Obba Babatundé

Obba Babatundé

75 · Born: Dec 4, 1950

Personal Details

BornDec 4, 1950 Brooklyn, New York, USA

Biography

Obba Babatundé is a multi-talented individual with a career spanning over four decades. He is an actor, singer, dancer, director, writer, and producer who has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry. Obba's breadth of work is recognized globally, and his face is one of the most recognizable in the industry.

He is a triple-threat, comfortable in expressing various musical instruments and all forms of dance. In addition to his award-winning performances on stage and screen, Obba is a nationally renowned speaker and master class teacher for adult and young audiences alike.

Obba has been referred to as a 'living legend' and is a treasured role model to actors and entertainers of all generations. His unrelenting work ethic and pursuit of excellence in everything he does are central to his career.

Throughout his career, Obba has received numerous awards and nominations, including a Daytime Emmy Award win, a Tony Award nomination, and multiple NAACP Image Awards. He has appeared in over 17 stage productions, 33 films, and 60+ television series and made-for-television movies.

Obba's contributions to the entertainment industry include his work in animation, voice acting, and writing, directing, and producing. He has written, directed, and produced several films and stage plays, including the critically acclaimed "In The Blink of An Eye."

Obba is also a dedicated teacher, emcee, host, and speaker, and has facilitated classes, events, and projects around the world. He is known for his ability to connect with people and make them feel seen and heard.

In addition to his on-screen work, Obba has a strong background in education, having co-founded an arts-based school in Brooklyn, New York. He is fluent in American Sign Language and is also a horse whisperer and rodeo competitor.

Obba is a proud father and grandfather, and his life's work is dedicated to sharing his time, expertise, and creative talents with all people. He is a true artist, and his impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable.

Obba often says, "Your do is not your who," emphasizing the importance of affecting change in one's own life and the lives of others. His journey into the entertainment industry was intentional, and he has always sought to deliver diverse and high-caliber artistic skills to his audiences.

Some little-known facts about Obba include his self-taught fluency in American Sign Language, his experience as a horse whisperer and rodeo competitor, and his work as a co-founder of an arts-based school in Brooklyn, New York.

In conclusion, Obba Babatundé is a true artist, a living legend, and a treasured role model. His dedication to his craft, his community, and his family is inspiring, and his impact on the entertainment industry is undeniable.

Career

2025
2023
Noble Intentions
Noble Intentions as Pastor Stevens
2022
The Millennial
The Millennial as Mr. Burke
2021
Goliath
Goliath as Ivan Tillinger
2020
Trigger
Trigger as Chief Keaton
2019
Revival
Revival as Nicodemus
S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T. as Daniel Harrelson, Sr.
2018
Kinky
Kinky as Mr. Bernard
Jingle Belle
Jingle Belle as Charles Williams
City of Lies
City of Lies as Chief of Police
2017
Pup Star: Better 2Gether
Pup Star: Better 2Gether as Big Ears (voice)
Dear White People
Dear White People as Dean Fairbanks
2016
Pup Star
Pup Star as Big Ears (voice)
2015
American Bad Boy
American Bad Boy as Pastor Lovely
2014
Lap Dance
Lap Dance as Roscoe
Kingdom
Kingdom as Detective Gaines
2013
The Last Fall
The Last Fall as Larry Armstrong
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire
Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire as Vampire Actor #4 (voice)
Winx Club
Winx Club as King Teredor
Joy Road
Joy Road as Dr. Howard Perkins
All-Star Superman
All-Star Superman as Judge / Bibliobot (voice)
2009
I Do... I Did!
I Do... I Did! as Mr. Johnson
2008
The Eye
The Eye as Dr. Haskins
2007
April Fools
April Fools as Detective Combs
Cover
Cover as Attorney Miller
2006
2004
Kangaroo Jack: G'Day, U.S.A.!
Kangaroo Jack: G'Day, U.S.A.! as Chief Ankamuti (voice)
After the Sunset
After the Sunset as Zacharias
The Notebook
The Notebook as Band Leader
2002
Redeemer
Redeemer as Charles Henderson
John Q
John Q as Sgt. Moody
2001
How High
How High as Dean Carl Cain
1999
Life
Life as Willie Long
Dawson's Creek
Dawson's Creek as Principal Howard Green
1998
The Temptations
The Temptations as Berry Gordy
1997
Miss Evers' Boys
Miss Evers' Boys as Willie Johnson
1996
Soul of the Game
Soul of the Game as Cum Posey
The Cherokee Kid
The Cherokee Kid as Isom Dart
The Tomorrow Man
The Tomorrow Man as Brian Parish
Carpool
Carpool as Jeffery
1995
Fatal Pursuit
Fatal Pursuit as Trinidad
Born to Be Wild
Born to Be Wild as Interpreter
The Net
The Net as FBI Agent
A Reason to Believe
A Reason to Believe as Prof. Thurman
1994
M.A.N.T.I.S.
M.A.N.T.I.S. as Cornell
1993
Philadelphia
Philadelphia as Jerome Green
1991
1990
Miami Blues
Miami Blues as Blink Willie
1988
God Bless the Child
God Bless the Child as Raymond Watkins
Married to the Mob
Married to the Mob as The Face of Justice
1987
Leonard Part 6
Leonard Part 6 as Bongo Drummer