Obba Babatundé Biography
Obba Babatundé is an American actor, voice actor, producer, director, and musician. He has carved up a name for himself on theater, television, and in feature films.
Obba Babatundé Age
Obba was born Donald Cohen on 1 December 1951, in Jamaica, New York, United States of America. He is 72 years old as of December 2023.
Obba Babatundé Height
He stands at a height of 5’9″ (175 cm).
Obba Babatundé Family- Parents
Obba was born Donald Cohen, in Jamaica, Queens Borough, New York City, New York, USA. He is of Nigerian heritage. Akin Babatundé, an acclaimed actor, director, and writer, is his brother.
Is Obba Babatundé Married?- Wife- Daughter- Son
Obba Babatundé Career
He was drawn to theater at a young age and began performing for his family. He attended Jamaica High School, where he was a well-rounded student who participated in the Sing ’68 school musical, served as a student aide, and ran track and cross country. After graduating from Jamaica High School in 1969, he began teaching in a private school for pupils of color. He also pursued acting opportunities in New York, landing some off-Broadway roles. Babatundé has described his breakout role as appearing in a 1976 touring production of Guys and Dolls, starring Leslie Uggams and Richard Roundtree. Since then, he has appeared in numerous other stage shows.
His debut Broadway performance was in Timbuktu! in 1978. In 1980, he appeared alongside Liza Minnelli in the documentary film “Liza In New Orleans”. He is most remembered for his role as the original C.C. White in Dreamgirls, for which he received a Tony Award nomination in 1982 for most Featured Actor in a Musical. After appearing on Broadway in this role, he traveled with the company for two years. He gradually transitioned into film and television, playing a variety of parts in both media. His feature film appearances include Life as Willie, The Celestine Prophecy, Material Girls, After the Sunset, The Manchurian Candidate, The Notebook, a SWAT captain in John Q, and an attorney in Philadelphia (1993).
He also as Dean Cain in the film How High, Willie Long in Life, Lamar in That Thing You Do!, and Mayor Denny in Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups. Babatundé has appeared on three prime-time shows: CBS’ Madam Secretary, Showtime’s I’m Dying Up Here (2017), and Netflix’s Dear White People (2017-2018). Babatundé played Bishop Bruce Congdon in several episodes of Kingdom and Amazon’s Hand of God. He also appeared in Half & Half, The Bold and the Beautiful, Boston Legal, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, Cold Case, Strong Medicine, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Touched by an Angel, Chicago Hope, Any Day Now. Dear Karen Sisco.
Babatundé played Daniel Harrelson Sr., the father of Shemar Moore’s character in the 2017 television series S.W.A.T. Babatundé has voiced Lando Calrissian in Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader, Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike, Disney Infinity 3.0, and Conroy in Rocket Power. Babatundé voiced Boko in the animated film The Wild Thornberrys Movie, and he played Big Ears, a soul-singing Basset Hound, in the 2016 Air Bud Entertainment film Pup Star. Babatundé has also directed a production of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. He co-wrote, directed, and produced In the Blink of an Eye.
Some of his recorded works include singing the title track on Onaje Allan Gumbs’ album Sack Full of Dreams and “The Gal That Got Away” on Harold Arlen’s Over the Rainbow soundtrack. In 1982, Babatunde played Zodzetrick in the Houston Grand Opera’s second performance of Scott Joplin’s opera Treemonisha. They initially produced it in 1976. After the opera was unearthed, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Morehouse College chorus performed the world premiere in 1972.
Obba Babatundé Net Worth
He has an estimated net worth of 30 million dollars.