Dennis L.A. White
Dennis L.A. White is an American stage and screen actor noted for portraying Damion 'D-Roc' Butler in the Notorious B.I.G. biopic entitled Notorious.
Early life
White was born and raised in southern California to a Grammy nominated mother and a military father, Dennis was exposed to many different cultures and ideas. When his family relocated to Fayetteville, North Carolina he developed his love for music and acting. He was offered a baseball scholarship while a student at Westover High School to play baseball but he decided to take an academic scholarship at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.
Career
In 2001, Dennis, under the guise of "Dennis Da Menace", put out his Billboard charted album, The Wonderful World of Dennis. In 2003, Dennis became the first African-American host at Fuse Television. He began to host several TV shows: Weekend Vibe, HBO's 5 Rounds and Chatzone, and MTV's Hip Hop Life.
White then pursued his love for acting with appearances in The Brave One with Jodie Foster, Law & Order: SVU, The Jury, I Think I Love My Wife, etc. In 2010, he portrayed a cancer stricken comedian in Marq Overton's Off Broadway play, Die Laughing. White also played Virgil on The N mini-series, Miracle's Boys. Dennis had a recurring role on TNT (TV channel)'s The Closer. In 2009, Dennis created "Act Like You Know", a company that gives acting workshops and seminars to aspiring actors across the country. In 2009, Dennis became the re-occurring character "Mistah Ray" on NBC's Parenthood.
In 2013, Dennis started a foundation called "M.O.R.P.H." to help eradicate racial profiling.
Filmography
- Lap Dance (2014) - (post-production) Pauly
- Sweet Lorraine (2014) - (post-production) Lincoln Kennedy
- Diamond Ruff (2014) - (post-production) Rev. Trek Woods
- The Genesis of Lincoln (2014) - T.J. McGriff
- Captured Hearts (2013) - Chris Walker
- Dreams (2013/II) - Jermaine
- Dreams (2013/I) - Gage
- NYC 22 (2014) -
- Changing the Game (2012) - Dre
- Small Apartments (2012) - Marcus
- Dysfunctional Friends (2012) - Minister
- After Hours: The Movie (2011) - Rugged & Menace hit man
- King of Paper Chasin' (2011) - J.B. (as Dennis Da Menace)
- Code Blue (2010)
- April's Fools (2010) - Tamil
- Three Chris's (2010) - Chris Walker
- Notorious (2009) - Damion
- The Brave One (2007) - Thug on Subway
- I Think I Love My Wife (2007) - Party Thug (uncredited)
- Swimming (2000) - Jeeper
Television
- Parenthood (2011-2013)
- Election Day (2013) ... Mista Ray
- In Dreams Begin Responsibilities (2013) ... Mista Ray
- Nora (2011) ... Mista Ra
- NYC 22 (2012)
- Samaritans (2012) ... Teef
- The Closer (2010-2011)
- Silent Partner (2011) ... Reggie Moses
- War Zone (2010) ... Reggie Mose
- Let's Talk About Pep (2010) Episode #1.3 (2010) ... Dennis White
- Miracle's Boys (2005) (TV Mini-Series) - Virgil
- Jonny Zero (2005)
- I Did It All for the Nooky (2005) ... Pillsbury
- The Jury (2004)
- Bangers (2004) ... Derrick Smith-Bey
- Fuse's Summer Jam X (2003) - (TV Movie) ... Host
- Weekend Vibe (2002) ... Segment Host (2004)
Video games
- The Warriors (2005) - Additional Voices (voice, as Dennis White)
- Def Jam Fight for NY (2004) - Baxter (voice, as Dennis Da Menace)
Producer
- Dreams (2013/I) - (associate producer)
Self
- Daily Download (2004) - Daily Download (TV Series) - Himself - Host (2004)
- Adventures of Dennis Da Menace: South Beach (documentary) (2001) - Himself
- Chat Zone (2001) - (TV Series) - Host (2004)
- The Thin Blue Line (1988) - (Documentary) - Himself (Defense Attorney)
References
- A. O. Scott. "Notorious (2009) A Rapper's Tale, Larger Than Life". New York Times. 16 January 16, 2009
- Williams, Houston. "Dennis White: The Realest Thespian In Hollywood". allhiphop.com. 11 October 2010.
- Colclough, Glenys. "Notorious Elevation: A Conversation with Dennis LA White". Prominence Magazine. p. 43. Fall 2010.