Don Cheadle

Fun Fact: Before becoming a screen favorite, Cheadle worked as a stand-up comic.

Claim to Fame: Cheadle turned heads for the first time, when he played opposite Denzel Washington, in the hit 1995 thriller, Devil in the Blue Dress.

Donald Frank "Don" Cheadle is an American actor, film producer, philanthropist, and author. Cheadle rose to prominence for his supporting roles in the Steven Soderbergh-directed films Out of Sight, Traffic, and Ocean's Eleven. In 2004, his lead role as Rwandan hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina in the genocide drama film Hotel Rwanda earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He also campaigns for the end of genocide in Darfur, Sudan, and co-authored a book concerning the issue titled Not On Our Watch: The Mission To End Genocide In Darfur And Beyond.


Cheadle was born in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Betty, a bank manager and psychology teacher, and Donald Cheadle, a clinical psychologist. He has a sister, Cindy, and a brother, Colin. Cheadle graduated in 1982 from East High School in Denver, Colorado. Cheadle went on to graduate from the California Institute of the Arts.

The school where his sister Cindy works - The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia - is involved with raising awareness in Darfur.
He is cousins with American gospel singer, Ron Kenoly


Cheadle acted in Hamburger Hill in 1987. He also played the role of "Jack" in the April 1, 1988 "Jung and the Restless" episode of Night Court. Although his character "Jack" was supposed to be 16 years old, Cheadle was 24 at the time.

Cheadle then played the role of 'Rocket' in the 1988 movie Colors. In 1989, he appeared in a video for Angela Winbush's #2 hit single "It's the Real Thing", performing dance moves in an orange jump suit, working at a car wash. In 1990, he appeared in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air titled "Homeboy, Sweet Homeboy", playing Will Smith's friend Ice Tray. In 1992, he received a supporting role in The Golden Girls spin-off The Golden Palace. Although the show was highly publicized, it was cancelled after one season. Cheadle subsequently played district attorney John Littleton on two seasons of Picket Fences.

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