Charles S. Dutton Biography

Date of Birth: January 30, 1951

Charles S. Dutton became interested in acting while serving time in prison for fatally stabbing another man during a street fight. He completed a college degree before being released, then enrolled at the Yale School of Drama. While there he worked with playwright August Wilson and director Lloyd Richards, who became friends and mentors. After graduation, Dutton moved to New York City, where he received a Tony award nomination for his Broadway debut in Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Roles in other Broadway productions such as The Piano Lesson followed, for which Dutton received his second Tony nomination. He soon made the breakthrough into feature films (Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye, 1985) and TV movies (Apology, 1986). In 1991, Dutton starred in and executive-produced the HBO sitcom Roc (his old street name), winning an Image Award in 1994 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. In 1995 he reprised his role in a TV production of The Piano Lesson, earning both Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.

Dutton made his directorial debut with the HBO TV movie First-Time Felon (1997), then directed the HBO miniseries The Corner (2000), receiving both an Emmy and a Black Reel Award as Best Director. He made his feature film directorial debut with the big budget picture Against the Ropes (2004), starring Meg Ryan. Dutton also took on the role of Felix Reynolds in the movie. Although he’s successfully made the move to directing, Dutton continues to act as well, winning Emmy awards in 2002 and 2003 for his guest appearances on The Practice and Without a Trace. He has also appeared in the feature films A Time to Kill (1996), Random Hearts (1999), D-Tox (2002), Gothika (2003) and Secret Window (2004).

His time is divided between homes in his native Baltimore, Maryland and Los Angeles.

Filmography (actor):

The L.A. Riot Spectacular (2004)
Something the Lord Made (2004)
Secret Window (2004)
Against the Ropes (2004)
Gothika (2003)
D-Tox (2002)
Random Hearts (1999)
Cookie's Fortune (1999)
Black Dog (1998)
Blind Faith (1998)
Mimic (1997)
Get on the Bus (1996)
A Time to Kill (1996)
Last Dance (1996) (uncredited)
Nick of Time (1995)
Se7en (1995) (uncredited)
Cry, the Beloved Country (1995)
A Low Down Dirty Shame (1994)
Foreign Student (1994)
Surviving the Game (1994)
Rudy (1993)
Menace II Society (1993)
The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)
Alien³ (1992)
Pretty Hattie's Baby (1991)
Mississippi Masala (1991)
Q & A (1990)
Jacknife (1989)
Astonished (1988)
Crocodile Dundee II (1988)
No Mercy (1986)
Cat's Eye (1985)

Filmography (director):

Against the Ropes (2004)