You are purchasing an amazing
photograph from the movie, "Dangerous Relations." This
photograph is signed by Louis Gossett in a crisp black sharpie, and signed by
Blair Underwood in a crisp blue sharpie.
This beautiful black and white photo shows two characters Jared (Blair
Underwood) and Leonard Clay (Louis Gossett jr.) hashing out their emotions
towards each other in a prison cell. On the left side of this photo is the
Academy Entertainment logo and copyrighted in the year 1993. The right
side of this photo gives the following description, "Most fathers dream
that their sons will follow in their foot steps, for Leonard Clay (Louis
Gossett Jr.) it is the fulfillment of his worst fears. Dangerous Relations
occur as Jared (Blair Underwood) and Clay sort out their twisted emotions in
this action-packed video." This signed photograph is a must have for
any Louis Gossett Jr. or Blair Underwood collector, investor, or fan.
Louis Cameron Gossett Jr. (born May 27, 1936) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman, winning him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also won an Emmy Award for his role as Fiddler in the 1977 ABC television miniseries Roots. Gossett has also starred in numerous other film productions including A Raisin in the Sun, The Landlord, Skin Game, Travels with My Aunt, The Laughing Policeman, The White Dawn, The Deep, Jaws 3-D, Wolfgang Petersen's Enemy Mine, the Iron Eagle series, Toy Soldiers and The Punisher, in an acting career that spans over five decades.
Early life and education
Gossett was born in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York, to Hellen Rebecca (née Wray), a nurse, and Louis Gossett Sr., a porter. He is an alumnus of Mark Twain Intermediate School 239 and Abraham Lincoln High School. His stage debut came at the age of 17, in a school production of You Can't Take It with You when a sports injury resulted in the decision to take an acting class. Polio had already delayed his graduation.
After graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1954, he attended New York University, declining an athletic scholarship. Standing 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall, he was offered the opportunity to play varsity basketball during his college years at NYU, which he declined to concentrate on theater. His high school teacher had encouraged him to audition for a Broadway part, which resulted in his selection for a starring role on Broadway in 1953 from among 200 other actors well before he entered NYU.
Career
Gossett replaced Bill Gunn as Spencer Scott in Broadway's Take a Giant Step, which was selected by The New York Times drama critics as one of the 10 best shows of the year. He was 17, and still a student at Abraham Lincoln High School, with no formal drama training.
Gossett's Broadway theatre credits include A Raisin in the Sun (1959); he had his cinematic debut with the play's film adaptation in 1961.
Also in 1961, Gossett appeared in the original cast of Jean Genet's The Blacks, the longest running off-Broadway play of the decade, running for 1,408 performances. The original cast also featured James Earl Jones, Roscoe Lee Browne, Cicely Tyson, Godfrey Cambridge, Maya Angelou and Charles Gordone.
In 1965, Gossett appeared in the musical play The Zulu and the Zayda on Broadway as Paulus with music and lyrics by Harold Rome.
Gossett wrote the antiwar folk song "Handsome Johnny" with Richie Havens which Havens recorded in 1966.
His Emmy Award-winning role of Fiddler in the 1977 television miniseries Roots first brought Gossett to the audience's attention.
In 1983, he was cast in the title role in Sadat, a miniseries which chronicled the life and assassination of Anwar Sadat. While filming An Officer and a Gentleman, Gossett was also starring in the 1982–1983 science fiction series, The Powers of Matthew Star. His role as drill instructor Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was the first black male to win an Oscar in a supporting role, the second black male to win for acting, and the third black actor to win overall.
In 1986, Gossett starred in another role as a military man (Colonel Chappy Sinclair) in the film Iron Eagle. It was followed by three sequels.
In 1989, Gossett co-starred in the Marvel Comics adaptation The Punisher, with Dolph Lundgren in the title role. The film was directed by Mark Goldblatt, with a screenplay by Boaz Yakin. The Punisher was filmed in Sydney, Australia and also featured Jeroen Krabbé, Kim Miyori, and Barry Otto.
In 1991, Gossett starred in Manny Coto's action film Cover Up opposite Dolph Lundgren.
Gossett is the voice of the Vortigaunts in the video game Half-Life 2 and is the Free Jaffa Leader Gerak in Season 9 of the sci-fi television series Stargate SG-1. He provides the voice of Lucius Fox in The Batman animated series. He recorded several commercials for a Nashville-based diabetic company, AmMed Direct, LLC. In 1997, Gossett presented When Animals Attack! 4, a one-hour special on Fox.
He played the role of fictional U.S. President Gerald Fitzhugh in the 2005 film Left Behind: World at War. In 2008, he filmed the "Keep It Real" series of commercials for the Namibian lager Windhoek.
In 2009, Gossett also lent his voice talents in the Thomas Nelson audio Bible production known as The Word of Promise. In this dramatized audio, Gossett played the character of John the Apostle. The project also featured a large ensemble of well known Hollywood actors including Jim Caviezel, John Rhys-Davies, Jon Voight, Gary Sinise, Jason Alexander, Christopher McDonald, Marisa Tomei and John Schneider.
In 2013, Gossett starred in the controversial drama Boiling Pot, which is based on true events of racism that occurred on college campuses across the US during the 2008 Presidential election. The film, written and directed by the Ashmawey brothers under AshmaweyFilms, also stars Danielle Fishel, Keith David, M. Emmet Walsh, and John Heard. Gossett plays a detective attempting to decipher a murder case that was fueled by racism, all while putting aside his own prejudices. Boiling Pot was released in 2014. Gossett returned to television in the CBS All Access series, The Good Fight, guest starring as founding partner Carl Reddick of Diane Lockhart's new firm. He narrated an audiobook based on Twelve Years a Slave.
In 2021, Gossett appears in the film Not to Forget (2021), which aims to raise awareness and funds for the fight against Alzheimer’s. The movie, directed by Valerio Zanoli, stars Karen Grassle and 5 Academy Award winners: Louis Gossett Jr., Cloris Leachman, Tatum O’Neal, George Chakiris, and Olympia Dukakis.
Personal life
Gossett has been married three times and fathered one son and adopted one son. His first marriage was to Hattie Glascoe; it was annulled. His second, to Christina Mangosing, took place on August 21, 1973. Their son Satie was born in 1974. Gossett and Mangosing divorced in 1975. His third marriage, to Star Search champion Cyndi James-Reese, took place on December 25, 1987. They adopted a son, Sharron (born 1977). Gossett and James-Reese divorced in 1992.
Louis is the first cousin of actor Robert Gossett who starred on TNT's The Closer.
On February 9, 2010, Gossett announced that he had prostate cancer. He added the disease was caught in its early stages, and he expected to make a full recovery.
On July 18, 2016, Gossett cohosted as a guest programmer on Turner Classic Movies' primetime lineup. Allowed to choose four movies to air, he selected Blackboard Jungle, Lifeboat, Touch of Evil and The Night of the Hunter.
Filmography
Film
|
Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
|
1961 |
A Raisin in the Sun |
George Murchison |
|
|
1969 |
The Bushbaby |
Tembo |
|
|
1970 |
The Landlord |
Copee |
|
|
1971 |
Skin Game |
Jason O'Rourke |
|
|
1972 |
Travels with My Aunt |
Zachary / 'Wordsworth' |
|
|
1973 |
The Fuzz Brothers |
Francis Fuzz |
|
|
1973 |
The Laughing Policeman |
Inspector James Larrimore |
|
|
1974 |
The White Dawn |
Portagee |
|
|
1976 |
The River Niger |
Dr. Dudley Stanton |
|
|
1976 |
J. D.'s Revenge |
Reverend Elija Bliss |
|
|
1977 |
The Deep |
Henri Cloche |
|
|
1977 |
The Choirboys |
Calvin Motts |
|
|
1980 |
It Rained All Night the Day I Left |
Leo Garcia |
|
|
1982 |
An Officer and a Gentleman |
Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley |
Academy
Award for Best Supporting Actor |
|
1983 |
Jaws 3-D |
Calvin Bouchard |
Nominated — Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor |
|
1984 |
Finders Keepers |
Century |
|
|
1985 |
Enemy Mine |
Jeriba 'Jerry' Shigan |
Nominated — Saturn Award for Best Actor |
|
1986 |
Iron Eagle |
Colonel Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair |
|
|
1986 |
Firewalker |
Leo Porter |
|
|
1987 |
The Principal |
Jake Phillips |
|
|
1987 |
A Gathering of Old Men |
Mathu |
|
|
1988 |
Iron Eagle II |
Colonel / Brigadier General Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair |
|
|
1989 |
The Punisher |
Detective Jake Berkowitz |
|
|
1991 |
Cover Up |
CIA Chief Lou Jackson |
|
|
1991 |
Toy Soldiers |
Dean Parker |
|
|
1992 |
Aces: Iron Eagle III |
Brigadier General Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair |
|
|
1992 |
Diggstown |
Roy 'Honey Roy' Palmer |
|
|
1993 |
Monolith |
Captain MacCandless |
|
|
1994 |
Flashfire |
Ben Durand |
|
|
1994 |
Blue Chips |
Father Dawkins |
|
|
1994 |
A Good Man in Africa |
Professor Sam Adekunle |
|
|
1994 |
Curse of the Starving Class |
Ellis |
|
|
1995 |
Iron Eagle on the Attack |
Brigadier General Charles 'Chappy' Sinclair (Ret.) |
|
|
1996 |
Managua |
Paul |
|
|
1997 |
The Wall That Heals |
Narrator |
|
|
1997 |
Legend of the Mummy |
Corbeck |
|
|
1999 |
Terminal Countdown |
Morgan |
|
|
2000 |
The Highwayman |
Phil Bishop |
|
|
2002 |
Deceived |
Colonel David Garrett |
Direct-to-video release |
|
2005 |
Window |
Ralph Stanley |
Included as part of African American Short Films |
|
2005 |
Left Behind: World at War |
President Gerald Fitzhugh |
|
|
2006 |
All In |
Caps |
|
|
2006 |
Club Soda |
'Doc' |
|
|
2007 |
Daddy's Little Girls |
Willie |
|
|
2007 |
Cover |
Detective Hicks |
|
|
2008 |
The Perfect Game |
Cool Papa Bell |
|
|
2008 |
Delgo |
Zahn |
Voice only |
|
2009 |
Dog Jack |
Grown Up Jed |
|
|
2009 |
Shannon's Rainbow |
Max |
|
|
2009 |
The Least Among You |
Samuel Benton |
|
|
2010 |
Smitty |
Mr. Smith |
|
|
2010 |
Why Did I Get Married Too? |
Porter |
|
|
2011 |
The Grace Card |
George Wright |
|
|
2011 |
A Fonder Heart |
Glen |
|
|
2011 |
The Lamp |
The Genie |
|
|
2012 |
The Undershepherd |
Bishop Redford |
|
|
2014 |
A Fighting Man |
'Cubby' |
|
|
2014 |
The Dependables |
Lou Jones |
|
|
2015 |
Boiling Pot |
Detective Haven |
|
|
2017 |
Undercover Grandpa |
Mother |
|
|
2017 |
Double Play |
'Coco' |
|
|
2017 |
Breaking Brooklyn |
Miles Bryant |
|
|
2019 |
Foster Boy |
Judge |
|
|
2019 |
The Cuban |
Luis Garcia |
|
|
2019 |
Supervized |
Pendle |
|
|
2021 |
Not To Forget |
Pastor John |
Television
|
Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
|
1958 |
The Big Story |
Jamie Goodwin |
Episode: "The Stubbornest Man" |
|
1962 |
The Nurses |
William Taylor |
Episode: "The Prisoner" |
|
1967-1968 |
Cowboy in Africa |
Fulah |
Episode:
"Fang and Claw" |
|
1968 |
The Invaders |
Ollie |
Episode: "The Vise" |
|
1968 |
Daktari |
Mkono |
Episode: "Adam and Jenny" |
|
1968 |
Companions in Nightmare |
Lieutenant Adam McKay |
NBC television film |
|
1968 |
The Mod Squad |
Sergeant William 'Smitty' Smith |
Episode: "When Smitty Comes Marching Home" |
|
1970 |
The Bill Cosby Show |
'Hurricane' Smith |
Episode: "The Return of Big Bad Bubba Bronson" |
|
1970-1971 |
The Young Rebels |
Isak Poole |
|
|
1971 |
Big Fish, Little Fish |
Jimmie Luton |
|
|
1971 |
The Partridge Family |
Sam |
Episode: "Soul Club" |
|
1971 |
Bonanza |
Buck Walter |
Episode: "The Desperado" |
|
1971 |
Longstreet |
Sergeant Cory |
Episode: "The Way of the Intercepting Fist" |
|
1971 |
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors |
Dr. Karnes |
Episode: "One Lonely Step" |
|
1971 |
Alias Smith and Jones |
Joe Sims |
Episode: "The Bounty Hunter" |
|
1971 |
Cade's County |
Unknown |
Episode: "The Alien Land" |
|
1972 |
Insight |
Unknown |
Episode: "The Man from Inner Space" |
|
1972 |
The Living End |
Doug Newman |
CBS television pilot |
|
1972 |
The Rookies |
Toby Jones |
Episode: "Covenant with Death" |
|
1972 |
Love, American Style |
Freddy |
Segment: "Love and the Christmas Punch..." |
|
1968-1972 |
The Mod Squad |
'Smitty' / Lloyd / Charley Jameson |
Episode:
"When Smitty Comes Marching Home" |
|
1973 |
Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law |
Unknown |
Episode: "An Often and Familiar Ghost" |
|
1974 |
It's Good to Be Alive |
Sam Brockington |
CBS television film |
|
1974 |
Sidekicks |
Jason O'Rourke |
TV
remake of Gossett's 1971 Skin Game |
|
1974 |
The White Dawn |
Portagee |
ABC television film |
|
1974 |
McCloud |
Dewey Justin |
Episode: Shivaree on Delancy Street |
|
1974 |
The New Land |
Simon York |
Episode: "The Word is: Dignity" (never aired) |
|
1974–1975 |
Petrocelli |
District Attorney Kurt Olson |
Episode: "A Very Lonely Lady" and "A Fallen Idol" |
|
1974–1975 |
Good Times |
Donald Knight / Uncle Wilbert |
Episode:
"Thelma's Young Man" |
|
1975 |
Lucas Tanner |
Bobby Koball |
Episode: "Bonus Baby" |
|
1975 |
Black Bart |
Bart 'Black Bart' |
CBS television film |
|
1975 |
Delancey Street: The Crisis Within |
Otis James |
NBC television film |
|
1975 |
Caribe |
David Wallace |
Episode: "The Assassin" |
|
1975 |
Harry O |
Cleon Jackson |
Episode: "Shades" |
|
1975 |
The Jeffersons |
Wendell Brown |
Episode: "George's Best Friend" |
|
1975 |
The Six Million Dollar Man |
O'Flaherty |
Episode: "Clark Templeton O'Flaherty" |
|
1975–1976 |
Police Story |
Freddie / Virgil Barnes |
Episode:
"The Cut Man Caper" |
|
1976 |
Little House on the Prairie |
Henry Hill |
Episode: "The Long Road Home" |
|
1976 |
The Rebels |
Unknown |
|
|
1976–1977 |
The Rockford Files |
Marcus 'Gabby' Hayes |
Episode: Foul on the First Play and Just Another Polish Wedding |
|
1977 |
Little Ladies of the Night |
Russ Garfield |
ABC television film |
|
1977 |
Roots |
Fiddler |
ABC
miniseries |
|
1977 |
Visions |
Rex |
Episode: "Freeman" |
|
1978 |
The Sentry Collection Presents Ben Vereen: His Roots |
Himself |
Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program |
|
1978 |
To Kill a Cop |
Everett Walker |
Uncredited
Role |
|
1978 |
The Critical List |
Lem Harper |
NBC television film |
|
1979 |
Backstairs at the White House |
Levi Mercer |
NBC
miniseries |
|
1979 |
Lawman Without a Gun |
Tom Hayward |
NBC television film |
|
1979 |
The Lazarus Syndrome |
Dr. MacArthur St. Clair |
ABC television film |
|
1980 |
Palmerstown, USA |
Fredrick Douglas Jackson |
Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series |
|
1981 |
Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige |
Leroy 'Satchel' Paige |
ABC television film |
|
1982 |
American Playhouse |
Unknown |
Episode: "Zora Is My Name!" |
|
1982 |
Benny's Place |
Benny Moore |
ABC television film |
|
1982 |
Saturday Night Live |
Host |
Episode: "Louis Gossett Jr/George Thorogood & the Destroyers" |
|
1982–1983 |
The Powers of Matthew Star |
Walter 'Walt' Shepherd / D'Hai |
|
|
1983 |
Sadat |
Anwar al-Sadat |
Television
film |
|
1984 |
The Guardian |
John Mack |
Nominated
— CableACE Award for Best Actor in a Movie or Miniseries |
|
1987 |
A Gathering of Old Men |
Mathu |
CBS
television film |
|
1987 |
The Father Clements Story |
Father Clements |
NBC television film |
|
1988 |
Sam Found Out: A Triple Play |
Unknown |
ABC television film |
|
1988 |
Goodbye, Miss 4th of July |
John 'Big John' Creed |
Disney Channel television film |
|
1988 |
Roots: The Gift |
Fiddler |
ABC television film |
|
1989 |
Gideon Oliver |
Gideon Oliver |
|
|
1990 |
El Diablo |
Van Leek |
HBO television film |
|
1990 |
Sudie and Simpson |
Simpson |
Television film |
|
1991–1992 |
Captain Planet and the Planeteers |
Commander Clash |
Voice role (3 episodes) |
|
1991 |
The Josephine Baker Story |
Sidney Williams |
HBO
television film |
|
1991 |
Carolina Skeletons |
James Bragg |
NBC television film |
|
1992 |
Keeper of the City |
Detective James Dela |
Television film |
|
1993 |
Story of a People |
Host |
Miniseries |
|
1993 |
Gridiron Gang |
Host |
Documentary film |
|
1993 |
Father & Son: Dangerous Relations |
Unknown |
NBC television film |
|
1993 |
Return to Lonesome Dove |
Isom Pickett |
Miniseries |
|
1994 |
Picket Fences |
Rick Jennings |
Episode: "Terms of Estrangement" |
|
1994 |
Ray Alexander: A Taste for Justice |
Ray Alexander |
NBC television film |
|
1995 |
A Father for Charlie |
Walter Osgood |
|
|
1995 |
Zooman |
Rueben Tate |
|
|
1995 |
Ray Alexander: A Menu for Murder |
Ray Alexander |
|
|
1996 |
Captive Heart: The James Mink Story |
James Mink |
Nominated
— NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series
or Dramatic Special |
|
1996 |
Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story |
Bob Kersee |
Television film |
|
1996 |
Inside |
Questioner |
Television film |
|
1997 |
Touched by an Angel |
Anderson Walker |
Episode:
"Amazing Grace" |
|
1997 |
To Dance with Olivia |
Daniel Stewart |
CBS television film |
|
1997 |
In His Father's Shoes |
Frank Crosby / Richard |
Showtime
television film |
|
1997 |
Early Edition |
Jim Matthews |
Episode: "The Medal" |
|
1997 |
Ellen |
Sergeant Timko |
Episode: "G.I. Ellen" |
|
1998 |
Inspectors |
Inspector Frank Hughes |
Showtime television film |
|
1999 |
Love Songs |
Reuben |
Segment:
"A Love Song for Dad"; Showtime television film |
|
1999 |
Strange Justice |
Vernon Jordan |
Showtime television film |
|
2000 |
Dr. Lucille |
David Mulera |
Television film |
|
2000 |
The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence |
Inspector Frank Hughes |
Showtime television film |
|
2000 |
The Color of Love: Jacey's Story |
Lou Hastings |
CBS
television film |
|
2001 |
For Love of Olivia |
Daniel Stewart |
CBS television film |
|
2002 |
Opening Ceremony Salt Lake Paralympic Winter Games |
Narrator |
Nominated — Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Special |
|
2002 |
What About Your Friends: Weekend Getaway |
Dr. Barnes |
UPN television film |
|
2002 |
Resurrection Blvd. |
Ezekiel 'Zeke' Grant |
Episode: "En Un Momento" and "Esperando Lagrimas" |
|
2003 |
The Dead Zone |
Pastor David Lewis |
Episode: "Zion" |
|
2003 |
Jasper, Texas |
R.C. Horn |
Nominated
— NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series
or Dramatic Special |
|
2003 |
Momentum |
Raymond Addison |
SCI FI television film |
|
2004 |
Half & Half |
Ray Willis |
Episode: "The Big Lover, My Brother Episode" and "The Big Thanks for Nothing Episode" |
|
2005 |
Solar Attack |
President Ryan Gordon |
Direct-to-DVD release |
|
2005 |
Lackawanna Blues |
Ol'lem Taylor |
HBO television film |
|
2005–2006 |
Stargate SG-1 |
Gerak |
5 episodes |
|
2006 |
Family Guy |
Sergeant Angryman |
Voice
role |
|
2007 |
The Batman |
Lucius Fox |
Voice role |
|
2009 |
ER |
Leo Malcolm |
Episode: "The Family Man" |
|
2012 |
Psych |
Lloyd |
Episode: "Heeeeere's Lassie" |
|
2013 |
Boardwalk Empire |
Oscar Boneau |
Episode: "Havre de Grace" |
|
2014–2015 |
Extant |
Quinn |
Recurring; 4 episodes |
|
2014 |
Madam Secretary |
Father Laurent Vasseur |
Episode: "The Call" |
|
2015 |
The Book of Negroes |
Daddy Moses |
2 episodes |
|
2015 |
The Spoils Before Dying |
Duke Webster |
Episode: "The Trip Trap" |
|
2017 |
The Good Fight |
Carl Reddick |
Episode: "Reddick v Boseman" |
|
2018 |
Hap and Leonard |
Bacon |
6 episodes |
|
2018 |
Hawaii Five-0 |
Percy Grover Sr. |
Episode: "Lele pū nā manu like" (Hawaiian for: "Birds of a Feather...") |
|
2019 |
Watchmen |
Will Reeves / Hooded Justice |
7
episodes |
Theatre
Personal Quotes
“If a role isn't different, it's not worth doing.”
“When I'm offered a role, I look at what I think I can do with it. I look to see if I can project myself into it.”
“I can do more than anyone suspects. I pride myself on my versatility. It took 32 years of difficult parts, second leads, villains and juveniles. The Oscar changed the quality of the roles I was being offered.”
“The Lord may not come when you want Him, but he's always going to be there on time.”
Blair Erwin Underwood (born August 25, 1964) is an American actor. He made his debut in the 1985 musical film Krush Groove and from 1987 to 1994 starred as attorney Jonathan Rollins in the NBC legal drama series L.A. Law.
Underwood has appeared in a number of films during his career, including Just Cause (1995), Set It Off (1996), Deep Impact (1998), Rules of Engagement (2000), Something New (2006), Madea's Family Reunion (2006), and Juanita (2019). On television, he played a leading role in the 2000 medical drama City of Angels, and the following years had regular roles in LAX (2004–05), Dirty Sexy Money (2007–09), In Treatment (2008), The Event (2010–11), Ironside (2013) and Quantico (2016–18). Underwood has received two Golden Globe Award nominations, five NAACP Image Awards, one Daytime Emmy Award and one Grammy Award.
Early life
Underwood was born in Tacoma, Washington, the son of Marilyn Ann Scales, an interior decorator, and Frank Eugene Underwood, Sr., a United States Army colonel. Underwood lived on bases and Army Posts in the United States and Stuttgart, Germany throughout his childhood due to his father's military career. Blair attended Petersburg High School in Petersburg, Virginia. He went on to attend the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and is an honorary member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
Career
After his film debut, Krush Groove, Underwood's 1985 appearance on The Cosby Show landed him a short stint for three months on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live as Bobby Blue. He later co-starred in the short-lived CBS crime drama series Downtown from 1986 to 1987, and guest-starred on Scarecrow and Mrs. King and 21 Jump Street.
In 1987, Underwood, at the age of 23, was cast as attorney Jonathan Rollins in the NBC legal drama series L.A. Law. He received Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 1991. The series ended in 1994. In 1990, he played James Chaney in the NBC television film Murder in Mississippi. In 1993, he co-starred in the western film Posse starring Mario Van Peebles. After L.A. Law, he starred in a number of movies, In 1995 he appeared in the legal thriller Just Cause, and the following year played Jada Pinkett's love interest in the heist film Set It Off. He also had a supporting role as a geneticist in the science fiction film Gattaca (1997) and in the disaster film Deep Impact (1998). In 1996, he was featured in the July issue of erotic magazine Playgirl.
In 1996, Underwood returned to series television with ABC police drama series, High Incident. He co-starred opposite Cicely Tyson in the 1998 miniseries Mama Flora's Family. In 2000, he played the lead role in the short-lived CBS medical drama series City of Angels. Underwood was voted one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2000, and one of TV Guide magazine's "Most Influential Faces of the 90s". In 2003, he guest starred in four episodes on the HBO series Sex and the City playing Cynthia Nixon's love interest. In 2004, he played the role of Roger De Souza opposite Heather Locklear in NBC short-lived drama LAX. In 2006, he appeared in the Tyler Perry's second film, Madea's Family Reunion. He had a recurring role as the sexy grade school teacher in the CBS sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus from 2006 to 2008. In 2007, he guest starred in an episode of the NBC series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2007, Underwood portrayed Jesus Christ in Inspired By… The Bible Experience, an 89-hour, celebrity-voiced, fully dramatized audio Bible based on Today's New International Version. Also in 2007, Underwood co-authored the novel Casanegra: A Tennyson Hardwick Novel with husband-and-wife team Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due.
In 2008, Underwood starred in the first season of the HBO drama series In Treatment, for which he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film at the 2009 Golden Globes. From 2007 to 2009, he was regular cast member in the ABC prime time soap opera, Dirty Sexy Money.
In 2010–2011, Underwood portrayed United States President Elias Martinez in the NBC drama series The Event. In 2010, Underwood portrayed the role of Saint Mark in The Truth & Life Dramatized Audio New Testament Bible, a 22-hour, celebrity-voiced, fully dramatized audio New Testament, based on the RSV-CE translation. In 2012, he played the lead role of Stanley in the Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire.
In 2013, Underwood played the role of Robert Ironside in the remake of the successful 1960s television series, Ironside, made famous by the late Raymond Burr. The show was cancelled after three episodes. The following year, he appeared in The Trip to Bountiful opposite Cicely Tyson. From 2015 to 2016, he had a recurring role in the ABC series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. In 2016, Underwood was cast in the ABC thriller series Quantico for the series regular role of CIA Deputy Director, Owen Hall. The series was canceled after three seasons in 2018.
In 2019, Underwood played attorney Bobby Burns in the Netflix miniseries When They See Us. The following year, he co-starred opposite Octavia Spencer in the Netflix miniseries Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker.
In January 2020, Underwood appeared on stage as Captain Richard Davenport in the Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway revival of Charles Fuller's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama A Soldier's Play.
Personal life
Underwood is a part of several charitable organizations. He won the 1993 Humanitarian Award for his work with the Los Angeles chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In 2003, along with Ashley Judd, he served as the spokesperson for YouthAIDS. In addition, he is involved with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation's Blair Underwood Clinic in Washington, DC.
Underwood also appeared in a 2004 public service announcement for The Fulfillment Fund. He is a Trustee for the Robey Theatre Company in Los Angeles, a non-profit theatre group founded by Danny Glover, focusing on plays about the Black experience.
He supported President Barack Obama's candidacy and spoke at campaign rallies for Obama. Underwood got to know Obama while researching his L.A. Law role at Harvard Law School, while Obama was president of the Harvard Law Review.
Underwood's DNA test showed that he is a descendant of the Babungo people of Cameroon. Additional DNA testing and genealogical research revealed that his African ancestry comes from the Bamum, Brong and lgbo ethnic groups of Western Africa.The DNA test also connected Blair to a distant cousin in Babungo, Cameroon.
Filmography
Film
|
Year |
Film |
Role |
Notes |
|
1985 |
Krush Groove |
Russell Walker |
|
|
1988 |
Mickey's 60th Birthday |
Jonathan Rollins |
Television film |
|
1989 |
The Cover Girl and the Cop |
Horace Bouchet |
Television film |
|
1990 |
Murder in Mississippi |
James Chaney |
Television
film |
|
1990 |
Heat Wave |
Robert Richardson |
Television film |
|
1992 |
The Second Coming |
Jesus |
Short film |
|
1993 |
Posse |
Carver |
|
|
1993 |
Father & Son: Dangerous Relations |
Jared Williams |
Television film |
|
1995 |
Just Cause |
Bobby Earl |
|
|
1996 |
Soul of the Game |
Jackie Robinson |
Television
film |
|
1996 |
Mistrial |
Lieutenant C. Hodges |
Television film |
|
1996 |
Set It Off |
Keith Weston |
Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
|
1997 |
Gattaca |
Geneticist |
|
|
1998 |
Asunder |
Chance Williams |
|
|
1998 |
Deep Impact |
Mark Simon |
|
|
1998 |
Mama Flora's Family |
Willie |
Television
film |
|
1999 |
The Wishing Tree |
Magic Man |
|
|
2000 |
Rules of Engagement |
Capt. Lee |
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
|
2002 |
Truth Be Told |
Det. Harris |
|
|
2002 |
G |
Chip Hightower |
|
|
2002 |
Full Frontal |
Nicholas/Calvin |
|
|
2003 |
Malibu's Most Wanted |
Tom Gibbons |
|
|
2004 |
Fronterz |
(unknown role) |
|
|
2004 |
Do Geese See God? |
Man |
|
|
2005 |
Straight Out of Compton 2 |
Hen |
Also producer |
|
2005 |
The Golden Blaze |
Gregory Fletcher/The Golden Blaze |
Animated |
|
2006 |
Something New |
Mark Harper |
|
|
2006 |
Madea's Family Reunion |
Carlos |
|
|
2006 |
Covert One: The Hades Factor |
Palmer Addison |
Television film |
|
2007 |
Operation Homecoming |
Voice role |
|
|
2007 |
The Hit |
Hen |
|
|
2009 |
The Bridge to Nowhere |
Director |
|
|
2011 |
The Art of Getting By |
Principal Bill Martinson |
|
|
2011 |
I Will Follow |
Evan |
|
|
2012 |
Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day |
David Ames |
|
|
2012 |
The True Friendship or Not?.. |
Principal Bramble |
|
|
2014 |
The Trip to Bountiful |
Ludie Watts |
Television
film |
|
2018 |
The After Party |
Sgt. Ellison |
|
|
2019 |
Juanita |
Himself |
|
|
2020 |
Bad Hair |
Amos Bludso |
Television
|
Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
|
1985 |
Knight Rider |
Potts |
Episode: "Knight of the Juggernaut: Part 1" |
|
1985 |
The Cosby Show |
Robert (Denise's Friend) |
Episode: "Jitterbug Break" |
|
1985 |
The Cosby Show |
Mark |
Episode: "Theo and the Other Woman" |
|
1985–1986 |
One Life to Live |
Bobby Blue |
Unknown episodes |
|
1986–1987 |
Downtown |
Terry Corsaro |
14 episodes |
|
1987 |
Scarecrow and Mrs. King |
Stillman |
Episode: "All That Glitters" |
|
1987 |
21 Jump Street |
Reginald Brooks |
Episode: "Gotta Finish the Riff" |
|
1987–1994 |
L.A. Law |
Jonathan Rollins |
149
episodes |
|
1991 |
A Different World |
Zelmer Collier |
Episode: "War and Peace" |
|
1996–1997 |
High Incident |
Officer Michael Rhoades |
22 episodes |
|
2000 |
City of Angels |
Dr. Ben Turner |
24
episodes |
|
2003–2004 |
Sex and the City |
Dr. Robert Leeds |
5
episodes |
|
2004–2005 |
Fatherhood |
Dr. Arthur Bindlebeep |
24 episodes |
|
2004–2005 |
LAX |
Roger De Souza |
13 episodes |
|
2006–2010 |
The New Adventures of Old Christine |
Mr. Harris |
9
episodes |
|
2007 |
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit |
Miles Sennett |
Episode: "Burned" |
|
2007–2009 |
Dirty Sexy Money |
Simon Elder |
20
episodes |
|
2008 |
In Treatment |
Alex |
9
episodes |
|
2010–2011 |
The Event |
President Elias Martinez |
22
episodes |
|
2012 |
Superman of Tokyo |
Superman of Tokyo |
2 episodes |
|
2013 |
Thunder and Lightning |
Black Lightning |
2 episodes |
|
2013 |
Ironside |
Robert Ironside |
9 episodes |
|
2015–2016 |
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. |
Andrew Garner |
10 episodes |
|
2016–2019 |
The Lion Guard |
Makuu (voice) |
11 episodes |
|
2016 |
The Good Wife |
Harry Dargis |
Episode: "Shoot" |
|
2016–2018 |
Quantico |
Owen Hall |
22 episodes |
|
2019 |
When They See Us |
Bobby Burns |
Miniseries |
|
2019 |
Dear White People |
Prof. Moses Brown |
Comedy-drama series |
|
2020 |
Self Made |
Charles James Walker |
Netflix miniseries |
Video
games
The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon – Hunter
Awards and nominations
|
Year |
Association |
Category |
Nominated work |
Result |
|
1991 |
Golden Globe Awards |
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film |
L.A. Law |
Nominated |
|
1992 |
NAACP Image Awards |
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special |
Murder in Mississippi |
Won |
|
1995 |
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series |
L.A. Law |
Won |
|
|
1997 |
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special |
Soul of the Game |
Nominated |
|
|
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
Set It Off |
Nominated |
||
|
1999 |
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special |
Mama Flora's Family |
Won |
|
|
2001 |
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series |
City of Angels |
Won |
|
|
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture |
Rules of Engagement |
Won |
||
|
2004 |
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series |
Sex and the City |
Nominated |
|
|
2005 |
Nominated |
|||
|
2008 |
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series |
The New Adventures of Old Christine |
Nominated |
|
|
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series |
Dirty Sexy Money |
Nominated |
||
|
2009 |
Golden Globe Awards |
Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film |
In Treatment |
Nominated |
|
Grammy Awards |
Best Spoken Word Album |
An Inconvenient Truth |
Won |
|
|
NAACP Image Awards |
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series |
In Treatment |
Nominated |
|
|
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series |
The New Adventures of Old Christine |
Nominated |
||
|
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series |
Dirty Sexy Money |
Nominated |
||
|
2011 |
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series |
The Event |
Nominated |
|
|
2014 |
Critics' Choice Television Awards |
Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries |
The Trip to Bountiful |
Nominated |
|
2015 |
NAACP Image Awards |
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special |
Won |
|
|
2020 |
Tony Awards |
Best Actor in a Play |
A Soldier's Play |
Pending |
Personal Quote
“It's so easy to sell your soul or sell out or cop out, and what it really comes down to is choices. If you have some kind of game plan, or at least a faith in your ability, it doesn't matter if this town validates you or not because you're already validated by your gifts. I just try to stay focused on what I have to offer.”
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