Dennis Haysbert is an American actor. He is known for his roles in the television series The Unit and 24, and the films Far from Heaven and The Messenger.
Haysbert was born in San Mateo, California, the son of Gladys (née Johnson), a homemaker, and Charles Whitney Haysbert, Sr., a dental technician. His mother was African American and his father was of mixed race (African American, Native American, and German). He has two sisters, Cheryl and Deborah.
Haysbert was raised in Hayward, California. He attended San Mateo High School, where he played football and basketball. After graduation, he attended the University of California, Berkeley on a football scholarship. He played in the 1978 East-West Shrine Game and was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 11th round of the 1979 NFL Draft, but did not make the team.
Haysbert began his acting career in 1978 with a role in an episode of the television series Lou Grant. He has since appeared in numerous television shows and films, including The Right Stuff, The Natural, Heat, Major League, Absolute Power, Love Field, Waiting to Exhale, Random Hearts, Far from Heaven, The Sum of All Fears, and The Messenger.
Haysbert has been married twice. His first wife was Ingrid Quinn, with whom he has two daughters, Kai and Anna. His second wife is actress Catherine Dent, with whom he has a son, Xavier.
Revisit my “Breakthrough moments” in Volume 6 of my trivia game! There are some cool behind the scenes stories and I can’t wait to share them with you! (Image: Paramount) https://t.co/kFdSGTbJbdpic.twitter.com/TiBAumC8MN
Haysbert is a supporter of the Democratic Party. In 2012, he endorsed President Barack Obama for re-election.
Haysbert’s net worth is estimated to be $16 million. He has earned millions of dollars from his roles in television and film.
General Info
Full Name
Dennis Haysbert
Net Worth
$42 million
Salary
$42 million
Date Of Birth
June 2, 1954
Height
1.94 m
Profession
Television producer, Film producer, Voice Actor, Film director
Education
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Nationality
American
Family
Spouse
Lynn Griffith, Elena Simms
Children
Charles Haysbert, Katharine Haysbert
Parents
Gladys Haysbert, Charles Haysbert, Sr.
Siblings
Lenier Haysbert, Adam Haysbert, Charles Haysbert, Jr., Stanley Haysbert, Rita Haysbert, Al Haysbert
Accomplishments
Awards
Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Drama
Nominations
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made ...
Movies
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, Far from Heaven, Ted 2, Sniper: Ghost Shooter, Jarhead, Love & Basketball, Goodbye Bafana, Absolute Power, Kung Fu Panda 2, The Thirteenth Floor, Wreck-It Ralph, Heat, Life of a King, Waiting to Exhale, Mr. Baseball, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas, Think Like a Man To...
TV Shows
Backstrom, 24, The Unit, Empire, Now and Again, Code Red, Return to Lonesome Dove, Incorporated, Off the Rack
(on the powers of visualizing your goals) I visualize the roles that I want. If I hadn't visualized playing athletes, I wouldn't have gotten Major League. If I hadn't visualized playing a president, David Palmer never would have happened. You've got to have a sense of what you want to do; otherwise, the universe is just going to throw something at you.
2
(2006) I think I'd make a great superhero. I'm serious. I want to play a superhero and I've already got one in mind. I think I've still got the body for the costume and it's something I really want to do.
3
(on high school) I played a little basketball, but basketball interfered with theater season. That's when we did our term plays and did nutshell versions of Shakespeare for English classes. And, believe me, I got a fair amount of looks from the guys on the team. "You're in theater but you can play football?!" I got a lot of shit about it.
4
From the time I was 10, I think I knew that I wanted to act, and then there was the caption under my high school picture, [so] it was obvious I had no doubts, I knew what I wanted to do. But I also had a catalyst, an older brother who died of cancer, and I just happened to be with him the [day] before he died. He asked me a simple question "What do you want to do?" And I said "Well, I want to be an actor." He asked "Where do you want to do it? Can you do it from here?", and when I said "No, not really", he said "Well, get the hell out of here then because tomorrow's not promised." I'll always remember those words: "Tomorrow's not promised.".
5
(on playing Nelson Mandela in The Color of Freedom (2007)) I just remember it being a very daunting situation. I was a little nervous about it and almost turned it down. I had a momentary loss of confidence and didn't think I was worthy. He's such a hero of mine.
Facts
#
Fact
1
Commercial spokesman for the Allstate Insurance Corporation (2003-08).
Shares two roles with the late Michael Clarke Duncan: Green Lantern, Kilowog and Manute in the "Sin City" films.
4
In the photo caption for his San Mateo, California, high school yearbook, he cited having his face on the cover of Ebony and TV Guide as life goals, both of which he later achieved.
5
Is the eighth of nine children of Charles Whitney Sr. and Gladys Haysbert.
6
Enjoys golf, tennis and scuba diving in his spare time.
7
When he first moved to Los Angeles, he worked in a grocery store and took classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. When he was not in class or working at the store, Haysbert says, he consumed any self-help book he could get his hands on, including "How to Visualize What You Want" and "The Power of Positive Thinking".
8
His parents were married for 51 years before his father's death.
9
Is also a certified Deep Sea diver per Discovery Channel's Secrets of Pearl Harbor (2004), that he hosts, narrates and stars in. [June 2008]
10
(August 7, 2005) Grand marshal of the "Allstate 400 at the Brickyard" auto race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
11
Attended and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA).
12
Attended and graduated from San Mateo High School in San Mateo, California in 1972.
13
He was a defensive end on his high school football team.