Afemo Omilami

Last updated
Afemo Omilami
Born (1950-12-13) December 13, 1950 (age 73)
OccupationActor
Years active1979–present
Spouse
(m. 1985)
Children2

Afemo Omilami (born December 13, 1950) is an American actor. [1]

Contents

Early life

Omilami was born in Petersburg, Virginia on December 13, 1950. Afemo has not made any public reference to his paternal background, however his name has ties to the Yoruba community in Nigeria.

Career

He has appeared in many films such as Trading Places (1983), Glory (1989), The Firm (1993), Gordy (1995), Remember the Titans (2000), Ray (2004), Hounddog (2007), The Blind Side (2009), and Terminator Genisys (2015). He is perhaps best known for his role as the Drill Sergeant in Forrest Gump (1994). He had a recurring role as the streetwise Jimmy Dawes in In the Heat of the Night from 1989 to 1993. He was nominated for a 2013 NAACP Image Award in the category "Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special" for his performance in Lifetime's Steel Magnolias as Drum Eatenton. [2]

He also appeared in guest roles in television series Miami Vice , Fortune Hunter , New York News , The Shield , Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders and Raising Dion .

Personal life

He married his wife Elisabeth (née Williams) on September 11, 1985. She is an actress, minister, and a civil rights leader. They have two children: son Awodele and daughter Juanita.

His longtime friend was actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd. [3] After Byrd was killed, Omilami described Byrd as a "devoted father and husband and a master of his craft". [4] [5]

Filmography

Film/Movie

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979 Freedom Road Young Black Man with ScarsTV movie
1983 Rage of Angels Vet #1TV movie
Trading Places Longshoreman
1986 The Money Pit Bernie
1989 Glory Tall Contraband
1990 Murder in Mississippi Bob MosesTV movie
Caroline? Taxi DriverTV movie
The Long Walk Home Taxi Driver
Web of DeceitBailiffTV movie
1991In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the DakotasPrison GuardTV movie
White LieBartenderTV movie
1993 Sankofa Noble Ali
The Firm Cotton Truck Driver
The Real McCoy Cab Dispatcher
1994 Forrest Gump Drill Sergeant
A Simple Twist of Fate Bailiff
Drop Squad Berl "Flip" Mangum
The War Quarry Man
Gordy Krugman
1997The WitchcatcherDuncanTV movie
1999 Funny Valentines Ephraim Lee
Forces of Nature Cab Driver
The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn Noah's FatherTV movie
Chill Factor Courtroom Colonel
Wayward Son Horace
Bringing Out The Dead Griss
2000 Animal Factory Captain Midnight
Tigerland SFC Ezra Landers
Remember the Titans Charles Campbell
The RunawayJule MonroeTV movie
2001 Tara AttorneyVideo
RustinMel Jones [6]
2002 The Rosa Parks Story -TV movie
Drumline President Wagner
I'm with Lucy Cab Driver #1
Sweet Home Alabama Jimmy Lee
Nowhere Road-
Baby of the Family-
2003 Runaway Jury SUV Driver
Cold Mountain Joshua
2004 The Alamo Sam
Ray Angry Husband
2006 Glory Road Mr. Flournoy
Madea's Family Reunion Isaac, Sr.
Heavens Fall Leonard George
Idlewild Walter
2007 Hounddog Charles
The Reaping Haman
The List A.L. Jenkins
2008B.A.M.The ManShort
2009 The Blind Side CPS Caseworker
2010 Bloodworth Sheriff Bellweather
Blood Done Sign My Name Golden Frinks
Beneath the Dark The Man
2012 Steel Magnolias Drum EatentonTV movie
2013 G.I. Joe: Retaliation Chairman Joint Chief of Staff
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire District 11 Mayor
2014 The Good Lie Dr. Monyang
2015The Next DayRoyShort
Terminator Genisys Perry
Sick PeopleDr. Johnson
2016 The Founder Mr. Merriman
Hidden Figures Man Outside Store
Smoke & MirrorsCruschevShort
2018Down for WhateverLieutenant BakerTV movie
2019 The Best of Enemies Franklin Mose
Poms David
A Brother's HonorRichard Granger
Full CountMr. Gravitt
2022Freedom's PathEllis Freeman

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984 Another Life Samir FayyadTV series
Miami Vice Desmond MaxwellEpisode: "Cool Runnin'"
1989–93 In the Heat of the Night Jimmy DawesRecurring cast: season 2-6
1992 I'll Fly Away Mr. HendricksEpisode: "Toy Soldiers"
Law & Order Michael KanoEpisode: "Consultation"
1994 Fortune Hunter Pierre ToussantEpisode: "Sea Trial"
1995 New York News -Episode: "You Thought the Pope Was Something"
1996 Law & Order Henry PattersonEpisode: "Custody"
1997–99 The Wonderful World of Disney Sam Parker / John WebbEpisodes: "Flash" / "Selma, Lord, Selma"
1999 Law & Order Darryl LamaineEpisode: "Haven"
2001 Sheena KonteeEpisode: "Mind Games"
2002 Dawson's Creek Clifton SmallsEpisodes: "Cigarette Burns" / "Swan Song"
2004 The Shield Vince PeaboEpisode: "Mum"
2007 Side Order of Life Thomas BeauchampEpisode: "When Pigs Fly"
2007–08 Ghost Whisperer ArchivistSupporting cast: season 3
2008 John Adams ServantEpisode: "Unite or Die"
2010 Past Life Fred LammEpisode: "Dead Man Talking"
Chase The ChiefEpisode: "Pilot"
2015 True Detective Police Chief HollowayRecurring cast: Season 2
2016 Mad Dogs Captain ChurchillEpisode: "Needles"
2016–17 Survivor's Remorse Richard Freeman3 episodes
2016–18 Saints & Sinners Detective Noah St. CharlesMain cast: season 1-3
2017 Madam Secretary President Babacar DiomeEpisode: "The Detour"
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders Inspector PolinoEpisode: "Lost Souls"
2019 Raising Dion George LewisEpisode: "Issue #106: Super Friends" [7]
Creepshow BrennerEpisodes: "The Companion" / "Lydia Layne's Better Half"
2022 Women of the Movement Add ReedEpisode: "Manhunt"

Related Research Articles

The NAACP Image Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the U.S.-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to honor outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music, and literature. The over 40 categories of the Image Awards are voted on by the NAACP members. Honorary awards have also been included, such as the President's Award, the Chairman's Award, the Entertainer of the Year, the Activist of the Year, and the Hall of Fame Award. Beyoncé is the All-Time leading winner with 25 wins as a solo artist.

<i>Thats So Raven</i> American television sitcom (2003–2007)

That's So Raven is an American television fantasy teen sitcom that was created by Michael Poryes and Susan Sherman, and aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between January 2003 and November 2007. The series centers on Raven Baxter (Raven-Symoné), a teenager with hidden psychic abilities. Episodes show Raven experiencing visions of future events; she must also deal with the social and personal issues of her youth. Raven often misinterprets the events she foresees, and intervenes to prevent a vision from coming true or to protect her friends and family. She uses her skills in fashion design to create elaborate disguises she wears during these schemes. Raven's secret is shared with her best friends Eddie Thomas and Chelsea Daniels, along with her brother Cory and parents Tanya and Victor. The series explores supernatural elements, family, friendship, and adolescence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avery Brooks</span> American actor and director

Avery Franklin Brooks is a retired American actor, director, singer, narrator and educator. He is best known for his television roles as Captain Benjamin Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as Hawk on Spenser: For Hire and its spinoff A Man Called Hawk, and as Dr. Bob Sweeney in the Academy Award–nominated film American History X. Brooks has delivered a variety of other performances to a great deal of acclaim. He has been nominated for a Saturn Award and three NAACP Image Awards. Brooks has also been inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre and bestowed with the William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre by the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keshia Knight Pulliam</span> American actress (born 1979)

Keshia Knight Pulliam is an American actress. She began her career as a child actor. She landed her breakthrough role as Rudy Huxtable, on the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show (1984–1992), and became the youngest person to be nominated for an Emmy Award, when she earned a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in A Comedy Series at the 38th Primetime Emmy Awards. She later reprised the character on the spin-off series A Different World (1987–88). Knight Pulliam is also known for her portrayal of Miranda Lucas-Payne on the TBS comedy drama Tyler Perry's House of Payne (2007–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Braugher</span> American actor (1962–2023)

Andre Keith Braugher was an American actor known for his roles as Detective Frank Pembleton in the NBC police drama series Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999) and Captain Raymond Holt in the Fox/NBC police comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013–2021). He won two Primetime Emmy Awards and was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Hope (educator)</span> African-American educator and political activist

John Hope, born in Augusta, Georgia, was an American educator and political activist, the first African-descended president of both Morehouse College in 1906 and of Atlanta University in 1929, where he worked to develop graduate programs. Both are historically Black colleges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Anderson</span> American actor and comedian (born 1970)

Anthony Anderson is an American actor, comedian, and game show host. He is best known for his leading roles in television shows such as Andre "Dre" Johnson on the comedy series Black-ish (2014–2022), Marlin Boulet on the drama series K-Ville (2007), and NYPD Detective Kevin Bernard on the NBC crime drama Law & Order. He has also had major roles in feature films such as Me, Myself & Irene (2000), Kangaroo Jack (2003), Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004), Hustle & Flow (2005), The Departed (2006), Transformers (2007), and Scream 4 (2011).

Steven Williams is an American actor in films and television. He is known for his roles as Captain Adam Fuller on 21 Jump Street, Lt. Jefferson Burnett on The Equalizer, Det. August Brooks on L.A. Heat, X on The X-Files, Russell "Linc" Lincoln in Linc's, and Rufus Turner in Supernatural.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glynn Turman</span> American actor, writer, director (born 1947)

Glynn Turman is an American actor, director, writer, and producer. First coming to attention as a child actor in the original 1959 Broadway production of A Raisin in the Sun, Turman is known for his roles as Lew Miles on the prime-time soap opera Peyton Place (1968–1969), high school student Leroy "Preach" Jackson in the 1975 coming-of-age film Cooley High, math professor and retired Army colonel Bradford Taylor on the NBC sitcom A Different World (1988–1993), and Baltimore mayor Clarence Royce on the HBO drama series The Wire. He received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role on the HBO drama series In Treatment.

Eugene Byrd is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Wink in 8 Mile and Dr. Clark Edison on the FOX series Bones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Jefferson Byrd</span> American actor (1950–2020)

Thomas Jefferson Byrd was an American character actor who appeared in several of director Spike Lee's films. He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in the 2003 Broadway revival of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

<i>The Starter Wife</i> (miniseries) 2007 American TV series or program

The Starter Wife is a 2007 USA Network television miniseries, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Gigi Levangie Grazer. Its title is derived from the concept of a starter marriage. Filmed over four months in Queensland, Australia, the plot focuses on Molly Kagan who, after years of marriage to a Hollywood film mogul, is forced to redefine herself and her role in society when her husband leaves her for a younger woman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinbad (comedian)</span> American comedian and actor (born 1956)

David Adkins, better known by his stage name Sinbad, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He became known in the 1990s from being featured on his own HBO specials, appearing on several television series, most notably as Coach Walter Oakes in A Different World (1987–1991) and as David Bryan on The Sinbad Show (1993–1994). He has also appeared in films such as That's Adequate (1989), Coneheads (1993), Houseguest (1995), Jingle All the Way (1996), Good Burger (1997), Crazy as Hell (2002) and Planes (2013).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elisabeth Omilami</span> Activist and actress

Elisabeth Williams-Omilami is an American human rights activist and an actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Gross</span> American actor

Lance Darnell Gross is an American actor and model. He is known for his role as Calvin Payne on the TBS/BET sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne, for which he won four NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelsan Ellis</span> American actor (1977–2017)

Nelsan Ellis was an American actor. He achieved critical acclaim for his portrayal of Lafayette Reynolds in the HBO television series True Blood (2008–2014), for which he won a Satellite Award from the International Press Academy, among other accolades. He also starred as Shinwell Johnson in Elementary from 2016 to 2017, and played a variety of guest roles on television.

<i>Saints & Sinners</i> (2016 TV series) American soap opera

Saints & Sinners is an American prime time television soap opera that aired on Bounce TV from March 6, 2016, until May 22, 2022. Starring Vanessa Bell Calloway, Clifton Powell, Keith Robinson, Christian Keyes, and Gloria Reuben. The series was the first original drama produced by the African-American-oriented television network Bounce TV and was a ratings success, running for six seasons.

<i>Raising Dion</i> American superhero science fiction television series

Raising Dion is an American superhero drama television series that premiered on October 4, 2019 on Netflix. It is based on the 2015 comic book and short film of the same name by Dennis Liu. In January 2020, Netflix renewed the series for a second and final season which premiered on February 1, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diallo Riddle</span> American writer, producer, actor

Diallo Riddle is an American writer, producer, actor, showrunner, and DJ. Riddle is best known for his co-starring role as Stevie in the NBC sitcom Marlon, and has been the co-creator of several different television series. He won an NAACP Image Award for his directing on South Side.

<i>American Soul</i> American television series

American Soul is an American musical drama television series, created by Jonathan Prince and Devon Greggory, that premiered on February 5, 2019, on BET. The series tells the story of Don Cornelius and the creation of his legendary music and dance program Soul Train and it stars an ensemble cast including Sinqua Walls, Jason Dirden, Iantha Richardson, Christopher Jefferson, Katlyn Nichol, Jelani Winston, and Kelly Price. In April 2019, it was renewed for a second season, which premiered on May 27, 2020.

References

  1. Scheck, Frank (19 February 2010). "Blood a bloodless telling of civil rights episode". Reuters . Reuters. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  2. Sandell, Scott (11 December 2012). "NAACP Image Awards: The complete nominations list". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
  3. Redmon, Jeremy (October 7, 2020). "Police investigate, friends mourn following actor Thomas Byrd's shooting death". www.ajc.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  4. Dukes, Deidra (October 5, 2020). "Search continues for killer of actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd in Atlanta". www.fox5atlanta.com. Fox 5 Atlanta. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  5. Buchanan, Christopher (October 5, 2020). "'It makes no sense': Friend, fellow actor shocked by Thomas Jefferson Byrd's senseless death". www.11alive.com. 11 Alive. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  6. Koehler, Robert (17 July 2001). "Rustin (review)". Variety. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  7. Wainio, Wade (March 19, 2020). "Raising Dion season 1, episode 6 recap: Super Friends". www.showsnob.com. Show Snob. Retrieved January 31, 2021.