Raised in Harlem section of NYC

Stage acting debut opposite Lotte Lenya in "The Firebrand of Florence"

Film acting debut in "The Last Angry Man"

First adult stage role in "The Cool World"

Had featured role as Dr. Jim Frazier on the CBS daytime drama "The Guiding Light"

Broadway musical debut, replacing Robert Hooks in "Hallelujah, Baby!"

Appeared on the NBC daytime "Another World" as an assisant D.A.

TV-movie debut in "Carter's Army" (ABC)

Co-starred with James Caan in "Brian's Song" (ABC); earned Emmy nomination for his performance as football player Gale Sayers

Starred opposite Diana Ross in "Lady Sings the Blues"

Reteamed with Diana Ross as her love interest in "Mahogany"

Portrayed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in the stage play "I Have a Dream"

Played title role of ragtime musician "Scott Joplin"

Starred in the TV-movie "Christmas Lillies of the Field" (NBC); played role originated by Sidney Poitier in the feature

Cast as Lando Calrissian in "The Empire Strikes Back"

Had pivotal role in the CBS miniseries "Chiefs"

Reprised his role as Lando Calrissian in "The Return of the Jedi"

Primetime series debut as regular on the short-lived CBS series "Double Dare"

Played recurring role of Brady Lloyd on "Dynasty" (ABC)

Succeeded James Earl Jones in the role of Troy Maxon in the Broadway production of "Fences" by August Wilson

Portrayed district attorney Harvey Dent in Tim Burton's "Batman"; was replaced by Tommy Lee Jones for the third installment, "Batman Forever" (1995)

Had first solo art exhibition

Portrayed Motown Records founder Berry Gordy in the ABC miniseries "The Jacksons: An American Dream"

Was commerical spokesperson for Colt .45 malt liquor

Co-starred with Lucky Vanous in The Nashville Network series "18 Wheels of Justice"

Co-starred in the indie feature "The Visit"; received a Best Supporting Actor nomination from the Independent Spirit Awards

Had supporting role in "The Ladies Man"

Had small role in "Undercover Brother"

Lent his voice to the character Lando Calrissian for the video game "Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast"

Co-starred in the southern drama, "Constellation"