Darrin Henson: Difference between revisions
g #article-section-source-editor Tags: possible birth or death date change Mobile edit Mobile app edit iOS app edit |
|||
(19 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description|American choreographer, dancer and actor}} |
{{short description|American choreographer, dancer and actor}} |
||
{{use mdy dates|date=February 2020}} |
{{use mdy dates|date=February 2020}} |
||
{{more citations needed|date=February 2020}} |
|||
{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
||
| name = Darrin Henson |
| name = Darrin Henson |
||
| image = Darrin Henson 2019.png |
|||
| imagesize = |
|||
| caption = Henson at the ''Valder Beebe Show'' in 2019 |
|||
| birthname = Darrin Dewitt Henson |
| birthname = Darrin Dewitt Henson |
||
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes| |
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1972|5|5}}<ref name=age/><!-- Age 29 reported in USA Today in June 2002 --> |
||
| birth_place = {{nowrap|[[The Bronx]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.}} |
| birth_place = {{nowrap|[[The Bronx]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.}} |
||
| occupation = Choreographer |
| occupation = {{flatlist| |
||
* Choreographer |
|||
* dancer |
|||
* actor |
|||
* director |
|||
* producer}} |
|||
| years_active = |
| years_active = 1990–present |
||
| children = |
| children = 4 |
||
}} |
}} |
||
'''Darrin Dewitt Henson''' (born May 5, |
'''Darrin Dewitt Henson''' (born May 5, 1972) is an American [[choreographer]], dancer, actor, and producer. Hensen was a brief member of [[freestyle music]] 1980s group [[Trilogy (group)|Trilogy]] and was featured on their single "Good Time".<ref name="podcast">[https://podcasts.apple.com/gr/podcast/80s-freestyle-music-artist-duran-form-group-trilogy/id1547504302?i=1000538792251 80's Freestyle Music Artist Duran form group Trilogy shares his journey with music and faith]. Apple. Retrieved on January 15, 2022</ref> He worked as a choreographer for various artists and received the 2000 [[MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Award]] [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography|for Best Choreography]] for "[[Bye Bye Bye]]" by [[NSYNC]]. |
||
Henson made his acting debut starring as Lem Van Adams in the Showtime drama series, ''[[Soul Food (TV series)|Soul Food]]'' (2000–2004), for which he received two [[NAACP Image Awards]] nominations. He later appeared in films ''[[The Salon (film)|The Salon]]'' (2005), ''[[Stomp the Yard]]'' (2007), ''[[The Express: The Ernie Davis Story]]'' (2008), ''[[Tekken (2009 film)|Tekken]]'' (2009), ''[[Black Coffee (2014 film)|Black Coffee]]'' (2014), and ''[[Chocolate City (film)|Chocolate City]]'' (2015). From 2018 to 2022 he starred as Orlando Duncan in the BET+ crime drama series, ''[[The Family Business (American TV series)|The Family Business]]''. |
|||
==Career== |
|||
Henson is known for his instructional dance video ''Darrin's Dance Grooves'' (which was heavily marketed in 2001 and 2002),<ref>DiNardo, Kelly. [https://www.usatoday.com/life/2002/2002-06-14-dance-grooves.htm "'Dance Grooves': Get jiggy (not jiggly) with it"], ''[[USA Today]]'', June 13, 2002. Retrieved November 6, 2009.</ref> and is perhaps best known for his portrayal of [[Lem Van Adams]] from 2000 until 2004 in the [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] TV series ''[[Soul Food (TV series)|Soul Food]]'', the longest-running drama with a predominantly [[African-American]] cast in television history. Henson was twice nominated for the [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]], in 2004 and 2005, for his portrayal as the struggling young husband and father in this series. |
|||
==Life and career== |
|||
He has choreographed music videos and concerts for such popular music artists as [[New Kids on the Block]], [[Jordan Knight]], [[Britney Spears]], [[Backstreet Boys]], [[Hi-Five]], [[98 Degrees]], [[NSYNC]] and [[The Spice Girls]]. He is the winner of the 2000 [[MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Award]] [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography|for Best Choreography]] for "[[Bye Bye Bye]]" by NSYNC. |
|||
Henson was born in [[The Bronx]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. He attended [[Prep for Prep]], a non-profit organization whose vision is to prepare [[New York City]]'s top minority students for success in education and in life. Hensen was a brief member of [[freestyle music]] 1980s group [[Trilogy (group)|Trilogy]] and was featured on their single "Good Time".<ref name="podcast"/> He has choreographed music videos and concerts for such popular music artists as [[New Kids on the Block]], [[Jordan Knight]], [[Britney Spears]], [[Backstreet Boys]], [[Hi-Five]], [[98 Degrees]], [[NSYNC]] and [[The Spice Girls]]. He is the winner of the 2000 [[MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Award]] [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography|for Best Choreography]] for "[[Bye Bye Bye]]" by NSYNC.<ref name="bdr">{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwaydancecenter.com/faculty/darrin-henson|title=Darrin Henson|date=February 28, 2017|website=Broadway Dance Center}}</ref> Henson is also known for his instructional dance video ''Darrin's Dance Grooves'' (which was heavily marketed in 2001 and 2002),<ref name=age>DiNardo, Kelly. [https://www.usatoday.com/life/2002/2002-06-14-dance-grooves.htm "'Dance Grooves': Get jiggy (not jiggly) with it"], ''[[USA Today]]'', June 13, 2002. Retrieved November 6, 2009.</ref> |
|||
As an actor, Henson made his Broadway debut appearing in [[Ron Link (director)|Ron Link]]'s play''Stand-up Tragedy'' in 1990,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/stand-up-tragedy-4613#OpeningNightCast|title=Stand-Up Tragedy – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB}}</ref> and later performed in off-Broadway of [[David E. Talbert]]'s play ''Fabric of a Man''. He made his television debut appearing as a dancer in the 1999 made-for-television drama film ''[[Double Platinum (film)|Double Platinum]]'' starring [[Diana Ross]] and [[Brandy Norwood|Brandy]]. In 2000 he was cast as [[Lem Van Adams]], one of leading characters in the [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] drama series, ''[[Soul Food (TV series)|Soul Food]]'', the longest-running drama at that time with a predominantly [[African-American]] cast in television history. Henson was twice nominated for the [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]], in 2004 and 2005, for his portrayal as the struggling young husband and father in this series. The series ended in 2004.<ref name="bdr"/> |
|||
In 2003, Henson directed the film ''Violation'', and starred in the 2007 motion picture ''[[Stomp the Yard]]''. |
|||
In |
After ''Soul Food'', Henson moved to film, starring alongside [[Vivica A. Fox]] in the 2005 comedy-drama ''[[The Salon (film)|The Salon]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10008290-salon|title=The Salon | Rotten Tomatoes|date=January 25, 2005|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> In 2007 he appeared opposite [[Queen Latifah]] in the drama film ''[[Life Support (film)|Life Support]]'', which premiered at the [[2007 Sundance Film Festival]], and starred in the dance drama ''[[Stomp the Yard]]''. The film received mixed reviews from critics but grossed $75 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stomp_the_yard|title=Stomp the Yard | Rotten Tomatoes|date=January 12, 2007|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> In 2008, Henson played football player [[Jim Brown]] in the sports film, ''[[The Express: The Ernie Davis Story]]''. In 2009 he starred in the science fiction box-office bomb ''[[Tekken (2009 film)|Tekken]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tekken|title=Tekken | Rotten Tomatoes|date=August 15, 2017|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> Henson later co-starred in films ''[[Blood Done Sign My Name (film)|Blood Done Sign My Name]]'' (2010), ''The Inheritance'' (2011), and ''[[The Last Fall]]'' (2012). In 2011, Henson starred in the [[Gospel Music Channel]]'s debut of John Ruffin's stage play ''The Ideal Husband'', which also stars [[Jackée Harry]], [[Ginuwine]], [[Clifton Powell]], [[Shirley Murdock]], [[Shanti Lowry]] and [[Erica Hubbard]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.urblife.com/the-fame/is-darrin-dewitt-henson-the-ideal-husband|title=Is Darrin Dewitt Henson the Ideal Husband? Film, TV, Dance, Fitness – What Can’t He Do? Exclusive Interview!|work=UrbLife.com|date=February 26, 2011}}</ref> He later guest-starred in ''[[Single Ladies (TV series)|Single Ladies]]'' and ''[[Being Mary Jane]]''. |
||
In 2014, Henson played the leading role in the romantic comedy film, ''[[Black Coffee (2014 film)|Black Coffee]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_coffee_2015|title=Black Coffee | Rotten Tomatoes|date=January 10, 2014|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> In 2015 he starred in the comedy-drama film ''[[Chocolate City (film)|Chocolate City]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/chocolate_city|title=Chocolate City | Rotten Tomatoes|date=May 22, 2015|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> He later reprised his role in its sequels, ''[[Chocolate City: Vegas Strip]]'' (2017) and ''Chocolate City 3: Live Tour'' (2021). He also appeared in other films in later years, notable South African romantic comedy ''[[Zulu Wedding]]'' (2019), for which he received nomination for an [[Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] at the [[16th Africa Movie Academy Awards]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2020-11-30|title='Knuckle City', 'The Milkmaid' lead AMAA 2020 nominations [Full List]|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/knuckle-city-the-milkmaid-lead-amaa-2020-nominations-full-list/kz7s4wj|access-date=2021-09-10|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}</ref> In 2018, Henson began starring in the [[BET]] crime drama series, ''[[The Family Business (American TV series)|The Family Business]]'' playing the role of Orlando Duncan. He was also interviewed by director [[Maria Soccor]] for the documentary ''Freestyle Music: The Legacy'' in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/press-release/newswire/music-entertainment-0f7b8b2cf4a076b74544f2ec9b6edbbc|title=Award-Winning Director Maria Soccor Begins Production on 'Freestyle Music: The Legacy' Documentary Featuring Latin Freestyle Stars|website=Associated Press|access-date=2022-08-14}}</ref><ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/CgCfN8Uu4px/ Freestyle Music: The Legacy]. Instagram. Retrieved on August 15, 2022</ref> |
|||
In April 2011, the straight-to-DVD film ''The Inheritance'' was released. Henson co-stars in the horror/thriller along with [[Golden Brooks]], [[D.B. Woodside]], [[Keith David]] and [[Rochelle Aytes]]. In 2014, he was on the show ''[[Being Mary Jane]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0378200/|title=Darren Henson work|work=Imdb.com|date=August 18, 2020}}</ref> |
|||
Henson is currently starring in the [[BET]] drama series ''[[The Family Business (American TV series)|The Family Business]]'' in the role of Orlando Duncan. He was also interviewed by director [[Maria Soccor]] for the upcoming documentary ''Freestyle Music: The Legacy'', which is currently in production.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/press-release/newswire/music-entertainment-0f7b8b2cf4a076b74544f2ec9b6edbbc|title=Award-Winning Director Maria Soccor Begins Production on 'Freestyle Music: The Legacy' Documentary Featuring Latin Freestyle Stars|website=Associated Press|access-date=2022-08-14}}</ref><ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/CgCfN8Uu4px/ Freestyle Music: The Legacy]. Instagram. Retrieved on August 15, 2022</ref> |
|||
==Filmography== |
==Filmography== |
||
Line 35: | Line 40: | ||
! Role |
! Role |
||
! Notes |
! Notes |
||
|- |
|||
| 1999 |
|||
| ''[[Double Platinum]]'' |
|||
| Dancer |
|||
| TV Movie |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| 2001 |
| 2001 |
||
Line 53: | Line 53: | ||
| ''The Fabric of a Man'' |
| ''The Fabric of a Man'' |
||
| Joshua King |
| Joshua King |
||
| |
| |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| 2006 |
| 2006 |
||
Line 60: | Line 60: | ||
| |
| |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|rowspan= |
|rowspan=2| 2007 |
||
| ''[[Stomp the Yard]]'' |
| ''[[Stomp the Yard]]'' |
||
| Grant |
| Grant |
||
| |
| |
||
|- |
|||
| ''[[Life Support (film)|Life Support]]'' |
|||
| MJ2 |
|||
| TV Movie |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| ''[[April Fools (2007 film)|April Fools]]'' |
| ''[[April Fools (2007 film)|April Fools]]'' |
||
| Detective Ward |
| Detective Ward |
||
| |
| |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|rowspan=3| 2008 |
|rowspan=3| 2008 |
||
Line 80: | Line 76: | ||
| ''A Good Man Is Hard to Find'' |
| ''A Good Man Is Hard to Find'' |
||
| Clarence |
| Clarence |
||
| |
| |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| ''[[The Express: The Ernie Davis Story]]'' |
| ''[[The Express: The Ernie Davis Story]]'' |
||
| Jim Brown |
| [[Jim Brown]] |
||
| |
| |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 98: | Line 94: | ||
| ''Kiss the Bride'' |
| ''Kiss the Bride'' |
||
| Thomas |
| Thomas |
||
| |
| |
||
|- |
|||
|rowspan=2| 2011 |
|||
| ''The Ideal Husband'' |
|||
| Devin |
|||
| TV Movie |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|2011 |
|||
| ''The Inheritance'' |
| ''The Inheritance'' |
||
| Tyrone |
| Tyrone |
||
Line 122: | Line 114: | ||
| |
| |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|rowspan= |
|rowspan=4| 2013 |
||
| ''The Hotel'' |
| ''The Hotel'' |
||
| Devin |
| Devin |
||
| Short |
| Short film |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| ''Four of Hearts'' |
| ''Four of Hearts'' |
||
| Derrick |
| Derrick |
||
|Also producer |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
| ''In the Meantime'' |
|||
| Kwame |
|||
| TV Movie |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| ''The Last Letter'' |
| ''The Last Letter'' |
||
Line 141: | Line 129: | ||
| ''Frat Brothers'' |
| ''Frat Brothers'' |
||
| Quincy Cooper |
| Quincy Cooper |
||
| Also executive producer |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|rowspan=2| 2014 |
|rowspan=2| 2014 |
||
| ''Black Coffee'' |
| ''[[Black Coffee (2014 film)|Black Coffee]]'' |
||
| Robert |
| Robert |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 163: | Line 151: | ||
| ''What Love Will Make You Do'' |
| ''What Love Will Make You Do'' |
||
| Trey Boston |
| Trey Boston |
||
|Also producer |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| ''A Christmas to Remember'' |
| ''A Christmas to Remember'' |
||
Line 189: | Line 177: | ||
| ''[[Zulu Wedding]]'' |
| ''[[Zulu Wedding]]'' |
||
| Tex Wilson |
| Tex Wilson |
||
|Nominated — [[Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]] |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| ''[[Chocolate City: Vegas Strip]]'' |
| ''[[Chocolate City: Vegas Strip]]'' |
||
Line 202: | Line 190: | ||
| ''The Products of the American Ghetto'' |
| ''The Products of the American Ghetto'' |
||
| Easy |
| Easy |
||
|Also executive producer |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| ''The Choir Director'' |
| ''[[Carl Weber (author)|The Choir Director]]'' |
||
| Aaron Mackie |
| Aaron Mackie |
||
| |
| |
||
Line 210: | Line 198: | ||
| ''Nothing Like Thanksgiving'' |
| ''Nothing Like Thanksgiving'' |
||
| Kenneth Swain |
| Kenneth Swain |
||
|Also executive producer |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| ''Intensive Care'' |
| ''Intensive Care'' |
||
Line 227: | Line 215: | ||
| ''The Last Astronaut'' |
| ''The Last Astronaut'' |
||
| General James Rex |
| General James Rex |
||
|Nominated — [[WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival|WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor]] |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| ''Submission'' |
| ''Submission'' |
||
Line 237: | Line 225: | ||
| |
| |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| |
|2020 |
||
|''Happiness'' |
|||
| ''Steppin' Back to Love'' |
|||
| |
|||
| Derrick |
|||
| |
|||
| TV Movie |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
|2022 |
|||
| ''Happiness'' |
|||
|''Sons 2 the Grave'' |
|||
| - |
|||
| Detective David Reynolds |
|||
| |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|2022 |
|||
|''[[Chocolate City: Vegas Strip|Chocolate City 3: Live Tour]]'' |
|||
| Magnus |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|2023 |
|||
|''Forbidden Daughter'' |
|||
| Shannon |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|2023 |
|||
|''Till Death Do Us'' |
|||
| Pastor Marcus |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|2024 |
|||
|''Spawns'' |
|||
| Ian Banks |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|||
|2024 |
|||
|''[[Bid for Love|Bid for Love 2]]'' |
|||
|Mr. Neely |
|||
| |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
Line 255: | Line 269: | ||
! Notes |
! Notes |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| |
| 1999 |
||
| ''[[Double Platinum]]'' |
|||
| Dancer |
|||
| TV movie |
|||
|- |
|||
| 2000–04 |
|||
| ''[[Soul Food (TV series)|Soul Food]]'' |
| ''[[Soul Food (TV series)|Soul Food]]'' |
||
| [[Lem Van Adams]] |
| [[Lem Van Adams]] |
||
| Main |
| Main cast |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| |
|2007 |
||
| ''[[Life Support (film)|Life Support]]'' |
|||
| MJ2 |
|||
| TV movie |
|||
|- |
|||
| 2007–08 |
|||
| ''[[Lincoln Heights (TV series)|Lincoln Heights]]'' |
| ''[[Lincoln Heights (TV series)|Lincoln Heights]]'' |
||
| Ruben |
| Ruben |
||
| Recurring |
| Recurring cast: season 2-3 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| 2010 |
| 2010 |
||
| ''Gillian in Georgia'' |
| ''Gillian in Georgia'' |
||
| Terrance |
| Terrance |
||
| Recurring |
| Recurring cast |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|rowspan= |
|rowspan=2| 2011 |
||
| ''[[Single Ladies (TV series)|Single Ladies]]'' |
| ''[[Single Ladies (TV series)|Single Ladies]]'' |
||
| Blake |
| Blake |
||
Line 277: | Line 301: | ||
| ''Champion Road the Series'' |
| ''Champion Road the Series'' |
||
| Benjamin |
| Benjamin |
||
| TV |
| TV mini series |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| 2011 |
|||
| ''The Ideal Husband'' |
|||
| Devin |
|||
| TV movie |
|||
|- |
|||
|2011 |
|||
| ''Milk & Honey'' |
| ''Milk & Honey'' |
||
| Damon |
| Damon |
||
| Episode: "Pilot" |
| Episode: "Pilot" |
||
|- |
|||
|2013 |
|||
| ''In the Meantime'' |
|||
| Kwame |
|||
| TV movie |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| 2014 |
| 2014 |
||
Line 291: | Line 326: | ||
| ''Vivica's Black Magic'' |
| ''Vivica's Black Magic'' |
||
| Choreographer/Self |
| Choreographer/Self |
||
| TV |
| TV series |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| 2018 |
| 2018 |
||
Line 298: | Line 333: | ||
| Episode: "The Last Astronaut" |
| Episode: "The Last Astronaut" |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| 2018–2022 |
|||
| 2018-21 |
|||
| ''[[The Family Business (American TV series)|The Family Business]]'' |
| ''[[The Family Business (American TV series)|The Family Business]]'' |
||
| Orlando Duncan |
| Orlando Duncan |
||
| Main |
| Main cast |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| 2020 |
| 2020 |
||
| '' |
| ''Steppin' Back to Love'' |
||
| Derrick |
|||
| TV movie |
|||
|- |
|||
| 2020–2024 |
|||
| ''[[Double Cross (TV series)|Double Cross]]'' |
|||
| Detective Ryan |
| Detective Ryan |
||
| Main |
| Main cast, also producer |
||
|- |
|||
|2022 |
|||
|''[[I Got a Story to Tell (TV series)|I Got a Story to Tell]]'' |
|||
|Detective Carlson |
|||
|Episode: "I'm So Fatefull" |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
Line 333: | Line 378: | ||
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography}} |
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography}} |
||
{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
||
Line 343: | Line 387: | ||
[[Category:American male film actors]] |
[[Category:American male film actors]] |
||
[[Category:American male television actors]] |
[[Category:American male television actors]] |
||
[[Category:Male actors from |
[[Category:Male actors from the Bronx]] |
||
[[Category:People from |
[[Category:People from Castle Hill, Bronx]] |
||
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]] |
|||
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]] |
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]] |
||
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]] |
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]] |
||
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]] |
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]] |
||
[[Category:20th-century African-American men]] |
|||
[[Category:21st-century African-American men]] |
Latest revision as of 17:23, 16 April 2024
Darrin Henson | |
---|---|
Born | Darrin Dewitt Henson May 5, 1972[1] |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1990–present |
Children | 4 |
Darrin Dewitt Henson (born May 5, 1972) is an American choreographer, dancer, actor, and producer. Hensen was a brief member of freestyle music 1980s group Trilogy and was featured on their single "Good Time".[2] He worked as a choreographer for various artists and received the 2000 MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography for "Bye Bye Bye" by NSYNC.
Henson made his acting debut starring as Lem Van Adams in the Showtime drama series, Soul Food (2000–2004), for which he received two NAACP Image Awards nominations. He later appeared in films The Salon (2005), Stomp the Yard (2007), The Express: The Ernie Davis Story (2008), Tekken (2009), Black Coffee (2014), and Chocolate City (2015). From 2018 to 2022 he starred as Orlando Duncan in the BET+ crime drama series, The Family Business.
Life and career[edit]
Henson was born in The Bronx, New York. He attended Prep for Prep, a non-profit organization whose vision is to prepare New York City's top minority students for success in education and in life. Hensen was a brief member of freestyle music 1980s group Trilogy and was featured on their single "Good Time".[2] He has choreographed music videos and concerts for such popular music artists as New Kids on the Block, Jordan Knight, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Hi-Five, 98 Degrees, NSYNC and The Spice Girls. He is the winner of the 2000 MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography for "Bye Bye Bye" by NSYNC.[3] Henson is also known for his instructional dance video Darrin's Dance Grooves (which was heavily marketed in 2001 and 2002),[1]
As an actor, Henson made his Broadway debut appearing in Ron Link's playStand-up Tragedy in 1990,[4] and later performed in off-Broadway of David E. Talbert's play Fabric of a Man. He made his television debut appearing as a dancer in the 1999 made-for-television drama film Double Platinum starring Diana Ross and Brandy. In 2000 he was cast as Lem Van Adams, one of leading characters in the Showtime drama series, Soul Food, the longest-running drama at that time with a predominantly African-American cast in television history. Henson was twice nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, in 2004 and 2005, for his portrayal as the struggling young husband and father in this series. The series ended in 2004.[3]
After Soul Food, Henson moved to film, starring alongside Vivica A. Fox in the 2005 comedy-drama The Salon.[5] In 2007 he appeared opposite Queen Latifah in the drama film Life Support, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, and starred in the dance drama Stomp the Yard. The film received mixed reviews from critics but grossed $75 million worldwide.[6] In 2008, Henson played football player Jim Brown in the sports film, The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. In 2009 he starred in the science fiction box-office bomb Tekken.[7] Henson later co-starred in films Blood Done Sign My Name (2010), The Inheritance (2011), and The Last Fall (2012). In 2011, Henson starred in the Gospel Music Channel's debut of John Ruffin's stage play The Ideal Husband, which also stars Jackée Harry, Ginuwine, Clifton Powell, Shirley Murdock, Shanti Lowry and Erica Hubbard.[8] He later guest-starred in Single Ladies and Being Mary Jane.
In 2014, Henson played the leading role in the romantic comedy film, Black Coffee.[9] In 2015 he starred in the comedy-drama film Chocolate City.[10] He later reprised his role in its sequels, Chocolate City: Vegas Strip (2017) and Chocolate City 3: Live Tour (2021). He also appeared in other films in later years, notable South African romantic comedy Zulu Wedding (2019), for which he received nomination for an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 16th Africa Movie Academy Awards.[11] In 2018, Henson began starring in the BET crime drama series, The Family Business playing the role of Orlando Duncan. He was also interviewed by director Maria Soccor for the documentary Freestyle Music: The Legacy in 2022.[12][13]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Longshot | Male Flight Attendant | |
2005 | The Salon | Michael | |
The Fabric of a Man | Joshua King | ||
2006 | The Last Stand | TD | |
2007 | Stomp the Yard | Grant | |
April Fools | Detective Ward | ||
2008 | The Hustle | Brother Efrom | |
A Good Man Is Hard to Find | Clarence | ||
The Express: The Ernie Davis Story | Jim Brown | ||
2009 | Tekken | Raven | |
2010 | Blood Done Sign My Name | Eddie McCoy | |
Kiss the Bride | Thomas | ||
2011 | The Inheritance | Tyrone | |
2012 | The Marriage Chronicles | David Jones | |
The Last Fall | Rell Lee | ||
The Great Divide | Randy | ||
2013 | The Hotel | Devin | Short film |
Four of Hearts | Derrick | Also producer | |
The Last Letter | Doctor Jacobs | ||
Frat Brothers | Quincy Cooper | Also executive producer | |
2014 | Black Coffee | Robert | |
After | Andy | ||
2015 | Ex-Free | Robert | |
Chocolate City | Magnus | ||
What Love Will Make You Do | Trey Boston | Also producer | |
A Christmas to Remember | Michael | ||
Sons 2 the Grave | Detective David Reynolds | ||
2016 | Silent Cry Aloud | Lemar | |
Pee-Wee's Big Holiday | Police Officer | ||
Bad Girl | Pastor Charles Robinson | ||
2017 | Zulu Wedding | Tex Wilson | Nominated — Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role |
Chocolate City: Vegas Strip | Magnus | ||
Candid | - | Short | |
2018 | The Products of the American Ghetto | Easy | Also executive producer |
The Choir Director | Aaron Mackie | ||
Nothing Like Thanksgiving | Kenneth Swain | Also executive producer | |
Intensive Care | Jeremiah | ||
It's a Date | Wesley Franks | ||
Kinky | Bradley | ||
2019 | The Last Astronaut | General James Rex | Nominated — WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor |
Submission | Cowboy | ||
Staged Killer | Trent | ||
2020 | Happiness | ||
2022 | Sons 2 the Grave | Detective David Reynolds | |
2022 | Chocolate City 3: Live Tour | Magnus | |
2023 | Forbidden Daughter | Shannon | |
2023 | Till Death Do Us | Pastor Marcus | |
2024 | Spawns | Ian Banks | |
2024 | Bid for Love 2 | Mr. Neely |
Television[edit]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1999 | Double Platinum | Dancer | TV movie |
2000–04 | Soul Food | Lem Van Adams | Main cast |
2007 | Life Support | MJ2 | TV movie |
2007–08 | Lincoln Heights | Ruben | Recurring cast: season 2-3 |
2010 | Gillian in Georgia | Terrance | Recurring cast |
2011 | Single Ladies | Blake | Episode: "Cry Me a River" & "Indecent Proposal" |
Champion Road the Series | Benjamin | TV mini series | |
2011 | The Ideal Husband | Devin | TV movie |
2011 | Milk & Honey | Damon | Episode: "Pilot" |
2013 | In the Meantime | Kwame | TV movie |
2014 | Being Mary Jane | - | Episode: "The Huxtables Have Fallen" |
2017 | Vivica's Black Magic | Choreographer/Self | TV series |
2018 | The Avengers of Extreme Illusions | General James Rex | Episode: "The Last Astronaut" |
2018–2022 | The Family Business | Orlando Duncan | Main cast |
2020 | Steppin' Back to Love | Derrick | TV movie |
2020–2024 | Double Cross | Detective Ryan | Main cast, also producer |
2022 | I Got a Story to Tell | Detective Carlson | Episode: "I'm So Fatefull" |
Awards[edit]
Year | Award | Category | Production | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Choreography | "Bye Bye Bye" (by NSYNC) | Winner |
2004 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Soul Food | Nomination |
2005 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Soul Food | Nomination |
2019/20 | High Maintenance Award | Author of the Year | Book: Pregnant With Thought | Winner |
References[edit]
- ^ a b DiNardo, Kelly. "'Dance Grooves': Get jiggy (not jiggly) with it", USA Today, June 13, 2002. Retrieved November 6, 2009.
- ^ a b 80's Freestyle Music Artist Duran form group Trilogy shares his journey with music and faith. Apple. Retrieved on January 15, 2022
- ^ a b "Darrin Henson". Broadway Dance Center. February 28, 2017.
- ^ "Stand-Up Tragedy – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB".
- ^ "The Salon | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. January 25, 2005.
- ^ "Stomp the Yard | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. January 12, 2007.
- ^ "Tekken | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. August 15, 2017.
- ^ "Is Darrin Dewitt Henson the Ideal Husband? Film, TV, Dance, Fitness – What Can't He Do? Exclusive Interview!". UrbLife.com. February 26, 2011.
- ^ "Black Coffee | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. January 10, 2014.
- ^ "Chocolate City | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. May 22, 2015.
- ^ "'Knuckle City', 'The Milkmaid' lead AMAA 2020 nominations [Full List]". Pulse Nigeria. November 30, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ "Award-Winning Director Maria Soccor Begins Production on 'Freestyle Music: The Legacy' Documentary Featuring Latin Freestyle Stars". Associated Press. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ Freestyle Music: The Legacy. Instagram. Retrieved on August 15, 2022
External links[edit]
- 1973 births
- Living people
- African-American male actors
- American choreographers
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- Male actors from the Bronx
- People from Castle Hill, Bronx
- 20th-century American male actors
- 21st-century American male actors
- 21st-century African-American people
- 20th-century African-American people