Michael Potts (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Potts
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Potts in 2018
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| Born | September 21, 1962 |
| Alma mater | David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Known for | Brother Mouzone in The Wire Mafala Hatimbi in The Book of Mormon |
Michael Potts (born September 21, 1962) is an American actor. He has appeared in many different roles on stage, on television, and in movies.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Michael Potts grew up in South Carolina. He started acting in church plays and local shows. He was inspired to go to the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University after seeing a clip of a play called Fences. This play starred famous actors James Earl Jones and Courtney B. Vance, who also went to Yale's Drama School.
Acting Career Highlights
Michael Potts is well-known for several important roles. He played Brother Mouzone in the TV series The Wire. He also starred as Mafala Hatimbi in the popular musical The Book of Mormon. In the movie Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, he played the character Slow Drag. You might also remember him as Detective Gilbough in the first season of True Detective.
In 2022, Michael Potts was part of a new Broadway show called The Piano Lesson. His performance was praised as one of the best parts of the show.
Where You Might Have Seen Him
Michael Potts has acted in many movies and TV shows. Here are some of his notable roles:
In Movies
- Hackers (1995)
- The Peacemaker (1997)
- Conspiracy Theory (1997)
- Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020) as Slow Drag
- Rustin (2023) as Cleveland Robinson
- The Piano Lesson (2024) as Wining Boy
On Television
- Law & Order (1997–2010) in various roles
- Oz (2001) as Reinhardt
- The Wire (2003–2004) as Brother Mouzone
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2012–2016) as IAB Sergeant Cole Draper
- True Detective (2014) as Detective Maynard Gilbough
- Gotham (2015) as Sid Bunderslaw
- Show Me a Hero (2015) as Walt Henderson
- The First Lady (2022) as Fraser C. Robinson III
In Video Games
- The Warriors (2005) as the voice of Cyrus
On Stage
Michael Potts has also had a successful career in theatre, appearing in many plays and musicals.
- Rent (1994) as Benjamin Coffin III (Workshop)
- Lennon (2005) on Broadway
- Grey Gardens (2006–2007) on Broadway
- The Book of Mormon (2011–2013) as Mafala Hatimbi on Broadway
- Jitney (2017) on Broadway
- The Prom (2018–2019) as Mr. Hawkins on Broadway
- The Piano Lesson (2022–2023) as Wining Boy on Broadway
See also
In Spanish: Michael Potts para niños
