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Mos Def

Actor | Producer | Soundtrack

Regarded as one of hip-hop's most introspective and insightful artists, Mos Def has shaped a career that transcends music genres and artistic medium. A child of hip-hop's Golden Era, the native Brooklynite spent his childhood imbedded in the culture surrounding him as well as absorbing knowledge from across the artistic spectrum... See full bio »

Born:

Dante Terrell Smith
in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
More at IMDbPro » Contact Info on IMDbPro Contact Info: View manager and publicist
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Mos Def Still of Bruce Willis and Mos Def in 16 Blocks Miguel Ferrer, Mos Def and John Livingston in Where's Marlowe? Mos Def Tony Shalhoub and Mos Def Still of Mos Def and Martin Freeman in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
84 photos | 74 videos | 840 news articles »

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Franklin Ojeda Smith - -- "...back in the day the 'barb wire' was more visible" and early on I chose baseball over acting; then academia and not baseball. Now,"...the kids are grown, the dog is dead and now that I may, I choose acting." Please take a look: 1)Boardwalk Empire - Deacon Cuffy 2)Murder Incorporated - Sam Christenson 3)Cayman Went - Aniston Turnkey 4)Letting Go -Therapist 5)Footsteps in the Sand - Jim. Thank You! Franklin

Franklin Ojeda Smith -

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

Francine Locke Film Reel

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

Melanie Molnar - Reel -- No description provided.

Melanie Molnar - Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

My Demo Reel


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Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 17 nominations See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActor (39 titles)
2014 Untitled Elmore Leonard Project (post-production)
Ordell Robbie (as Yasiin Bey)
 
2013 Can a Song Save Your Life? (post-production)
 
2011 Dexter (TV series)
Brother Sam
– Just Let Go (2011) … Brother Sam (as Yasiin Bey)
– The Angel of Death (2011) … Brother Sam (as Yasiin Bey)
– A Horse of a Different Color (2011) … Brother Sam (as Mos)
– Smokey and the Bandit (2011) … Brother Sam (as Mos)
– Once Upon a Time... (2011) … Brother Sam (as Mos)
 
2010 Yo Gabba Gabba! (TV series)
Super Mr. Superhero
– Superhero (2010) … Super Mr. Superhero
 
2009 Next Day Air
Eric
 
2009 House M.D. (TV series)
Lee
– Locked In (2009) … Lee
 
2008 Cadillac Records
Chuck Berry
 
2005-2008 The Boondocks (TV series)
Gangstalicious
– The Story of Gangstalicious: Part 2 (2008) … Gangstalicious (voice)
– Thank You for Not Snitching (2007) … Gangstalicious (voice)
– The Story of Gangstalicious (2005) … Gangstalicious (voice)
 
2008 Be Kind Rewind
Mike
 
2003-2006 Chappelle's Show (TV series)
Anonymous Actor / Banjo Player / Black Head of the CIA / …
– Episode #3.2 (2006) … Banjo Player (uncredited)
– Episode #2.13 (2004) … Black Head of the CIA
– Episode #2.1 (2004) … Rondell, Black Delegation Rep
– Episode #1.10 (2003) … Gen. Cornrow Wallace
– Episode #1.8 (2003) … Anonymous Actor
See all 6 episodes »
 
2006 Journey to the End of the Night
Wemba
 
2006 16 Blocks
Eddie Bunker
 
2005 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Ford Prefect
 
2005 Lackawanna Blues (TV movie)
The Bandleader
 
2004 Something the Lord Made (TV movie)
Vivien Thomas
 
2004 Focused Digizine #1 (video)
Blak (VO)
 
2004 The Woodsman
Sgt. Lucas
 
2003 The Italian Job
Left Ear
 
2002 My Wife and Kids (TV series)
Tommy
– Chair Man of the Board (2002) … Tommy
 
2002 Brown Sugar
Chris 'Cav' Anton Vichon
 
2002 Civil Brand
Michael Meadows
 
2002 Showtime
Lazy Boy
 
2001 Monster's Ball
Ryrus Cooper
 
2001 The Wayne Brady Show (TV series)
Mos Def
– Episode #1.2 (2001) … Mos Def
 
2001 Carmen: A Hip Hopera (TV movie)
Lt. Miller
 
2000 Bamboozled
Mau Mau: Big Blak Afrika (Julius Hopkins)
 
2000 Island of the Dead (TV movie)
Robbie J
 
1997-2000 NYPD Blue (TV series)
Leslie Peach / Levon Wells
– Stressed for Success (2000) … Leslie Peach
– Czech Bouncer (1998) … Leslie Peach
– All's Well That Ends Well (1997) … Levon Wells
 
1998 Where's Marlowe?
Wilt Crawley
 
1998 Spin City (TV series)
Monty the card hustler
– Gentleman's Agreement (1998) … Monty the card hustler
 
1997 Brooklyn South (TV series)
Darius
– Dublin or Nothin' (1997) … Darius
– McMurder One (1997) … Darius
 
1997 Dellaventura (TV series)
Morgue Assistant
– Clean Slate (1997) … Morgue Assistant (as Dante Beze)
 
1997/I Ghosts (short)
Dante (as Dante Beze)
 
1994-1995 The Cosby Mysteries (TV series)
Dante
– Last Tango (1995) … Dante (as Dante Beze)
– Camouflage (1994) … Dante (as Dante Bezé)
– Home, Street Home (1994) … Dante (as Dante Bezé)
– One Day at a Time (1994) … Dante (as Dante Bezé)
 
1994 The Cosby Mysteries (TV movie)
Dante (as Dante Bezé)
 
1992 Here and Now (TV series)
Alonzo
– A.J.'s Big Leap (1992) … Alonzo (as Dante Beze)
– Love Handles (1992) … Alonzo (as Dante Beze)
– Lovers and Other Dangers (1992)
 
1991 The Hard Way
Dead Romeos (as Dante Smith)
 
1990-1991 You Take the Kids (TV series)
Raymond Kirkland
– Bad Boy (1991) … Raymond Kirkland (as Dante Beze)
– What I Did for Love (1991) … Raymond Kirkland (as Dante Beze)
– Fishes Are Like Sisters... You Can't Flush Them Without Feeling Guilty (1991) … Raymond Kirkland (as Dante Beze)
– The Eggs & I (1990) … Raymond Kirkland
– Merry Christmas to All and a Pointy Hat to You (1990) … Raymond Kirkland (as Dante Beze)
See all 6 episodes »
 
1988 God Bless the Child (TV movie)
Richard Watkins (as Dante Terrell Smith)
 
Show ShowProducer (1 title)
2002-2007 Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry (TV series documentary) (co-executive producer - 44 episodes)
– Episode #6.14 (2007) (co-executive producer)
– Episode #6.3 (2007) (co-executive producer)
– Episode #6.1 (2007) (co-executive producer)
– Def Poetry Bay Area: Bootstraps (2007) (co-executive producer)
– Def Poetry Bay Area: Ise Lyfe (2007) (co-executive producer)
See all 44 episodes »
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (28 titles)
2011 The Colbert Report (TV series)
– Episode dated 5 October 2011 (2011) (writer: "Fix Up" - uncredited / performer: "Fix Up" - uncredited)
 
2010 Just Wright (writer: "Umi Says" / as Dante Smith / performer: "Umi Says")
 
2010 Heartbreaker (writer: "America" / as Dante Smith / performer: "America")
 
2009 Late Show with David Letterman (TV series)
– Episode #17.54 (2009) (performer: "Ain't Nothing Like You Hoochie Coo" - uncredited)
 
2008 Cadillac Records (performer: "Maybellene", "Nadine Is It You?", "No Particular Place to Go", "Promised Land")
 
2008 The Boondocks (TV series)
– The Story of Gangstalicious: Part 2 (2008) (performer: "Homies Over Hoes" - uncredited)
 
2007 Stomp the Yard (writer: "Sex Love and Money" / as Dante Smith / performer: "Sex Love and Money")
 
2006 The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (performer: "Six Days")
 
2006 Final Fight: Streetwise (Video Game) (performer: "Wylin' Out")
 
2006 The Ground Truth (documentary) (writer: "Live Wire Snap" / performer: "Live Wire Snap")
 
2005 Block Party (documentary) (writer: "Two Words", "Definition", "Umi Says" / as Dante Smith / performer: "Two Words", "Definition", "Move Somethin'", "Umi Says", "Get By")
 
2005 Entourage (TV series)
– The Boys Are Back in Town (2005) ("Ghetto Rock" - uncredited)
 
2005 Lackawanna Blues (TV movie) (performer: "Caldonia", "Destination Love")
 
2004 Barbershop 2: Back in Business (performer: "Wanna B Where U R Thisizzaluvsong")
 
2004 Mean Creek (performer: "Fear Not of Man")
 
2003 The Italian Job (performer: "The Jump Off" / "The Jump Off" / as Dante Smith)
 
2003 Biker Boyz (performer: "Kalifornia")
 
2002 Brown Sugar (writer: "Brown Sugar Super Fine", "Breakdown", "Brown Sugar Fine", "Brown Sugar Raw" / as Dante Smith / performer: "Brown Sugar Super Fine", "Breakdown", "Brown Sugar Fine")
 
2002 Ken Park (writer: "Brown Skin Lady" / as Dante Smith)
 
2002 The 56th Annual Tony Awards (TV special) (performer: "A Tribute to Richard Rodgers")
 
2002 Blade II (writer: "I Against I" / as Dante Smith / performer: "I Against I")
 
2002 Face (writer: "Climb" / as Dante Smith / performer: "Climb")
 
2001 Madden NFL 2002 (Video Game) (writer: "Mathematics Instrumental Version" / performer: "Mathematics Instrumental Version")
 
2000 Pro Skater 2 (Video Game) (performer: "B-Boy Document '99")
 
2000 Bamboozled (writer: "Blak Iz Blak" / as Dante Smith / "Blak Iz Blak")
 
2000 Flava (TV series)
– Episode dated 27 July 2000 (2000) (performer: "Ms Fat Booty")
 
1999 The Hurricane (performer: "The Hurricane")
 
1998 Where's Marlowe? (performer: "All Blues")
 
Show ShowMusic Department (1 title)
2002-2004 Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry (TV series documentary) (musical director - 28 episodes)
– Episode #4.10 (2004) (musical director)
– Episode #4.9 (2004) (musical director)
– Episode #4.8 (2004) (musical director)
– Episode #4.7 (2004) (musical director)
– Episode #4.6 (2004) (musical director)
See all 28 episodes »
 
Show ShowWriter (1 title)
2007 Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry (TV series documentary)
– Episode #6.1 (2007) (writer)
 
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
2008 Passaic Mosaic (video documentary short) (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (58 titles)
2009 Welcome to Blakroc (documentary) (post-production)
 
2012 Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.12 (2012) … Himself
 
2012 Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap (documentary)
Himself
 
2009-2012 Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (TV series)
Himself - Musical Guest / Himself - Guest Vocalist
– Episode #1.575 (2012) … Himself - Musical Guest (as Black Star)
– Episode #1.395 (2011) … Himself - Guest Vocalist
– Episode #1.157 (2009) … Himself - Musical Guest
– Episode #1.62 (2009) … Himself - Musical Guest
 
2011 The Colbert Report (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 5 October 2011 (2011) … Himself - Guest
 
2011 Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest (documentary)
Himself
 
2011 Re:Generation (documentary)
 
2010/I I'm Still Here
Himself
 
2010 Glastonbury 2010 (TV special)
Himself
 
2010 MTV World Stage: Gorillaz (TV movie)
Himself
 
2010 Gulf Aid: Concert for the Coast (TV movie)
Himself
 
2010 Later with Jools Holland (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #36.3 (2010) … Himself
 
2010 NRJ 12 Grammys Awards 2010 (TV special)
Himself
 
2010 Takin' It to the Streets (documentary)
Himself
 
2004-2009 Late Show with David Letterman (TV series)
Himself / Himself - Musical Guest / Himself - Musical Support
– Episode #17.54 (2009) … Himself - Musical Support
– Episode #16.153 (2009) … Himself - Musical Guest
– Episode dated 23 September 2004 (2004) … Himself
 
2007-2009 Real Time with Bill Maher (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #7.6 (2009) … Himself
– Episode #5.17 (2007) … Himself
 
2008 Number One with a Bullet (documentary)
Himself
 
2008 Talib Kweli presents Blacksmith TV (video short)
Himself
 
2007 4Real (TV series documentary)
Himself
– 4Real City of God (2007) … Himself
 
2007 Prince Among Slaves (documentary)
Narrator
 
2007 In Prison My Whole Life (documentary)
Himself
 
2002-2007 Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry (TV series documentary)
Himself - Host / Himself
– Episode #6.14 (2007) … Himself
– Episode #6.3 (2007) … Himself - Host
– Episode #6.1 (2007) … Himself - Host
– Def Poetry Bay Area: Bootstraps (2007) … Himself - Host
– Def Poetry Bay Area: Ise Lyfe (2007) … Himself - Host
See all 44 episodes »
 
2004-2007 Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 9 January 2007 (2007) … Himself
– Episode dated 30 December 2004 (2004) … Himself
 
2006 Space Top 10 Countdown (TV series)
Himself
– Sidekicks (2006) … Himself
 
2006 Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby
Himself
 
2006 September in Brooklyn: The Making of 'Block Party' (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2006 HBO First Look (TV series documentary)
Himself
– 16 Blocks (2006) … Himself
 
2006 Coachella (video documentary)
Himself
 
2006 Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes (documentary)
Himself
 
2006 Rap Sheet: Hip-Hop and the Cops (documentary)
Himself
 
2004-2005 Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #4.133 (2005) … Himself (as Black Star)
– Episode #3.187 (2004) … Himself
 
2005 Block Party (documentary)
Himself
 
2005 Making of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2005 Don't Crash: The Documentary of the Making of the Movie of the Book of the Radio Series of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' (video documentary)
Himself
 
2005 Unplugged (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Alicia Keys (2005) … Himself
 
2005 Live with Kelly and Michael (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 27 April 2005 (2005) … Himself
 
2005 Kanye West: College Dropout - Video Anthology (video documentary)
Himself (segments "Through the Wire" and "Two Words")
 
2005 Tavis Smiley (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 14 February 2005 (2005) … Himself
 
2005 Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth (documentary short)
Himself
 
2005 The View (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 18 January 2005 (2005) … Himself
 
2005 The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (TV series)
Himself - Musical Guest
– Episode #1.11 (2005) … Himself - Musical Guest
 
2005 The 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (TV special documentary)
Himself - Nominee: Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Made for TV Movie
 
2004 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #12.172 (2004) … Himself
 
2004 MOBO Awards 2004 (TV special)
Host
 
2003-2004 Chappelle's Show (TV series)
Himself - Musical Guest / Himself / Musical Guest
– Episode #2.11 (2004) … Himself/Musical Guest
– Episode #1.12 (2003) … Himself - Musical Guest (as Black Star)
– Episode #1.2 (2003) … Himself - Musical Guest
 
2004 Juvies (documentary) (voice)
 
2003 Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, #*%$#@!! (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2003 Essence Awards (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2002 The Proud Family (TV series)
Himself
– Poetic Justice (2002) … Himself (voice)
 
2002 The Freshest Kids (video documentary)
 
2002 The 56th Annual Tony Awards (TV special)
Himself - Performer
 
2001 Crossover (TV special)
Himself (as MosDef)
 
2001 Fuji Rock Festival '01 (TV special)
 
2001 Voice of the Voiceless (documentary)
Himself
 
2000 The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards 2000 (TV movie)
Himself
 
2000 Flava (TV series)
Himself / Himself - Presenter
– Episode dated 27 July 2000 (2000) … Himself
– Episode dated 6 July 2000 (2000) … Himself - Presenter
 
2000 Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme (documentary)
Himself
 
2000 The Lyricist Lounge Show (TV series)
Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (3 titles)
2011 9/11 Truth: Hollywood Speaks Up (documentary)
Himself
 
2010 MTV Video Music Awards 2010 (TV special)
Himself - Nominee
 
2003 Chappelle's Show (TV series)
 

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Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

Album (with Talib Kweli), "Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star," Rawkus/MCA/Universal Records 112 897, 1998. See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Interview  | 4 Articles  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Flaco Bey | Yasiin Bey | Dante Beze | Dante Bezé | Bizet Dante | Smith Dante | MosDef | Mos | Dante Terrell Smith | Dante Smith | Black Star

Height:

5' 9½" (1.77 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

What I take from writers I like is their economy -- the ability to use language to very effective ends. The ability to have somebody read something and see it, or for somebody to paint an entire landscape of visual imagery with just sheets of words -- that's magical. That's what I've been trying to strive for -- to draw a clear picture, to open up a new dimension. See more »

Trivia:

His first music group was Urban Thermo Dynamics, which also included his younger brother and sister. They recorded an album in 1995 but it was shelved. It was finally released in 2004. See more »

Nickname:

Pretty Flaco See more »

Star Sign:

Sagittarius