Raised in St Louis, Missouri

TV acting debut, "11th Victim", a TV-movie directed by Jonathan Kaplan

Took several years off from acting to study

Appeared Off-Broadway in Lanford Wilson's "Balm in Gilead"

Returned to TV with a guest spot on "Spenser: For Hire"

Wrote, directed, shot and edited the short documentary, "Fall From Grace"; shown at the IFP October 16

Received a story credit for an episode of "The Cosby Show" (NBC)

Feature acting debut, "School Daze"

First TV-movie in a leading role, "The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson" (TNT)

Cast as Alex Robbins, a regular character on the short-lived series, "Under Cover"

Portrayed the roommate of Clarice Starling in "The Silence of the Lambs"

First film in a leading role, "Fear of a Black Hat"

Feature directing debut, "Eve's Bayou"; also scripted; Samuel L Jackson had pivotal role

Second feature, "The Caveman's Valentine" starring Samuel L Jackson, screened at Sundance

Helmed "Talk To Me," starring Don Cheadle as Washington D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene, an ex-con who became a popular talk show host and community activist