Morris Chestnut
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| Morris Chestnut | |
| Born | January 1, 1969 (age 38) Cerritos, California,  United States |
| Notable roles | Ricky Baker in Boyz N the Hood Lance Sullivan in The Best Man Keith Fenton in Two Can Play That Game |
Morris L. Chestnut (born January 1, 1969) is an American film and television actor.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Personal life
Chestnut was born in Cerritos, California where he graduated from Richard Gahr High School in 1986. He subsequently studied finance and drama at California State University, Northridge. Chestnut is married, and said (in an interview for essence.com) that he prefers to keep his private life private.
[edit] Career
Chestnut's first professional acting role was as "Jason" in Freddy's Nightmares: A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Series in the episode "A Family Affair" (season 2, episode 19) which aired on February 18, 1990. His first feature film role was as "Ricky Baker" in Boyz N the Hood (1991). He followed that up with roles in various TV movies, as well as a part on Patti LaBelle's short-lived sitcom Out All Night. Chestnut's career continued to rise steadily, but he often had only bit parts in throwaway, big-budget films, like 1995's Under Siege 2 or 1997's G.I. Jane. But as the decade ended, movies about young, professional African-Americans and their problems with family and relationships began to fill the cineplexes, creating roles for Chestnut and all the other talented black actors stuck in minor TV and film roles. Though it has often been rumored, Chestnut has denied any affiliation with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He is to star alongside Steven Seagal for a third time in Prince of Pistols.
In 1999, Chestnut starred in The Best Man with Taye Diggs and Nia Long, playing a professional athlete who doesn't know that his soon-to-be wife dallied with his best man - who is about to release those details in his first novel, a Roman à clef about their time in college. The Best Man earned pretty good reviews, did well at the box office, and even earned Chestnut a NAACP Image Award nomination for his performance. He followed it up with The Brothers, another film centering on the themes of fidelity and success among urban professionals. (2007) Mr. Chestnut is currently starring in his first professional stage performance with the lead role of "Marcelles Wynters" in the David E. Talbert Production of "Love in THE NICK OF TYME" He is also one of the Producers of this stage production.
[edit] Trivia
- In 1998 Morris won the annual Madden Bowl.
- Is an excellent Texas Hold 'Em poker player. Recently held his own against 6 established poker professionals in a made for TV tournament. He can currently be spotted occasionaly on Full Tilt Poker, as Morris Chestnut.
- Has worked with Steven Seagal three times. He was both Seagal's character's partner, and main enemy. In Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Chestnut is Seagal's character's reluctant partner. In Half Past Dead and Prince of Pistols he co-stars as the main villain.
- Purchased $1.5 million estate in suburban Los Angeles.
- Had a cameo appearance, but was uncredited in the movie Higher Learning as one of the track runners on the team.
- Has 2 children with Pam Byse.
- He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated.
[edit] Filmography
- Freddy's Nightmares (1990) (TV)
- Boyz N the Hood (1991)
- The Last Boy Scout (1991)
- Out All Night (1992) (TV)
- In the Line of Duty: Street War (1992)
- The Ernest Green Story (1993) (TV)
- The Inkwell (1994)
- Under Siege 2 (1995)
- G.I. Jane (1997)
- Firehouse (1997) (TV)
- C-16: FBI (1997-1998) (TV)
- The Best Man (1999)
- The Brothers (2001)
- Two Can Play That Game (2001)
- Scenes Of The Crime (2001)
- The Killing Yard (2001) (TV)
- Like Mike (2002)
- Half Past Dead (2002)
- Confidence (2003)
- Breakin' All the Rules (2004)
- Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid (2004)
- Ladder 49 (2004)
- The Cave (2005)
- Prince of Pistols (2008)
