Film acting debut in "The Clown"

Stage acting debut in L.A. showcase production of "Detective Story"

Made Broadway debut in "The Long Dream"

Appeared in "Blues for Mr. Charlie"

Co-starred in the musical version of "Golden Boy"

Made London stage debut reprising role in "Blues for Mr. Charlie"

Reprised stage role of Clay in the film version of "Dutchman"

Appeared in "Finian's Rainbow"

Starred in the short-lived musical "Look to the Lillies", based on the film "Lillies of the Field"

Recieved Emmy nomination for starring role opposite Patty Duke in the NBC TV-movie "My Sweet Charlie"; released theatrically

Last film for over 15 years, "A Fable"; also produced and directed

Starred as policeman Ed Hall on the popular ABC daytime drama "One Life to Live"; won Daytime Emmy in 1979 for the role

Cast as Malcolm X in the ABC miniseries "Roots: The Next Generations"

Returned to features in "Seven Hours to Judgment"

Received sterling reviews for his portrayal of Elijah Muhammed in Spike Lee's biopic "Malcolm X"

Served as chair of the theater department at Howard University

Had recurring role as police commissioner on "Homicide: Life on the Street" (NBC)

Co-starred in the Showtime movie "Assault at West Point"

Played the patriarch in "Down in the Delta", directed by Maya Angelou