Mekhi Phifer’s success story read like something from Hollywood’s Golden Age. With little to no acting experience, Phifer landed a walk-on in an open casting session for the role of Strike in Spike Lee’s “Clockers” (1995). After he won the part, his career as a powerful and versatile African-American actor of the hip-hop generation was off and running. Phifer would go on to capture the attention of critics and audiences alike with performances that cross all cinematic genres, from gritty urban dramas to heartwarming romantic comedies.

Phifer was born on Dec. 29, 1974 in Harlem, NY, along with a