Charles S. Dutton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles S. Dutton
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Dutton in 2000
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Charles Stanley Dutton
January 30, 1951 |
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| Years active | 1984–2016 |
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Charles Stanley Dutton, born on January 30, 1951, is an American actor and director. He is famous 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. He has also won three Primetime Emmy Awards and three NAACP Image Awards for his work.
Dutton has appeared in many movies, including Alien 3 (1992), Rudy (1993), Menace II Society (1993), A Time to Kill (1996), Cookie's Fortune (1999), and Gothika (2003).
Contents
Early Life and Challenges
Charles Stanley Dutton was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 30, 1951. His parents divorced when he was four years old. He grew up in a public housing area in Baltimore. In his younger years, Dutton left school before finishing middle school. He was also an amateur boxer and had the nickname "Roc."
During his youth, Dutton faced difficult times that led him to spend time in prison. While in prison, he discovered a new path for his life.
Discovering Acting in Prison
During one of his prison terms, Dutton was placed in solitary confinement. He was allowed to take one book with him. By chance, he picked up a book of plays by Black writers. He enjoyed reading it so much that when he was released from solitary, he asked the prison warden if he could start a drama group. The warden agreed, but only if Dutton went back to school and earned his GED (General Educational Development) certificate.
Dutton worked hard and achieved his GED. He then completed a two-year college program at Hagerstown Junior College (now Hagerstown Community College) in Maryland, earning an Associate of Arts degree in 1976.
Continuing His Education
After being released from prison in 1976, Charles Dutton continued his education. He enrolled at Towson State University (now Towson University) in Maryland to study drama. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978. After Towson, Dutton went on to earn a master's degree in acting from the prestigious Yale School of Drama in 1983.
Acting and Directing Career
Charles Dutton began his professional acting career on Broadway in 1984. He starred in August Wilson's play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. For this role, he won a Theatre World Award and was nominated for a Tony Award, which is a very important award for theater actors. In 1990, he received another Tony Award nomination for his role in another August Wilson play, The Piano Lesson.
Film and Television Roles
Dutton has appeared in many popular films. He was in Alien 3 (1992), which was the first movie directed by David Fincher. He also co-starred in the inspiring football movie Rudy (1993). Other films include Get on the Bus, A Time to Kill, Cookie's Fortune, and Secret Window.
On television, Dutton is well-known for his role as Roc Emerson in the comedy show Roc, which aired from 1991 to 1994. His performance in Roc earned him an NAACP Image Award. He also won Emmy Awards for his guest roles in the TV shows The Practice (2002) and Without a Trace (2003). He played Professor Alva Case in the HBO drama Oz and was nominated for an Emmy for that role too. In 1999, he played the Mayor of New York City in the TV movie Aftershock: Earthquake in New York.
Directing Work
Besides acting, Charles Dutton is also a talented director. In 2000, he directed the HBO miniseries The Corner. This series was very meaningful to him because it was about life in East Baltimore, where he grew up. The Corner won several Emmys in 2000, including Best Miniseries. Dutton himself won an Emmy for directing the miniseries.
He also directed episodes of other TV shows, like Sleeper Cell. In 2003, he starred as Police Chief Charles Moose in the TV movie D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear. He also appeared in episodes of popular shows like The Sopranos, House M.D., and Criminal Minds.
In 2007, HBO made a deal with Dutton for him to develop, direct, and star in new series and movies for the network. He continued to act in films like Honeydripper (2007) and The Monkey's Paw (2013).
Selected Filmography
Charles S. Dutton has had many roles in both movies and television. Here are some of his notable appearances:
Films
- Cat's Eye (1985)
- Crocodile Dundee II (1988)
- Alien 3 (1992)
- Rudy (1993)
- Menace II Society (1993)
- A Time to Kill (1996)
- Cookie's Fortune (1999)
- Gothika (2003)
- Secret Window (2004)
- Honeydripper (2007)
- Legion (2010)
- The Perfect Guy (2015)
Television Shows and Movies
- Roc (1991–1994)
- The Piano Lesson (1995)
- Oz (1998)
- Aftershock: Earthquake in New York (1999)
- The Corner (2000) - Director
- The Practice (2001)
- The Sopranos (2001)
- Without a Trace (2002–2003)
- D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear (2003)
- House M.D. (2006–2007)
- Criminal Minds (2011)
- American Horror Story: Murder House (2011)
- Longmire (2012–2014)
- Zero Hour (2013)
- Bessie (2015)
See also
In Spanish: Charles S. Dutton para niños
