Charles S. Dutton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles S. Dutton
Dutton in 2000
Born	Charles Stanley Dutton (1951-01-30) January 30, 1951 (age 74) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Education	Hagerstown Community College (AA) Towson University (BA) Yale University (MFA)
Occupation	Actor director producer
Years active	1984–2016
Spouse(s)	Debbi Morgan ​ ​ (m. 1989; div. 1994)​

Charles Stanley Dutton (born January 30, 1951) is a talented American actor and director. He is well-known for his roles in the TV show Roc (1991–1994) and the TV movie The Piano Lesson (1995). For The Piano Lesson, he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.

Charles Dutton has won many awards, including three Primetime Emmy Awards and three NAACP Image Awards. He has also appeared in popular movies like Alien 3 (1992), Rudy (1993), A Time to Kill (1996), and Gothika (2003).

Early Life and Discovering Acting

Charles Stanley Dutton was born on January 30, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in a public housing area. As a young person, he had the nickname "Roc."

Later, while in a correctional facility, Charles Dutton found a love for acting. He read a book of plays by Black writers and was inspired. He asked the warden if he could start a drama group. The warden agreed, but only if Charles went back to school.

He worked hard and earned his GED (General Educational Development) diploma. This is like a high school diploma. He then completed a two-year college program. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1976 from Hagerstown Junior College.

Education and College Life

After leaving the correctional facility in 1976, Charles Dutton continued his education. He enrolled at Towson State University in Maryland. There, he studied drama and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978.

He didn't stop there! Charles Dutton then went on to get a master's degree in acting. He studied at the famous Yale School of Drama, graduating in 1983. His journey shows how education can change a person's life.

Charles Dutton's Acting Career

Charles Dutton began his professional acting career on Broadway in 1984. He starred in a play called Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson. For this role, he won a Theatre World Award. He was also nominated for a Tony Award, which is a very important award for theater actors.

He continued to act in many films and TV shows. In 1988, he appeared in Crocodile Dundee II. He also received another Tony Award nomination in 1990 for his role in another August Wilson play, The Piano Lesson.

Film Roles and TV Success

Charles Dutton starred in the movie Alien 3 in 1992. He also played a memorable role in the inspiring football movie Rudy in 1993. Other films he appeared in include A Time to Kill and Cookie's Fortune.

He became very popular for his role as Roc Emerson in the TV comedy show Roc. This show aired from 1991 to 1994 on FOX television. His work on Roc earned him an NAACP Image Award.

Awards and Directing Work

Charles Dutton won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actor in 2002 and 2003. These awards were for his roles in the TV shows The Practice and Without a Trace. He was also nominated for an Emmy in 1999 for his role in the HBO drama Oz.

In addition to acting, Charles Dutton is also a talented director. In 2000, he directed the HBO miniseries The Corner. This series was special to him because it was about the streets of East Baltimore, where he grew up. The Corner won several Emmys in 2000, including Best Miniseries. Charles Dutton himself won an Emmy for directing it!

He has also directed episodes of other TV shows. He appeared in many other popular TV series, such as The Sopranos, House M.D., and CSI: NY.

Filmography

Television Roles