Clifton Powell


Actor
Clifton Powell

Biography

Character actor Clifton Powell is probably best known for his characterization of Pinky, an outrageous old-school gangster still hanging on in the urban comedy sequels "Next Friday" and "Friday After Next," and for his memorable frequent parts as volatile heavies in films such as the tragic "Menace II Society" and the gritty "Dead Presidents." It was those later-mentioned aggressive perf...

Biography

Character actor Clifton Powell is probably best known for his characterization of Pinky, an outrageous old-school gangster still hanging on in the urban comedy sequels "Next Friday" and "Friday After Next," and for his memorable frequent parts as volatile heavies in films such as the tragic "Menace II Society" and the gritty "Dead Presidents." It was those later-mentioned aggressive performances that particularly marked Powell as a dramatic actor to watch, especially in the eyes of young audiences that could relate to the harrowing, modern-day context his characters provided. Still, Powell is a versatile performer who has displayed his acting skills beyond crime films and urban comedies, starring as Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Walt Disney-produced television movie "Selma, Lord, Selma" and as music legend Ray Charles's road manager Jeff Brown in the award-winning Taylor Hackford feature "Ray." In addition to appearing in such other culturally charged projects as "The Gospel," "Street Kings," and "Women Thou Art Loosed," he has also done voice work for the animated TV series "The Boondocks," a sometimes controversial social satire.

Filmography

 

Director (Feature Film)

There's a Stranger in my House (2009)
Director
Man of Her Dreams (2009)
Director

Cast (Feature Film)

The Preacher's Son (2017)
All Eyez on Me (2017)
Merry Ex-Mas (2016)
A Weekend with the Family (2016)
Love Won't Let Me Wait (2015)
Somebody's Child (2012)
He's Mine Not Yours (2011)
Street Kings 2: Motor City (2011)
Something Like A Business (2010)
Heaven Ain't Hard to Find (2010)
Preacher's Kid (2010)
When the Lights Go Out (2010)
Chain Letter (2010)
God Send Me a Man (2010)
Before I Self Destruct (2009)
Jazz in the Diamond District (2008)
Vicious Circle (2008)
First Sunday (2008)
Father of Lies (2007)
Norbit (2007)
American Dream (2006)
Confessions of a Call Girl (2006)
The Gospel (2005)
Brothers in Arms (2005)
Never Die Alone (2004)
Ray (2004)
Woman Thou Art Loosed (2004)
Friday After Next (2002)
Civil Brand (2002)
Captain Dease
Play'd: A Hip Hop Story (2002)
The Brothers (2001)
Bones (2001)
Lockdown (2000)
Hot Boyz (2000)
Next Friday (2000)
The Breaks (2000)
Foolish (1999)
Selma, Lord, Selma (1999)
No Tomorrow (1999)
Styles
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years (1999)
Caught Up (1998)
Deep Rising (1998)
Mason
Safe House (1998)
Detective Horace Williams
Why Do Fools Fall in Love? (1998)
The Pentagon Wars (1998)
Phantoms (1998)
Rush Hour (1998)
Luke
Riot (1997)
Buffalo Soldiers (1997)
Divas (1995)
Dead Presidents (1995)
Green Dolphin Beat (1994)
Nowhere to Hide (1994)
Conflict of Interest (1993)
Menace II Society (1993)
3 Ninjas (1992)
Heat Wave Part 2 (1990)
Heat Wave Part 1 (1990)
Heat Wave (1990)
House Party (1990)
Alphabet City (1984)
Ramon

Cast (TV Mini-Series)

A Private Affair (2000)

Life Events

1984

Feature debut in "Alphabet City"

1990

Cast in the comedy feature "House Party"

1993

Portrayed Chauncy in the feature "Menace II Society"

1994

Cast in the short-lived television drama "South Central"

1995

Portrayed the violent character Cutty in the feature drama "Dead Presidents," directed by the Hughes brothers.

1997

Cast in the award winning TNT television feature "Buffalo Soldiers"

1998

Portrayed the cousin to Chris Tucker's character in the blockbuster hit "Rush Hour"

2000

Cast as the hilarious Pinky in the comedy feature "Next Friday"

2001

Co-starred in the romantic feature "The Brothers"

2002

Reprised the role of Pinky in "Friday After Next"

2002

Co-starred in the award winning prison drama "Civil Brand"

2004

Cast opposite Jamie Foxx in "Ray" a biopic of legendary blues singer Ray Charles

2004

Starred in "Woman Thou Art Loosed" based on the self-help novel by Bishop T.D. Jakes

Bibliography