Darrin Henson

Life and career Henson was born in The Bronx, New York. He attended Prep for Prep, a non-profit organization whose vision is to prepare New York City's top minority students for success in education and in life. Hensen was a brief member of freestyle music 1980s group Trilogy and was featured on their single "Good Time". Henson is also known for his instructional dance video Darrin's Dance Grooves (which was heavily marketed in 2001 and 2002),

As an actor, Henson made his Broadway debut appearing in Ron Link's playStand-up Tragedy in 1990, and later performed in off-Broadway of David E. Talbert's play Fabric of a Man. He made his television debut appearing as a dancer in the 1999 made-for-television drama film Double Platinum starring Diana Ross and Brandy. In 2000 he was cast as Lem Van Adams, one of leading characters in the Showtime drama series, Soul Food, the longest-running drama at that time with a predominantly African-American cast in television history. Henson was twice nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, in 2004 and 2005, for his portrayal as the struggling young husband and father in this series. The series ended in 2004. In 2007 he appeared opposite Queen Latifah in the drama film Life Support, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, and starred in the dance drama Stomp the Yard. The film received mixed reviews from critics but grossed $75 million worldwide. In 2008, Henson played football player Jim Brown in the sports film, The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. In 2009 he starred in the science fiction box-office bomb Tekken. Henson later co-starred in films Blood Done Sign My Name (2010), The Inheritance (2011), and The Last Fall (2012). In 2011, Henson starred in the Gospel Music Channel's debut of John Ruffin's stage play The Ideal Husband, which also stars Jackée Harry, Ginuwine, Clifton Powell, Shirley Murdock, Shanti Lowry and Erica Hubbard. He later guest-starred in Single Ladies and Being Mary Jane and was featured in rapper Cuban Link's music video for his song "Dancin' & Groovin'" which was filmed in the South Bronx and released in May that same year.

In 2014, Henson played the leading role in the romantic comedy film, Black Coffee. In 2015 he starred in the comedy-drama film Chocolate City. He later reprised his role in its sequels, Chocolate City: Vegas Strip (2017) and Chocolate City 3: Live Tour (2021). He also appeared in other films in later years, notable South African romantic comedy Zulu Wedding (2019), for which he received nomination for an Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 16th Africa Movie Academy Awards. In 2018, Henson began starring in the BET crime drama series, The Family Business playing the role of Orlando Duncan. He was also interviewed by director Maria Soccor for the documentary Freestyle Music: The Legacy in 2022.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards Year Award Category Production Result 2000 MTV Video Music Awards Best Choreography "Bye Bye Bye" (by NSYNC) Winner 2004 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Soul Food Nomination 2005 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Soul Food Nomination 2019/20High Maintenance AwardAuthor of the YearBook: Pregnant With ThoughtWinner