Born: November 29, 1964 - Kansas City, Missouri, USA 
An acclaimed character actor of the
stage, screen, and television, Don Cheadle may not do it on purpose, but
somehow, regardless of the roles he plays, he manages to steal most of
the scenes in which he appears. That is no small feat, for the slender
African-American actor has, at first glance, a rather unassuming physical
presence, particularly when compared to some of his big-name co-stars.
An actor whose style compliments rather than overshadows the performances
of those around him, Cheadle stands out for his rare ability to bring
a laid-back intensity and subtle charisma to his roles.
A native of Kansas City, MO, Cheadle was born on
November 29, 1964, to a psychologist father and bank manager mother. During
his early childhood, his family moved to Denver and then Nebraska. One
thing that remained a constant in Cheadle's childhood was his interest
in performing, which began around the age of five. In addition to acting,
he was interested in jazz music and his parents supported both of these
endeavors. By the time he graduated from high school, he had scholarships
from both music and acting schools; choosing the latter, he attended the
California Institute of the Arts in Valencia. Following graduation, Cheadle
made his film debut with a small role as a hamburger server in Moving
Violations (1985). He honed his acting skills as a guest star on television
series ranging from Hill Street Blues to Night Court, and, in 1992, he
landed a regular role as a fussy hotel manager on The Golden Palace. Although
the show faltered after only one season, Cheadle landed on his feet, subsequently
snagging the plum role of earnest district attorney John Littleton on
Picket Fences (1993-1995).
While he was building a career on television, Cheadle
was also earning a reputation in feature films. He first made an impression
on audiences with his lead role in Hamburger Hill (1987), and, in 1994,
he had his true screen breakthrough portraying Denzel Washington's best
friend in Devil in a Blue Dress. So good was his performance -- which
earned him a number of film critics awards -- that many felt an Oscar
nomination was inevitable; when the Academy passed him over, many, including
Cheadle, wondered why. However, the actor chalked it up to politics and
got on with his career, working steadily throughout the remainder of the
decade. 1997 proved to be a big year for him: he co-starred in three major
films, Volcano, Boogie Nights, and John Singleton's Rosewood. He won particular
praise for his work in the latter two films, earning nominations for SAG
and Image awards.
The following year, Cheadle made a triumphant return
to television with his portrayal of Sammy Davis Jr. in The Rat Pack, winning
an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe award. Also in 1998, he did stellar
work in Steven Soderbergh's Out of Sight and Warren Beatty's Bulworth,
playing a down and dirty ex-con in the former and a drug lord in the latter.
Another Emmy nomination followed in 1999, for Cheadle's powerful portrayal
of a school teacher sent in to counsel a young man on death row, in A
Lesson Before Dying. Cheadle would become something of a fixture in Soderbergh's
films, gaining positive note for his role in Traffic and later turning
up in the director's remake of the Rat Pack classic Ocean's 11 the following
year. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
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