Barry Shabaka Henley

Barry Shabaka Henley (born Barry Joseph Henley; September 15, 1954) is an American character actor. Henley has appeared as a regular in a number of television series, has numerous film credits, and is a fixture in films by director Michael Mann, having worked with the director three times. From 2019 to 2024, he co-starred in the CBS sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola as Uncle Tunde.

His stage name, Shabaka, is taken from a Pharaoh from Egypt's 25th dynasty, who ruled from 721 to 707 BC.

Early life Henley was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His mother was a dance teacher, and he often went along to watch recitals. During his childhood his family moved to San Francisco, and he attended the San Francisco Polytechnic High School, where he was taught by Johnny Land. Henley's first audition came at age 17 when he heard a "tip" that the Encore Theatre was looking for a young actor. He was given the script but did not think he was a good fit for the part and determined not to read it. But, Henley has said, "On the bus from 45th and Quintara to Mason and Geary, it hit me...You know what, I guess this guy wants me to memorize this stuff. So I memorized it on the bus." He spent the next several years acting on stage before moving to the screen. His early stage work included appearances with the San Francisco Mime Troupe, which included a performance as "Factwino."

Career Henley made his first appearance at the age of 37 in the unsold television pilot Clippers.

In Ali, Henley played Herbert Muhammad. In Collateral, he portrayed a sensitive jazz musician living on borrowed time. He played Buddy in the 1998 film How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Pokerface in the 1999 film Life. In 2004, he appeared in Steven Spielberg's The Terminal, playing an airport U.S. Customs Officer.

Henley was a regular cast member on the CBS TV sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola, appearing as Abishola's Uncle Tunde.

As a stage actor, Henley's honors include the Drama Desk, Obie, and Olivier Awards. He was also a member of the West Coast Black Repertory Theatre and the San Francisco Mime Troupe.

Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes 1993 Fear of a Black Hat Geoffrey Lennox What's Love Got to Do with It El Paso Doctor The Thing Called Love Reverend Raymond 1994 The Scout McDermott 1995 Destiny Turns on the Radio Dravec Lord of Illusions Dr. Toffler Devil in a Blue Dress Woodcutter 1998 Fallen Uniformed Cop Bulworth Man at Frankie's How Stella Got Her Groove Back Buddy Rush Hour Bobby Patch Adams Emmet 1999 Life Pokerface 2001 Ali Jabir Herbert Muhammad 2004 The Terminal Officer Thurman Collateral Daniel 2005 Four Brothers Councilman Douglas Shackles Virgil Direct-to-video 2006 Miami Vice Castillo 2009 Horsemen Tuck State of Play Gene Stavitz Streets of Blood Captain Friendly Direct-to-video 2010 The Dry Land Col. Stephen Evans Virginia Willie 2011 The Big Year Dr. Neil Kramer 2012 Stolen Reginald 2013 Water & Power Preacher Broyard Carrie Principal Morton 2016 Paterson Doc 2017 Mad Families Pops Lucky Joe 2018 Office Uprising Clarence A Star Is Born Little Feet 2019 Dolemite Is My Name Demond

Television YearTitleRoleNotes 1991–1992 The Royal Family Willis Tillis Recurring role, 8 episodes 1992–1994 Roc Ernie Recurring role, 7 episodes 1993 Johnny Bago Detective Venezia 2 episodes 1994 ER Detective 1 episode 1995 Married... with Children Charlie 1 episode Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Horrible Looking Giant #1 (voice) 1 episode The Client Linton Bell 1 episode 1995; 2004 NYPD Blue Roger Billings/Archie Day 3 episodes 1996 Malcolm & Eddie Mr. Derian 1 episode Sparks Stan Lawrence 1 episode 1997 Duckman Additional voices 1 episode 1998 Brooklyn South Mr. Anders 1 episode 2000 The Steve Harvey Show Tom Cunningham 1 episode City of Angels Delmar Forchette 1 episode 2001 Oz Lieutenant Schmand 1 episode Crossing Jordan Omar Maltese 1 episode 2002 Providence Mr. Adams 1 episode 2002–2003 Robbery Homicide Division Sgt. Albert Simms Main role, 13 episodes 2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Asante Odufemi 1 episode 2005 Lackawanna Blues Shakey Winfield Television film Grey's Anatomy Mr. Patterson 1 episode 2005–2006 Close to Home Detective Lou Drummer Recurring role, 9 episodes Barbershop Eddie Main role, 10 episodes 2006 Numbers Coach Grady 1 episode 2007 Hustle Thomas Jackson 1 episode Heroes Detective Bryan Fuller 4 episodes 2009–2010 FlashForward Agent Shelly Vreede Recurring role, 13 episodes 2010 The Good Guys Dr. Vincent Olson 1 episode Lie to Me Al Chapman 1 episode 2012 Fairly Legal Agent Donovan 1 episode Luck Parole Officer 4 episodes Veep Fast Food Executive 1 episode 2013 Shameless Judge Glen Aufseeser Episode: "A Long Way from Home" Remember Sunday Baptiste Television film The Crazy Ones Pete 1 episode 2015 Better Call Saul Detective Sanders 3 episodes Extant Senator Gabel 1 episode Black-ish T Jackson 1 episode Unforgettable Leo Hackett 1 episode 2016 NCIS: New Orleans Baton Rouge Detective Todd Lamont 1 episode 2017 Elementary Wendell Hecht 1 episode NCIS Earl Goddard 1 episode Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television Captain Jackson #3 / Female Captain Jackson #8 2 episodes 2017–2018 Bosch Terry Drake Recurring role, 7 episodes 2019 Station 19 Oscar Delgado 1 episode Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Dr. Marcus Benson Recurring role, 5 episodes Black Jesus Judge Horation Homey 1 episode 2019–2024 Bob Hearts Abishola Babatunde "Tunde" Olatunji Main role, 80 episodes (season 1–4) Recurring role, 6 episodes (season 5) 2025 Forever George Recurring role Death by Lightning Blanche Bruce Miniseries, 2 episodes 2026 The Comeback Walter Recurring role, 6 episodes