Clifton Powell has built a resume of great performances in films, on television and on stage since he began his professional career. With memorable performances on the big screen in the Taylor Hackford film RAY opposite Jamie Foxx and as the unforgettable ‘Pinky’ in FRIDAY and FRIDAY AFTER NEXT, on television as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in SELMA, LORD, SELMA and on stage in the national tour of David E. Talbert’s THE FABRIC OF A MAN as ‘Blair’, opposite Shemar Moore, for which he won the NAACP’s Theater Award for Best Actor, he has established himself as a dynamic and versatile actor.
Clifton’s film work includes THE FAMILY BUSINESS, written by Carl Weber, 20th Century Fox’s STREET KINGS: MOTOR CITY, Warner Bros.’ PREACHER’S KID, the Dreamworks feature NORBIT, opposite Eddie Murphy, Screen Gems feature THE GOSPEL, independent films THE UNDER SHEPHERD, BLOOD RANSOM, BROTHERS IN ARMS, NEVER DIE ALONE with DMX and WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED, based on the TD Jakes book, opposite Kimberly Elise. Clifton starred in the acclaimed CIVIL BRAND, for which he won Best Actor and the film won Best Film at the American Black Film Festival South Beach 2002. Other feature films include THE BROTHERS, RUSH HOUR, WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE?, PHANTOMS, DEEP RISING, DEAD PRESIDENTS and MENACE TO SOCIETY.
Clifton’s numerous television credits include a series regular role in B.E.T.’s Sacrifice, Bounce TV’s SAINTS & SINNERS, recurring roles on the CW’s BLACK LIGHTNING, HAWAII 5-O, SACRIFICE, David Milch’s HBO pilot LAST OF THE NINTH, the FOX pilot FACELESS, opposite Sean Bean, KNIGHTS OF THE SOUTH BRONX for A & E, BET’s A PRIVATE AFFAIR opposite Vanessa Bell Calloway, HAVING OUR SAY, the Delaney Sisters story, HBO’s PENTAGON WARS with Kelsey Grammar, BUFFALO SOLDIERS opposite DannyGlover, and Charles Dutton’s directorial debut FIRST TIME FELON. He starred in Nickelodeon’s award winning FOUR POINTS, hosted by Shaquille O’Neal. He has also made many guest appearances on television including IFC’s BROCKMIRE, THE MENTALIST, HOUSE, C.S.I., NYPD BLUE, THE JAMIE FOXX SHOW, MOESHA and IN THE HOUSE. Television series regular credits include the critically acclaimed SOUTH CENTRAL and RYAN CAULFIELD as well as recurring roles on ARMY WIVES, EVE, SIMON, ROC, SINBAD and MURDER, SHE WROTE.
On stage, Clifton starred in THE THING THAT LOVERS DO with Shanté Moore, WILL A REAL MAN PLEASE STAND UP with Johnny Gill and toured nationally with the Negro Ensemble Company’s production of A SOLDIOR’S PLAY. Clifton played the lead character ‘Bernard’, in the West Coast premiere of THE TALENTED TENTH at the Hudson Theater; he won the NAACP Theater Award for “Best Actor” for his performance. Other theatrical credits include THE MIGHTY GENTS, ZOOMAN AND THE SIGN, LANGSTON, THE HOOCH and FRATERNITY and the national tour of MY BROTHER MARVIN, which he also directed.
A native of Washington D.C., Clifton started his acting career at Workshops for Careers in the Arts, a professional program designed to train aspiring young artists. He is a graduate of Emerson College and makes his home in Atlanta.