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IMDbPro

Obba Babatundé

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Director
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See rank
Obba Babatundé
A teenage boy reluctantly turns to the streets to earn $6,000 a month for his mother's cancer medicine, only to discover that street money does not come easy. When a family friend makes him a syndicate boss, jealousy and greed immediately turn his friends against him. With pressure mounting from all sides, he must choose between saving his mother's life and saving his own.
Play trailer1:38
Noble Intentions (2023)
18 Videos
44 Photos
Obba Babatundé is an actor, singer, dancer, director, writer and producer. Obba's breadth of work is known worldwide by audiences of all ages, and his face is one of the most recognizable in the entertainment industry. His career spans over 4 decades and he is a unique breed in today's industry as a triple-threat (and more). Obba is comfortable in the expression of various musical instruments and all forms of dance. In addition to his award-winning performances on stage and screen, he is a nationally renowned speaker and master class teacher for adult and young audiences alike.

Obba has often been referred to, and is considered a 'living legend' and is a treasured role model to actors and entertainers of all generations. Central to Obba's career is his unrelenting work ethic and his pursuit of a standard of excellence in everything he does.

Amongst Obba's many professional awards and nominations is his Daytime Emmy Award win (2016) for CBS's Bold & the Beautiful, his Emmy nominated performance in the HBO movie "Miss Evers' Boys," his Tony Award nomination for his role as "C.C. White," in the original Broadway cast of "Dreamgirls", his "Best Actor" Award win for the Musical "Sammy" from the San Diego Critic's Circle Awards, his NAACP Image Award win as "Best Actor" for his role as "Sarge" in "A Soldiers Play", the NAACP Trailblazer Award win, an NAACP Image Award-nominated performance in the HBO movie "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," multiple Ovation Award nominations, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Peachtree Village International Film Festival.

Obba has appeared in more than 17 stage productions (several on Broadway), 33 films, 60+ television series and made-for-television movies. Presently, Obba can be seen in 4 prime-time series for; Netflix(Dear White People), Showtime (I'm Dying Up Here), Comedy Central (Detroiters) and CBS (Bold & Beautiful). Many people will remember him from his groundbreaking entry into the entertainment industry during his international tour and co-starring roll with Liza Minnelli in "Liza in Concert", which lead to his close relationship with professional mentor, Sammy Davis Jr. Obba's contributions and starring roll (as CC White) in the original production of Dreamgirls on Broadway is one of his most treasured accomplishments.

His distinct, unique speaking and singing voice can be heard in multiple ads, commercials, as well as narration for docu-dramas. His animation career includes the feature film The Wild Thornberrys, Air Bud Entertainment / Fandango Production's Pup Star movies, Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike and Disney Infinity 3.0 [1] and Rocket Power... to name a few.

Obba's writing, directing and producing skills include the Lionsgate Home Entertainment feature film "American Bad Boy" starring Katt Williams, co-producer and director roles in "Oscar's Black Odyssey," co-producer of "Dorothy Dandridge An American Beauty," co-producer of "TV in Black The First 50 Years." He was the associate producer of the horror classic film "Voodoo Dolls" and the executive producer and director of the award-winning short films "Journey" and "Clarissa's Gift. " He co-authored, directed and produced the critically-acclaimed theatrical stage play "In The Blink of An Eye."It is easy to see why Obba is often referred to as one of the busiest actors in Hollywood.

Obba has dedicated his life and career to sharing his time, expertise and creative talents with all people, be it professional or personal. He has an uncanny way of making everyone feel as if he is always speaking to them directly and personally. People have described Obba as being genuine, passionate, engaging and at times...very funny!

In addition to his on-going acting and artistic projects, Obba is constantly being asked to teach, emcee, host, serve as a keynote speaker and facilitate classes, events, festivals and projects around the world. He leaves an indelible mark everywhere he goes. Obba often says "your do is not your who." When asked to explain, he says "your do is how you affect change in your life. Your who if how you affect change in someone else's life."

Obba's journey into the entertainment industry became intentional in high school when he began writing poetry and then, while attending Brooklyn College. His pursuits deepened when he began to expand his poems into one-act plays. Simultaneously, he immersed himself into the New York theatre and dance worlds. Studying under many noted directors and choreographers like Geoffrey Holder, Bob Fossey, Michael Bennett, Hal Prince, Thelma Hill, Frank Hatchett, Henry LeTang, Louis Johnson and Titos Sompa just to name a few.

Obba learned early on in his career that being authentic and tapping into ones humanity were important to develop and inform his craft. He comes from the mindset that it is essential to deliver diverse types of artistic skills to his audiences and, always in the highest caliber possible. Be it the big screen, the small screen, or the stage. He discovered purpose and community at the same time.

Some little-known facts about Obba is that has a strong background rooted in the educational field. He was a co-founder with his brother Akin Babatundé and teacher of one of NYC's first arts-based schools (in Brooklyn, NY). Fluent in American Sign Language (self-taught), and also a horse whisperer, as well as a rodeo competitor. Obba is a dedicated father and proud grandfather.

It has been said, that Obba has a way of communicating that helps inspire, encourage and enlighten through his stories and phrases that he identifies as "Obba-isms."

"As proud as I am of all that I have done, I am even more excited about what I am to do." - Obba Babatundé
BornDecember 1, 1951
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornDecember 1, 1951
IMDbProStarmeter
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  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy

Photos44

Obba Babatundé in Noble Intentions (2023)
Obba Babatundé in Noble Intentions (2023)
Chad Lowe and Obba Babatundé in The Apartment Complex (1999)
R. Lee Ermey, Chad Lowe, and Obba Babatundé in The Apartment Complex (1999)
Chad Lowe, Obba Babatundé, and Patrick Warburton in The Apartment Complex (1999)
Obba Babatundé in For The People (2018)
Obba Babatundé in The Bold and the Beautiful (1987)
Obba Babatundé in The Bold and the Beautiful (1987)
Obba Babatundé and Reign Edwards in The Bold and the Beautiful (1987)
Obba Babatundé in The Invisible Man (2000)
Shemar Moore and Obba Babatundé in S.W.A.T. (2017)
Obba Babatundé in The Bold and the Beautiful (1987)

Known for

Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, and Michael Taliferro in Life (1999)
Life
6.7
  • Willie Long
  • 1999
Method Man and Redman in How High (2001)
How High
6.2
  • Dean Carl Cain
  • 2001
Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson in Dead Again (1991)
Dead Again
6.8
  • Syd(as Obba Babatunde)
  • 1991
Black Dynamite (2009)
Black Dynamite
7.4
  • Osiris(as Obba Babatunde)
  • 2009

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actor

  • Start Without Me
  • Master of Dreams
    • Pre-production
  • Walk by Faith
    • In Production
  • 45 Seconds
    • Completed
  • Anna Lucasta
    • Pre-production
  • Mississippi Scholar
    • Post-production
  • Obba Babatundé, Aaron D. Spears, Julian Shells, and Lloyd Montague in Noble Intentions (2023)
    Noble Intentions
  • Obba Babatundé, Joseph D'Onofrio, Anthony Ferro, Glenn Plummer, Marco Rodríguez, Louis Vanaria, Natalie Peri, Carlo Mendez, Mishaël Lopes Cardozo, Tony Taylor, and Johnny Ray Gibbs in Fuhgedd About It (2022)
    Fuhgedd About It
  • Shemar Moore in S.W.A.T. (2017)
    S.W.A.T.
  • The Millennial (2022)
    The Millennial
  • A Polished Soul (2022)
    A Polished Soul
  • The Men in My Life (2021)
    The Men in My Life
  • Billy Bob Thornton in Goliath (2016)
    Goliath
  • Dear White People (2017)
    Dear White People
  • Obba Babatundé, Jaqueline Fleming, and Darcas Macopson in Little Vagabond (2021)
    Little Vagabond
  • I Heart LA
  • Oliver Platt, Steven Weber, Marlyne Barrett, S. Epatha Merkerson, Brian Tee, Dominic Rains, Guy Lockard, Jessy Schram, and Nick Gehlfuss in Chicago Med (2015)
    Chicago Med
  • Golden Brooks, Terrell Carter, Taja V. Simpson, and Leilah Odom in Kiss Me for Christmas (2020)
    Kiss Me for Christmas
  • Heather Tom, Thorsten Kaye, and Katherine Kelly Lang in The Bold and the Beautiful (1987)
    The Bold and the Beautiful
  • Flex Alexander, Wesley Jonathan, Jeremy Meeks, and Jordyn Woods in Trigger (2020)
    Trigger
  • Horse Talk

Producer

  • Speculo
  • 45 Seconds
    • Completed
  • The Forgotten Ones
    • In Production
  • A Polished Soul (2022)
    A Polished Soul
  • If I Tell You I Have to Kill You (2015)
    If I Tell You I Have to Kill You
  • American Bad Boy (2015)
    American Bad Boy
  • Clarissa's Gift (2014)
    Clarissa's Gift
  • The Fallen Faithful (2010)
    The Fallen Faithful
  • TV in Black: The First Fifty Years (2004)
    TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
  • Oscar's Black Odyssey: From Hatte to Halle (2003)
    Oscar's Black Odyssey: From Hatte to Halle

Director

  • Speculo
  • The Health Care Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together for a Picture of Wellness
    • Post-production
  • American Bad Boy (2015)
    American Bad Boy
  • Clarissa's Gift (2014)
    Clarissa's Gift
  • Dorothy Dandridge: Singing at Her Best (2003)
    Dorothy Dandridge: Singing at Her Best
  • Oscar's Black Odyssey: From Hatte to Halle (2003)
    Oscar's Black Odyssey: From Hatte to Halle
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos20

Official Trailer
Trailer 1:01
Official Trailer
Blu-ray Trailer
Trailer 1:20
Blu-ray Trailer
Official Extended Trailer
Trailer 1:48
Official Extended Trailer
Black Dynamite: Theatrical Trailer
Trailer 2:20
Black Dynamite: Theatrical Trailer
Black Dynamite -- "Dojo Scene"
Trailer 1:05
Black Dynamite -- "Dojo Scene"
Black Dynamite: Teaser Trailer
Trailer 1:40
Black Dynamite: Teaser Trailer
Flip the Script
Trailer 0:33
Flip the Script
Joy Road
Trailer 2:28
Joy Road
Pup Star: Better 2Gether
Trailer 2:18
Pup Star: Better 2Gether
American Bad Boy
Trailer 1:23
American Bad Boy
Scooby Doo! Music of the Vampire
Trailer 1:06
Scooby Doo! Music of the Vampire
I Do... I Did!
Trailer 0:32
I Do... I Did!

Personal details

Edit
    • December 1, 1951
    • Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
  • Other works
    Member of the original Broadway cast of the 1981 musical "Dreamgirls" portraying 'C.C. White'

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Guest-starred as a record exec named Gordy Berry on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990), then starred as real-life Motown founder Berry Gordy in the made-for-TV movie, The Temptations (1998).

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