by Frank Foreman

Created on: April 16, 2008   Last Updated: May 01, 2008

Few actors in Hollywood embody the charisma and desire to consistently perform at the maximum level of their craft the way Don Cheadle does. It's even more of a rarity to witness an actor or actress dedicate their life, away from the camera, for a cause so desperately in need of a leading voice.

Cheadle, 43, has spent countless hours in front of and behind the camera, acting and producing in some of the more recognizable films in recent memory. The Golden Globe Award-winning actor has starred in noteworthy films such as Traffic, Crash and the Ocean Eleven series. However it was his role as hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina in the highly acclaimed 2004 historical drama, Hotel Rwanda, that opened the eyes of Cheadle to a world in a cry for help, and launched a campaign to end the genocide in Darfur.

Following his work in Hotel Rwanda, Cheadle coauthored Not on Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond, an earnest book meant to promote activism against atrocities in war-ridden Sudan. Since the release of the book, Cheadle has invested his life to helping a growing epidemic in Africa, while simultaneously bringing countless awareness to the violence taking place in Darfur to Americans nationwide.

Those Americans include Condoleezza Rice and the United States Senate, in which he testified to have the U.S. government assist in supporting the problems facing Darfur. In a 2007 interview with Neil Drumming of Entertainment Weekly, Cheadle spoke about how his first-hand experience in Darfur, and witnessing in person how intense the situation has become put him in a position to do nothing but help.

"Trying to juggle being a dad, an actor, a husband with all of that, it's tricky," Cheadle says. "But it's hard to say, 'Eh, I don't have any time for it.' Especially once you've been there. Once you interact with people and realize that's you. You don't speak the same language, you don't eat the same food, but that's you."

Cheadle has been recognized on several occasions for his efforts with the conflict in Darfur, however takes the praise in stride, never seeking any personal attention for the work he has accomplished. To Cheadle, the highest praise he could receive would include having millions of Americans become more aware of such an important issue in the world today, and also know he has helped to motivate the public to get involved any way they can.

The latest award Cheadle will be receiving is being named a "Person of Courage" by the MAISHA. While more recognition for Cheadle himself may not be the result he anticipates, the more spotlight he receives creates a new opportunity to spotlight an important cause for an entire nation.

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