Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle is an American actor and producer known for his versatility across film and television, ranging from intense dramatic roles to comedy and blockbuster franchises. He has received numerous award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination, and has built a long and varied career.

Early life

Cheadle was born on November 29, 1964, in Kansas City, Missouri. His family moved several times during his childhood. He developed an interest in performing and studied acting at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where he trained for the theater before beginning to work in film and television.

Career

Cheadle built his reputation through strong supporting and leading performances in the 1990s and 2000s. He drew critical attention for his role in "Devil in a Blue Dress" (1995) and appeared in films such as "Boogie Nights" and "Out of Sight." He gained wider recognition for his role in Steven Soderbergh's "Ocean's Eleven" (2001) and its sequels, in which he played the part of Basher Tarr.

His performance as hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina in "Hotel Rwanda" (2004), a drama about the Rwandan genocide, earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and cemented his standing as a leading dramatic performer. He continued to take on a wide range of roles, including in the ensemble drama "Crash," the biographical film "Talk to Me," and the thriller "Traitor."

Recent work

Cheadle joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as James "Rhodey" Rhodes, also known as War Machine, taking over the role beginning with "Iron Man 2" (2010) and reprising it across numerous Marvel films, including the "Avengers" series. On television, he starred in the Showtime comedy-drama "House of Lies," for which he won a Golden Globe Award and earned Emmy nominations, and he later appeared in and produced other projects, including the series "Black Monday." A long-time advocate on social and humanitarian issues, including efforts related to the crisis in Darfur, Cheadle has worked as a producer and director and co-authored a book on the subject. He continues to take on roles across film and television, and is recognized as one of his generation's most respected and adaptable actors.