Obba Babatunde'

Obba Babatunde’ 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. 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).

His distinct, unique speaking and singing voice can be head in multiple ads, commercials, as well as narration for docu-dramas. 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. 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 is 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. Some little-known facts about Obba are that he has a strong background rooted in the educational field. He was a co-founder with his brother Akin Babatunde’ and teacher of one of NYC’s first arts-based schools (in Brooklyn, NY). He is fluent in American Sign Language (self-taught), 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 a proud as I am of all that I have done, I am even more excited about what I am to do.” – Obba Babatunde’