Daryl Mitchell (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Daryl Mitchell
Mitchell in September 2009
Born	(1965-07-16) July 16, 1965 (age 60) The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, rapper
Years active	1985–present
Spouse(s)	Carol ​ (m. 1998)​
Children	4

Daryl "Chill" Mitchell is an American actor and former rapper, born on July 16, 1965. He is well-known for his roles in many TV shows and movies. Some of his famous characters include Dexter Wilson in The John Larroquette Show, Tommy Webber in Galaxy Quest, and Patton Plame in NCIS: New Orleans. He also won an award for his acting in the TV show Brothers.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Daryl Mitchell was born in The Bronx, a part of New York City. His mother was a secretary, and his father was a bus driver. He grew up in a town called Wyandanch.

In the 1980s, before he became a full-time actor, Mitchell was part of a hip hop group called Groove B. Chill.

Acting Career Highlights

Daryl Mitchell started his acting career in movies. His first film was House Party in 1990. He took this role to help his music career and for financial reasons. After acting in the sequel, House Party 2, he decided to focus completely on acting.

Early TV Roles

His first regular role on television was in the sitcom Here and Now. Later, he became well-known as Dexter on The John Larroquette Show (1993–1996). Dexter was a lunch attendant who often had funny arguments with the main character. For this role, Mitchell was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in 1996. From 1997 to 2000, he regularly played Leo, a marketing director, on the show Veronica's Closet.

Movie Appearances

Mitchell appeared in several movies during the 1990s. He played Wally, a mechanic, in Sgt. Bilko (1996) alongside famous actors like Steve Martin. He was also in A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996) and Home Fries (1998). In 1997, he acted in the Disney film Toothless with his Veronica's Closet co-star Kirstie Alley.

In 1999, Mitchell had roles in two popular films. He played Mr. Morgan, an English teacher, in 10 Things I Hate About You. He also appeared as Tommy Webber in the science fiction comedy Galaxy Quest. Tommy Webber was a fictional actor who played a character named Lieutenant Laredo when he was younger.

He continued acting in movies in the early 2000s, including Lucky Numbers (2000) and Black Knight (2001). He also played a state trooper in The Country Bears (2002).

Acting After an Accident

In 2002, Mitchell joined the TV show Ed as Eli, a bowling alley manager. This was his first role after a serious motorcycle accident. The show's producers were impressed by his sense of humor and created the character of Eli for him.

In 2009, he starred as Chill Trainor in the sitcom Brothers with Michael Strahan. Even though the show was short-lived, Mitchell's performance was praised, and he won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series in 2010.

From 2014 to 2021, he played Patton Plame, a computer specialist, in the popular crime drama NCIS: New Orleans. In 2018, he also joined the cast of Fear the Walking Dead as Wendell. More recently, he is set to appear in the TV series Shifting Gears as Stitch.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Daryl Mitchell is married to Carol, and they have four children. They live in Sugar Hill, Georgia.

Motorcycle Accident and Recovery

On November 10, 2001, Mitchell was in a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He lost control of his bike on a gravel road. He woke up in the hospital five days later. With strong support from his family and friends, including actors Denzel Washington and Chris Tucker, he was able to continue his acting career. His role as Eli in Ed was written to reflect his real-life experience.

After his accident, Mitchell started the Daryl Mitchell Foundation. This foundation helps raise awareness about spinal cord injuries. He also works as a spokesman for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which supports people with paralysis. He is a strong supporter of hiring actors with disabilities in the entertainment industry.

Awards

Mitchell has been recognized for his acting talent.

Images for kids

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  Mitchell in September 2009