BIOS
E. ROGER MITCHELL
A Miami Florida native residing in Atlanta and Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English with a minor in Drama from Claflin University and a M.F.A. in Acting from CUNY Brooklyn College. Roger is currently performing with True Colors Theatre Co. in Miss Ever’s Boys starring Jasmine Guy, TC Carson, and Eugene Lee. Roger was last seen on the stage in the Alliance Theatre’s Radio Golf (dir. Kent Gash) and Gem of the Ocean (dir. Kenny Leon). True Colors’ Ceremonies In Dark Old Men, and the Alliance Theatre’s Cuttin’Up (2007 Tony Award/Best Theatre Company. His film credits include: Daddy’s Little Girls starring Lou Gossett Jr. (Officer and the Gentleman and Lakawanna Blues) Gabrielle Union ( Idris Elba (The Wire), Diary of a Mad Black Woman, starring Tyler Perry, Cicely Tyson, and Kimberly Elise, S.W.A.T. starring Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Ferrell, Legend of Bagger Vance starring Wil Smith (Ali, 7 Pounds) and Matt Damon (Bourne Supremacy), HBO’s Boycott starring Jeffrey Wright (Basqiat and Cadillac Records), Terrance Howard (Hustle and Flow, Iron Man) and CCH Pounder (The Shield) and Warm Springs (2005/Emmy Award Best Picture) starring Kenneth Branaugh and Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City) and numerous independent films. TV credits include: The Shield, Navy NCIS, Threat Matrix, One Tree Hill, Surface, the House of Payne, and Mama Flora’s Family. Upcoming films in 2009: “The Open Roa”d starring Jeff Bridges and Justin Timberlake, and “Blood Done Sign My Nam”e starring Ricky Stroeder and presently shooting the remake of the 1973 cult classic “The Crazies”, starring Timothy Olyphant (Hitman) and Radha Mitchell (Phonebooth). Fyi: Imdb.com for all credits listed and others.
CHAD L. COLEMAN
Chad Coleman is an American film and television actor. He has a starring role on the HBO series The Wire as reformed criminal Dennis "Cutty" Wise from the third season onwards. In 2002, Coleman starred as O.J. Simpson in TNT's television movie Monday Night Mayhem. Chad also had a role in the Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles TV series on Fox. He also had a small role in Carlito's Way: Rise to Power. Chad was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. Chad is currently working on the Upcoming FOX TV Series Boldly Going Nowhere.
COLUMBUS SHORT
Born in Kansas City, Missouri on September 19, 1982, Columbus Keith Short, Jr. started entertaining at the age of three by putting on shows for his folks' enjoyment. His family later relocated to Los Angeles where, by his early teens, Columbus had landed work in many television commercials. As a senior at the prestigious Orange County School of the Arts, he was offered a part of Broadway’s famed show STOMP! He then went on to choreograph Britney Spears' In the Zone tour. Short began his acting career starring in the 2006 releases “Save the Last Dance: 2” and “Accepted” opposite Jonah Hill and Justin Long. He then went on to do guest starring roles on NBC’s “ER”, Disney’s “That’s So Raven” and CBS’ “Judging Amy”. In 2007, he did an arc on Aaron Sorkin's critically praised but short-lived showbiz drama “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” where he played “Darius”, one of the show’s writers. Later that year, Columbus landed two Screen Gems films “Stomp the Yard” and “This Christmas”. In “Stomp”, he played the lead role of "DJ", a street dancer whose efforts to get a college education are sidelined when he joins in his fraternity's effort to win a step dancing competition. The film was #1 at the box office two weeks in a row and grossed over 73.4 million dollars. In “This Christmas”, he co-starred opposite Idris Elba, Regina King and Chris Brown in a drama centered around a family’s first holiday together in four years. Since then, he’s hardly had a chance to breathe. In 2008, Short co-starred in Screen Gems remake of the horror flick “Quarantine” and Darnell Martin’s “Cadillac Records”. Columbus received the NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in “Cadillac”, which he starred in opposite Beyonce Knowles, Jeffrey Wright and Adrien Brody. His musical skills shine in this film as he plays the young and talented but self-destructive harp player / singer “Little Walter”. Columbus can next be seen as the lead role in the action packed flick “Armored” opposite Matt Dillon, which Sony is releasing September 18, 2009. He can also be seen alongside Kate Beckinsale in Dark Castle’s adaptation of the comic book “Whiteout”. This Warner Bros. thriller is set to be released September 11, 2009. Currently, Short is filming “Death at a Funeral”, Screen Gem’s remake of the British comedy, which he co-stars alongside Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, Martin Lawrence and Zoe Saldana. As one of the most sought after and emerging actors in Hollywood, he also plans to write and produce both television and film through his production company, Great Picture Show Productions.
ROCKMOND DUNBAR
The essence of Rockmond Dunbar is as intriguing as his name and as captivating as his on-screen presence. Rockmond, whom many consider one of the industry¹s most talented actors, has mesmerized viewers on the small screen starring as the tough, mysterious inmate “C-Note,” on the hit Fox series, “Prison Break” (2006 People’s Choice Award for Best New Drama Series). Named one of "Television's 50 Sexiest Stars of All Time" by TV Guide, Rockmond is also known for his leading role as “Kenny Chadway,” the hard-working family man and entrepreneur on the long-running, critically-acclaimed Showtime drama series, “Soul Food.” A true renaissance man, he has hypnotized his audience not only theatrically, but in all realms of art. From his provocative mixed-media exhibit, “ARTHERAPY," to his powerfully unforgettable guest appearance in Dylan McDermott’s directing debut of “The Practice,” Rockmond is undoubtedly one of Hollywood’s hottest up-and-coming artists. His journey began with a series regular role in Steven Spielberg’s “Earth 2” strapped under his belt. Once Rockmond arrived on the Hollywood scene, it was only one short month before he landed recurring roles on many TV series. To his credit, he now has had many guest starring and recurring on such shows as "Felicity," "The Pretender," "Good News," "Two Guys and a Girl," "G. vs. E," and as of late “North Shore” “Girlfriends”, “Shark” “CSI: Miami” “Grey’s Anatomy” and many others . In 2004, he directed and produced a short film for Showtime entitled “The Great Commission.” This talented, theatrically trained actor experienced yet another career boost when he secured leading roles in various independent films in the films, “Jada”, “Alien Invaders”, and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” with Robert Downer Jr. Rockmond can be seen in the NAACP nominated, Tyler Perry film “The Family That Preys” along side Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard. Because of Rockmond’s rich history in the Entertainment arena; he was chosen to be one of the national spokespersons for the “Saving Our Daughters” From a Man’s Point of View book series, with T.I., Denise Vasi of All My Children, Producer Roger Bobb of Tyler Perry Films and Keshia Knight Pulliam to inspire young men of becoming positive fathers and respecting women as queens. He will also join actors such Idris Elba, Wood Harris and other notables to grace the second book cover of “Saving Our Daughters”; slated to be release this fall as well. Remarkably enough, Rockmond also boasts writing, producing and directing titles to his credit. This year Mr. Dunbar directed his first full-length feature film, "Pastor Brown," and has currently completed writing the TV series based upon the film. In 2007 he starred and produced the independent feature film, “Dirty Laundry,” with Loretta Devine. He has completed scripts for several television drama series entitled “Solitaire, Hollywood Park and Friends of Dorothy” which he is expected to executive produce. Rockmond is gaining favorable notices as a quality actor from producers, directors and audiences across the country. To capitalize upon his success and growing recognition as a filmmaker Rockmond and his partner Carol Ann Shine formed Flypaper Entertainment to create film and television projects. Once you experience his talents as an actor and artist you will understand why this young man is destined for great success.
IDRIS ELBA
Named one of People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People, Idris Elba may be best known as the calculating de facto leader of a Baltimore drug empire in HBO's critically acclaimed original series “The Wire,” but the British import is quickly making his mark as an actor to watch in Hollywood. Elba most recently starred in Warner Bros crime thriller "Rocknrolla" for director Guy Ritchie and Ridley Scott's "American Gangster" with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. He e can currently be seen in the horror film "The Unborn and will next be seen in Screen Gems' "Obsessed," out April 24th, and Jada Pinkett Smith's directorial debut "The Human Contract." Elba starred in the critically acclaimed HBO Original Film “Sometimes In April” by critically acclaimed director Rauol Peck. Set during the Rwandan genocide of 1994, Elba portrayal of Augustan,' a Hutu soldier who trying to save his Tutsi wife and family during the mass killings, received rave reviews. He was also seen in Columbia/Tristar Pictures' “The Gospel,” for director Rob Hardy; Tyler Perry's dramatic feature “Daddy's Little Girls,” for Lionsgate films; co-starring opposite Hillary Swank in the Warner Bros. thriller “The Reaping;” and the horror thriller “28 Weeks Later,” the much-anticipated sequel to the zombie hit “28 Days Later,” the holiday comedy “This Christmas;” and “Prom Night” a re-make of the 1980 horror classic for Screen Gems, and has completed production on the Warner Bros. At 19, Elba landed the lead part in a play performed at London's Red Lion Public Theater, gaining rave reviews for his performance. By the age of 24, Elba was a mainstay on British television; starring in some of the BBC's best rated shows “Dangerfield,” “Bramwell” and “Ultraviolet.” His work in European film found him opposite the legendary Catherine Deneuve in “Belle Maman.” In spite of the steady success that Elba was having he began to feel constricted by the breadth of roles that he was getting in the UK, and felt that there were more abundant opportunities to explore in America. In 2000 “Ultra Violet,” was purchased by Fox Television to be adapted for the United States. Although the pilot was not put on the fall calendar, it offered Elba the big break into the American marketplace that he was looking for. In New York, he starred in Sir Peter Hall's p off-Broadway production of “Troilus and Cressida,” considered one of Shakespeare's more complicated plays. Elba received rave reviews for his portrayal of Achilles.' Shortly thereafter he landed a part on Dick Wolf's acclaimed television series “Law and Order.” Thanks to the levels of his work on stage and in various guest spots on television series, Elba's name quickly rose to the top of many casting director's list. Alexa Fogel, who was responsible for casting HBO's award winning series “OZ,” was looking for actors for yet another HBO series set in Baltimore. Sensing that he would be perfect for the gritty new series, she set up a meeting with the show's creator David Simon. Elba scored, landing the role of Stringer Bell,' the lieutenant of a Baltimore drug empire on “The Wire.” As the right hand and brains behind the operations of the imprisoned drug lord, Elba's portrayal of the complex but deadly Stringer Bell,' quickly became one of the series' most compelling characters. Idris Elba is always striving to see how deep he can go with a character, being more attracted to roles that aren't specifically written for his type' and that challenge the psychology of the human experience. He aspires to be an “everyman” actor, one who can play any type of role, like his acting heroes, Andre Braugher, Robert DeNiro, Glenn Close, John Malcovich and Ben Kingsley. From the looks of it, Idris Elba is more than up to the challenge.
GARY OWEN
Gary Owen has been entertaining America for over a decade with his side-splitting comedy. Having performed in all of the major comedy rooms across America, including The Laugh Factory Hollywood, The Comedy Store, all of the Improvs, numerous Funny Bones and Punchlines, and Caroline’s in New York, Owen is one of America’s most loved comedians. Owen recently joined the cast of Tyler Perry’s extremely successful HOUSE OF PAYNE. Perry met Owen on the Tom Joyner Morning Show (on which Owen is a regular) and immediately knowing he wanted to work with him, Perry wrote Owen into the show as the new barber, Zach. Additionally, Owen has been seen in such films as LITTLE MAN with the Wayans Brothers, REBOUND, and DADDY DAY CARE with Eddie Murphy.
BORIS KODJOE
Boris Kodjoe, who currently stars next to James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, and Giancarlo Esposito, in Tennessee Williams’ ‘Cat on a hot tin roof’ on Broadway, was born in Vienna, Austria, to Ursula Kodjoe, a psychologist from Germany, and Eric Kodjoe, a physician from Ghana, West Africa. He excelled in sports and became one of the best Tennis players in the country. In 1994 Boris accepted a Tennis scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. While studying in Richmond, he was approached by an agent of the Ford Modeling agency in New York. After earning his marketing degree, he joined Ford in New York and his career skyrocketed immediately when he booked twelve campaigns such as Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, Yves Saint Laurent, the GAP, within the first seven months. He worked with major publications, such as Vogue, GQ, and Esquire, making him one of the most recognizable faces amongst male Supermodels. Boris' impressive track record was awarded with a Supermodel Award at the Fall '98 fashion shows. Hollywood took notice and soon Boris was featured in the Spike Lee produced feature film "Love and Basketball. Boris then was cast in the hit TV series ‘Soul Food’, a show that introduced him to co-star and future wife, Nicole Ari Parker, and for which he won three NAACP Award nominations. The series ran for 5 seasons and is to this day the most successful African-American TV drama in history, winning three consecutive NAACP awards. Soon followed a starring role in FOX Searchlight’s feature ‘Brown Sugar’ alongside Taye Diggs and Queen Latifah. He then produced and starred, alongside Nicole, in the Paramount/UPN sit-com "Second Time Around".