Obba Babatundé Headshot

Obba Babatundé

Birth Place: Queens, NY, USA

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Obba Babatundé BIO

Obba Babatundé is one of the busiest actors in Hollywood, juggling careers in film, television and stage.



Babatundé recently appeared in Paramount Pictures' "The Manchurian Candidate," as well as the critically acclaimed film "The Notebook," while continuing to star as the father on the UPN sitcom "Half & Half," which began its fifth season this fall. Other recent projects include a scene-stealing role in the New Line feature film "After the Sunset," which opened November 12th, 2004 opposite Pierce Brosnan. He next stars in the highly anticipated feature film "The Celestine Prophecy," based on the top-selling book, which is scheduled for release in 2006.

He recently wrapped production on a co-starring role in the Martha Coolidge-directed feature film comedy, "Material Girls," opposite Hilary and Hayley Duff, which is also slated for a 2006 release. In March, 2006, he filmed a recurring role in the pilot for the new HBO Studios'Untitled Kevin Brennan series for NBC.

Babatundé's acting portfolio includes the blockbuster motion pictures, "John Q," Universal Pictures' "How High," a memorable role as "Lamar" in "That Thing You Do," "Philadelphia," "The Silence of the Lambs," the role of Barry Gordy in "The Temptations," and "The Visit" among others. The talented artist earned Emmy and Cable ACE Award nominations for his role as "Willie Johnson" in HBO's "Miss Evers' Boys," and a NAACP Image Award nomination for his portrayal of "Harold Nicholas" in HBO's "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge." His additional television credits include the title role in the USA Network's film "Redeemer," and a role in the award-winning Showtime drama series "Soul Food," portraying "Kenny's" father.

Babatundé's ability to live a part so flawlessly contributes to his memorable character portrayals. In the comedy "How High," Babatundé gives a hilarious delivery as the Dean of Freshman at Harvard University. In "John Q," he portrays the cool, unflappable SWAT team captain out to get his man. As the narrator and fellow convict to Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence's characters in the motion picture "Life," Babatundé exhibited great diversity as his character aged forty years over the course of the picture.

While his film and television credits loom exemplary, Babatundé is no stranger to the stage. With multiple Broadway credits, he is probably best known for his Tony-nominated role as "C.C. White" in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls. Other unforgettable stage performances include Hal Prince's Grind and he originated the role of the legendary jazz artist "Jelly Roll Morton" in the world premiere of Jelly's Last Jam. In the summer of 2005, Obba toured Japan, starring as "Billy Flynn" in Chicago, reprising the role he performed in the original tour of the classic musical. The show ran four weeks in Tokyo and one week in Osaka. In early January, 2006, he was asked to return for a week of special engagements and also performed select dates on the U.S. National Tour in February. He is currently scheduled to return to Broadway on April 17, 2006 for a four-month starring run as "Billy Flynn" at the legendary Ambassador Theatre.

In addition to his mentorship program, Babatundé enjoys doing his seminar "show-BUSINESS' at universities throughout the country.

Obba Babatundé Photos

Obba Babatundé STAGE CREDITS

[US Tour]
1st National Tour, 1997
Billy Flynn

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Billy Flynn [Replacement]

Billy Flynn [Replacement]

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1991
Performer

[West End]
Concert [West End], 1988
Performer

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1985
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1985
Leroy [Replacement]

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Off-Off-Broadway Revival, 1984
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
C.C. White

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1980
Sharky

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Rockets

Esau (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1978
Antelope

The Chakaba

Citizen of Timbuktu

Orange Merchant

Ensemble/Other Roles

[Regional (US)]
Regional Revival, 1988
Performer


Obba Babatundé Movies

Leonard Part 6
[ 1987 ] Bongo Drummer Babatunde
Married to the Mob
[ 1988 ] The Face of Justice Obba Babatunde
Miami Blues
[ 1990 ] Blink Willie, Informant
Dead Again
[ 1991 ] Syd Obba Babatunde
The Silence of the Lambs
[ 1991 ] TV Anchor Man Obba Babatunde
The Importance of Being Earnest
[ 1992 ] Lane
Necronomicon: Book of Dead
[ 1993 ] Paul part 3
Undercover Blues
[ 1993 ] Sawyer
Philadelphia
[ 1993 ] Jerome Green Obba Babatunde
Fatal Pursuit
[ 1995 ] Trinidad
A Reason to Believe
[ 1995 ] Prof. Thurman
Born to Be Wild
[ 1995 ] Interpreter
That Thing You Do!
[ 1996 ] Lamarr
Multiplicity
[ 1996 ] Paul
Carpool
[ 1996 ] Jeffery Obba Babatundè
Life
[ 1999 ] Willie Long
The Visit
[ 2000 ] Tony
How High
[ 2001 ] Dean Carl Cain
John Q
[ 2002 ] Sgt. Moody Obba Babatunde
The Wild Thornberrys
[ 2002 ] Boko
The Great Commission
[ 2003 ] Rev. Jesse
The Manchurian Candidate
[ 2004 ] Senator Wells
The Notebook
[ 2004 ] Band Leader Obba Babatunde
After the Sunset
[ 2004 ] Zachari Obba Babatunde
Kangaroo Jack 2
[ 2004 ] Chief Ankamuti
Joy Road
[ 2004 ] Dr. Howard Perkins
Flip the Script
[ 2005 ] Mr. Jones Obba Babatunde
The Celestine Prophecy
[ 2006 ] Miguel Obba Babatunde
Material Girls
[ 2006 ] Craig Obba Babatunde
Cover
[ 2007 ] Attorney Miller Obba Babatunde
The Eye
[ 2008 ] Dr. Hkins
Why Am I Doing This?
[ 2009 ] Cliff
I Do... I Did!
[ 2009 ] Mr. Johnson
Black Dynamite
[ 2009 ] Osiris Obba Babatunde
Trapped: Haitian Nights
[ 2010 ] Ikliff
The Fallen Faithful
[ 2010 ] Rev. Emannuel
Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups
[ 2012 ] Mayor Denny
The Last Fall
[ 2012 ] Larry Armstrong
Dolls of Voodoo
[ 2013 ] Iklif
The Dead Sea
[ 2014 ] Mayor
Lap Dance
[ 2014 ] Roscoe
American Bad Boy
[ 2015 ] Ptor Lovely
Death's Door
[ 2015 ] Mesmer
If I Tell You I Have to Kill You
[ 2015 ] Jonathan Black
The Watcher
[ 2016 ] Stark
Til Death Do Us Part
[ 2017 ] John Harris Obba Babatunde
Pup Star: Better 2Gether
[ 2017 ] Big Ears
The Choir Director
[ 2018 ] Mr. Wilcox
Kinky
[ 2018 ] Mr. Bernard
City of Lies
[ 2018 ] Chief of Police
Revival
[ 2018 ] Nicodemus
Kiss Me for Christmas
[ 2020 ] Mr. Porter
The Men in My Life
[ 2021 ] Simon Helms
The Millennial
[ 2022 ] Mr. Burke
A Polished Soul
[ 2022 ] Solomon
Fuhgedd About It
[ 2022 ] Captain Ross
Master of Dreams
[ 2023 ] Dr. Rameses Farrow, PhD
Noble Intentions
[ 2023 ] Ptor Stevens

Obba Babatundé TV Shows

Dawson's Creek
Principal Howard Green
Dear White People
Dean Fairbanks
Detroiters
Mr. Duvet
Half & Half
Charles Thorne
Karen Sisco
Daniel Burden
S.W.A.T.
Daniel Harrelson, Sr.
Soul Food
Benjamin Chadway
Static Shock
Scientist, Singer, Watch Store Salesman
The Bold and the Beautiful
Julius Avant
Winx Club
King Teredor

Obba Babatundé Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Obba Babatunde, Dreamgirls

Obba Babatundé Videos

Obba Babatundé News


Hal Linden and Sally Struthers Will Lead World Premiere of THE JOURNALS OF ADAM AND EVE


Hal Linden and Sally Struthers will star in the world premiere of a new play – “The Journals of Adam and Eve” by Ed. Weinberger, with a little help from the authors of Genesis, John Milton, and Mark Twain, for six performances only January 18 to 21.

Rubicon Theatre Company to Present Kander & Ebb Musical Revue THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND Directed By Wren T. Brown


Rubicon Theatre Company will present 'THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND,' a Kander & Ebb Musical Revue directed by Wren T. Brown. Get all the details about the opening night on December 9th at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura!

AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' to Open Ebony Repertory Theatre 15th Anniversary Season


Ebony Repertory Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning musical AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ as its 15th Anniversary Season Opening Production. 

Album Review: LIZA MINNELLI LIVE IN NEW YORK 1979 Was Well Worth Waiting For


For years the fans have wished for a CD release of Liza's 1979 Carnegie Hall concert. Now, thanks to the folks at Real Gone Music, it is.

Liza Minnelli LIVE IN NEW YORK 1979 to Be Released In Ultimate 3-CD Edition and 2-LP Set


Start spreading the news.  On July 1, Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records will revisit a landmark album recorded in the heart of New York, New York by one of the most extraordinary entertainers of all time, Liza Minnelli's electrifying Live in New York 1979. 

THE MAMA ROSE SHOW Talks With Actor Dan Gregory About His Upcoming Film Roles and More


Award-winning Bayonne, NJ-based actor Dan Gregory is this week's special guest on New York City-based actor and cabaret star Stephen S. Miller's 'The Mama Rose Show,' on which Gregory revealed exclusively that he has been cast in the lead role in the horror film 'Cult of Blood' that is set to start production in spring 2021.

BWW Previews: THE 9TH ANNUAL WORLD CHOREOGRAPHY AWARDS Celebrate Dance Creativity & Innovation At The Saban Theatre


The 9th Annual World Choreography Awards (WCA) celebrate creativity and innovation by recognizing global excellence in the art of choreography in movies, TV, music video and digital media. Based on works completed in 2018, the winners of eight categories will be announced at the Red Carpet Ceremony on November 11 at The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. The Show will be hosted by Heather Morris (a?oeGLEEa??) and limited tickets are still available on eventbrite.com a?" ticket   link:  http://bit.ly/2NrgrVZ, www.tickets-center.com/a?? or through the Saban Theatre.

Cabaret Queen Keri Kelsey Hosts Successful 6th Annual CABARET IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN LOS ANGELES Benefiting Actors Fund


Los Angeles' famed 'Princess of Patter' Keri Kelsey recently hosted the 6thAnnual 'Cabaret is Alive and Well and Living in Los Angeles' last week, benefiting the Actors Fund.

Obba Babatunde One Of Three Honorees At This Year's JCAL Fall Fundraiser


Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) will hold its 2019 gala fundraiser, Celebrating A Creative Jamaica, on October 29th, honoring three important and respected leaders in their fields. The Honorees include Obba Babatunde, a celebrated, award-winning entertainer, Broadway, film and television star, whose career spans more than four decades, winner of a daytime Emmy for his role in CBS' The Bold and the Beautiful, nominated for a Tony for his role in the original Broadway cast of Dreamgirls, Critic's Circle Awards-winner for the musical Sammy, NAACP Image Award-winner for A Soldier's Play; and will next be seen on the new season of the CBS series SWAT(starring Shemar Moore), and in the Hulu produced series, Little Fires Everywhere, starring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon. The other honorees are New York Public Advocate, Jumaane D. Williams, one of New York City's rising political stars, who prior to winning the seat vacated by State Attorney General Leticia James, served on the NYC Council representing the 45th District; and Marilyn F. Booker, a career financial specialist with Morgan Stanley who heads up their Urban Markets Group, an attorney who is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Spelman College and considered one of the most influential women of power.

Obba Babatundé Will Recur on Hulu's LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE


Deadline reports that actor Obba Babatundé will recur opposite Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Rosemarie DeWitt and Joshua Jackson in Hulu's upcoming limited series Little Fires Everywhere.

BILLIE HOLIDAY: FRONT AND CENTER Comes to WACO Theater Center


Billie Holiday: Front and Center, the acclaimed show with songs is written and performed by Sybil D. Jatta, directed by B'ANCA, and presented by Champion Club Productions. Associate producer: Linda Bronson-Abbot. Musical director: Casey McCoy.

Jonathan Bennett Will Host The 8th Annual Jerry Herman Awards


Today, the Nederlander Organization and Hollywood Pantages Theatre announced that Jonathan Bennett will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for THE 8TH ANNUAL JERRY HERMAN AWARDS, a celebration of the achievement and excellence in high school musical theatre in Los Angeles. This celebrated annual awards show will take place at The Ricardo Montalban Theatre on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at 7pm.

Dizzy's Club Coca-cola Presents Once In A Lifetime: Obba Babtundé And Friends


Obba Babatunde's expansive career spans over four decades and his uncanny ability to captivate his audiences has made him a memorable presence in film, television and on the stage. For his Once in a Lifetime evening at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola he has created a dynamic and surprise-filled program. Join him as he takes us back in time to the great jazz era of nightclub performing reminiscent of the legendary artists of that period.

Harry Lennix to Release Gospel Musical REVIVAL! THE EXPERIENCE


Harry Lennix is releasing the gospel concert movie 'Revival! The Experience' in theaters this December, according to Variety.

Megan Hilty, Marrisa Jaret Winokur, and Jane Alexander to Star in 'It's a Wonderful Lifetime' Holiday Films


Lifetime has announced the network's It's a Wonderful Lifetime lineup, which features 14 all-new original movies and nine acquired films. Starring in these films includes a slew of Broadway stars such as Megan Hilty, Marrisa Jaret Winokur, and Jane Alexander.

Lifetime Announces 'It's a Wonderful Lifetime' Programming Slate


Christmas is coming early this year! Lifetime sleighs the 2018 holiday season this year with the network's It's a Wonderful Lifetime lineup, featuring 14 all-new original movies and nine acquired films. Kicking off on November 21 with a special week featuring five nights of premieres, each week of the holiday season will feature new movies every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it was announced today by Tanya Lopez, EVP, Movies, Limited Series and Original Movie Acquisitions, Lifetime and LMN.

Nominations Announced For The 7th Annual Jerry Herman Awards of Los Angeles


Today, the Nederlander Organization and Hollywood Pantages Theatre announced the nominees for THE 7TH ANNUAL JERRY HERMAN AWARDS, a celebration of the achievement and excellence in high school musical theatre in Los Angeles.

Photo Flash: The Theatre Group at SBCC presents the Comedy Thriller COMMUNICATING DOORS


The Theatre Group at SBCC will present will be the comedy thriller COMMUNICATING DOORS by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Katie Laris, February 28-March 17, 2018  in the Garvin Theatre. This intricate, time traveling, comic thriller by the British master of farcical comedy delighted London and New York audiences.

Victor Vauban Junior's Captivates with IT'S STILL ALL ABOUT THE WOMEN, Featuring Colby Christina


Victor Vauban Junior captivates with 'IT'S ALL ABOUT THE WOMEN'- the premiere of the play by the Brazilian playwright Victor Vauban Junior has created such a buzz in the theatre world.

Ebony Repertory Theatre presents FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE Starring Obba Babatundé


Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT - Producing Artistic Director, Wren T. Brown) presents FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE starring Emmy Award-winner Obba Babatunde (Dreamgirls - Tony Award nomination, Broadway's Chicago, CBS's The Bold and the Beautiful) as 'Nomax.'

Obba Babatundé FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Obba Babatundé been in?

Obba Babatundé has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Obba Babatundé been in?

Obba Babatundé has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Obba Babatundé's first West End show?

Obba Babatundé's first West End show was King which opened in 1988

What awards has Obba Babatundé been nominated for?

Obba Babatundé has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for his role in Dreamgirls.

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