Clifton Davis: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American actor, musician and minister}} |
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{{BLP sources|date=June 2009}} |
{{BLP sources|date=June 2009}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|10|4}} |
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1945|10|4}} |
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| birth_place = [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S. |
| birth_place = [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S. |
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| occupation = Actor |
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|singer|songwriter|minister|author}} |
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| years_active = 1971–present |
| years_active = 1971–present |
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| nationality = |
| nationality = American |
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| known_for = ''[[That's My Mama]]'', ''[[Amen (TV series)|Amen]]'' |
| known_for = ''[[That's My Mama]]'', ''[[Amen (TV series)|Amen]]'' |
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| spouse = {{ |
| spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Ann Taylor|1981|1991}}|{{marriage|Monica Durant|2000|}}}} |
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| homepage = {{url|www.cliftondavis.com}} |
| homepage = {{url|www.cliftondavis.com}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Clifton Duncan Davis''' (born October 4, 1945) is an American actor, singer, songwriter, minister, and author. |
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'''Clifton Duncan Davis''' (born October 4, 1945) is an [[Americans|American]] actor, [[songwriter]], singer, and [[pastor]]. Davis starred on the television shows ''[[That's My Mama]]'' and ''[[Amen (TV series)|Amen]]''. Davis also wrote several hits for [[The Jackson 5]], including "[[Never Can Say Goodbye]]" and "[[Lookin' Through the Windows (song)|Lookin' Through the Windows]]." [[The Supremes]] bought “[[Here Comes the Sunrise]]” from Davis after their Vegas performance and included that song in their “[[Touch]]” album released in 1971. |
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Davis wrote [[The Jackson 5]]'s No. 2 hit "[[Never Can Say Goodbye]]" in 1971. He has numerous Broadway credits, including ''[[Hello, Dolly! (musical)|Hello, Dolly!]]'' (opposite [[Pearl Bailey]]), ''[[Aladdin (2011 musical)|Aladdin]]'', ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'', and his [[Tony Awards|Tony Award]]–nominated turn in ''[[Two Gentlemen of Verona (musical)|Two Gentlemen of Verona]]'', among others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clifton Davis – Broadway Cast & Staff {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/clifton-davis-37456 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> Davis starred in the television shows ''[[That's My Mama]], [[Amen (TV series)|Amen]],'' ''[[Madam Secretary (TV series)|Madam Secretary]]'', and others. He has hosted the [[Stellar Awards|Stellar Gospel Music Awards]], Gospel Superfest and Lifestyle Magazine. Davis has appeared on the game shows ''[[Match Game]]'' and ''[[Pyramid (game show)|Pyramid]]'' and appeared in many movies. |
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Davis is a minister of a Baptist church and has also operated an interdenominational ministry for many years. He has been a guest on the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] many times. Davis wrote "A Mason-Dixon Memory", one of the chapters in the book ''[[Chicken Soup for the Soul|Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul]]'', about the racism which he experienced while growing up.<ref name="chickensouponlinebooklink">{{cite book|url=https://www.chickensoup.com/book-story/38785/a-mason-dixon-memory|title=Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul (A Mason-Dixon Memory)|date=1997|last=Davis|first=Clifton|editor=Jack Canfield|editor2=Mark Victor Hansen|editor3=Kimberly Kirberger|editor4=Mitch Claspy|pages=127–133|isbn=1558744630|access-date=August 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828175804/https://www.chickensoup.com/book-story/38785/a-mason-dixon-memory|archive-date=August 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Davis was born in [[Chicago, Illinois |
Davis was born in [[Chicago]], Illinois, the son of Thelma van Putten Langhorn, a nurse, and Toussaint L'Ouverture Davis, a [[Seventh-day Adventist]] minister. He was raised in [[Mastic, New York]], and he is a graduate of [[Pine Forge Academy]], a Black boarding school operated by the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Davis holds a [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in Theology from [[Oakwood University]] and a [[Master of Divinity]] degree from [[Andrews University]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cliftondavis.com/min_biography.php |title=Clifton Davis in Ministry |access-date=2010-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813042410/http://www.cliftondavis.com/min_biography.php |archive-date=2010-08-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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[[File:Clifton_Davis.jpg|150px|thumb|Davis in a club]] |
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Before finding fame in acting, Davis worked as a [[songwriter]], most famously penning [[The Jackson 5]]'s No. 2 hit "[[Never Can Say Goodbye]]." He appeared on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] as Valentine in [[Galt MacDermot]] and [[John Guare]]'s musical ''[[Two Gentlemen of Verona (musical)|Two Gentlemen of Verona]]'', based on the [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]] comedy of that name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/production/two-gentlemen-of-verona-st-james-theatre-vault-0000004197|title=Two Gentlemen of Verona Broadway @ St. James Theatre - Tickets and Discounts - Playbill|website=Playbill|accessdate=12 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9z86evRYaU|title=Mansion (Two Gentlemen Of Verona/1971 Original Broadway Cast/Remastered)|publisher=|accessdate=12 June 2018}}</ref> He starred as barber Clifton Curtis in the mid-1970s television show ''[[That's My Mama]]'' with [[Theresa Merritt]], [[Theodore Wilson]] and [[Ted Lange]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFXUiqC_sD8|title=Ted Lange And Clifton Davis|first=|last=baydog|date=17 December 2006|publisher=|accessdate=12 June 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> |
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Before becoming a successful actor Davis was a songwriter who wrote [[The Jackson 5]]'s No. 2 hit "[[Never Can Say Goodbye]]." |
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He made his Broadway debut in the mid-1960s as a replacement in the original Broadway production of ''[[Hello, Dolly! (musical)|Hello, Dolly!]]'' In 1969, he replaced [[Cleavon Little]] in the role of Lee Haines in ''Jimmy Shine'', opposite [[Dustin Hoffman]] and [[Rue McClanahan]]. The following year, he served as standby for Al Freeman, Jr. in the short-lived Broadway play ''[[Look to the Lilies|Look to the Lillies]]'', followed by a featured role in ''The Engagement Baby''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clifton Davis – Broadway Cast & Staff {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/clifton-davis-37456 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> He created the role of Valentine in [[Galt MacDermot]] and [[John Guare]]'s musical ''[[Two Gentlemen of Verona (musical)|Two Gentlemen of Verona]]'', based on the eponymous [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]] comedy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/production/two-gentlemen-of-verona-st-james-theatre-vault-0000004197|title=Two Gentlemen of Verona Broadway @ St. James Theatre - Tickets and Discounts - Playbill|website=Playbill|access-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612184446/http://www.playbill.com/production/two-gentlemen-of-verona-st-james-theatre-vault-0000004197|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9z86evRYaU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/Y9z86evRYaU |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=Mansion (Two Gentlemen Of Verona/1971 Original Broadway Cast/Remastered)|website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=June 12, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> For this production, he was nominated for a 1972 [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Two Gentlemen of Verona – Broadway Musical – Original {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/two-gentlemen-of-verona-3627 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> He left the Broadway production on November 27, 1972,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Two Gentlemen of Verona – Broadway Musical – Original {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/two-gentlemen-of-verona-3627 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> to open the touring company in January 1973.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Two Gentlemen of Verona – Broadway Musical – 1973-1973 Tour {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/tour-production/two-gentlemen-of-verona-523331 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> He played the role of Joey Evans in the 1978 West Coast Revival of ''[[Pal Joey (musical)|Pal Joey]]'', which was called ''Pal Joey '78''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pal Joey – Broadway Musical – 1978-1978 Tour {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/tour-production/pal-joey-531188 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> He returned to Broadway in 2014, creating the role of the Sultan in the [[Aladdin (2011 musical)|stage adaptation]] of [[Aladdin (franchise)|Disney's ''Aladdin'']].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aladdin – Broadway Musical – Original {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/aladdin-495244 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> In 2022, Davis joined the Broadway company of ''Wicked'', playing Dr. Dillamond, a role he had previously played in the show's two separate touring companies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clifton Davis – Broadway Cast & Staff {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/clifton-davis-37456 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> He has amassed several Off-Broadway credits as well, including ''How to Steal an Election'' (1968), ''Horseman, Pass By'' (1969), [[Lorraine Hansberry]]'s ''[[To Be Young, Gifted and Black (play)|To Be Young, Gifted, and Black]]'' (1969), ''Do It Again!'' (1971), and ''Hapgood'' (1994).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clifton Davis |url=http://www.iobdb.com/CreditableEntity/6625 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.iobdb.com}}</ref> |
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Davis' romantic interest with songstress and Broadway performer [[Melba Moore]] led to his co-starring role on her musical variety television show. Later he made a guest appearance on the third episode of the first season of ''[[The Bobby Vinton Show]]'' in September 1975, singing "I've Got The Music In Me" and "Never Can Say Goodbye." He successfully sang the [[Polish language|Polish]] lyrics with Vinton to the show's "[[My Melody of Love]]" theme song. |
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He starred as barber Clifton Curtis in the mid-1970s television show ''[[That's My Mama]]'' with [[Theresa Merritt]], [[Theodore Wilson]], and [[Ted Lange]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFXUiqC_sD8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/qFXUiqC_sD8 |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|title=Ted Lange And Clifton Davis|last=baydog|date=December 17, 2006|publisher=[[YouTube]]|work=youtube.com|access-date=June 12, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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A triple heart bypass survivor, he participated in the "superstars" celebrity TV sports competitions of the seventies, in addition to making several appearances on the popular celebrity game show ''[[Match Game]].'' He also appeared in the film ''[[Scott Joplin (film)|Scott Joplin]]'' in 1977. He also made numerous appearances on several incarnations of ''[[Pyramid (game show)|Pyramid]]'' from the early 1970s to the early 1990s. |
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Davis co-starred with singer and Broadway performer [[Melba Moore]] on her musical variety television show. Later he made a guest appearance on the third episode of the first season of ''[[The Bobby Vinton Show]]'' in September 1975, singing "I've Got the Music in Me" and "Never Can Say Goodbye". He sang the Polish lyrics with Vinton to the show's theme song, titled "[[My Melody of Love]]". |
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From 1986 to 1991, he co-starred with [[Sherman Hemsley]], as the Reverend Ruben Gregory, in the NBC sitcom ''[[Amen (TV series)|Amen]],'' which ran for five seasons. Davis released one acclaimed (and now hard to find) studio recording in 1991 on Benson Records titled ''Say Amen.'' He also played the mayor of Miami in the 1999 film ''[[Any Given Sunday]].'' Davis has continued his stage work, starring in [[Toronto]] and on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in ''[[Aladdin (2011 musical)|Aladdin]],'' playing the Sultan of Agrabah.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/182186-Adam-Jacobs-and-Courtney-Reed-Will-Co-Star-in-Disneys-Aladdin-Complete-Cast-Announced?tsrc=nx | title=Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed Will Co-Star in Disney's Aladdin; Complete Cast Announced | publisher=[[Playbill]] | work=playbill.com | date=16 September 2013 | accessdate=16 September 2013 | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213124450/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/182186-Adam-Jacobs-and-Courtney-Reed-Will-Co-Star-in-Disneys-Aladdin-Complete-Cast-Announced?tsrc=nx | archivedate=13 December 2013 | df= }}</ref> |
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A triple heart bypass survivor, Davis participated in the "Superstars" celebrity TV sports competitions of the 1970s as well as made several appearances as one of the celebrity panelists on the game show ''[[Match Game]].'' He appeared in the film ''[[Scott Joplin (film)|Scott Joplin]],'' in 1977. Davis made numerous appearances on several incarnations of ''[[Pyramid (game show)|Pyramid]]'' from the early 1970s to the early 1990s. |
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From 1986 to 1991, Davis co-starred with [[Sherman Hemsley]] and [[Anna Maria Horsford]] as the Reverend Doctor Ruben Gregory in the sitcom ''[[Amen (TV series)|Amen]],'' which ran for five seasons. Davis released one acclaimed studio recording in 1991 on Benson Records titled ''Say Amen.'' He also played the mayor of Miami in the 1999 film ''[[Any Given Sunday]].'' Davis starred in Toronto and on Broadway in ''[[Aladdin (2011 musical)|Aladdin]],'' playing the Sultan of Agrabah.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/182186-Adam-Jacobs-and-Courtney-Reed-Will-Co-Star-in-Disneys-Aladdin-Complete-Cast-Announced?tsrc=nx|title=Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed Will Co-Star in Disney's Aladdin; Complete Cast Announced|publisher=[[Playbill]]|work=playbill.com|date=September 16, 2013 | access-date=September 16, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213124450/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/182186-Adam-Jacobs-and-Courtney-Reed-Will-Co-Star-in-Disneys-Aladdin-Complete-Cast-Announced?tsrc=nx|archive-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref> |
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==Ministry== |
==Ministry== |
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From 1987 to 1989, he was an Associate Pastor of the Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church in southern California. For the last twenty-five years, Davis has been an active member of [[Youthville, USA]] a children's services organization. He served as the co-founder and co-pastor of the Welcome Christian Center in [[Huntington Beach, California]]. Davis is a licensed minister at St. Luke Baptist Church, New York, New York. He has had an interdenominational ministry for over 30 years. Davis has served as its National Spokesperson and Advisory Board Chairman.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bio|url=http://www.cliftondavis.com/about-me.html|access-date=2014-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505074950/http://www.cliftondavis.com/about-me.html|archive-date=2014-05-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is the emcee and host of The Most Soulful Sound, an annual gospel choir competition in Raleigh, North Carolina. Davis also hosts an annual celebrity golf tournament in Elizabeth City State University, where he served as its vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement. Since the end of 2005, Davis has held the position of executive director for Welcome America, a non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which hosts the largest Fourth of July celebration in the nation each year. He is a frequent guest and host on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Davis also hosted the TV show ''Gospel Superfest'' from 2000 to 2008, syndicated by United Television.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1307447/ |title=Gospel Superfest (TV Movie 2005) - IMDb |website=[[IMDb]] |access-date=2018-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405204743/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1307447/ |archive-date=2017-04-05 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==Filmography== |
==Filmography== |
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===Film=== |
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{{Portal|Christianity|Biography|African American}} |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" |
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! Year |
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! Title |
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! Role |
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! class="unsortable" | Notes |
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|- |
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| 1972 |
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| ''[[Together for Days]]'' |
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| Gus |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1974 |
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| ''[[Lost in the Stars (1974 film)|Lost in the Stars]]'' |
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| Absalom |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1977 |
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| ''[[Scott Joplin (film)|Scott Joplin]]'' |
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| [[Louis Chauvin]] |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1994 |
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| ''Heart of Stone'' |
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| Richard Polite |
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| |
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|- |
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| 1999 |
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| ''[[Any Given Sunday]]'' |
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| Mayor Tyrone Smalls |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2001 |
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| ''[[Kingdom Come (2001 film)|Kingdom Come]]'' |
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| Charles Winslow |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2001 |
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| ''[[Max Keeble's Big Move]]'' |
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| Supt. Bobby 'Crazy Legs' Knebworth |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2001 |
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| ''The Painting'' |
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| Thomas Ayers |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2004 |
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| ''[[Halloweentown High]]'' |
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| Principal Phil Flannagan |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2006 |
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| ''The Engagement: My Phamily BBQ 2'' |
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| Uncle Joe |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2007 |
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| ''[[Cover (film)|Cover]]'' |
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| D.A. Simmons |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2011 |
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| ''David E. Talbert's What My Husband Doesn't Know'' |
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| Franklin |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2013 |
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| ''God's Amazing Grace... Is Just A Prayer Away'' |
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| Wilbert Richardson |
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| |
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|- |
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|2016 |
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|''Prayer Never Fails'' |
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|Michael Brown |
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| |
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|} |
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===Television=== |
===Television=== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" |
{| class="wikitable sortable" |
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| Episode "A Glow of Dying Embers" |
| Episode "A Glow of Dying Embers" |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1973–1977 |
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| 1973<br>1977 |
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| ''[[Police Story (1973 TV series)|Police Story]]'' |
| ''[[Police Story (1973 TV series)|Police Story]]'' |
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| Mark Randolph<br>Ed Webber |
| Mark Randolph<br />Ed Webber |
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| "The Ho Chi Minh Trail"<br>"The Malflores" |
| Episodes: "The Ho Chi Minh Trail"<br />"The Malflores" |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1974–1975 |
| 1974–1975 |
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| Clifton Curtis |
| Clifton Curtis |
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| Main role (39 episodes) |
| Main role (39 episodes) |
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|- |
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| 1977 |
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| ''[[Scott Joplin (film)|Scott Joplin]]'' |
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| [[Louis Chauvin]] |
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| Movie |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1977 |
| 1977 |
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| ''[[Superdome (film)|Superdome]]'' |
| ''[[Superdome (film)|Superdome]]'' |
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| P.K. Jackson |
| P.K. Jackson |
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| TV movie |
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| Movie |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1977 |
| 1977 |
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| ''[[Little Ladies of the Night]]'' |
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| Comfort |
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| TV movie |
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|- |
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| 1978 |
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| ''[[Vega$]]'' |
| ''[[Vega$]]'' |
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| Leon Hazlett |
| Leon Hazlett |
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|''[[Cindy (film)|Cindy]]'' |
|''[[Cindy (film)|Cindy]]'' |
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|Captain Joe Prince |
|Captain Joe Prince |
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| TV movie |
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|Movie |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1980 |
| 1980 |
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Line 98: | Line 185: | ||
| ''The Night the City Screamed'' |
| ''The Night the City Screamed'' |
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| Arnold Clements |
| Arnold Clements |
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| TV movie |
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| Movie |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1981 |
| 1981 |
||
| ''[[Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige]]'' |
| ''[[Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige]]'' |
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| Cool Papa Bell |
| Cool Papa Bell |
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| TV movie |
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| Movie |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1986–1991 |
| 1986–1991 |
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Line 113: | Line 200: | ||
|''Dream Date'' |
|''Dream Date'' |
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|Bill Fairview |
|Bill Fairview |
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| TV movie |
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|Movie |
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|- |
|- |
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| 1990–1994 |
| 1990–1994 |
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Line 122: | Line 209: | ||
| 1993 |
| 1993 |
||
| ''[[The John Larroquette Show]]'' |
| ''[[The John Larroquette Show]]'' |
||
| |
| Jada Sweet |
||
| Episode: "Pros and Cons" |
| Episode: "Pros and Cons" |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 215: | Line 302: | ||
| Episode: "The First Triangle" |
| Episode: "The First Triangle" |
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|- |
|- |
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| 2015–2019 |
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| 2015–present |
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| ''[[Madam Secretary (TV series)|Madam Secretary]]'' |
| ''[[Madam Secretary (TV series)|Madam Secretary]]'' |
||
| Ephraim Ware |
| Ephraim Ware |
||
| Recurring role |
| Recurring role |
||
|- |
|- |
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|2017 |
| 2017 |
||
|''[[Iron Fist (TV series)|Iron Fist]]'' |
| ''[[Iron Fist (TV series)|Iron Fist]]'' |
||
|Lawrence Wilkins |
| Lawrence Wilkins |
||
|Recurring role |
| Recurring role |
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|- |
|- |
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|2017 |
| 2017 |
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|''[[The Good Fight]]'' |
| ''[[The Good Fight]]'' |
||
|Anthony Spiegel |
| Anthony Spiegel |
||
|Episode: "Not So Grand Jury" |
| Episode: "Not So Grand Jury" |
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|- |
|- |
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| 2017–2023 |
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|2018 |
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|''[[ |
| ''[[Billions (TV series)|Billions]]'' |
||
|Judge Wailand |
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|Pierre Pampil |
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|6 episodes |
|||
|Episode: "Rituals" |
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|- |
|- |
||
|2018 |
| 2018 |
||
|''[[ |
| ''[[New Amsterdam (2018 TV series)|New Amsterdam]]'' |
||
| Pierre Pampil |
|||
|Inspector Azoulay |
|||
|Episode: " |
| Episode: "Rituals" |
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|} |
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===Film=== |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" |
|||
! Year |
|||
! Title |
|||
! Role |
|||
! class="unsortable" | Notes |
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|- |
|- |
||
| |
| 2018 |
||
| ''[[ |
| ''[[Blue Bloods (TV series)|Blue Bloods]]'' |
||
| Inspector Azoulay |
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| Gus |
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| Episode: "Mind Games" |
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| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| |
| 2019 |
||
| ''[[ |
| ''[[I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson]]'' |
||
|Jeffrey Carter |
|||
| Absalom |
|||
|Episode: "It's the Cigars You Smoke That Are Going to Give You Cancer" |
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| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| 2019–2021 |
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| 1999 |
|||
| ''[[ |
| ''[[Godfather of Harlem]]'' |
||
| [[Elijah Muhammad]] |
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| Mayor Tyrone Smalls |
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| 6 episodes |
|||
| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| |
| 2023 |
||
| ''[[ |
| ''[[Survival of the Thickest]]'' |
||
|Emmanuel |
|||
| Charles Winslow |
|||
|Episode: "Let It Out, Bitch!" |
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| |
|||
|- |
|- |
||
| |
| 2024 |
||
| ''[[ |
| ''[[Clipped (miniseries)|Clipped]]'' |
||
| [[Elgin Baylor]] |
|||
| Supt. Bobby 'Crazy Legs' Knebworth |
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|Upcoming series |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2001 |
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| ''The Painting'' |
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| Thomas Ayers |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2004 |
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| ''[[Halloweentown High]]'' |
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| Principal Phil Flannagan |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2006 |
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| ''The Engagement: My Phamily BBQ 2'' |
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| Uncle Joe |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2007 |
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| ''Cover'' |
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| D.A. Simmons |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2012 |
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| ''What My Husband Doesn't Know'' |
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| Franklin |
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| |
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|- |
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| 2013 |
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| ''God's Amazing Grace... Is Just A Prayer Away'' |
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| Wilbert Richardson |
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|} |
|} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist|2}} |
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==External |
==External links== |
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* |
*{{IMDb name|id=0204389|name=Clifton Davis}} |
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*{{IBDB name|id=37456|name=Clifton Davis}} |
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*{{iobdb name|6625}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:American male stage actors]] |
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[[Category:20th-century American male singers]] |
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[[Category:African-American male singers]] |
Latest revision as of 16:21, 17 May 2024
Clifton Davis | |
---|---|
Born | Clifton Duncan Davis October 4, 1945 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1971–present |
Known for | That's My Mama, Amen |
Spouses |
|
Website | www |
Clifton Duncan Davis (born October 4, 1945) is an American actor, singer, songwriter, minister, and author.
Davis wrote The Jackson 5's No. 2 hit "Never Can Say Goodbye" in 1971. He has numerous Broadway credits, including Hello, Dolly! (opposite Pearl Bailey), Aladdin, Wicked, and his Tony Award–nominated turn in Two Gentlemen of Verona, among others.[1] Davis starred in the television shows That's My Mama, Amen, Madam Secretary, and others. He has hosted the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Gospel Superfest and Lifestyle Magazine. Davis has appeared on the game shows Match Game and Pyramid and appeared in many movies.
Davis is a minister of a Baptist church and has also operated an interdenominational ministry for many years. He has been a guest on the Trinity Broadcasting Network many times. Davis wrote "A Mason-Dixon Memory", one of the chapters in the book Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, about the racism which he experienced while growing up.[2]
Early life[edit]
Davis was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Thelma van Putten Langhorn, a nurse, and Toussaint L'Ouverture Davis, a Seventh-day Adventist minister. He was raised in Mastic, New York, and he is a graduate of Pine Forge Academy, a Black boarding school operated by the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Davis holds a BA in Theology from Oakwood University and a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University.[3]
Career[edit]
Before becoming a successful actor Davis was a songwriter who wrote The Jackson 5's No. 2 hit "Never Can Say Goodbye."
He made his Broadway debut in the mid-1960s as a replacement in the original Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! In 1969, he replaced Cleavon Little in the role of Lee Haines in Jimmy Shine, opposite Dustin Hoffman and Rue McClanahan. The following year, he served as standby for Al Freeman, Jr. in the short-lived Broadway play Look to the Lillies, followed by a featured role in The Engagement Baby.[4] He created the role of Valentine in Galt MacDermot and John Guare's musical Two Gentlemen of Verona, based on the eponymous Shakespeare comedy.[5][6] For this production, he was nominated for a 1972 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.[7] He left the Broadway production on November 27, 1972,[8] to open the touring company in January 1973.[9] He played the role of Joey Evans in the 1978 West Coast Revival of Pal Joey, which was called Pal Joey '78.[10] He returned to Broadway in 2014, creating the role of the Sultan in the stage adaptation of Disney's Aladdin.[11] In 2022, Davis joined the Broadway company of Wicked, playing Dr. Dillamond, a role he had previously played in the show's two separate touring companies.[12] He has amassed several Off-Broadway credits as well, including How to Steal an Election (1968), Horseman, Pass By (1969), Lorraine Hansberry's To Be Young, Gifted, and Black (1969), Do It Again! (1971), and Hapgood (1994).[13]
He starred as barber Clifton Curtis in the mid-1970s television show That's My Mama with Theresa Merritt, Theodore Wilson, and Ted Lange.[14]
Davis co-starred with singer and Broadway performer Melba Moore on her musical variety television show. Later he made a guest appearance on the third episode of the first season of The Bobby Vinton Show in September 1975, singing "I've Got the Music in Me" and "Never Can Say Goodbye". He sang the Polish lyrics with Vinton to the show's theme song, titled "My Melody of Love".
A triple heart bypass survivor, Davis participated in the "Superstars" celebrity TV sports competitions of the 1970s as well as made several appearances as one of the celebrity panelists on the game show Match Game. He appeared in the film Scott Joplin, in 1977. Davis made numerous appearances on several incarnations of Pyramid from the early 1970s to the early 1990s.
From 1986 to 1991, Davis co-starred with Sherman Hemsley and Anna Maria Horsford as the Reverend Doctor Ruben Gregory in the sitcom Amen, which ran for five seasons. Davis released one acclaimed studio recording in 1991 on Benson Records titled Say Amen. He also played the mayor of Miami in the 1999 film Any Given Sunday. Davis starred in Toronto and on Broadway in Aladdin, playing the Sultan of Agrabah.[15]
Ministry[edit]
From 1987 to 1989, he was an Associate Pastor of the Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church in southern California. For the last twenty-five years, Davis has been an active member of Youthville, USA a children's services organization. He served as the co-founder and co-pastor of the Welcome Christian Center in Huntington Beach, California. Davis is a licensed minister at St. Luke Baptist Church, New York, New York. He has had an interdenominational ministry for over 30 years. Davis has served as its National Spokesperson and Advisory Board Chairman.[16] He is the emcee and host of The Most Soulful Sound, an annual gospel choir competition in Raleigh, North Carolina. Davis also hosts an annual celebrity golf tournament in Elizabeth City State University, where he served as its vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement. Since the end of 2005, Davis has held the position of executive director for Welcome America, a non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which hosts the largest Fourth of July celebration in the nation each year. He is a frequent guest and host on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Davis also hosted the TV show Gospel Superfest from 2000 to 2008, syndicated by United Television.[17]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1972 | Together for Days | Gus | |
1974 | Lost in the Stars | Absalom | |
1977 | Scott Joplin | Louis Chauvin | |
1994 | Heart of Stone | Richard Polite | |
1999 | Any Given Sunday | Mayor Tyrone Smalls | |
2001 | Kingdom Come | Charles Winslow | |
2001 | Max Keeble's Big Move | Supt. Bobby 'Crazy Legs' Knebworth | |
2001 | The Painting | Thomas Ayers | |
2004 | Halloweentown High | Principal Phil Flannagan | |
2006 | The Engagement: My Phamily BBQ 2 | Uncle Joe | |
2007 | Cover | D.A. Simmons | |
2011 | David E. Talbert's What My Husband Doesn't Know | Franklin | |
2013 | God's Amazing Grace... Is Just A Prayer Away | Wilbert Richardson | |
2016 | Prayer Never Fails | Michael Brown |
Television[edit]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1971 | A World Apart | Matt Hampton | 1 episode |
1972 | The Melba Moore-Clifton Davis Show | Co-host | Series |
1973 | Love Story | James Monroe | Episode "A Glow of Dying Embers" |
1973–1977 | Police Story | Mark Randolph Ed Webber |
Episodes: "The Ho Chi Minh Trail" "The Malflores" |
1974–1975 | That's My Mama | Clifton Curtis | Main role (39 episodes) |
1977 | Superdome | P.K. Jackson | TV movie |
1977 | Little Ladies of the Night | Comfort | TV movie |
1978 | Vega$ | Leon Hazlett | Episode: "The Eleventh Event" |
1978 | Cindy | Captain Joe Prince | TV movie |
1980 | The Love Boat | Mr. Reeves | Episode: "Invisible Maniac" |
1980 | The Littlest Hobo | Phil McLean | Episode: "Licence to Steal" |
1980 | The Night the City Screamed | Arnold Clements | TV movie |
1981 | Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy 'Satchel' Paige | Cool Papa Bell | TV movie |
1986–1991 | Amen | Reverend Reuben Gregory | Main role (110 episodes) |
1989 | Dream Date | Bill Fairview | TV movie |
1990–1994 | Stellar Gospel Music Awards | Co-host | Specials |
1993 | The John Larroquette Show | Jada Sweet | Episode: "Pros and Cons" |
1996 | The Jamie Foxx Show | Charles | Episode: "Seems Like Old Times" |
1997 | Living Single | Harrison Cushmore | Episode: "Mother Inferior" |
1997 | Sparks | Pastor Alexander | Episode: "It's the Gospel" |
1997 | Malcolm & Eddie | Leonard Larson | Episode: "Club Story" |
1997 | Party of Five | Martin Wilcox | Episode: "Point of No Return" |
1997 | Grace Under Fire | Dr. Swanson | Episode: "Sam's Dad" |
1997 | The Sentinel | President Lemec | Episode: "Fool Me Twice" |
1997 | The Gregory Hines Show | Pauley's Father | Episode: "Three's Not Company" |
1998 | Any Day Now | Councilman Lyle Hammond | Episode: "No Comment" |
1999 | In the House | Ted Miller | 2 episodes |
2000 | City of Angels | Dr. Langston Ellis | Episode: "Bride and Prejudice" |
2000–2008 | Gospel Superfest | Host | |
2001 | Lifestyle Magazine | Host | Series |
2002 | American Dreams | Alvin Lewis | Episode: "The Home Front" |
2004 | Half & Half | Pastor David Adams | Episode: "The Big Practice What You Preach Episode" |
2012 | Political Animals | Reporter | Miniseries; episode: "Pilot" |
2012 | Mr. Box Office | Judge | Episode: "Pilot" |
2013 | The First Family | Clayton | Episode: "The First Triangle" |
2015–2019 | Madam Secretary | Ephraim Ware | Recurring role |
2017 | Iron Fist | Lawrence Wilkins | Recurring role |
2017 | The Good Fight | Anthony Spiegel | Episode: "Not So Grand Jury" |
2017–2023 | Billions | Judge Wailand | 6 episodes |
2018 | New Amsterdam | Pierre Pampil | Episode: "Rituals" |
2018 | Blue Bloods | Inspector Azoulay | Episode: "Mind Games" |
2019 | I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson | Jeffrey Carter | Episode: "It's the Cigars You Smoke That Are Going to Give You Cancer" |
2019–2021 | Godfather of Harlem | Elijah Muhammad | 6 episodes |
2023 | Survival of the Thickest | Emmanuel | Episode: "Let It Out, Bitch!" |
2024 | Clipped | Elgin Baylor | Upcoming series |
References[edit]
- ^ "Clifton Davis – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ Davis, Clifton (1997). Jack Canfield; Mark Victor Hansen; Kimberly Kirberger; Mitch Claspy (eds.). Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul (A Mason-Dixon Memory). pp. 127–133. ISBN 1558744630. Archived from the original on August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
- ^ "Clifton Davis in Ministry". Archived from the original on 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
- ^ "Clifton Davis – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ "Two Gentlemen of Verona Broadway @ St. James Theatre - Tickets and Discounts - Playbill". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Mansion (Two Gentlemen Of Verona/1971 Original Broadway Cast/Remastered)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Two Gentlemen of Verona – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ "Two Gentlemen of Verona – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ "Two Gentlemen of Verona – Broadway Musical – 1973-1973 Tour | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ "Pal Joey – Broadway Musical – 1978-1978 Tour | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ "Aladdin – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ "Clifton Davis – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ "Clifton Davis". www.iobdb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
- ^ baydog (December 17, 2006). "Ted Lange And Clifton Davis". youtube.com. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
- ^ "Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed Will Co-Star in Disney's Aladdin; Complete Cast Announced". playbill.com. Playbill. September 16, 2013. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- ^ "Bio". Archived from the original on 2014-05-05. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
- ^ "Gospel Superfest (TV Movie 2005) - IMDb". IMDb. Archived from the original on 2017-04-05. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
External links[edit]
- 20th-century American male actors
- 20th-century American singers
- 21st-century American male actors
- 21st-century American singers
- 1945 births
- African-American Christians
- African-American male actors
- American gospel singers
- American male film actors
- American male musical theatre actors
- American male stage actors
- American male television actors
- Andrews University alumni
- Elizabeth City State University faculty
- Living people
- Male actors from Chicago
- Male actors from New York (state)
- Oakwood University alumni
- People from Mastic, New York
- Singers from Chicago
- Singers from New York (state)
- Songwriters from Illinois
- Songwriters from New York (state)
- Former Seventh-day Adventists
- 20th-century American male singers
- 21st-century American male singers
- African-American male singers