was fortunate to co-star in the film CRASH alongside the likes of Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, and Don Cheadle. The film was lauded by the critics and won the 2005 Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast and 2005 Academy Award for Best Picture.

Returning to television, where I got my start, I recently joined the cast of F/X’s drama RESCUE ME. The series centers on professional and personal lives of firefighters in Post-9/11 New York, it also stars Dennis Leary.

Family has been and will always be an important facet of my life. United under a single cause of easing the pain of Sickle Cell Anemia, my brothers and I have created an organization devoted to assisting and providing funds for children of color living with the debilitating disease. The Tate Bros Foundation, a non-profit organization, was founded by my brothers and I.

I currently resides in Los Angeles with my family and I continue work alongside my brothers Larron and Lahmard in our production company, Tate-Men Entertainment.